Chartist prisoners, January 1841
Towards the end of 1840, the inspectors of prisons interviewed 73 Chartist prisoners convicted for their part in the first wave of Chartism. The reports were written up and submitted to the Home Office and can now be found in The National Archives. This page reproduces key information from every one of those interviews.
“The prisoners convicted of political offences and sentenced to be imprisoned at Lancaster Castle without hard labour are placed in a ward by themselves, they have a yard for exercise, and are not locked up in their sleeping cells until 8 o’clock in the evening. They provide themselves with provisions and may purchase one pint of ale daily. They correspond freely and receive letters, subject to the inspection of the keeper and chaplain. They are allowed to receive all newspapers, and I observe the Northern Star among others admitted for their use. These prisoners state themselves to be satisfied with their treatment.”
W J Williams
Inspector of Prisons
By the summer of 1840, the threat posed by Chartism’s first Charter petition had receded. In the crackdown that followed Parliament’s brusque dismissal of the petition, some of the movement’s most able leaders had been imprisoned, and splits in the Chartist ranks were apparent. The Newport rebellion at the end of 1839 had been suppressed, and the arrest of many activists, particularly in Wales, Yorkshire and Lancashire, had made it difficult to sustain the movement.
In the final few months of 1840, the inspectors of prisons set about the production of a remarkable report for their political masters at the Home Office. Each of the Chartist prisoners was in turn interviewed by a prison inspector – 73 interviews in all – and information recorded about their personal circumstances and religious views, their offences, and their own experience of imprisonment.
The interviews were recorded on foolscap sheets and transcribed into a small, black, leatherbound book. Both the original interview records and the book can still be consulted today in The National Archives (reference HO 20/10 – NB the catalogue entry unhelpfully reads ‘miscellaneous’).
On the title page of the book is hand-written the following note:
“Wm Fox Mawle MP
England and Wales
Confidential Reports, made by the Inspector of Prisons, upon the cases of all Political Offenders in Custody on 1st January 1841
Home Office
January 1841″
The notes below are reproduced from the interviews that follow in the book. Except in the cases of George Thompson and Isaac Armitage, they are not full transcripts, but they do summarise the key personal data about these individuals. A number of additional elements from the interviews are also included in a small number of cases.
Finally, it is worth noting two things. First, that the book does not include those Chartists who had already been transported to Australia for their part in the Newport rising and disturbances elsewhere. And second, that the complaints made by the men – which contrast sharply with the account of the prison inspector (see above) – clearly had some truth. Samuel Holberry was to die in prison.
Prison in which undergoing sentence: Grand Penitentiary, Millbank
Name and Age: Charles Walters, 27
Married or single – number of children: Single
Religious persuasion: Church of England
Profession or Trade: Gentleman’s servant
Offence: High Treason – was present at and engaged in the attack upon the Westgate at Newport and was armed with a musket.
Sentence: Death, commuted to transportation for life, and again to five years imprisonment in the penitentiary. Convicted before the Special Commission at Monmouth, 10 December 1839.
Prison in which undergoing sentence: Grand Penitentiary, Millbank
Name and Age: John Lovell, 42
Married or single – number of children: Married, no children
Religious persuasion: Church of England
Profession or Trade: Gardener
Offence: High Treason – was present at and engaged in the attack upon the Westgate at Newport.
Sentence: Death, commuted to transportation for life, and again to five years imprisonment in the penitentiary. Convicted before the Special Commission at Monmouth, 10 December 1839.
Prison in which undergoing sentence: Grand Penitentiary, Millbank
Name and Age: Jenkin Morgan, 41
Married or single – number of children: Married, 3 children
Religious persuasion: Church of England
Profession or Trade: Tallow chandler and soap boiler, lately a milkman and small farmer
Offence: High Treason
Sentence: Death, commuted to transportation for life, and again to five years imprisonment in the penitentiary. Convicted before the Special Commission at Monmouth, 10 December 1839.
Prison in which undergoing sentence: Grand Penitentiary, Millbank
Name and Age: David Lewis, 37
Married or single – number of children: Married, 3 children
Religious persuasion: Baptist
Profession or Trade: Shoemaker; he also kept the King Crispin Public House at Bryn Mawr
Offence: Felony, administering unlawful oaths
Sentence: Seven years transportation, commuted to three years in the penitentiary.
Prison in which undergoing sentence: Grand Penitentiary, Millbank
Name and Age: Ishmael Evans, 52
Married or single – number of children: Married, 3 children
Religious persuasion: Baptist
Profession or Trade: Miner
Offence: Felony, administering unlawful oaths
Sentence: Seven years transportation, commuted to three years in the penitentiary.
Prison in which undergoing sentence: County Gaol at Chester
Name and Age: Joseph Rayner Stephens, 34
Married or single – number of children: Married, 1 child
Religious persuasion: “now in the process of forming a religious sect of his own of which there are already 31 religious teachers”.
Profession or Trade: Religious teacher
Offence: Using seditious language at a public tumultuous assembly
Sentence: 18 months imprisonment, to find sureties for himself of £500 and from two others of £250 each to keep the peace for five years.
Prison in which undergoing sentence: County Gaol at Chester
Name and Age: James Mitchell, 27
Married or single – number of children: Married, one child
Religious persuasion: Catholic
Profession or Trade: Spinner, has since kept a beershop which his wife still maintains in
Eaton Lane , Stockport .
Offence: Conspiracy
Sentence: 18 months imprisonment, to find sureties for himself of £500 and from two others of £100 each to keep the peace.
Prison in which undergoing sentence: County Gaol at Chester
Name and Age: Timothy Higgins
Married or single – number of children: Married, four children
Religious persuasion: “No sect or persuasion – has his own ideas upon religion.”
Profession or Trade: Cotton Spinner, Portland Street , Ashton under Lyne
Offence: Conspiracy
Sentence: 18 months imprisonment, to find sureties for himself of £500 and from two others of £100 each to keep the peace.
Prison in which undergoing sentence: County Gaol at Chester
Name and Age: Charles Davies, 26
Married or single – number of children: Married, no family
Religious persuasion: “Calls himself a Calvinist.”
Profession or Trade: Cotton spinner, keeps a shop for the sale of periodical publications and
newspapers at Stockport .
Offence: Conspiracy
Sentence: 18 months imprisonment, to find sureties for himself of £100 and from two others of £100 each to keep the peace.
Prison in which undergoing sentence: County Gaol at Chester
Name and Age: William Benbow, 56
Married or single – number of children: Married, 3 sons
Religious persuasion: Calls himself a Baptist but really is of no religion, pays the most marked disrespect at prison chapel by never rising from his seat.
Profession or Trade: Shoemaker
Offence: Sedition
Sentence: 16 months
Prison in which undergoing sentence: County Gaol at Chester
Name and Age: George Thompson, aged 43
Married or single – number of children: Married – 3 children
Religious persuasion: formerly a member of the Methodist persuasion, but latterly has attached himself to the Independents.
Instruction: Reads and writes well – rather of a serious turn of mind, or apparently so.
Profession or Trade: Gunsmith, Birmingham
Condition in Life and means of Subsistence: Apparently doing considerable business which he still carries on.
Offence: Conspiracy
Sentence, and Date and Place of Conviction: Committed at Chester and the autumn assizes 1839 and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment; and find sureties himself in £500 and two in £100 each to keep the peace for 5 years.
Length of Imprisonment before Trial: One day
Expiration of Sentence: February 10th 1841
Ordinary Diet of the Prisoners’ Class to which Prisoner belongs: 1lb of bread daily, 1 quart of gruel at breakfast one and a half pounds of potatoes at dinner, 1 quart of gruel for supper. Extra Diet, when allowed: Allowed to purchase
General treatment: Is allowed by direction of the Surgeon beer, wine and allowed to walk for exercise outside the yards to the same extent as Mr Stephens. Complains of the want of newspapers, wishes with others to be removed from Mr Stephens and Benbow with whom he is at variance – Has received no money in the shape of subscriptions.
Present and ordinary State of Health – if predisposed to Chronic Disease, effect of Imprisonment: Subject to chronic rheumatism, chiefly affecting the lower extremities, from which he suffered considerably during the last winter – the Surgeon does not ascribe it to his confinement, he is now better; and will pass the winter without risk, the Surgeon keeping his eye on him.
Conduct in Prison: No complaint
Observations of the Inspector on the foregoing Case: Thompson – This individual was called upon in the first instance by McDowell whom he supplied with arms, and then established agencies for the sale of them at Ashton, Manchester, Stockport etc, the agents being all notorious Chartists – I do not believe it was anything more with him than a money making transaction, but one of a most mischievious character. He suffers from rheumatism, is of petulant temper and of ordinary ability.
(Signed) W.J.Williams
Inspector of Prisons
30th October 1840
Prison in which undergoing sentence: County Gaol at Chester
Name and Age: Isaac Armitage, aged 29
Married or Single – Number of Children: Wife and two children
Religious Persuasion: Was formerly of the Methodist persuasion, but now he thinks for himself – considers the Methodists (alluding to Stephens) the most avaricious men under the Sun.
Instruction: Was unable to read or write when committed but with the assistance of his fellow prisoners can now do both and even write letters.
Profession or Trade: Shoemaker, Stockport – is a native of Dewsbury.
Condition in Life, and Means of Subsistence: Destitute. His wife receiving Parish relief.
Offence: Conspiracy to excite the People to Arms.
Sentence and Date and Place of Conviction: Convicted at the April assizes 1840 at Chester , and sentenced to be imprisoned for one year, and find sureties, himself in £100 and two in £50 each to keep the peace for 3 years longer.
Length of Imprisonment before Trial: 22 days.
Expiration of Sentence: April 1st 1841.
Ordinary Diet of the Prisoners’ Class to which Prisoner Belongs: 1lb of bread daily, 1 quart of gruel at breakfast, 1 1 / 2 lbs of potatoes at dinner, 1 quart of gruel for supper. Extra Diet, when allowed: Allowed to purchase extra diet.
General Treatment: complains of having no meat, and being locked up at 7 o’clock – has also his tools in prison and does a little as a shoemaker.
Present and ordinary State of Health – if predisposed to Chronic Disease, effect of Imprisonment: In good health.
Conduct in Prison: No complaint.
Observations of the Inspector on the foregoing Case: Armitage – This man is a poor weak creature, his father was apprehended under a similar charge with himself and a brother aged 17. A true bill was found against the father who he says always mixed in politics, but before trial he met with an accident, and has become insane. No Bill against his brother. Was a member of the Working Men’s Association; was told if he pleaded guilty he might go home, but refused to do so. Thinks he has no abilities in the road of politics, therefore intends to follow his trade, at which he has no doubt he can get a living.
(Signed) W.J.Williams
Inspector of Prisons
30th October 1840
Prison in which undergoing sentence: County Gaol at Chester
Name and Age: James Burton, 55
Married or single – number of children: Wife and seven children
Religious persuasion: Is an Inghamite or nearly an Independent
Profession or Trade: Whitesmith, Stockport
Offence: Conspiracy to excite the people to arms
Sentence: One year’s imprisonment, to find sureties for himself of £100 and from two others of £50 each to keep the peace.
Prison in which undergoing sentence: County Gaol at Chester
Name and Age: George Wareham, 26
Married or single – number of children: Married, one child
Religious persuasion: Is of no religious persuasion or sect, but, if any, of the Primitive Methodists.
Profession or Trade: power loom weaver
Offence: Conspiracy to excite the people to arms
Sentence: One year’s imprisonment, to find sureties for himself of £100 and from two others of £50 each to keep the peace.
Prison in which undergoing sentence: County Gaol at Chester
Name and Age: Isaac Johnson
Married or single – number of children: Married, two children
Religious persuasion: Has attended the Methodist Chapel but forms his own ideas as to Religion. Is also a member of the Temperance Society.
Profession or Trade: Smith, Stockport
Offence: Uttering seditious words
Sentence: One year’s imprisonment, to find sureties for himself of £100 and from two others of £50 each to keep the peace.
Prison in which undergoing sentence: County Gaol at Chester
Name and Age: Thomas Howarth, 35
Married or single – number of children: Married, one child
Religious persuasion: Is of no persuasion or sect.
Profession or Trade: overlooker in factory
Offence: Conspiracy to excite the people to arms.
Sentence: One year’s imprisonment, to find sureties for himself of £100 and from two others
of £50 each to keep the peace.
Prison in which undergoing sentence: County Gaol at Chester
Name and Age: John Livesey, 32
Married or single – number of children: Wife and two children
Religious persuasion: Established Church
Profession or Trade: Editor-proprietor-printer, Ham-street, Manchester
Offence: Conspiracy to excite the people to arms
Sentence: One year’s imprisonment, to find sureties for himself of £100 and from two others of £50 each to keep the peace.
Prison in which undergoing sentence: County Gaol at Chester
Name and Age: John Broadbent, 28
Married or single – number of children: Married, three children
Religious persuasion: He has his own ideas as to religion but is more inclined to Mr Stephens than to anyone else.
Profession or Trade: “A country watch and clock mender, repairer of arms and one of Thompson’s agents for further [??this word is hard to read but may be…] sales.”
Offence: Conspiracy to excite the people to arms
Sentence: One year’s imprisonment, to find sureties for himself of £100 and from two others
of £50 each to keep the peace.
Prison in which undergoing sentence: County Gaol at Chester
Name and Age: James Duke, 39
Married or single – number of children: Married, six children
Religious persuasion: Has his own religious opinions but belongs to no sect.
Profession or Trade: Cotton spinner, kept a public house at Ashton under Lyne
Offence: Conspiracy to excite the people to arms.
Sentence: One year’s imprisonment, to find sureties for himself of £100 and from two others of £50 each to keep the peace.
Prison in which undergoing sentence: Northallerton House of Correction
Name and Age: Samuel Holberry, 26
Married or single – number of children: Married, one child
Religious persuasion: A member of the general Baptist persuasion.
Profession or Trade: Rectifying distiller, out of employment at the time of apprehension and for four months previously.
Offence: Conspiracy to riot and sedition at Sheffield.
Sentence: Four years’ imprisonment, to find sureties for himself of £50 and from two others of £10 each to keep the peace.
Prison in which undergoing sentence: Northallerton House of Correction
Name and Age: John Marshall, 44
Married or single – number of children: Married, three children
Religious persuasion: “Stated at York Castle he was a Roman Catholic – now says ‘I belonged to the Independent Methodists for a bit. I shall now belong to the Church.”
Profession or Trade: Table knife hafter, Coalpit-lane, Sheffield
Offence: Conspiracy, sedition and riot.
Sentence: Two years’ hard labour, to find surety of £30.
Prison in which undergoing sentence: Northallerton House of Correction
Name and Age: Thomas Booker, 55
Married or single – number of children: Married, one son
Religious persuasion: Church of England
Profession or Trade: Table-knife cutler
Offence: Conspiracy, sedition and riot
Sentence: three years’ hard labour, to find sureties for himself of £30 and from two others of £10 each to keep the peace.
Prison in which undergoing sentence: Northallerton House of Correction
Name and Age: William Booker, 20
Married or single – number of children: Unmarried, “a mere lad”
Religious persuasion: Church of England
Profession or Trade: Table-knife cutler, Bennet-lane, Sheffield
Offence: Conspiracy, sedition and riot
Sentence: two years’ hard labour, to find sureties for himself of £30 and from two others of
£10 each to keep the peace.
Prison in which undergoing sentence: Northallerton House of Correction
Name and Age: William Brook, 37
Married or single – number of children: Married, eight children
Religious persuasion: Independent
Profession or Trade: Joiner and cabinet maker at Bradford
Offence: Conspiracy, sedition and riot at Bradford
Sentence: three years imprisonment, to find surety of £50
Prison in which undergoing sentence: Northallerton House of Correction
Name and Age: William Wells, 18
Married or single – number of children: Unmarried
Religious persuasion: Does not belong to any religious persuasion but considers himself
Church of England
Profession or Trade: Apprentice to Messrs Worstenholme & Co, Rockingham Works
Offence: Conspiracy sedition and riot at Sheffield
Sentence: One year’s imprisonment
Prison in which undergoing sentence: Northallerton House of Correction
Name and Age: John Clayton, 54
Married or single – number of children: Married, 5 children
Religious persuasion: Church of England
Profession or Trade: Table knife cutler
Offence: Conspiracy, sedition at riot at Sheffield
Sentence: Two years’ hard labour, to find surety of £20
Prison in which undergoing sentence: Northallerton House of Correction
Name and Age: Joseph Bennison, 23
Married or single – number of children: Married, 1 child
Religious persuasion: Established Church
Profession or Trade: Table knife cutler, Sheffield Park
Offence: Conspiracy, sedition and riot at Sheffield
Sentence: Two years’ hard labour, to find surety of £20
Prison in which undergoing sentence: Northallerton House of Correction
Name and Age: Thomas Penthorpe, 35
Married or single – number of children: Married, 2 children
Religious persuasion: Church of England
Profession or Trade: Shoemaker
Offence: Conspiracy, sedition and riot at Sheffield
Sentence: Two years’ hard labour, to find surety of £30
Prison in which undergoing sentence: Northallerton House of Correction
Name and Age: Paul Holdsworth, 24
Married or single – number of children: Married, 2 children
Religious persuasion: Baptist
Profession or Trade: Woolcomber, Bradford
Offence: Conspiracy, sedition and riot at Bradford
Sentence: Twelve month’ hard labour, to find surety of £30
Prison in which undergoing sentence: Northallerton House of Correction
Name and Age: James Duffy, 45
Married or single – number of children: Married, 3 children
Religious persuasion: Roman Catholic, a native of Lisburn in the North of Ireland
Profession or Trade: Cotton weaver (ill health), kept a beer shop in Sheffield and went on teh
tramp selling food.
Offence: Conspiracy, sedition and riot
Sentence: Three years imprisonment, to find sureties for himself of £30 and from two others of £10 each to keep the peace.
Prison in which undergoing sentence: House of Corrections, Wakefield
Name and Age: William Ashton, 33
Married or single – number of children: Married, 1 child
Religious persuasion: “Catholic but has no desire to be attended by a priest”.
Profession or Trade: Linen weaver
Offence: Attending an unlawful gathering at Barnsley on 10 July 1839
Sentence: Two years’ imprisonment, to find surety of £30.
Prison in which undergoing sentence: House of Corrections, Wakefield
Name and Age: Joseph Crabtree, 35
Married or single – number of children: Married, 3children dependent on him
Religious persuasion: Church of England
Profession or Trade: Linen weaver, latterly kept a shop for the sale of clothes
Offence: Attending an unlawful gathering at Barnsley
Sentence: Two years’ imprisonment, to find surety of £30
Prison in which undergoing sentence: House of Corrections, Wakefield
Name and Age: Peter Hoey, 33
Married or single – number of children: Married, no family
Religious persuasion: Catholic – native of Drogheda – sees his priest frequently
Profession or Trade: Hand loom weaver
Offence: Attending an unlawful gathering at Barnsley
Sentence: Two years’ imprisonment, to find sureties for himself of £30 and from two others
of £10
Prison in which undergoing sentence: House of Corrections, Wakefield
Name and Age: John Walker, 25
Married or single – number of children: Married, no family
Religious persuasion: Church of England
Profession or Trade: Wool comber
Offence: Riot at Bradford
Sentence: Two years’ hard labour
Prison in which undergoing sentence: House of Corrections, Wakefield
Name and Age: John Riding, 24
Married or single – number of children: Unmarried
Religious persuasion: Church of England
Profession or Trade: Wool comber, Bradford
Offence: Riot at Bradford
Sentence: Two years’ hard labour, to find surety for himself of £30
Prison in which undergoing sentence: House of Corrections, Wakefield
Name and Age: Joseph Naylor, 33
Married or single – number of children: Unmarried
Religious persuasion: Belongs to the Methodists turned Ranters
Profession or Trade: Wool comber
Offence: Riot at Bradford
Sentence: Two years’ hard labour, to find surety for himself of £30
Prison in which undergoing sentence: House of Corrections, Wakefield
Name and Age: Francis Rushworth, 21
Married or single – number of children: Unmarried
Religious persuasion: Church of England
Profession or Trade: Wool comber
Offence: Riot at Bradford on 27th June 1840
Sentence: Two years’ hard labour, to find surety for himself of £30
Prison in which undergoing sentence: House of Corrections, Wakefield
Name and Age: Phineas Smithers, 47
Married or single – number of children: Married, 8 children
Religious persuasion: Is of no particular persuasion, attends church or chapel if opportunity
offers
Profession or Trade: Wool comber
Offence: Riot at Bradford
Sentence: 18 months’ hard labour, to find surety for himself of £30
Prison in which undergoing sentence: House of Corrections, Wakefield
Name and Age: Emanuel Hutton, 28
Married or single – number of children: Narried, 2 children
Religious persuasion: Church of England
Profession or Trade: Wool comber, Bradford
Offence: Riot at Bradford
Sentence: 18 months’ hard labour, to find surety for himself of £30
Prison in which undergoing sentence: County Gaol at York
Name and Age: Feargus O’Connor
Married or single – number of children: On committal he refused to answer any questions as
to his age or to allow any description of him to be taken.
Religious persuasion: Established Church, but does not attend the prison chapel, it not being
compulsory on him.
Profession or Trade: Barrister and journalist
Offence: Printing and publishing a scandalous and seditious libel
Sentence: 18 months’ imprisonment, to find sureties for himself of £200 and from two others
of £150 each
Prison in which undergoing sentence: County Gaol at York
Name and Age: Peter Foden, 30
Married or single – number of children: Married, 2 children
Religious persuasion: Independent
Profession or Trade: Confectioner and baker at Sheffield
Offence: Not appearing at last spring assizes 1840 at York to answer a bill of indictment for conspiracy, sedition and riot
Sentence: ~
Prison in which undergoing sentence: House of Corrections, Beverley
Name and Age: Robert Peddie, 37
Married or single – number of children: Married, no children
Religious persuasion: Presbyterian
Profession or Trade: Stay maker at Edinburgh, travelling in his business through the manufacturing districts
Offence: Conspiracy, sedition and riot at Bradford
Sentence: Three years’ hard labour and to find surety for himself of £30
Prison in which undergoing sentence: House of Corrections, Beverley
Name and Age: Thomas Drake, 54
Married or single – number of children: Widower, no children
Religious persuasion: Independent
Profession or Trade: Hand loom worsted weaver, was in gentleman’s service in London for 13 years
Offence: Conspiracy, sedition and riot at Bradford
Sentence: 18 months’ hard labour and to fine surety for himself of £30
Prison in which undergoing sentence: County Gaol at Lancaster
Name and Age: William Vickers Jackson, 37
Married or single – number of children: Single
Religious persuasion: Dissenter clergyman, formerly of the Wesleyans, but since seceded and formed a congregation of his own.
Profession or Trade: Originally a shoemaker.
Offence: Seditious conspiracy, unlawful assembly and seditious speeches – two counts
Sentence: 18 months imprisonment, two further sentences of six months imprisonment, to find sureties for himself of £500 and from two others of £50
Prison in which undergoing sentence: County Gaol at Lancaster
Name and Age: James Bronterre O’Brien, 36
Married or single – number of children: Wife and children
Religious persuasion: Is of a Catholic family – but has his own private religious opinions.
Profession or Trade: None
Offence: Seditious conspiracy, unlawful assembly and seditious speeches
Sentence: 18 months’ imprisonment, to find sureties for himself of £500 and from two others of £150
Prison in which undergoing sentence: County Gaol at Lancaster
Name and Age: William Martin
Married or single – number of children: Native of Wexford, single
Religious persuasion: “Established Church according to his own statement, but I doubt his
adhesion to any religious sect.”
Profession or Trade: Shoemaker
Offence: Seditious libel
Sentence: 12 months imprisonment
Observations of the Inspector on the foregoing Case: I believe this man to be a most dangerous, violent and unprincipled man, advocating physical force, destruction of property and anarchy in its worst form. He has been for years a political agitator in Ireland, Scotland and England, and says ‘it is his intention to agitate for the Charter again when liberated’. He has a brother, Walsingham Martin, residing at Chesterfield in Derbyshire, of the same opinions and equally as violent in the expression of them.”
(Signed) W.J.Williams
Inspector of Prisons
11th December 1840
Prison in which undergoing sentence: County Gaol at Lancaster
Name and Age: George Bellamy, 48
Married or single – number of children: Married, 1 child
Religious persuasion: Church of England
Profession or Trade: Hand loom silk weaver
Offence: Riot and assault
Sentence: 18 months’ imprisonment, to find sureties for himself of £50 and from two others
of £25 each.
Prison in which undergoing sentence: County Gaol at Warwick
Name and Age: Edward Brown, 30
Married or single – number of children: Married, 7 children
Religious persuasion: Dissenter – appears to be Unitarian – rarely attended any chapel.
Profession or Trade: Journeyman silversmith
Offence: “Unlawful meeting to disturb the peace, tumultuously so continuing for 1 hour,
exciting discontent, disaffection and hatred of the Constitution.”
Sentence 18 months’ imprisonment
Prison in which undergoing sentence: County Gaol at Monmouth
Name and Age: Wright Beatty, 28
Married or single – number of children: Single
Religious persuasion: Wesleyan
Profession or Trade: A coal trimmer
Offence: Sedition, conspiracy and riot at Newport on 4th November 1839
Sentence: Three years’ hard labour
Prison in which undergoing sentence: County House of Corrections, Devizes
Name and Age: William Carrier, 27
Married or single – number of children: Married, 1 child. “Does not intend to live with his wife again as he believes her to have been unfaithful to him.”
Religious persuasion: Does not afford a distinct account but has latterly attended the Democratic Chapel at Trowbridge.
Profession or Trade: Has been in various occupations
Offence: “Assembling at and addressing unlawful and seditious meetings to excite to hatred of the Government and Constitution and in contempt of the laws.”
Sentence: Two years’ hard labour.
Prison in which undergoing sentence: County Prison at Brecon
Name and Age: Thomas Kidley, 26
Married or single – number of children: Single
Religious persuasion: Usually frequented the Church of England
Profession or Trade: “Originally a marine soldier – deserted and lastly became a navigator.”
Offence: Member of an unlawful combination (on the 3rd November 1839), compelling a certain person with threats to join the said conspiracy.”
Sentence: Two years’ hard labour.
Prison in which undergoing sentence: County Prison at Brecon
Name and Age: James Godwin, 50
Married or single – number of children: Married, no children
Religious persuasion: Dissenter, attended the Baptist Chapel at Brymaur
Profession or Trade: Mason
Offence: “Unlawful combination and conspiracy, and counselling others to meet for an unlawful purpose, and for breach of the peace.”
Sentence: Two years’ hard labour.
Prison in which undergoing sentence: County Prison at Brecon
Name and Age: William Williams, 35
Married or single – number of children: Single
Religious persuasion: Methodist
Profession or Trade: Miner
Offence: “Member of an unlawful combination for seditious purposes and putting certain men in bodily fear with offensive weapons, compelling them to join said conspiracy.”
Sentence: Two years’ hard labour
Prison in which undergoing sentence: County Prison at Brecon
Name and Age: William Price, 29
Married or single – number of children: Married, 1 child
Religious persuasion: Calvinistic Methodist
Profession or Trade: Collier
Offence: “Member of an unlawful combination for seditious purposes, and putting certain men in bodily fear with offensive weapons, compelling them to join said conspiracy.”
Sentence: Two years’ hard labour.
Prison in which undergoing sentence: County Prison at Brecon
Name and Age: Walter Meredith, 43
Married or single – number of children: Married, 3 children
Religious persuasion: Independent Chapel
Profession or Trade: Collier
Offence: “Member of an unlawful combination for seditious purposes, and putting certain men in bodily fear with offensive weapons, compelling them to join said conspiracy.”
Sentence: Two years’ imprisonment
Prison in which undergoing sentence: County Prison at Brecon
Name and Age: David Evans, 32
Married or single – number of children: Married, 1 child
Religious persuasion: Methodist
Profession or Trade: [handwriting unclear – editor. Possibly…] a roller
Offence: “Member of an unlawful combination for seditious purposes, and putting certain men in bodily fear with offensive weapons, compelling them to join said conspiracy.”
Sentence: Two years’ hard labour.
Prison in which undergoing sentence: Kirkdale House of Corrections
Name and Age: William Barker, 21
Married or single – number of children: Married, 1 child
Religious persuasion: Follower of the Rev’d Mr Stephens
Profession or Trade: Weaver, Manchester
Offence: Seditious conspiracy and riot
Sentence: 18 months’ hard labour
Prison in which undergoing sentence: Kirkdale House of Corrections
Name and Age: Charles Morris, 27
Married or single – number of children: Married, 1 child
Religious persuasion: Church of England
Profession or Trade: Weaver – Little Bolton
Offence: Riot
Sentence: 1 year hard labour
Prison in which undergoing sentence: Kirkdale House of Corrections
Name and Age: Daniel Ball, 21
Married or single – number of children: Not married
Religious persuasion: Catholic
Profession or Trade: Cotton spinner, Bolton
Offence: Riot and assault upon a constable in the execution of his office.
Sentence: 18 months’ hard labour.