RootsChat.Com

Wales (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Wales => Monmouthshire => Topic started by: rgrist on Wednesday 03 October 12 13:57 BST (UK)

Title: 1842, nearest jail to Monmouthshire?
Post by: rgrist on Wednesday 03 October 12 13:57 BST (UK)
An ancestor was sentenced to 2 months in jail in 1842 and lived near Machen, Monmouthshire, South Wales. Would he have been incarcerated at Cardiff?

Have had a browse on the net for information on gaols which were operational at that time. There seem to be few open.

Looking on the Access 2 Archives website, the calendar of prisoners from that date doesn't seem to survive?

btw, I have got the sentencing record and case notes :).

thanks
Title: Re: 1842, nearest jail to Monmouthshire?
Post by: wilcoxon on Wednesday 03 October 12 14:08 BST (UK)
The Examiner (London, England), Sunday, April 19, 1835;

 There is a report on an incident at Monmouth Prison in this issue.

And another on this date , The Standard (London, England), Monday, January 06, 1840
Title: Re: 1842, nearest jail to Monmouthshire?
Post by: wilcoxon on Wednesday 03 October 12 14:14 BST (UK)
Do you have his name and the details , there may be something in the papers, a long shot but worth a try .
Title: Re: 1842, nearest jail to Monmouthshire?
Post by: rgrist on Wednesday 03 October 12 14:35 BST (UK)
Monmouth was open 1790-1869, I think Cardiff was a senior moment?!

Not sure if any relevant papers are online yet, http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk only has the Western Mail from 1850. Couldn't find anything on that.

It was only stealing potatoes, so wouldn't have made 'The Times' or nationals! (RODGERS/HODGES)

Maybe the Ebbw Vale archives would have something on film but I'm not local to that area.
Title: Re: 1842, nearest jail to Monmouthshire?
Post by: annamaywong on Wednesday 03 October 12 15:04 BST (UK)
There is a jail operating even today at Usk, which I would think is the nearest to Monmouth,
Cheers Anna
Title: Re: 1842, nearest jail to Monmouthshire?
Post by: Hystericalwriter on Wednesday 03 October 12 15:06 BST (UK)
How about Usk gaol..........have a look at  this wiki link http://www.rootschat.com/links/0rix/

Anne

ps and there is pictures of prisoners in Usk, later than your ancestor, but might be of interest to get prison life into context

http://www.rootschat.com/links/0riy/
Title: Re: 1842, nearest jail to Monmouthshire?
Post by: KGarrad on Wednesday 03 October 12 15:09 BST (UK)
Why does it have to be jail in Monmouthshire?

I have seen inmates from all over the country in places like Portland Prison?!
Title: Re: 1842, nearest jail to Monmouthshire?
Post by: rgrist on Wednesday 03 October 12 23:18 BST (UK)
Thanks for the replies. The Usk site is great. I think it was a House of Correction rather than a prison at the time I'm interested in.

I guess it depends on how full the prisons were as to whether they shipped prisoners out further afield. And how long the sentence was maybe, not worth moving them for a short stint.
Title: Re: 1842, nearest jail to Monmouthshire?
Post by: Hystericalwriter on Thursday 04 October 12 09:44 BST (UK)
Portland prison and its records and life have already been discussed here:


http://www.rootschat.com/links/0rkn/

Possibly for more serious offenders?