Author Topic: Northampton Gaol 1802  (Read 946 times)

Offline tutor7

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Northampton Gaol 1802
« on: Monday 18 June 18 16:58 BST (UK) »
Hello,
An ancestor of mine called Jonathan Spencer born 1781 in Braunstone, Rutland was sent to Northampton Gaol in 1802 for stealing sheep etc under the alias of John Smith.

From archives on Find My Past and Newpaper records in the year of 1802, he was sentenced to death.
A letter and petition with many signatures was sent to Whitehall for leniency, as he was 'from a good home' but I don't know whether he was pardoned. The response was made on the 17th Aug 1802 from Whitehall and all it says is they will let them know of the verdict.

Does anyone have access to Northampton Gaol records that may give further information please?
Thank you very much indeed.

Offline PrawnCocktail

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Re: Northampton Gaol 1802
« Reply #1 on: Monday 18 June 18 20:29 BST (UK) »
Hi Tutor,

I don't think there are any records for Northampton Gaol.

But he wasn't hanged!
https://convictrecords.com.au/convicts/spencer/jonathan/104423


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Offline tutor7

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Re: Northampton Gaol 1802
« Reply #2 on: Tuesday 19 June 18 06:55 BST (UK) »
Thank you so much Prawn Cocktail, that's brilliant.

I know the letter of appeal with loads of influential people was signed and their request was for transportation instead of hanging. It was obviously successful.

This information you have found about his transportation to Tasmania is better, although I know it would have been grim to put it mildly. He is the brother of my 4th Gt Grandmother and the son of my 5th Gt Grandparents.

To find documents about relatives before the census makes so much difference.
Thank you again. :)

Offline hanes teulu

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Re: Northampton Gaol 1802
« Reply #3 on: Tuesday 19 June 18 07:42 BST (UK) »
There are 6 records on FindMyPast for "Jonathan Spencer 1802".

The 6th record is his notice of pardon and the death sentence being commuted to transportation "... to the Eastern Coast of New South Wales or some one or other of the Islands adjacent for and during the
Term of his natural Life..."

Dated 27 Aug 1802


Offline tutor7

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Re: Northampton Gaol 1802
« Reply #4 on: Tuesday 19 June 18 07:58 BST (UK) »
Thank you very much.
I obviously missed the 6th piece of evidence!
When I next pay for a session, I'll have another look.
Thank you again hanes teulu

Offline tutor7

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Re: Northampton Gaol 1802
« Reply #5 on: Tuesday 19 June 18 11:02 BST (UK) »
I have just discovered on the Tasmanian Convict Records that he died on the 5th March 1804, so he didn't survive for very long! :(

Offline hanes teulu

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Re: Northampton Gaol 1802
« Reply #6 on: Tuesday 19 June 18 11:08 BST (UK) »
Thanks for the update.