Information from Various Gaol Registers Between 1828 and 1842

Bedford Gaol Registers

Information from Various Gaol Registers between 1828 and 1842

Case study: Henry Catlin
Gaol records of John and Henry Catlin
These records have been taken from the Bedford Gaol Registers. They show the convictions and sentences served by John and Henry Catlin .

1828

QGV 10/1 Bedford Gaol Register

Page / 111
Name / John Catlin
Place of last abode / Bedford
Age / 30
Stature / 5'6"
Complexion / Dark
Colour of Hair / Dark
Remarks / A town prisoner
Employment / 
Earnings / -
By whom and when committed / C Bailey, Esq. Mayor 25 July 1828
For what Offence / Assault with intent to murder
Sentence / -
When and how discharged / Bailed 12 Sep 1828
Remarks on general behaviour / Orderly

1831/2

QGV 10/1 Bedford Gaol Register

Page / 131
Name / John Catlin
Place of last abode / St Pauls, Bedford
Age / 34
Stature / 5'6"
Complexion / Dark
Colour of Hair / Dark
Remarks / Page 111
Employment / 
Earnings / -
By whom and when committed / C Bailey, Esq. 29 Jan 1831
For what Offence / Assault
Sentence / 1 week hard labour
When and how discharged / Discharged 9th Jan 1832
Remarks on general behaviour / A bad character

1837

QGV 14/2 Calendar of Prisoners to take trial at the Quarter Sessions Tuesday 17th October 1837

Prisoners Names and Ages / John Wilshere 10
Henry Catlin 9
By whom and when committed / C. Short Esq. Mayor of Bedford 11th September
Offences / Severally charged on Oath, with having on the 9th September, at Saint Paul, Bedford, feloniously stolen, &c. 1 Pair of Shoes, the Goods of George Flood.
Sentences – or how otherwise disposed of / 7 years

QGV 10/2 Bedford Gaol Register

Page / 4
No. / 106
Name / Henry Catlin
Where Born / Bedford
Late Residence / Bedford
Age / 9
Stature / 3'10"
Complexion / Fair
Hair / Light
Eyes / Hazle
Remarks / Markd with Small Pox, H on left arm.
Read or Write / N
By whom committed / C Short Esq., Mayor
When Committed / Sept 11th 1837
For what Offence / Stealing Shoes
Sentence / Seven years Transportation
When and how discharged / Commuted Sentence 4 Months H C HL
Remarks on general behaviour / -

*HC HL = House of Correction, Hard Labour

1842

QGV 10/2 Bedford Gaol Register

Page / 32
No. / 1131
Name / Henry Catlin
Where Born / Bedford
Late Residence / Bedford
Age / 14
Stature / 4'7"
Complexion / -
Hair / -
Eyes / -
Remarks / See page 4
Read or Write / R
By whom committed / W R Mesham Esq., Mayor
When Committed / 27 May 1842
For what Offence / Stealing 3/6
Sentence / 14 years Transportation
When and how discharged / Midsummer Sessions 1842
Remarks on general behaviour / Orderly
Page / 32
No. / 1132
Name / John Catlin
Where Born / London
Late Residence / Bedford
Age / 50
Stature / 5'5"
Complexion / Dark
Hair / Grey
Eyes / Hazel
Remarks / See pages 111 B 1
Read or Write / R W
By whom committed / W R Mesham, Esq., Mayor
When Committed / May 27th 1842
For what Offence / Stealing 2/6
Sentence / 7 years Transportation
When and how discharged / Midsummer Sessions 1842
Remarks on general behaviour / Orderly

John Catlin returned to Bedford after serving his sentence. In 1851 he was briefly imprisoned again at Bedford, sentenced to three months for threatening to shoot his neighbour Sarah Craft.