William Bonson - Missing from 1861 census

[GenesA]

William Bonson was born about 1827 in Barnsley. He was married to Hannah Hill in 1845 and they had at least 13 children between 1845 and 1870. I have William in 1851 in Barnsley, living with his wife and children and working as a "stone getter".

In 1861, Hannah is head of the household, working as a linen weaver. Two of William and Hannah's children are in the workhouse school in 1861 and William is absent, although he didn't die until 1871. Can anyone suggest where William might be in 1861? It certainly seems that the family had fallen on hard times 

[avm228]

Have you looked for a suitable match under the initials W B, in case he is in an institution where inmates were not enumerated in their full names?  This was commonly the case with (e.g.) asylums.

[avm228]

What did he die of in 1871, and where?  Had he returned to the family?

[ShaunJ]

There was a William Bonson of the right age, "a suspicious character", who was sentenced to 8 years penal servitude at York Assizes in March 1856 for burglary. There are lots and lots of newspaper reports about it in February/March 1856. He lived at Hoyle Mill.

[GenesA]

He died in Barnsley district in 1871 aged 44. It was during the 1st quarter of the year and he died before the census was taken in April.

[ShaunJ]

He was in prison at Boaz Island, Bermuda in 1861. Sent home to be released on licence in 1862. 

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=TNA/CCC/PCOM3/114/11826-11850/099&parentid=TNA/CCC/PH3/PCOM3/01688

[BumbleB]

Only a thought - William Bonson who was sent to Bermuda gives his next of kin as his brother, George, not his wife, Hannah.   

[GenesA]

His brother George was born in 1820. It could be him? The newspapers describe William as a quarryman and in 1851 he was a "stone getter" (I assume he worked in a quarry)

[BumbleB]

Oops, I've just had another look at the prison record and it does say that he is married with 5 children.