Stamford Mercury – Friday 30 November 1810
Escaped Out Of Gaol, William Colley, Horse-Stealer.
He is about 20 years of age, five feet four inches high, had on a fashionable low-crowned hat, a blue double breasted coat, blue pantaloons, and laced quarter boots; he has dark hair and eyes, and is of a pale complexion ; and was committed on the 12th instant, with his brother, John Colley, for stealing two horses, the property of Mr. William Chapman, of Laughton, near Rotherham, in Yorkshire.
Whoever will apprehend the said William Colley, and confine him in any of his Majesty’s gaols, shall receive Reward of Ten Pounds, to be paid me,
Nov. 22, 1810, GEO. MILLER, Gaoler.
He went down the hole of the vault about four o’clock this afternoon, notwithstanding he was loaded with felon’s irons.
The said two Colleys are natives of Conisborough, near Doncaster, where their father, a labourer, now lives; they have both been in the service of farmers, and have committed several felonies that neighbourhood, and also about Liverpool.
After the escape the said William Colley, another prisoner detected the brother, John Colley, in getting off his irons; and it is supposed with an intention of breaking gaol, and following his brother William.
Hull Packet – Tuesday 18 March 1817
William Colley, charged with stealing a silver pint and various other articles, at Conisborough – Guilty, death