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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Wiltshire => Topic started by: robweldon on Tuesday 14 December 21 10:23 GMT (UK)

Title: Devizes Prison
Post by: robweldon on Tuesday 14 December 21 10:23 GMT (UK)
My ancestor William MILES was possibly on the 1841 census as a resident of Devizes new prison. I wonder if there are prison records that somebody can help me with regarding birth details etc of this William MILES please.
Thanking you, Rob
Title: Re: Devizes Prison
Post by: CaroleW on Tuesday 14 December 21 12:55 GMT (UK)
Searching info - Shown as aged 40 & born in county
Title: Re: Devizes Prison
Post by: robweldon on Wednesday 15 December 21 09:42 GMT (UK)
Thanks CaroleW,
Sorry, I should have posted "my possible ancestor William MILES was on the 1841 census".
I have seen the census and I'm checking to see if there could be any further info from prison records.
Regards, Rob
Title: Re: Devizes Prison
Post by: hanes teulu on Wednesday 15 December 21 10:06 GMT (UK)
FindMyPast Prison registers have a William Mile (no "s"), age 42, sentenced to 1 mth's imprisonment on 29 Jun 1841 for larceny. The age 42 fits the rounded down age of 41 of William Miles on the '41 Census.

The Wiltshire Independent, 6 May 1841, reported that a William Mile was to stand trial for stealing 8 pieces of oak plank.

Cannot spot a William Mile in Devizes New prison in '41 - only a William Miles.

The Census was taken on 6 Jun - was he in prison awaiting trial at this time?
. 
Title: Re: Devizes Prison
Post by: ShaunJ on Wednesday 15 December 21 10:24 GMT (UK)
Quote
The Wiltshire Independent, 6 May 1841, reported that a William Mile was to stand trial for stealing 8 pieces of oak plank

The Devizes Gazette of 8 July 1841 reports that a William Miles was sentenced to one month's imprisonment at the quarter sessions, for stealing oak paling at Easlerton.

He would very likely have been in prison awaiting trial at the time of the census.
Title: Re: Devizes Prison
Post by: hanes teulu on Wednesday 15 December 21 10:31 GMT (UK)
FindMyPast has the records of a William Mile, age 58, 6 children, wife Jemima of Easterton, sentenced to 7yrs transportation. This is late in the day for transportation so may not have been carried out. He was in the hulk "Stirling Castle" in April 1854.
The age doesn't "fit" but previous offences includes "Twice stealing wood". The 1841 report of his stealing 8 planks mentions Easterton.
Title: Re: Devizes Prison
Post by: hanes teulu on Wednesday 15 December 21 10:37 GMT (UK)
He's in Millbank prison in 1856 and released on licence (No. 5900) on 28 Jun 1856. The licensing scheme had been introduced as an alternative to transportation but if you read of the treatment of ex-prisoners under the scheme you wonder if they would have preferred Oz!
Title: Re: Devizes Prison
Post by: robweldon on Thursday 16 December 21 10:15 GMT (UK)
Thank you all for your replies and assistance.
I think you have proven that this William Miles is NOT the person I'm after.
Thanks again,
Rob