Hi again
It seems I was doing John MARCHANT an injustice by assuming it was he who had withheld the body of Henry FOSTER from his executors because Henry FOSTER had died owing money for his keep while in gaol.
The Bradford Observer for 11th November 1841 names the offending keeper as Francis SCOTT, bailiff and keeper of the Manor Gaol.
I discovered that the Court of Requests Gaol, commonly known as the Debtors' Gaol, was for debtors of relatively small amounts (40 shillings when an act was passed in 1767, 15 pounds by 1845), whereas more substantial debtors were housed in the Gaol for the Liberty of the Manor of Wakefield, of which Francis SCOTT was the keeper. Fifteen out of nineteen prisoners listed there in 1841 have a 'D' beside their name, presumably signifying 'debtor'.
The debacle doesn't seem to have harmed Francis SCOTT's career as in Walker's Directory of Halifax for 1845 he is still listed as 'manor bailiff and inspector of weights and measures', of Jail Lane.
John MARCHANT is listed in 1845 as 'gardener and seedsman' of Hanson Lane, which he was obviously able to combine with his duties as keeper of the Court of Requests Gaol.
I hope I have now rescued the reputation of John MARCHANT!
Regards,
Lesley
