Prisoner in 1881 Census

[erika]

Hi

I've just found ( I think ) a relative in the 1881 census in Wandsworth Common prison.
He only married in 1877, so the offence must have been quite recent. Where can I look to find some information about the crime committed and length of sentence?
I have looked in 19th Century newspapers and Old Bailey records, but have had no success.

Would welcome your thoughts/ideas.

Thank you
Erika

[softly softly]

Hi Erika, could you supply us a little more info on your prisoner. His name, date of birth and parents names if known. Also if you have a copy of his marriage certificate FULL details of what is written. That way lots more eyes can try and help you in your quest.

John

[erika]

Hi John
Thank you for replying

William Harding b 1853
Married to Matilda Bond 4 August 1877 St Saviours, Southwark

Father John Henry Harding
All Iron Founders
Previous census lived at Webber Street

Matilda is living in Webber Strret in 1881 census with members of her family.

I haven't got a copy of his marriage cert, but got the date from Family Search.
When he was baptised his full name was William Worfield Harding, a name which doesn't show up again, but has shown as William W Harding on previous census.

His sister Alice was my gt grandmother.

Hope that helps.

Thanks again
Erika

[softly softly]

Erika, if you have access to Ancestry his marriage certificate can be viewed online. Details are married 4.8.1877, Trinity Church, St Mary, Newington. Williams father John Henry Harding, iron master, Matilda was a minor, father John Bond-deceased. Will see what I can now find.

John

[erika]

Thanks John, have got Ancestry, but couldn't find that before, will look now.

Found that

Also a possible death for William in 1882

A 1891 census for Matilda with a couple of children, stated widow.

Will have to get some certificates.
But my main problem is was it him in prison and what for?
Erika 

[trish18]

Hi Erika,

Having trawled through various newspaper's for the period you mention, I came across this in 'The Times', dated Feb 4th 1881. It's a longshot but the age given for William Harding is about right and the location of Waterloo Road is near to Southwark, I believe;

Central Criminal Court Feb 3rd 1881

William Harding,27, a labourer, was charged with setting fire to certain articles in the dwelling-house in which he lodged, in the neighbourhood of the Waterloo Road.

Mr Greenfield was counsel for the prosecution; Mr Hewitt defended.

The jury found the prisoner Guilty but recommended him to mercy. Mr Justice Grove, in passing sentence, said he did not believe that the prisoner had intended to cause any harm to the inmates of the house, but simply to do an act of mischief, he being drunk at the time and having quarrelled
with his wife. He sentenced him to nine months' imprisonment, with hard labour.

Regards

Trish

[erika]

Hi Trish

Thank you for your interest and reply, very kind of you.

The case you found does sound promising, however I am a little concerned as it states William as a labourer.
My William was an iron moulder, the family business and on the 1881 census when he was in prison it does state his occupation as an iron moulder.

I am going to send for the death cert I found for1882, if it's him there maybe a clue in it!

Thanks again for your help, certainly worth bearing in mind, silly man!

Cheers
Erika

[LizzieW]

I like the fact that the jury recommended mercy and the judge gave him 9 months imprisonment with hard labour.

A bit more of that kind of mercy wouldn't go amiss with some of today's troublemakers. 

[erika]

Just been doing a little more digging and found that Matilda's sister and her husband were living in Queen Street, which is in the Waterloo Road area, in the 1881 census. Maybe they were lodging with them at the time, but Matilda moved out after the fire!!!!

Shame there wasn't an address in the newspaper article, but it could be more probable now that it was him!  Shouldn't jump to conclusions yet tho', keep an open mind.

Cheers
Erika

PS  Have to agree with you Lizzie, could make a big difference