Durham Prison, 1881 - how do I find out what my relative did?

[CavalierFal]

I've been researching my family tree for almost a decade but just can't find out why one of my relatives is in Durham Prison. His name is Enos Jones and is on the 1881 census as an inmate. I tried Durham Records Office who said there was no-one of that name, but it's there in black and white! Any ideas please?

[Gadget]

Welcome to Rootschat 

Was he originally from South Wales?

There is a newspaper report of a man by that name charged with manslaughter in 1778.   I won't give further details until  you can confirm where he lived before he was in Durham.

Gadget

[CavalierFal]

He was from Gloucestershire, originally, so not too far - I found the article you're talking about but they were found not guilty. I'm usually quite good at solving these mysteries but this has me stumped! Thanks.

[Gadget]

Just found that  they were acquitted at the Assizes, so that's not him!

Cross posted 

[JJen]

Hi,

Welcome to RootsChat. 

Have you looked at British Newspapers to see if there is a report on a crime for Enos?

I can see there is one in 1872 when Enos a young man from Ruarden was charged with using threatening language towards a James Hopkins. Enos was bound over to keep the peace for 6 months.

Enos Jones
Age - 26
Occupation - driver
Gloucestershire Nominal Prisoners' Registers
Birth  - abt 1853, Bredon Hill
County Court Debtor, pay £1 5s 0d or 14 days
Conviction/Committal Date - 13 Oct 1879
Discharge Date - 26 Oct 1879

JJ

[davidft]

What records there are appear to be at Durham County Records Office according to this
(taken from the National Archives Index)

Prisoners' and Officers' records, prison governance, plans
This record is held by Durham County Record Office
See contact details
Reference:
P (click here to view this record in archive's external catalogue)
Description:
Prisoners' and Officers' records, prison governance, plans
Date:
1872-2009
Held by:
Durham County Record Office, not available at The National Archives
NRA catalogue reference:
NRA 40009 Durham HMP

[Gadget]

JJen - have read both newspaper reports and the criminal registers. The Glamorgan one was acquitted in 1878.  See Reply #1 and 3

I see that he was a coal miner on the 1881 - was this in Co. Durham before he was imprisoned.

Gadget

[JJen]

JJen - have read both newspaper reports and the criminal registers. The Glamorgan one was acquitted in 1878.  See Reply #1 and 3

I see that he was a coal miner on the 1881 - was this in Co. Durham before he was imprisoned.

Gadget

There is a newspaper report of a man by that name charged with manslaughter in 1778.   I won't give further details until  you can confirm where he lived before he was in Durham.

Gadget

My post refers to different crimes than those previously posted. These crimes were both in Gloucestershire.

JJ

[Gadget]

He seems to have got up to Durham by 1881. Correct age and place of birth.