"Parkhurst Boys" transported to NZ 1842/43

[BAC3]

Good Evening Annie,

Excellent news from Vanessa, especially as John Webb returned to England after expiry of his sentence and then re-emigrated to New Zealand........ a "first" in my research.   I am keen to learn what happened after he reached New Zealand.

Talk to you soon but, in the meantime, have a very Happy Christmas and my best wishes for 2006.

Regards

Tony

[liverpool annie]

Hi Tony!

Thank you for your good wishes ....!
A Wonderful and Blessed Christmas to you and your family!!

Annie 

[BAC3]

Hello Annie

Vanessa has kindly given me a potted history of her ancestor, John Webb........and gratefully, from my point of view, another Biography completed, although unusual being he returned to England after expiry of his sentence and then "re-emigrated"!!

May I wish you a very Happy New Year and a successful 2006 for RootsChat.

Tony

[manui]

Hi Tony.
You might well already have this snippet, but I don't have time to check through all your pages:

From 'Shipping Intelligence and BMDs', from various NZ newspapers:
Friday 31 March 1843
On the 12th inst., Dr Lee amputated the forefinger of a youth, who called himself William Harrington, close to the hand, or metacarpal bone. He stated that he was a free emigrant; but it turns out (from the Police Report) that his real name is William Smith, and that he is one of the Parkhurst boys. He has told an incredible story regarding the accident; but it is connected that it occurred when Mr D'Oyley's house was entered a few weeks ago; a pistol having then exploded, and the robber leaving behind him traces of blood.

Manui

[BAC3]

Happy New Year Manui,

Thank you for the extract......I believe it came from the "New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser" and discusses the wrongdoings of William Smith (alias William Harlington) under the heading "A Parkhurst Seedling".

Someone very kindly gave me a tip about such newspapers being online a little while ago and it has been a useful experience trawling through the various editions plucking out snippets of information such as the above.

Once again my thanks and best wishes for 2006.

Tony

[bearkat]

I've lost track of all the posts on this thread.
Have you looked at The Times archives for references of boys sent to Parkhurst?

[BAC3]

I would love to be able to visit the British Library at Colindale and research "The Times" archives.......sadly, expense (without funding!!) rules out any visits.

If there is any on-line access to the archives though please let me know.

[bearkat]

Have a look at this thread
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,86255.30.html

Do Southampton or Hampshire Libraries have access?

Have been having a look.  There are reports of court cases and several articles about boys being sent to Parkhurst (and the cost!)

[BAC3]

Thanks for the information.

Certainly Winchester Library did not have access the last I visited, but will try Southampton tomorrow.

Incidentally, via Tasmania, I have had access to The Times Digital Archive 1785-1985 and extracted the 19 citations listed for Parkhurst Prison, which include running costs of the prison......but I would like to get access to the complete publishing history if that is possible to read "Leader Columns", "Letters to the Editor" etc.