Smith Lucas

[bobtonks]

A newspaper, Cambridge Chronicle, 7 July 1838, reports that Smith Lucas and Frederick Ridgwell (of Histon) were found guilty of stealing corn and I quote " the former sentenced to be transported 7 years, and the latter to one years imprisonment"

Miles Lucas (1814) married Elizabeth Ridgwell in 1834. They had a number of children including Smith in 1838, a gap of 5 years, then Sarah 1843.

In 1841 Elizabeth was living on her own with the children .... and in 1851  Miles was back living with Elizabeth and the children.

Can anyone see what happened to Miles Lucas after the court case?

[ciderdrinker]

Hi
I don't know who Miles Lucas was.
Smith Lucas ,Elizabeth Ridgewell's husband was convicted as you said.
In 1841 he is on a prison hulk -The Leviathan in Portsmouth
Smith Lucas 20  Prisoner  lab N
He arrived there on the 18th of July 1838 Stole wheat and a copper boiler Covicted at Cambridge 6th July 7 years Married 1 child .Can read labourer Indifferent conduct Under disposed of column is Paid 31st May 1842.
So nearly 4 years on the ship.
Does that help?
Is there another man called Miles because I can't see him

ps 5 May 1838  Cambridge Chronicle Smith Lucas had sold his tenement ,barn  and 2 acres

Ciderdrinker

[emeltom]

The 1834 marriage in Histon has the groom as Smith Lucas rather than Miles.

I cannot find a Miles Lucas in the 1851 Census but Smith is there in 51/61/81/91 and 1901 so it looks as though he wasn't transported after all.

[bobtonks]

I get worse ... it should be SMITH LUCAS.

and yes it does help, thank you.

Smith died in 1903, age 87.
Interestingly, the 1911 -13 Land Tax Register records  his daughter Sarah owns the property that Smith Lucas and his family lived in for the past 50 or so years.

I found the 1841 census record, thank you, but can't manage to find all the other details?

[emeltom]

1861
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M7YL-R9L

1881
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q27C-V749

1891
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WMW3-VN2

1901
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XS3B-X99

Best I can do for you.

[bobtonks]

Sarah Lucas didn't marry. After Smith Lucas died Sarah Lucas continued to live in the house with her nephew Frederick Mansfield (also didn't marry) until her death in early 1932. ... no details

Frederick died 29 March 1832, age 75 ... details in local records.

In the Saffron Walden August Weekly News 26 August 1932 (Agent Winship) there is a property for sale that matches the description of the property listed in the Land Tax Register of 1911/13. Almost 100 years after the sale record you found in 1838.

I couldn't find any probate or details of Sarah's burial.

Are the details of the prison ship and Smith Lucas in Ancestry? If so, I will go to the library and look them up.

[DCB]

Quite a lot on Findmypast. Some mention that he was transferred to the 'Leviathan.'

Pictures etc. online. Search on: Leviathan Prison Hulk

David

[ciderdrinker]

Hi
Yes the details of the prison ship are on Ancestry.
Good luck when you go.
All the best
Ciderdrinker