John Balls 1816 - Prisoner Pentonville?

[Meggiejayne]

Good afternoon

I'm not really sure where to post this. I'm trying to find out some information about my 4xgreat uncle *I think) John Balls. John was born in 1816 in Roydon, Norfolk and then his family relocated to Tydd St Mary sometime before 1820.

John marries a Sarah Burton and by 1861 they are living in South Road, Tydd St Mary.

In July 1863 John is sentenced to 6 years in Lincoln prison having pleaded guilty to arson. At the family's request I think its says he serves his time at Spalding prison.

However I've been looking at others that have him in their family tree and someone has a photo of John in prison uniform dated 11.10.76 and its labelled as Pentonville. The writing at the top of the photo says C877 (or could be 99 or 79) John Balls and then the date underneath.

The person who has this in their tree has no further information and I have messaged them about the photo.

I'm intrigued to see if there is any further information out there and if so how I would go about finding it.

I have found a burial for him on FindMyPast for the 20th April 1886 in Tydd St Mary but no idea where he died.

Any help would be much appreciated

[rosie99]

I have found a burial for him on FindMyPast for the 20th April 1886 in Tydd St Mary but no idea where he died.

The death was registered in Holbeach registration district so he would have died in that area, the death certificate should confirm place of death unless you can find an obituary for him with that information.

[Meggiejayne]

So he didn't die in prison then.

He should be in prison on 1871 so I'll look for his wife in that year

[rosie99]

There is a likely candidate for him in 1871 an Ag Lab bn Tyd St Mary. living Surfleet, Spalding
RG10
Piece number 3320
Folio 15
Page 6

[Meggiejayne]

There is a likely candidate for him in 1871 an Ag Lab bn Tyd St Mary. living Surfleet, Spalding
RG10
Piece number 3320
Folio 15
Page 6

Yes I saw that. His wife Sarah is with her mother in 1871, she says she's married and a tailoress for occupation. Her mother is with the whole family on the 1861 Census.
In 1881 Sarah is with her daughter Mary Jane and lists herself as a widow, so either the death I found isn't his or she washed her hands of him and declared herself a widow.

[rosie99]

A newspaper report for when he set fire to the straw says that he was previously in trouble for deserting his wife and would rather serve penal servitude than support his family

[Meggiejayne]

There is a likely candidate for him in 1871 an Ag Lab bn Tyd St Mary. living Surfleet, Spalding
RG10
Piece number 3320
Folio 15
Page 6

Don't think thats him as he was born Roydon in Norfolk which he has on the 51 and 61 Census returns.

[Meggiejayne]

A newspaper report for when he set fire to the straw says that he was previously in trouble for deserting his wife and would rather serve penal servitude than support his family

Do you have the link to that please?

[rosie99]

In July 1868 John is sentenced to 6 years in Lincoln prison having pleaded guilty to arson. At the family's request I think its says he serves his time at Spalding prison.

It was 1863 not 1866.

The newspaper report is on FindMyPast in the Lincolnshire / Boston Guardian dated 1st August 1863, sorry I can't do a link