BrianG
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Inquest report - Henry JacksonIf anybody is going to Southport Library & has nothing to do  could they have a look for an inquest report in the papers.
My GG grandfather Henry Jackson (of whom we have spoken before) died between 1851 and 1861. The only real contender is the one buried 19th Nov 1858 age 53. I have just got the death cert, hoping to prove it by recognizing the informant, only to find that it was the coroner, following an inquest. Death cert says "Disease of the heart. Sat down in own house and died instantly"
It says inquest was held 18th November 1858 (he died 16th)
The only thing stopping me from being 99% certain it is "my" Henry is his age. I know they were not the world's greatest mathematicians, but if it is him he actually died 2 days before, and was buried on, his 52nd birthday. You would think they would have known he was not 53 (and they knew on the 1851 census when he was 44)
Many thanks in advance
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Jane
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Now you know me Brian....I am always happy to have a look. Not sure there will be much at that time. Some of the old papers didn't seem to have much local stuff but I will make a note and let you know when I've had a search
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BrianG
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Thanks to Jane for sending the newspaper clipping (from 18th Nov 1858). It reads:
| Quote: | | SUDDEN DEATH - Henry Jackson, of Park Lane, Churchtown, weaver, aged about 53 years, went to the house of a neighbour, on Tuesday evening, and returned home about half-past seven o'clock. He set down in a chair, and immediately died. He had not previously complained of ailing anything. |
I couldn't help noticing another article in the next column, about a Mary Halsall and daughter Alice, a two-woman crime wave, charged with nicking spuds from a neighbour. Alice was charged with stealing, Mary with receiving. Mary denied having any potatoes, then when they were found in her bedroom said her son in law had brought them. Showing true family loyalty he denied it Alice then confessed, pleading hunger. They were let off with a caution.
My GGG grandmother was a Mary Halsall (nee Tasker) and she had a daughter Alice. They would have been about 52 and 14 years old. Have I found my first criminal rellies? 
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Jane
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Oh that is funny. I wonder if they are yours..........
I must say some of the articles in those papers are funny but it seems the punishments don't change then.
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Dotty
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I feel that he is yours Brian.
You say your 'first' criminals...how many do you want?
Dotty
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BrianG
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| Jane wrote: | Oh that is funny. I wonder if they are yours..........
I must say some of the articles in those papers are funny but it seems the punishments don't change then. |
It is funny; on the other hand it shows the terrible hardships many suffered at the time - imagine having sending out your daughter to steal potatoes because you have no food
| Dotty wrote: | | You say your 'first' criminals...how many do you want? |
Well it spices up the tree a bit
On the Henry Jackson death, the certificate does mention "excessive drinking"  Why am I not surprised?
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Jane
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I suppose we should look at the wider picture. Lots of poverty we couldn't imagine. No benefits, pensions etc The alternative was the dreaded work house. So I suspect quite a few were driven to crime through hunger.
And maybe drink was a way of surviving this dreadful life
Must say when we find a criminal we can actually hope to find quite a bit of information about that person.
I was told one of mine went to prison for poaching. Trouble is I don't know when - have him on census so maybe in between and I haven't got anyone in Wolverhampton willing to sit and check 10 years of newspapers in the hope of finding him. One day I will return and do that
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ray green
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Too much pinko sympathy for North Meols criminal elements in these posts IMHO. Note that the spuds were stolen from a neighbour so I don't suppose he/she was living high on the hog either.
Anyhow I thought in those days stealing earned you a trip to Australia? Maybe society was kinder than we are told.
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BrianG
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| ray green wrote: | Too much pinko sympathy for North Meols criminal elements in these posts IMHO. Note that the spuds were stolen from a neighbour so I don't suppose he/she was living high on the hog either.
Anyhow I thought in those days stealing earned you a trip to Australia? Maybe society was kinder than we are told. |
Ray we are lucky your ancestors were not on the bench. There wouldn't have been enough rope to go round
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mjayt7
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They didn't all get away with it, an article on Curious Fox says
"I am a descendent of Esther Delaney. Esther Delaney was transported to Australia. Departed Dublin 8-Jul-1850 Convict Ship Duke of Cornwall Arrived Tasmania 27-Oct-1850 at the age of 26, for stealing potatoes. Her mother was Mary, Sister Eliza and brothers John and Thomas. She married Edward Purdy aka Edwards in Hobart. Looking for details of descendants of her brothers and sisters and also her ancestors "
Maybe the Irish were a little harder given the potato problem there.
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Dotty
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I say...I've said it before and I'll no doubt say it again..."We don't know we're born these days".
Dotty ...feeling profound
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ray green
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That is a hell of a sentencing range, from a caution to transportation for the same offence.
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Dotty
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Well...I suppose one case could have been a first time offence and got let off with a caution and the one that was transported could have been an habitual offender. If anyone was really interested they could research into it...
...or not!
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