A Conviction of Sacrilege
By Irma Walter, 2021. William Messenger (c1840 – 1861) (Reg. No. 5136) On 22 July 1854 William Messenger, just 14…
Category: Convict Histories
George Peters (1834 – ?) (Reg. No. 6414)
On 7 November 1859 at Portobello beach in Edinburgh, George Peters, aged 28, in company with John M’Lachan and James…
Conspiracy to Murder Governor Gardner of Bristol Gaol, 1856.
CONSPIRACY TO MURDER THE GOVERNOR of the BRISTOL GAOL. – Some sensation has been created during these assizes by the…
Joseph Cant (Reg. No. 3249) and John Henry Eason (3900 & 10037)
By Irma Walter, 2021. Joseph Gant [sic, Cant] and John Henry Eason were criminal associates in Lincolnshire. When arrested in…
Two Gangs of London Forgers, 1850s
By Irma Walter, 2022. William Wagner (alias Curtis, aka Wegner, Wegener) (c1812 – 1882) (Convict Reg. Nos. 5611 & 10118)…
William Hortin/Horton (c1833 – ?) (Reg. No. 4767)
By Irma Walter, 2021. William Horton’s story is yet another example of the harsh treatment meted out to young offenders…
William Graham (c1830-1891) (Reg. No. 5244)
By Irma Walter, 2021. 1861 Letter from a Penrith Man, a convict in Australia. The following letter has been received…
A Wife’s Revenge – Joseph Gray (1823 – ?) (Reg. No. 4283)
Joseph Gray was born in Durham, Stockton in 1823, to parents Thomas Gray and Ann Daniel. He married Elizabeth Sarah…
John Sylvester (c1827 – ?) (Reg. No. 5251)
By Irma Walter, 2022. John Sylvester’s criminal career in the industrial town of Sheffield in England began at an early…
Three Hangings in One Day
By Irma Walter, 2021. Executions were carried out in the prisoners’ yard at the Perth Gaol up until the late…