By John D Ellis
In 2004 a small but extremely informative book, (Ethnic Minorities: Lyme Regis & West Dorset Past and Present) was published, written by Louisa Parker, Judy Ford and Jo Draper.[1]Parker, L. Ford, J. Draper, J. “Ethnic Minorities: Lyme Regis & West Dorset Past and Present”. Lyme Regis Museum (supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund). Printed by Sherrens, Weymouth. … Continue reading Over twenty years later, an examination of the records of Dorchester Prison (1782-1901), can add to the many individuals identified by Ethnic Minorities… as the gaolers of Dorchester recorded detailed physical descriptions of their charges, including complexion for those identified as “Black”, “of colour” or “Gypsy”. This article is not intended to be a critical analysis of crime and punishment, the penal system – nor the presence and experience in it of individuals described as “Black, of colour” or “Gypsy”. The intent is to publish the details so that others might be able to take the research further, be that genealogy, local or academic history. However, there must be a context both to the records themselves and contemporary attitude to ethnic minorities:
a) Whilst the records, held online by Ancestry.co.uk, ostensibly cover the period 1782-1901, there are gaps during which names were recorded but not physical descriptions. The earliest reference to a Black inmate was John Wat, admitted in 1813 and the last to John Shields, admitted in 1877.
b) Thousands of individuals were incarcerated in Dorchester Prison between 1782-1901. However, some individuals have multiple entries for the same offence. Consequently, it is not possible to quantify the proportion of (the 47) inmates identified as “Black, of colour” or “Gypsy” (in one case). Lest it be assumed that the history of people of African or Asian origin in Britain is defined by criminality, none of the hundreds of individuals identified as serving in either the regiments of the British Army or as ratings in the Royal Navy spent any time in Dorchester Gaol.
c) Successive Dorchester gaolers must have grappled with how to include ‘race’/ethnicity in descriptions. Like their colleagues at Newgate Gaol (in London), they appear to have decided that anyone of African or Asian origin should be described as having a “black” of “of colour” complexion.[2]www.historycalroots.com/forgotten-stories-women-of-colour-in-newgate-gaol-1817-1882/ It is only when place of birth is recorded that it is possible to identify the likely ethnicity of an individual. In the case of those of ‘mixed heritage’ whose complexions were not “black” the annotation “man of colour” was recorded. Thus, Robert Wedderburn, almost certainly the most famous inmate ‘of colour’ to be incarcerated at Dorchester, was described as having a “very dark” complexion, and under “Marks” it was noted that he was “a man of colour”.[3]For Robert Wedderburn see: TNA NG PR1 D2 1.
d) All of the individuals identified were males. The majority were seamen from the Caribbean convicted of offences at sea/related to sea-going (e.g. AWOL, desertion, disobedience, defying orders etc) or vagrancy. The latter, almost certainly men ‘between vessels’ and transiting Dorset to seek employment, fell foul of the Vagrancy Act (1824) which criminalised ‘rough sleeping’. The most serious crimes committed included theft and assaulting a Police Officer. Robert Wedderburn was famously convicted of blasphemy. However, there were only two recidivists (‘Graffa’ and John Shields), and only two Black/of colour co-accused: Samuel Gibson and John Stevens, Jamaican seamen who were convicted of refusing to go to sea in March 1869.
Table 1. Place of origin
| Caribbean | 17 |
| deer | 8 |
| Africa | 7 |
| East Indies | 5 |
| Canada | 4 |
| Dorset | 3 |
| Spain | 1 |
| Unidentified | 1 |
Excluding Graffa.
Table 2. Occupation
| Seaman | 27 |
| Servant | 3 |
| Labourer | 3 |
| Cook | 2 |
| Taylor | 1 |
| Hairdresser | 1 |
| Hawker | 1 |
| Lascar | 1 |
| Sugar planter | 1 |
Excluding Graffa.
Table 3. Charge/Crime
| Vagrancy | 18 |
| Sea related (AWOL, desertion, disobedience, defying orders). | 10 |
| Theft | 7 |
| Assaulting the Police | 3 |
| Leaving his family | 1 |
| Blasphemy (Wedderburn) | 1 |
| Debt | 1 |
| Misbehaviour | 1 |
| Drunken-ness | 1 |
| House breaking | 1 |
Excluding Graffa.
Inmates identified as being “Black” or “of colour” (i.e. of African or Asian origin), at Dorchester Prison, Dorset 1782 to 1901
The first Black/of colour individual admitted was John Wat (1813). The last Black/of colour individual admitted was John Shields (1877).[4]Dorchester Prison, Dorset: Admission and Discharge Registers, 1782-1901. ancestry.co.uk The entries are in chronological order and sources follow individual entries.
James Boswell, otherwise James Clarke. Admitted 4 March 1790. 19 years. Born Corfe Castle. Tinker. Married. 5/4” tall. Hair: Black. Complexion: Gipsy. Eyes: Black. Marks: Face small, ___ large, well made. Crimes: Horse stealing. Trial: Assizes, 1790. Event of trial and sentence: Guilty and Death (reprieved to be transported for 7 years). 18 May 1792 – Received an extension of His Majesty’s mercy on condition of his being kept to hard labour for the term of 5 years from 12 April 1792. 8 April 1794 – Received a further extension of His Majesty’s mercy towards this prisoner, on condition of his going to serve His Majesty as a soldier. Behaviour: Orderly. 11 April 1794 – Delivered to Corporal Winsor of the Dorset Regiment.
Source: TNA NG PR1 D1 1.
John Wat. Admitted 10 July 1813. 30 years. Born Bengall (sic). Sailor. Single. Charged with vagrancy. 5/1” tall. Hair: Jet Black. Eyes: Black. Complexion: Black. Marks: A Lascar – the nail on the little finger split, good features. Event of trial: Discharged on condition. Behaviour: Orderly. When discharged: 20 July 1813. Sent by the Road Wagon to London.
Source: TNA NG PR1 D2 1.
Thomas Succas (transcribed as Luccas). Assizes. Admitted 28 April 1814. 41 years. Born Seringapatam. Servant. Single. Charged with House Breaking. 5/1 and 1/2” tall. Hair: Black. Eyes: Black. Complexion: Black. Marks: A Lascar – has a mark of a small box middle of forehead, the marks of a great many pricks on back of left arm above the wrist, walks lame left leg. Event of trial: 1s fine and hard labour for six calendar months. Behaviour: Disorderly. When discharged: 27 January 1815.
Source: TNA NG PR1 D2 1.
James Williams. Assizes. Admitted 22 June 1814. 28 years. Born Mississippi. Seaman. Single. Charged with stealing muslin. 5/4 and ½” tall. Hair: Black wool. Eyes: Dark hazel. Complexion: Tawney. Marks: A mulatto. Event of trial: Hard labour – 2 calendar months. Behaviour: Disorderly. When discharged: 28 September 1814.
Admitted with a co-accused: Jose Domingo, a corn mill maker from Arragon, Cattalonia (sic) with a “sallow” complexion. His co-accused received the same sentence and a similar comment about his behaviour.
Source: TNA NG PR1 D2 1.
John Francis. Assizes. Admitted 13 March 1815. 22 years. Born St Domingo. Sugar planter. Single. Charged with stealing bank notes and wearing apparel. 5/8” tall. Hair: Black wool. Eyes: Black. Complexion: Black. Marks: An African negro, broad nose, long visage, a cut between the two eyes,… Event of trial: Death reprieved and to be kept at hard labour for two years. Behaviour: Orderly. When discharged: 4 April 1816. Remarks: Departed this life – 6 Buried.
John Francis aged 23 years was buried at St Peter’s Church, Dorchester on the 6th of May 1816. From 1774 until 2023, the church contained a memorial plaque for John Gordon, an 18th century plantation owner who helped to suppress a Jamaican slave rebellion called ‘Tacky’s War’ (1760-1761).
Source: TNA NG PR1 D2 1. National Burial Index for England and Wales. Somerset and Dorset Family History Society. findmypast.co.uk
John Martin. Admitted 4 September 1818. 45 years. Born Serialeone (sic), Africa. Seaman. Married. Crime: Vagrancy. 5/3 and ½” tall. Hair: Black wool. Eyes: Dark hazel. Complexion: Black. Marks: A black very much pitted in the face with smallpox marks. Event of trial: Hard labour, 14 days. Behaviour: Orderly. When discharged: 18 September 1818.
Admitted with a co-accused: John Freeman otherwise Thomas Lomax, a sailor aged 21 years from Boston, America with a “brown” complexion. His co-accused received the same sentence and a similar comment about his behaviour. The Mayor of Dorchester granted passes to both men to go to Portsmouth to obtain a pass to go to their “own” countries.
Source: TNA NG PR1 D2 1.
Robert Wedderburn. Admitted 16 May 1820. 57 years. A native of Kingston, Jamaica but belonging to St James Parish, London. Taylor. Married. Crime: Speaking and publicly saying certain blasphemous and profane words. 5/5” tall. Hair: Black and grey. Eyes: Black. Complexion: Very dark. Marks: A man of colour, broad nostrils, a cut on the left side of the forehead, a slight cut on the left side of the nose, lusty. Event of trial: Imprisonment – 2 years and to give sureties for £50 for good behaviour for three years more. Behaviour: Orderly. When discharged: 11 May 1822.
Source: TNA NG PR1 D2 1.
Francis Thomas. Easter Sessions. Admitted 5 February 1821. 19 years. Born Norfolk, America. Servant. Single. Crime: Rogue and a vagabond. 5/4 and ¾” tall. Hair: Black. Eyes: Dark hazel. Complexion: Black. Marks: A man of colour, pitted in the face smallpox. Event of trial: No prosecution. Behaviour: Orderly. When discharged: 5 May 1821. Sent by the Road Wagon to London.
Source: TNA NG PR1 D2 1.
William Saunders. Easter Sessions. Admitted 29 July 1824. 24 years. Born Sierra Leone, Africa. Seaman. Single. Crime: Vagrancy. 4/10 and ½” tall. Hair: Black wool. Eyes: Very dark hazel. Complexion: Black. Marks: A black man, a large cut through lip, several cuts on the left side of the face. Event of trial: Hard labour, 7 days. Behaviour: Orderly. When discharged: 4 August 1824. Sent by the Road Wagon to London.
Source: TNA NG PR1 D2 1.
Christian Dubeck. Admitted 5 April 1827. Born St Domingo. Seaman. Single. 33 years. 5/9 and ¾” tall. Hair: Black and grey. Complexion: Very dark sallow. Eyes: Dark hazel. Marks: A man of colour, calls himself a minister, the mark of gunpowder on the left side of the nose. Crime: Idle and disorderly. Sentence: Hard labour, 3 calendar months. Behaviour: Orderly. When discharged: 4 July 1827.
Source: TNA NG PR1 D1 4. TNA NG PR1 D2 1.
John Lewis. Admitted 8 February 1828. Born Congo, Africa. Seaman. Single. 56 and ½ years. 5/6 and ½” tall. Hair: Black wool. Complexion: Black. Eyes: Very dark sallow. Marks: A black man, a large cut over the left eye. Crime: Vagrancy. Sentence: Hard labour, 1 calendar month. Behaviour: Orderly. When discharged: 7 March 1828.
Source: TNA NG PR1 D1 4.
Marcus otherwise Charles Paul. Admitted 19 December 1828. 30 years. Born Charlestown (sic), South Carolina. Seaman. Single. Crime: Vagrancy. 5/4 and ¼” tall. Hair: Black wool. Eyes: Very dark hazel. Complexion: Black. Marks: Unusual marks like old wounds on the left cheek, a mole or wart on the ____ right chest, a black ____ cuts to the back of the right hand. Event of trial: Hard labour, 3 calendar months. Behaviour: Orderly. When discharged: 18 March 1829.
Source: TNA NG PR1 D2 2.
Job Hounsell. Admitted 3 January 1829. 26 years. Born Bridport. Labourer. Married. Number of children: 3. Crime: Leaving family chargeable. 5/5” tall. Hair: Black curled. Eyes: Very dark hazel. Complexion: Dark swarthy. Marks: A man of colour his mother was a mulatto, the thumb on the right hand crooked from being broken. Event of trial: Hard labour, 2 calendar months. Behaviour: Orderly. When discharged: 2 March 1829.
A Job Hounsell, the son of Job and Jane (nee’ Brown), was baptised at St James in Poole in February 1801. In 1841 the Hounsell family were residing at Grove Street, Michael Lane, Bridport. Job was 35 years of age and a labourer. Martha, his wife, was 40 years of age. They had four children: Georgina, aged 17. Elizabeth, aged 12. Charles, aged 5. Harriett, aged 3. All of the Hounsells had been born in Dorset.
Sources: TNA NG PR1 D2 2. 1841 England Census. HO 107/294/3/52/10/1003. findmypast.co.uk
James Nivis. Admitted 18 November 1830. 45 years. Born Weymouth. Labourer. Married. Number of children: 9. Crime: Misdemeanour in not paying over a sum of money to a friendly society. 5/6 and 1/2” tall. Hair: Black curly wig. Eyes: Black. Complexion: Black. Marks: A black man, bald on the forehead, woolly head. Event of trial: Imprisonment, 1 calendar month. Behaviour: Orderly. When discharged: 17 December 1830.
Surname transcribed as Nivos, but his name was almost certainly Isaac James Nives and he was buried at Melcombe Regis, Weymouth in October 1833. He was the father of Frederick Nives.
Source: TNA NG PR1 D2 2.
John Seymour. Admitted 30 May 1831. 24 years. Born St John’s, Newfoundland. Seaman. Single. Crime: Vagrancy. 5/6” tall. Hair: Black wool. Eyes: Very dark hazel. Complexion: Black. Marks: A Black, lost the first joint little finger right hand, a cut on the right side of the chin. Event of trial: Hard labour, 1 calendar month. Behaviour: Orderly. When discharged: 29 June 1831.
Source: TNA NG PR1 D2 2.
Henry Brown. Admitted 25 November 1833. 24 years. Born New York. Seaman. Married. Number of children: 2. Crime: Vagrancy. 5/9 and ¾” tall. Hair: Black wool. Eyes: Very dark hazel. Complexion: Black. Marks: A blackman, a large cut along the left eyebrow and another cut on the right side of the _____. Event of trial: Hard labour, 1 calendar month. Behaviour: Orderly. When discharged: 24 December 1833.
Source: TNA NG PR1 D2 2.
William Simpson. Admitted 5 April 1834. 20 years. Born Old Calabar, Africa. Seaman. Single. Crime: Vagrancy. 5/5” tall. Hair: Black wool. Eyes: Very dark hazel. Complexion: Black. Marks: An African, large lips, flat nose, a scar on the back of the right hand. Event of trial: Hard labour for fourteen days. Behaviour: Orderly. When discharged: 18 April 1834.
Source: TNA NG PR1 D2 2.
John Williams. Admitted 8 January 1836. 25 years. Born Halifax, Nova Scotia. Seaman. Single. Crime: Vagrancy. 5/6 and ¼” tall. Hair: Black wool. Eyes: Hazel. Complexion: Black. Marks: A Black man, a scar on the middle of the forehead, another on the outside left of the upper lip. Event of trial: Hard labour, 1 calendar month. Behaviour: Orderly. When discharged: 5 February 1836 – to find sureties for the month. “A large cut on the inside of his ___ wrist. A huge cut across the back of his left hand”.
Admitted with a co-accused: John Nelson, a sailor aged 44 years from America with a “fair” complexion. His co-accused received the same sentence and a similar comment about his behaviour.
Source: TNA NG PR1 D2 2.
An African whose name is unknown. Admitted 12 September 1837. 28 years. Born Goree, Africa. Seaman. Single. Crime: Vagrancy. 5/5 and ¾” tall. Hair: Wool. Eyes: Very dark hazel. Complexion: Black. Marks: A black man, a cut on the left side of the upper lip, another cut on the middle of the chin. Event of trial: Hard labour, 14 days. Behaviour: Orderly. When discharged: 25 September 1837. “This man’s name is John Lawrence Fernandez”.
Source: TNA NG PR1 D2 2.
Frederick Nives. Admitted 8 January 1839. 19 years. Born Weymouth. Hairdresser. Single. Crime: Assaulting Police. 5/2” tall. Hair: Black wool. Eyes: Dark hazel. Complexion: Black. Marks: A mulatto, dimple chin. Event of trial: Hard labour of one calendar month. Behaviour: Orderly. When discharged: 7 February 1839. Instruction: Well.
Frederick William Nives, the son of James and Mary Ann Nives, was baptised at Melcombe Regis, Weymouth in February 1821. In 1851 Frederick Nives was resident at 26 Bernard Street, St Mary, Southampton. He was married, aged 31 years, a hair cutter by occupation and had been born in Weymouth. His wife was Thamson Nives, aged 31 years and born at Bridport. They had two male children, Frederick W (aged 4) and George H (aged 2), both born in Southampton. The Nives family also employed an assistant haircutter and a servant who resided with the family. Frederick William Nives of 26 Bernard Street was declared bankrupt in January 1865, and is believed to have died at Edmonton, Middlesex in 1881.
Sources: TNA NG PR1 D2 3. 1851 England Census. HO 107/1669/645/51/171. London Gazette 1665-2018, Issue 23080. ancestry.co.uk findmypast.co.uk
A certain man name unknown. Admitted 16 October 1839. 36 years. Born Demerara, West Indies. Cook. Single. Crime: Vagrancy. 5/1 and ½ ” tall. Hair: Black wool. Eyes: Very dark brown. Complexion: Black. Marks: A black man. Event of trial: Hard labour of one calendar month. Behaviour: Orderly. When discharged: 7 February 1839. Instruction: N. “This man says his name is John Williams and that he never before taken before a magistrate”.
Admitted with a co-accused: James Wilson, a seaman aged 57 years from Londonderry, Ireland with a “rather sallow” complexion. His co-accused was also initially referred to as “A certain man name unknown”. He received the same sentence.
Source: TNA NG PR1 D2 3.
John Lawrence Finalon. Admitted 22 November 1839. 30 years. Born Goree, Africa. Seaman. Single. Crime: Vagrancy (begging). 5/5 and ¼” tall. Hair: Black wool. Eyes: Hazel. Complexion: Black. Marks: A black man, two cuts at the right corner right eyebrow, two cuts on the left side of the left cheek. Event of trial: Hard labour, 14 days. Behaviour: Orderly. When discharged: 5 December 1839. Instruction: N.
Source: TNA NG PR1 D2 3.
John Lismore. Admitted 29 January 1842. 40 years. Born Bahis, Bragilis. Seaman. Single. Crime: Vagrancy (begging). 5/3 and ½” tall. Hair: Black wool. Eyes: Very dark hazel. Complexion: Black. Marks: A black, bald on the forehead and crown of the head, the mark of a scald all of the right _____. Event of trial: Hard labour, 1 calendar month. Behaviour: Orderly. When discharged: 28 February 1842. Instruction: N, Catholic. “Wider of the face. The ____ on the back of the left hand extending up the wrist”. (Place of birth cannot be identified – transcribed as Bahis, Bragilis. Latter word could be Brazil).
Source: TNA NG PR1 D2 3.
Joseph Silvester. Admitted 10 November 1843. 20 years. Born New York, America. Seaman. Single. Crime: Assaulting the Police. 5/5 and ½” tall. Hair: Black woolly. Eyes: Dark hazel. Complexion: Copper colour. Marks: A cut over the right eye, a cut left corner of the mouth, a cut above the left eyelash, a cut the right corner right eye, two cuts on the back of the thumb right and left hand. Event of trial: Hard labour, 14 days. Behaviour: Orderly. When discharged: 23 November February 1843. Instruction: Imperfect, Catholic.
(Admitted with a co-accused: William Wheatley, a Tinker aged 28 years from Devonport (Devon) with a “sallow” complexion. He was also found Guilty but sentenced to one month).
Source: TNA NG PR1 D2 3.
There were no physical descriptions available for the years 1843 to 1859. However, at least one Black/of colour individual was incarcerated in Dorchester Prison. According to the Dorset County Chronicle, 22 July 1858:
Harry Willson, alias Williams alias Lawrence. Apprehension of a Notorious Tramping Swindler.- A “darky” who goes by several names of Harry Willson, alias Williams alias Lawrence, was brought before WC Lambert and JT Burkett, Esqrs., on a charge of felony. It appeared that Superintendent Baynton had received information that the prisoner had been committing a number of frauds in this neighbourhood. He had represented himself as just returned from the “diggins” with a “nugget” of 1 cwt., and claimed acquaintance with a number of people at Long Ham, stating that he was the son of old Robert Williams, a man of colour, formerly in the service of the late – Biddle, Esq. On one or two occasions he hired horses and carts to fetch his “large number of boxes” from Wimborne Station but always managed to have an excuse that the “bothering luggage had not arrived,” the result generally being that he quietly borrowed a few shillings of the publicans till he could “get a ten-pound note changed.” He carried on this sort of business successfully for several days. Picking up an acquaintance with a cottager at Hampreston, he not only by his “black eloquence” cajoled the old lady out of a favourite guitar, which he said his “ole father” often used to talk about, and he would give a piece of gold for it, but he also took a fancy to a book of maps and an eye glass without consent, which formed the ground of the present charge, and which he had pledged for beer at a neighbouring public house. Information having been sent to the different constabulary stations, he was apprehended by Superintendent Everitt, at Dorchester, on Friday last, when seated in a large waggon, which was proceeding to the railway station for his supposed luggage at that place. He refused to give himself up, and appeared determined to “die game,” and being a very powerful fellow nearly six feet high, it required half a dozen policemen to take him into custody and put him in a railway carriage to convey him to Wimborne. He was now charged with stealing the book of maps, and also fraudulently obtaining 6s from Mr George Edward, of the Angel Inn, Long Ham. He cross-examined the witnesses with great dexterity, but several times contradicted himself. He said he was lately discharged from the Bull Frog gunboat and had been in Haslar Hospital. The magistrates remanded him till Friday next, as it is believed he has committed offences elsewhere, and may well be a ticket-of-leave man, have (has) the marks of the “cat” on his back. He is 23 years of age, 5 feet 11 inches high, blind in his left eye, woolly head, and appears to be an African negro.
Source: Dorset County Chronicle, 22 July 1858. findmypast.co.uk
Henry D Newbury. Admitted 4 November 1859. Offence: Stealing frock and tobacco. Parish: Halifax, North America. Trade: Seaman. Age: 21 years. Stature: 5/6” tall. Hair: Black curly. Eyes: Very dark. Complexion: Black. Condition: Single. Number of Children: -. Marks: Crucifix side right arm above the elbow, tree of life under the arm, ADA IV EVE, left arm woman and man side of arm above the elbow, woman flag and ___ inside of arm, ship banner of war on the breast. Remarks: 1st Time.
Source: TNA NG PR1 D3 1.
Samuel Richards. Admitted 12 March 1861. Offence: Vagrancy. Parish: Madras, East Indies. Trade: Servant. Age: 32 years. Stature: 5/0” tall. Hair: Black. Eyes: Very dark. Complexion: Black. Condition: Single. Number of Children: -. Marks: Cut left side forehead, cut over left eyebrow, cut under left eye… Remarks: 1st Time.
Source: TNA NG PR1 D3 1.
John Palmer. Admitted 28 March 1861. Offence: Disobedience of orders. Parish: West Indies. Trade: Seaman. Age: 29 years. Stature: 5/6 and ½” tall. Hair: Black. Eyes: Very dark hazel. Complexion: Dark Malatte. Condition: Single. Number of Children: -. Marks: Ship under left arm, woman on back of left arm… Remarks: 1st Time.
Admitted with a co-accused: George Parson, a Seaman aged 24 years from Angmering, Sussex with a “sallow” complexion. “Malatte” is probably a variation of Malay or Mulatto.
Source: TNA NG PR1 D3 1.
Nicholas Nena. Admitted 4 May 1861. Offence: Vagrancy. Parish: Mamelah, East Indies. Trade: Seaman. Age: 24 years. Stature: 5/2” tall. Hair: Black. Eyes: Very dark hazel. Complexion: Malate. Condition: Single. Number of Children: -. Marks: Scar l/h corner left eye, mole right cheek, several moles… Remarks: 1st Time.
Mamelah cannot be identified. “Malate” is probably a variation of Malay or Mulatto.
Source: TNA NG PR1 D3 1.
Charles Johnstone. Admitted 6 November 1861. Offence: Stealing sheet/shirt. Parish: Nova Scotia, a Black. Trade: Seaman. Age: 23 years. Stature: 5/7” tall. Hair: Black. Eyes: Very dark. Complexion: Black. Condition: Single. Number of Children: -. Marks: AGNES HARDEN, woman…under left arm, cut left corner left eyebrow, …pock-marked, right thumb out of joint. Remarks: 1st Time.
Source: TNA NG PR1 D3 1.
Augustus Fisher. Admitted 13 December 1861. Offence: Deserting his ship. Parish: Barbados, West Indies. Trade: Seaman. Age: 22 years. Stature: 5/7 and 1/2” tall. Hair: Black curly. Eyes: Dark hazel. Complexion: A Black. Condition: Single. Number of Children: -. Marks: Scar back left hand, cut palm right hand. Remarks: 1st Time. The Weymouth Telegram reported that Augustus Fisher received 28 days for “stealing tobacco &c. on board HMS Asia”.
Sources: TNA NG PR1 D3 1. Weymouth Telegram, 19 December 1861. findmypast.co.uk
John Edward Williams. Admitted 15 January 1862. Offence: Deserting HMS. Parish: Tinnadal, Spain. Trade: Seaman. Age: 30 years. Stature: 5/8” tall. Hair: Black woolly. Eyes: Very dark hazel. Complexion: Man of Colour. Condition: Single. Number of Children: -. Marks: Slight cut upper part of the forehead, scar on left jaw. Remarks: 1st Time.
Source: TNA NG PR1 D3 1.
William Wilson. Admitted 1 February 1862. Offence: Stealing handkerchief from HMS. Parish: West Indies. Trade: Seaman. Age: 26 years. Stature: 5/3” tall. Hair: Black woolly. Eyes: Very dark hazel. Complexion: Black. Condition: Single. Number of Children: -. Marks: A Black, cut right side forehead, cut right side upper lip, cut side left thumb. Remarks: 1st Time.
Source: TNA NG PR1 D3 1.
James Treadwell. Admitted 24 March 1862. Offence: Absent without leave. Parish: United States of America. Trade: Seaman. Age: 48 years. Stature: 6/0” tall. Hair: Black woolly. Eyes: Very dark. Complexion: Sambo. Condition: Married. Number of Children: -. Marks: Cut corner upper lip, cut under lip, JANES TREADWELL under left arm, woman under left arm,… Remarks: -.
Source: TNA NG PR1 D3 1.
John Francis. Admitted 6 August 1862. Offence: Stealing waistcoat. Parish: California. Trade: Seaman. Age: 23 years. Stature: 5/8 and 1/2” tall. Hair: Black woolly. Eyes: Very dark hazel. Complexion: Man of Colour. Condition: Single. Number of Children: -. Marks: Tumour in the neck…, anchor between the right thumb and forefinger. Remarks: 1st Time.
Source: TNA NG PR1 D3 1.
John Habdoo. Admitted 9 August 1864. Offence: Assault on police. Parish: Africa. Age: 33 years. Stature: 5/2 and ½” tall. Condition: Married. Number of Children: -. Remarks: 2nd Time. Alias Abdul/Abdula. Fine of 20s and sentenced to 14 days. Instruction: N. Of what persuasion: Church. From the Sherborne Mercury, 16 August 1864: Assaulting the Police – John Habdoo, a man of colour, was placed in the dock being drunk and riotous. PC Marsh said that about a quarter before 12 o’clock the previous night he was on duty in High Street. Prisoner was there drunk and riotous. He was abusing his wife, and a considerable number of persons were assembled. He refused to desist, and witness took him in custody. He was very violent on his way to the station. In defence, prisoner said a drop of drink got into his head, and he did not know what he was about. Fined £1, and in default committed for 14 days hard labour.
Sources: TNA NG PR1 D3 2. TNA NG PR1 D2 8. Sherborne Mercury, 16 August 1864. findmypast.co.uk
Joseph Morris. Admitted 14 August 1865. Offence: Absent without leave. Parish: Coast of Africa. Trade: Seaman. Age: 30 years. Stature: 5/3 and ½” tall. Hair: Black woolly. Eyes: Very dark. Complexion: Man of Colour. Condition: Single. Number of Children: -. Marks: Scar left side of forehead, JM under left arm, lost top left thumb, cut back right hand, slightly pock-marked. Remarks: 1st Time.
He was one of four seamen AWOL from the ‘Defence’. He received 42 days imprisonment. Instruction: R. Persuasion: Church.
Sources: TNA NG PR1 D3 2. TNA NG PR1 D2 8.
Henry Kelly. Admitted 17 April 1865. Offence: Vagrancy. Parish: Calcutta, India. Trade: Labourer. Age: 53 years. Stature: 5/6” tall. Hair: Black. Eyes: Dark hazel. Complexion: Malatta. Condition: Single. Number of Children: -. Marks: Left hand contracted, anchor between left thumb and forefinger. Remarks: 1st Time. Convicted of begging he was sentenced to one calendar month imprisonment. Instruction: Imp. Persuasion: Hindo.
Sources: TNA NG PR1 D3 2. TNA NG PR1 D2 8.
Graffa – he calls himself. Admitted 28 September 1865. Offence: Vagrancy. Parish: Africa – South. Trade: Labourer. Age: 40 years. Stature: 5/9” tall. Hair: Black curly. Eyes: Black. Complexion: Black. Condition: Single. Number of Children: -. Marks: Man of Colour, scar left cheek, left thumb…, right leg injured. Remarks: 2nd Time.
Graffa (alias Frederick Karrafha/Karraffa) was one of only two Black recidivists to be incarcerated in Dorchester. In 1862 he been convicted of vagrancy and admitted to Wandsworth Prison. It was recorded that he was born in Africa, single, a Roman Catholic and a labourer by occupation. At Blackburn in April 1869 he was found drunk in the street and ordered to leave the town. He was subsequently convicted of vagrancy and held at Dorchester Prison twice more – in February 1870 and in October 1871. His place of birth was noted as both Sierra Leone and South Africa, and occupations as hawker, pedlar, sailor and vagrant. He clearly got around, as in February 1871 he was convicted of “…stealing two sheets and a number of articles of wearing apparel” and sentenced to one month in Cardiff Prison.
Sources: TNA NG PR1 D3 2. TNA NG PR1 D3 3. Dorset County Chronicle, 5 October 1865. findmypast.co.uk Blackburn Standard, 14 April 1869. findmypast.co.uk Wandsworth Prison, Surrey: Register of Prisoners. UK, Prison Commission Registers, 1770-1951. ancestry.co.uk Reading Mercury, Oxford Gazette, Newbury Herald, and Berks County Paper, 27 July 1872. findmypast.co.uk Western Daily Press, 11 February 1871. findmypast.co.uk
James Cocking. Admitted 4 December 1867. Offence: Disobedience of orders. Parish: Jamaica. Trade: Seaman. Age: 21 years. Stature: 5/10 and ¼” tall. Hair: Black woolly. Eyes: Very dark hazel. Complexion: Man of Colour. Condition: Single. Number of Children: -. Marks: Cut on right cheek, cut right corner right eye, scar side of right hand. Remarks: 1st Time.
One of four seamen convicted of the same charge and sentenced to eight weeks imprisonment. Instruction: Imp. Persuasion: Church.
Sources: TNA NG PR1 D3 2. TNA NG PR1 D2 8.
Samuel Gibson. Admitted 10 March 1869. Offence: Refusing to go to sea. Parish: Jamaica. Trade: Seaman. Age: 23 years. Stature: 5/9” tall. Hair: Black woolly. Eyes: Very dark. Complexion: Man of colour. Condition: Single. Number of Children: -. Marks: Several scars right side the ___, 1 scar left side. Remarks: 1st Time.
One of four seamen who were charged with refusing to go to sea in the ship Thomasine – all were convicted and received 2 months imprisonment. Instruction: Imperfect. Of what persuasion: Church.
Sources: TNA NG PR1 D3 3. TNA NG PR1 D2 9. See John Stevens.
John Stevens. Admitted 10 March 1869. Offence: Disobedience of orders. Parish: Jamaica. Trade: Seaman. Age: 21 years. Stature: 5/2” tall. Hair: Black woolly. Eyes: Very dark. Complexion: Man of colour. Condition: Single. Number of Children: -. Marks: Man of Colour. Remarks: Slight scar centre of forehead, anchor inside right arm, another under left… 1st Time.
One of four seamen who were charged with refusing to go to sea in the ship Thomasine – all were convicted and received 2 months imprisonment. Instruction: N. Of what persuasion: Church. See Samuel Gibson.
Sources: TNA NG PR1 D3 3. TNA NG PR1 D2 9.
Thomas Hay. Admitted 30 November 1869. Offence: Disobedience of orders. Parish: Jamaica. Trade: Seaman. Age: 35 years. Stature: 5/6” tall. Hair: Black woolly. Eyes: Dark hazel. Complexion: Man of colour. Condition: Single. Number of Children: -. Marks: Man of Colour. Remarks: 1st Time.
Admitted with a co-accused: Francis Henney, a Seaman aged 27 years from Manchester with a “ruddy” complexion. One of seven seamen who were charged with disobeying the orders of the captain of the ‘Mallard’. All were convicted and received 12 weeks imprisonment. Instruction: Imp. Of what persuasion: Church.
Sources: TNA NG PR1 D3 3. TNA NG PR1 D2 9.
Edward Charles. Admitted 23 December 1872. Offence: Stealing silver watch from Dutch ship ‘Martha’. Parish: Kingston, Jamaica – lives at Shields. Trade: Seaman, on board ‘Martha’. Age: 23 years. Stature: 5/5 and ½” tall. Hair: Black curly. Eyes: Dark hazel. Complexion: Black. Condition: Married. Number of Children: 2. Marks: Man of colour, scars on forehead, cut right side of face, scar from vaccination both arms, scar on left… Remarks: 1st Time.
Source: TNA NG PR1 D3 2.
Samuel Wyns. Admitted 3 December 1872. Offence: Disobeying ship master’s orders, ‘Sea Wave’. Parish: Turks Island, West Indies. Trade: Seaman. Age: 19 years. Stature: 5/8” tall. Hair: Black and curly. Eyes: Very dark hazel. Complexion: Black (man of colour). Condition: Single. Number of Children: -. Marks: Cut under right eyebrow, nose flat negro like, cut back left thumb. Remarks: 1st Time.
One of four seamen who were charged with disobeying the orders of master of ship’s commander, ‘Sea Wave’. All were convicted and received 12 weeks imprisonment. Instruction: N. Of what persuasion: Church.
Sources: TNA NG PR1 D3 4. TNA NG PR1 D2 10.
William Jones. Admitted 14 December 1872. Offence: Disobeying orders on the ship ‘Peru’. Parish: Jamaica, West Indies. Trade: Seaman. Age: 34 years. Stature: 5/9” tall. Hair: Black curly. Eyes: Dark hazel. Complexion: Black. Condition: Single. Number of Children: -. Marks: A man of colour, wears rings in ears, scar centre of forehead, nose to left slightly, nostrils flat, first finger right hand… Remarks: 1st Time.
One of eight seamen charged with disobeying the master’s command. All were convicted and received 12 weeks imprisonment. Instruction: Imp. Of what persuasion: Church.
Sources: TNA NG PR1 D3 4. TNA NG PR1 D2 10.
Charles Griffin. Admitted 27 January 1873, Lent Assizes. Offence: Manslaughter. Parish: St Thomas, West Indies. Trade: Seaman. Age: 24 years. Stature: 5/9 and ½” tall. Hair: Black curly. Eyes: Very dark hazel. Complexion: Mulatto. Condition: Single. Number of Children: -. Marks: Dent in forehead, cut over left eyebrow, ship underside left arm, cut back left forearm, cut right back thumb, nostrils wide, cut on left eyelid. Remarks: 1st Time. Imprisoned for 12 calendar months.
From the Southern Times and Dorset County Herald, 15 March 1873: Charles Griffin was a seaman on a ship moored at Portland Road. He had an altercation with another seaman, named Lewis, and struck him on the wrist. Lewis then developed tetanus and lock-jaw and died. The Southern Times, 1 February 1873, named the victim as Horatio Lewis, described him as “the strongest man on board the ship” who had “provoked” Charles Griffin. Griffin was described as “…as about 22 years old, and apparently a mulatto. He has a mild, intelligent appearance, and seemed to feel his position acutely”.
Sources: TNA NG PR1 D3 4. TNA NG PR1 D2 10. Southern Times and Dorset County Herald, 15 March 1873. Southern Times, 1 February 1873. findmypast.co.uk
John Hobson. Admitted 11 December 1873. Offence: Misbehaviour, Union. Parish: Trinidad, West Indies. Trade: Ship’s cook. Age: 39 years. Stature: 5/6 and ½” tall. Hair: Black curly (woolly). Eyes: Dark grey. Complexion: Half Caste. Condition: Single. Number of Children: -. Marks: Mole under left eye, dimpled chin, nostrils wide, right little finger slightly crooked. Remarks: 1st Time. Imprisoned for 3 weeks. Instruction: Imp. Of what persuasion: Church.
Sources: TNA NG PR1 D3 4. TNA NG PR1 D2 10.
George Coker. Admitted 6 January 1877. Offence: Refusing to proceed to sea. Parish: St Christopher, West Indies. Trade: Seaman. Age: 25 years. Stature: 5/2 and ½” tall. Hair: Black curly. Eyes: Very dark hazel. Complexion: Mulatto coloured. Condition: Single. Number of Children: -. Marks: Scar over right corner left eyebrow, nose flat, thick lips, crucifix left arm, tattoo bracelet left wrist. Remarks: 1st Time. One of two seamen on the ‘Fahrenheit’, from Swansea to Dieppe, who refused to go to sea. Both imprisoned for six weeks. Instruction: N. Of what persuasion: Church.
Sources: TNA NG PR1 D3 4. TNA NG PR1 D2 10.
John Shields Admitted 27 January 1877. Offence: Drunken-ness. Parish: Rhode Island, North America (now of Marlborough, Wilts). Trade: Hawker (licensed book…). Age: 36 years. Stature: 5/10” tall. Hair: Black curly. Eyes: Very dark hazel. Complexion: Man of Colour. Condition: Married. Number of Children: 2. Marks: Black spot left corner right eye, right forefinger…, 6 fingers on left hand and 6 toes on feet, flat nose. Remarks: 1st Time. John Shields was convicted of drunken-ness at Broadwinsor and received 7 days hard labour. Instruction: N. Of what persuasion: Church.
Between 1877 and 1902 John Shield(s) (also known John Saunders or ‘Six-Fingered Jack’) frequently appeared before the magistrates in the counties of Dorset, Somerset and Gloucestershire. His offences usually involved drinking, vagrancy, hawking without a license, begging, using foul language and resisting arrest. Clearly, he was an individual who had a difficult relationship with alcohol combined with (undiagnosed) mental health issues.
From the Dorset County Chronicle, 17 July 1879:
Petty Sessions.- John Shield, a man of colour, native of New York, and Emily Shield, his wife, were charged with assaulting PC Hutchings in the execution of his duty at Sherborne on the 11th inst. Both prisoners pleaded guilty. They had been very troublesome during the evening, the male prisoner challenging everyone to fight. Hutchings got them into Bristol Road, on their way to Wincanton, when the man kicked Hutchings on the hip. Whilst struggling with him the female prisoner incited him to kick Hutchings in a tender part and struck him herself over the right eye. With the assistance of PC Payne both were secured and lodged in custody. The male said he met with a few friends and had got so drunk he did not know what he was about. They were sent for one month’s hard labour each.
In 1881 a John Shields was residing at a lodging house in the village of Dodderhill in Liberties, (now Dodderhill), Worcestershire. He was 57 years of age, a hawker by occupation and had been born in the USA. Accompanying was his wife, Emma Shields, aged 44 years, also a hawker, and who had been born at Banton, (Banton Shard), Dorset.
From The Bridport News, and Dorsetshire, Devonshire and Somersetshire Advertiser, 25 May 1883:
A Coloured Man in Trouble.- On Tuesday before Colonel Bingham and Mr E Pearce.- John Shields, a man of colour, was brought up charged with vagrancy at Broadmayne on the previous day.- The accused, who had evidently imbibed too much beer, stopped a pony and carriage in which Mrs Furmedge and a young lady named Gillett were driving into Dorchester, whilst coming through the village of Broadmayne, and then pushed some papers very rudely into Mrs Furmedge’s face. She managed, however, to drive into Dorchester and gave information to the police. Prisoner, the same afternoon, went to the residence of farmer named Samways, at Broadmayne, and, after asking for something to eat and drink, refused to take some cheese and a bread ticket that were proffered him, and at the same time roundly abused Mr Samways and his sister.- The magistrates committed him for 21 days’ hard labour.
In January 1900, and following his most recent conviction for drunkenness, the Wells Journal referred to John Shield as “an old negro tramp…” and noted both that he had been visiting the town of Wells for 30 years and that he had “been in nearly every gaol in England”. The last conviction identified was for an assault at Stroud, Gloucestershire in 1902 for which he was incarcerated in Gloucester Prison for one month. His frequent appearance in prison records facilitates the identification of more biographical information: He was blind in the right eye (as of 1890), could read and identified his religion as Church of England.
Sources: TNA NG PR1 D3 4. TNA NG PR1 D2 10. The Poole and South-Western Herald, 1 February 1877. Western Gazette, 1 February 1878. Dorset County Chronicle, 17 July 1879. 1881 England Census. RG 11/2936/87/12/11. ancestry.co.uk The Bridport News, and Dorsetshire, Devonshire and Somersetshire Advertiser, 25 May 1883. Wells Journal, 11 January 1900. Gloucester Citizen, 8 February 1902. findmypast.co.uk Gloucestershire Prison Records, 1728-1914. Gloucestershire Archives. ancestry.co.uk
References
| ↑1 | Parker, L. Ford, J. Draper, J. “Ethnic Minorities: Lyme Regis & West Dorset Past and Present”. Lyme Regis Museum (supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund). Printed by Sherrens, Weymouth. (2004). |
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| ↑2 | www.historycalroots.com/forgotten-stories-women-of-colour-in-newgate-gaol-1817-1882/ |
| ↑3 | For Robert Wedderburn see: TNA NG PR1 D2 1. |
| ↑4 | Dorchester Prison, Dorset: Admission and Discharge Registers, 1782-1901. ancestry.co.uk |