George PONTING, born 1846, Bristol

[BAC3]

Hello,

George PONTING was sentenced to 2 terms of 12 months, to run concurrently, on 07/07/1863 at the Bristol Midsummer Sessions.   He was found guilty of stealing a piece of rope value 6d. (twice).

I wonder if anyone can expand upon the above details of the trial, from a newspaper report, for instance.   FindMyPast was not helpful in this respect.

Thank you

BAC3

[maddys52]

Not much more information:

"      George Ponting, for stealing a piece of rope, the property
 of James Poole, was sentenced to twelve months' hard labour.
 Prisoner: I can do that on my head."

Saturday,  July 11, 1863, Bristol Mercury

[goldie61]

 Prisoner: I can do that on my head."

 
Probably lucky he didn't get another 12 months on top!

[maddys52]

 

Also there is this item from February which may be the same fellow:

"     Three boys named Jones, Ponting and Curtis were
 charged with having a quantity of rope and timber in their
 possession supposed to be stolen. The prisoners were stopped
 by P.C. 186 with the rope and a piece of timber near the
 Sea Banks, and there was little doubt that it had been stolen
 from a raft, the property of Messrs. Barnes, timber merchants.
 The prisoners, who had been previously committed, were
 each sentenced to a months hard labour."

   Saturday,  Feb. 7, 1863, Bristol Mercury

[maddys52]

Actually quite a few other cases mentioned in newspapers over the years, happy to transcribe or copy if you want them.

eg
Saturday,  July 30, 1859, Western Daily Press ("lad")
Saturday,  Sept. 29, 1860, Bristol Mercury  (boy of 11")
Saturday,  Feb. 11, 1865, Bristol Mercury ("lad")
Saturday,  Mar. 25, 1865, Western Daily Press ("17, mariner") - not sure if this is same chap
Saturday,  Nov. 4, 1865, Bristol Mercury (young man)

[BAC3]

Good Morning maddys52,

I am extremely grateful for all your research.   Certainly you have managed to fill some important gaps for me.

On the "greedy side" I would be delighted if you could transcribe the references you mention, especially as those for 1865 need to be closely investigated.   I am of the same opinion as yourself that they may not refer to the same George PONTING.    Incidentally, could you confirm where the references originate please, because as I said the newspaper indexes in FindMyPast had no details.

For the moment and again my thanks,

BAC3

[maddys52]

No worries. 

I access newspapers through British Library Newspapers (on-line with my library card).


“Bristol Police Court.
FRIDAY
Before the Mayor (J. Poole, Esq.) and
J. G. Shaw and D, Burges, Esqrs.) ...

SUSPECTED THIEVES.
George Lawrence and George Ponting, two boys,
charged on suspicion of stealing some lead, were dis-
charged for the present.”

Saturday,  July 30, 1859, Western Daily Press

[maddys52]

“POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
Council-House  ...
WEDNESDAY
Present: General Worrall and Mr. Poole.
A YOUNG CULPRIT.- George Ponting, a boy of eleven
years of age, was charged with stealing a breast of mutton,
value 2s., from the shop of Mr. Matthew Dowling, butcher,
Clifton-place. The complainant said he was in a room
at the back of his shop on Tuesday night, when a little girl
came to him and stated that she saw a boy take a piece of
meat from his window and run off with it. Acting upon
this information he went in pursuit of the culprit, whom he
discovered in Jacob’s wells. As soon as the boy saw him he
threw away the mutton, which before he had concealed
under a smock frock that he wore. The magistrates sentenced
him to one month’s imprisonment with hard labour.”

Saturday,  Sept. 29, 1860
Publication: Bristol Mercury

[maddys52]

“POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
Council-House ...
TUESDAY
Present: Messrs. M. Castle and R. Goss.
Henry Locket and George Ponting, two lads, were charged
with having in their possession, supposed to have been stolen,
a drag and line. Since the lads were apprehended the constable
ascertained that the drag and line had been stolen from
Messrs. Hill and Son, ship-builders, and that their value was
about 8s. The case was not proved against Locket, and he
was discharged, but Ponting, an old offender, was committed
for trial.”

Saturday,  Feb. 11, 1865, Bristol Mercury