Petition · past parliament

Request a posthumous pardon for the miscarriage of justice of Sarah Chesham.

Closed 75 signatures

What the petition asks

Sarah Chesham an illiterate woman has been unfairly tried and treated by the Law and so called friends.
Professor S Taylor stated at the inquest there was a minute amount of arsenic in Richards Chesham’s body not enough to kill. Sarah had no legal representation during the trial therefore, guilty.
Sarah Chesham was hanged 25th March 1851 for the attempted murder of Richard Chesham a charge of “Administering with intent”. The inquest findings stated RC died of tuberculosis but, through poison panic and pressure from the locals HH Hawkins barrister requested advice from the Attorney General, he agreed to prosecute. Please review 2nd Series BBC1 Murder Mystery and My Family Episode 8 for more information. The retired high court judge ruled the verdict UNSAFE.

Timeline

13 May 2019 Petition opened for signatures
6 Nov 2019 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 75
Status Closed
Opened 13 May 2019
Closed 6 Nov 2019

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.