Local boys in H M Convict Prison Princetown Dartmoor in 1881 Census!

Henry Cockayne abt 1858 Longhope, Gloucestershire, England Prisoner
George Page abt 1833 Milkwall, Gloucestershire, England Prisoner

Maybe this George?

Record_ID: 9218
Entry_Number: 1063
Year: 1833
Month: Feb
Day: 27
Parents_Surname: PAGE
Child_Forenames: George
Fathers_Forenames: George
Mothers_Forenames: Sarah
Mothers_Surname:
Residence: Milkwall
Occupation: Ship Carpenter
Officiating_Minister: Henry Poole Minister
Event: Baptism
Memoranda: Wedn[esda]y
Notes:
Register_Reference: P93 IN 1/4
Page_Number: 97
Parish_Chapel: Coleford
Soundex: P200

Dear Chris,
Just as a matter of interest, Henry Cockayne was the elder brother of my gt.grandfather, Jesse. He was also in prison at Portsmouth. In all 10 miners from Cinderford were sent down for 15 years hard labour. The Assizes records are held at Gloucester and make interesting reading. It was a shock initially, but putting it in historical perspective, a few years before they could have either a. been transported or b. hanged. Fortunately neither, otherwise I wouldn't be posting this.

Now I'm intrigued! What did they do to get 15 years?

Chris

1876 cockayne henry U Cinderford Q/Gc6/6 collier 228 Gaol
1876 cockayne jesse U Cinderford Q/Gc6/6 collier 228 Gaol

at a guess the crime was stealing or fighting........

--
Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster & Hereford Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

Not a nice one this

The Offence

Feloniuosly, violently assaulting and against her will did ravish and carnally know one Jane GOODALL at East Dean on 6/6/1876

The Verdict

Guilty of aiding and abetting others to commit Rape

The Accused

Richard MORGAN aged 19 Guilty sentenced to 10 years
John MORGAN aged 18 Guilty, 15 years
William WATKINS 21 Guilty, 15 years
Thomas FISHER 17 Guilty, 15 years
Richard RAVENALL 17 Aquitted
Frederick DYER 17 Guilty, 10 years
William BARRETT 27 Guilty, 10 years
Thomas GOODE 20 Guilty, 10 years
Henry COCKAYNE 15 Guilty, 15 years
Jesse COCKAYNE 17 Guilty, 15 years

The local newspaper tells it in all its graphic detail. Today it would be known as "gang rape". They had been drinking throughout the day with the lady in question. She had been drinking with them the day before as well. I have spoken in long detail with the family and not a whisper was heard about the deed. They did not serve the full 15 years. Possibly let out early on good behaviour. My 2 x gt uncle and gt. grandad certainly were determined to put it behind them. On the next census they both took 5 years of their age and my gt grandad also stated he was 5 years younger at his marriage. I don't believe my gt grandmother was aware either. Henry never married. They all went back to Cinderford and resumed their lives. Working, marrying and having children. My dad's memories of his grandfather were always pleasant. They certainly didn't put a "foot out of place" for the rest of their lives.

Just a further bit of interest. Jesse and Henry's mother was Ann Bowkett. She married their father Edward in Gloucester city in 1853. Ann was the daughter of John and Hester Bowkett. When John died Hester went on to marry a Thomas Cooper. I noticed in earlier messages that quite a bit of info has been posted on the Bowkett/Ballinger names. A number of them are in my tree.