He served most of it :-)

This could be him in 1901

Name:Jane Hannah Harris
Name: Joseph Bidmead
Year of Registration: 1900
Quarter of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar
District: Westbury On Severn
County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 6a
Page: 373

1901
Joseph Bidmead abt 1849 Newent, Gloucestershire, England Head East Dean, Gloucestershire
Jane Bidmead abt 1841 Hawthoms, Gloucestershire, England Wife East Dean, Gloucestershire
William Davis abt 1882 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Boarder East Dean, Gloucestershire

based on:-

1861
Mary Bidmead abt 1819 Chalford, Gloucestershire, England Housekeeper Ruardean, Gloucestershire
Joseph Bidmead abt 1850 Aston, Gloucestershire, England Son Ruardean, Gloucestershire
Mary Ann Bidmead abt 1851 Lea, Herefordshire, England Daughter Ruardean, Gloucestershire

Name: Joseph Bidmead
Year of Registration: 1849
Quarter of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar
District: Newent
County: Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire
Volume: 11
Page: 347

An inquisition taken this 21st day of January 1876 at the China Court Inn, East Dean from thence by adjournment to the 24th January at the Bell Inn, Ruardean on view of the body of Elijah Read aged 21 years, Collier

VERDICT

“Perforation of the intestines by a knife or some sharp instrument, Wilful murder against Joseph Bedmead[?] “

The following is from the Gloucester Gaol Records

Joseph BIDMEAD

Date of Admission- 1/2/1876

Last Residence & Trade - East Dean, Collier

Age -27

Height 5ft 4ins

Hair- Dark Bro[wn]

Eyes- Bro[wn]

Visage- Long, Oval

Complexion - Fair

Distinguishing Marks- Blue scar on bridge of nose, 2 moles on back of neck, scar inside left leg.

Charged upon the Coroners Inquisition with the wilful murder of Elijah Read. Wilfully and of his malice aforthought did kill & murder Elijah Read at Ruardean on the 19th January 1876

When Tried - Spring Assizes 6/4/1876

Verdict - Guilty of manslaughter, TWENTY years Penal Servitude

Removed- 5/5/1976 by Secretary of States warrant to Pentonville

Church, single, [???] Newland, Known to Mr Cliff[Chuff?] 4 years, has been in Hereford Gaol 4 times for assault. Mother Mary BIDMEAD, Ruardean Hill, nr Coleford, Gloucestershire

So, did Joseph "do his time?"

David D