Imprisoned in Somerset 1870's

[Janniehr]

Hi,
I have two ancestors who were imprisioned, the first given 9 months hard labour at the midsummer quarter sessions in Taunton on 2nd July 1872 and the second given life at the Assizes in Taunton on 27th March 1876.

I couldn't find either of them in the prison registers for either Shepton Mallet or Wilton gaols.

My research suggests that those were the only 2 prisons in operation in Somerset  in the 1870's.  So why aren't my people in either of them?

Does anyone know of any other prison where they may have been sent?

Any advice appreciated.

Janita

[CaroleW]

and the second given life at the Assizes in Taunton on 27th March 1876.

Is he on the 1881 census?  If he was given a life imprisonment, he should be.  Was he perhaps deported?

[CaroleW]

If it was Rosa Ann Rue - she was sentenced to Penal Servitude for life 

1881 census shows her in prison in  "Female Convict Prison" Knaphill Woking Surrey

[Janniehr]

Hi Carole
Thanks for your help, yes it was Rosa Ann Rue.  She died in the Woking invalid prison in Knaphill in 1884.  I didn't think she would have been sent directly there from her trial and wanted to find out why she was transfered there.  There was no evidence of any invalidity at her trial in 1876, indeed she was only 17 and it was noted how well and fit she appeared at trial both in mind and body.  That is what intrigued me.

Best wishes

Janita

[CaroleW]

8yrs in prison clearly took their toll.  Do you have a copy of her death cert?

[Janniehr]

Hi,

Yes I do, she died on 8th December 1884 in the female prison Woking, aged 25.  It shows a death of "Natural causes - Inflammation of the Kidneys".

It surprised me that I couldn't find record of either of them (John Rue in 1872 or Rose Ann in 1876) in the records and that made me wonder whether there was maybe another prison which I had missed.

These two were from Pitney and both tried in Taunton, but there didn't appear to be anyone from that area in Shepton Mallet Gaol at all.

Janita