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Old 16-11-2013, 06:40 PM
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Coquet Coquet is offline
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On the 1901 census there is only one "Thomas Craig" in prison, with his age (+ or - one year). His trade is Coal miner hewer. Born "Ireland"

He is in Stafford Prison.


Fast forward to 1911

Again one only " Thomas Craig" born 1859 (+ or - 1 year), born Ireland (Newbliss) but this time his occupation is Shoemaker. His Marital status is 'Widower'

This time he is in Portland Convict Prison, Weymouth.

I suppose the question is did the prisons retrain inmates in other trades which could result in the change of occupation?

And...

I've been looking in the newspaper archive again for this guy and in the Morpeth Herald of the 17th May 1890 there is a Thomas Craig in a cerfuffle with a cop after being drunk and disorderly, and his wife is called Margaret. Now from the document above recording his conviction in 1901 a reference is made to assaulting a police officer about 1899/1900
But On reading the article it is actually Thomas Craig that is suing the police officer for damages, and it is much earlier than his referenced assault conviction above.

What happened in that case is that the Policeman followed the drunk Craig home, entered his house and smacked him over the head with his truncheon (Blood squirting everywhere) Craig sues for damages and wins. Although he did hit the Policeman as well!

Now if this is the same Thomas Craig it gets interesting, because in this case Craig says the reason for going a bit loopy with drink is that he served in the Zulu and Boer Wars and got a clonk on the head, which causes his bizarre behaviour when drinking.

Last edited by Coquet; 17-11-2013 at 11:13 AM. Reason: edited for clarity [some chance!]
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