Michael CAPEL, born c1837

[BAC3]

Hello,

Michael CAPEL was discharged early (actually pardoned) from Dartmoor Prison on 22/10/1853, having been originally sentenced to 7 years transportation at Exeter on 20/11/1849.    He says he was born in Cornwall and his unnamed mother was "An Irish Tramper"; no father.   He had been earlier guilty of tramping in Somerset on 05/12/1848 and admitted to Wilton Gaol.

I have searched through all the recognised sources but no further mention after 1849, including criminal indexes.   

Can anyone help please??

BAC3

[lizdb]

What is the source of the year of birth?

If he was sentenced in 1849, then an 1837 year of birth would have made him only 12 then.
And only 11 for the 1848 conviction.

[hanes teulu]

A newspaper report in 1849 has "age 13" - one of his 1849 FindMyPast records had age 13.

Possible later sightings?
North Devon Journal, 14 may 1862
An item under the heading "A BATCH OF CADGERS FROM THE EMERALD ISLE", named a "John Jones, alias Michael Capel, alias Michael Bryan ... a tall, athletic looking man"
The court refused to accept his story and he was committed for 21 days to the Borough Gaol as "a rogue and a vagabond".

Cheltenham Mercury, 10 Dec 1864
A "Michael Capel, tramp ..." jailed for 7 days for theft "in a very feeble state of health ..."

[hanes teulu]

Was he sent to Parkhurst IoW March 1851 - FindMyPast records?

Have checked the 1851 prison census records - all listed under initals, not full name. 3 "MCs" listed.

[BAC3]

Diolch yn fawr iawn, hanes teulu,

It completely slipped my mind to check the newspapers, which is unforgiveable given your posts.

However, the thought that your posts showed him moving from North Devon to Cheltenham makes me wonder if he finally reached London, as there are several references I came across describing a pauper who could fit the bill??

He was sent to Parkhurst Prison in 1850 when he was just 13, having been transferred from Exeter Gaol via Millbank Prison, and he would have joined many more juvenile offenders, a considerable number also being in their very early teens.   The youngest at one stage was only 9!!   He was eventually sent to Dartmoor Prison on 30/08/1853.

For the moment,

BAC3

[hanes teulu]

Croeso, BAC3.

The Western Daily Press, 15 Dec 1871, has a report of a "Michael Capel, tramp ..." being sentenced to 6 weeks imprisonment with hard labour at Frome Petty Sessions after pleading guilty. Offence - theft of 1lb 3ozs of tobacco.

[BAC3]

hanes teulu,

Having taken your advice I did manage to advance his story to 15/12/1871 when he was sentenced to six weeks for stealing tobacco in Frome.......this time he was addressed as a "Tramp" and not a "Hawker" as you note.

Slow but sure progress??

BAC3