William Ash

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Dianne Jones on 7th July 2022

EMBARKATION ONCE MORE: 3 November, 1860: William Ash was discharged from Portland jail to be embarked for WA per the Palmerston. By this time he had served 1 year 8 months in jail. Charles Elton, also sentenced to 15 years’ penal servitude, was aboard the Palmerston too. For the continuation of William Ash's journey to WA, see his bio on the Palmerston site https://convictrecords.com.au/convicts/ash/william/46788. --00--

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Dianne Jones on 7th July 2022

BACK TO JAIL: 11 May, 1858: William Ash was admitted to Millbank prison, London, from Cold Bath Fields (Clerkenwell) jail where he had been held since 5 April. Listed as inmate #7059, aged 36, a shoemaker, able to read and write imperfectly, married with two children, Protestant. His wife, Hannah Ash, was a prisoner in HM’s House of Correction, Westminster. At Clerkenwell, he served 1 month 6 days in separate confinement; behaviour “good”. At Millbank, he served 17 days in separate confinement; behaviour “good” (UK, Prison Commission Records, 1770-1951 for William Ash; Millbank Prison; Register of Prisoners; 1882-1885 [mislabelled]). -- 28 May, 1858: Admitted to Pentonville prison, from Millbank. Inmate #8056, 36, shoemaker, once transported for 10 years following a conviction at CCC on 20 August, 1849. Described as 5’3½” tall with a fair complexion, brown hair and blue eyes. Behaviour “good” and forwarded as a 1st Class prisoner, having spent 11 months 14 days in separate confinement (UK, Prison Commission Records, 1770-1951 for William Ash; Pentonville Prison; Register of Prisoners; 1856-1859). -- 12 May, 1859: Admitted to Portland prison; inmate #8986. All details as per his previous jail records. Behaviour “exemplary” (UK, Prison Commission Records, 1770-1951 for William Ash; Portland Prison; Prison Records; 1860-1863). --0--

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Dianne Jones on 7th July 2022

ANOTHER TRIAL: 5 April, 1858: Tried at Clerkenwell Quarter Sessions, Middlesex, William Ash was convicted and sentenced to 15 years’ transportation for shopbreaking after a previous conviction (England & Wales, Criminal Registers, 1791-1892 for William Ash; England; Middlesex; 1858). -- NEWSPAPER report of the crime: From the Examiner, 3 April, 1858, p219: “Robbery of 1000 pounds worth of jewellery. – At the Clerkenwell office on Monday, William Ash, Hannah Ash (his wife), C. Elton, alias Moreton, alias the Corporal, a ticket-of-leave man, G. George, alias Williams, and J. Bosworth (brother to Mrs Ash), were charged with entering the shop of Mr. Steward, a jeweller, of High Street, Islington, and stealing jewellery and watches of the value of nearly 1000 pounds. The facts of the case were these: -- On the night of the 24th February, the prisoners, Mrs Ash and Elton, were seen loitering near the prosecutor’s shop, which at eleven o’clock was quite safe, although no one lodged in it. The policeman on duty there, shortly afterwards was called away for the purpose of taking up a disorderly prostitute, and on his return found the prosecutor’s door open, and on the mat a black bag containing house-breaking instruments; the shop being nearly stripped of its valuable contents. Although every effort was made by the police, no traces could be found of the thieves, until a prostitute of the name of Jessy Norton, residing in the same house as Ash, came forward and deposed to certain conversations she had had with Mrs Ash about breaking into the prosecutor’s shop, at the same time admitting that she would not have 'peached' had the prisoners behaved in a 'handsome' manner towards her. When the police apprehended the prisoners they found some gold rings which the prosecutor said were of the same pattern as those he lost, and which he 'believed' were a portion of the stolen property. From further information the prisoner Bosworth was apprehended at Halifax, and upon him was found a brooch and ring, which Mr. Steward swore were his property, and were safe in his shop on the night of the robbery. It should be stated that both the witness Norton and her paramour bore very indifferent characters, and admitted after a great deal of pressing and false swearing, that they had been in prison for uttering counterfeit coin. Mr Steward admitted that the brooch, which was taken from Bosworth, and which had in it a portrait of the prisoner Ash, was not gold and was of the value of 2s 9d. The ring was also of little value. Mr Corrie said he should discharge the prisoner Williams, but the others he should commit to the assizes for trial. Although he had no doubt one of the Ashes would be discharged, still he thought it a fit case for a jury, and he could not help remarking that the evidence against Elton was very slight.” (https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/The_Examiner) -- Footnote: So much for Mr Corrie’s predictions. At the trial, William Ash, Hannah Ash and Charles Elton, alias Austin Montrose, were all found guilty of shopbreaking after previous convictions. Hannah Ash was sentenced to 10 years’ penal servitude, having previously pleaded guilty and been sentenced to 18 months, in December 1853, for “feloniously breaking and entering the dwelling house of Charles Howe and stealing three pieces of Coburg cloth”. Aged 28 at the time and listed as a widow, she was sent from Newgate prison to the House of Correction at Maidstone. She was described as 5’ tall with a fair complexion, brown hair and hazel eyes; from Coventry (London, England, Newgate Calendar of Prisoners, 1785-1853 for Hannah Ash; Piece 60: 1853; and UK, Prison Commission Records, 1770-1951 for Hannah Ash; Newgate Prison; Registers of Prisoners; 1862 [mislabelled]). Meanwhile, William Ash and Charles Elton received 15 years’ penal servitude. John Bosworth, convicted for receiving, was sentenced to 3 years’ penal servitude (England & Wales, Criminal Registers, 1791-1892; England; Middlesex; 1858). --00--

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Dianne Jones on 7th July 2022

IN VDL: 26 May, 1853: On arrival in VDL, he was listed as convict #27857; 30 years old [sic], 5’2¼” tall, brown hair, grey eyes and a fair complexion. Native place Bishopsgate; married with 3 children; Protestant; able to read and write; a shoemaker (https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON33-1-115$init=CON33-1-115p11). Family: Wife Hannah, and sisters Rachael and Hannah – all at his native place (https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON14-1-47$init=CON14-1-47_00136_L). 13 December, 1853: Granted a Ticket of Leave. 4 August, 1855: Granted a Conditional Pardon (https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON33-1-115$init=CON33-1-115p11). --00-- BACK TO ENGLAND: Some time after receiving his Conditional Pardon, William Ash left VDL and returned to England. He was certainly back there by 24 February, 1858, and "operating" in Islington. --0--

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Dianne Jones on 7th July 2022

VOYAGE: From the medical journal of the St Vincent, by Thomas Somerville, Surgeon Superintendent, Folio 1: 28 January, 1853: “William Ash, aged 28 [sic], convict; sick or hurt, nausea abundens; put on sick list, 28 January 1853, discharged duty 1 February 1853.” Folio 2: 1 March, 1853: “William Ash, aged 47 [sic], convict; sick or hurt, diarrhoea; put on sick list, 1 March 1853, discharged duty 9 March 1853.” (https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/browse/r/h/C4106910) --0--

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Dianne Jones on 7th July 2022

JAILS contd: 1 July, 1850: William Ash was admitted to Portland prison from Pentonville; inmate #1496. All details as per previous jail records. Visitors: 7 July, 1851, his wife Hannah and sister-in-law Mary Mitch [Hannah’s sister]; and 26 January, 1852, his wife Hannah (UK, Prison Commission Records, 1770-1951 for William Ash; Portland Prison; Prison Records; Undated). -- HANNAH & HIS CHILDREN: 30 March, 1851: England Census: Hannah Ash, 36, a silk weaver, was living at 4 Blythe Buildings, Bishopsgate, with her three children – William, 10, born in Warwickshire, Hannah, 3, and Louisa, 1, both born at Bishopsgate. Mary Ann Atkins, 19, a friend of the family and a silk winder, was living with them (1851 England Census for Hannah Ash; Middlesex; St Botolph; Bishopsgate; ALL; 2e). -- EMBARKATION FOR VDL: 2 December, 1852: William Ash was sent from Portland jail to embark on the St Vincent for VDL (UK, Prison Commission Records, 1770-1951 for William Ash; Portland Prison; Prison Records; Undated). --00--

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Dianne Jones on 7th July 2022

HANNAH'S DEPOSITION: 18 February, 1850: Hannah Ash, living at 19 New Inn, Broadway, gave a deposition that she was about 24 years of age, the wife of William Ash “now a prisoner in Pentonville prison London (prison number 2540)”. She said she had been married to him for about 7 years and they had two children, Hannah aged 3 and Louisa aged 6 months. She said she had a child by William Ash before their marriage. Born at Folkestone, she named him William Bosworth and he was now upwards of 8 years old. Hannah Ash said her husband had two sisters (no brothers). They were Ann [Hannah], wife of Phillip Ellis, a carpenter at 3 Silver Street, Mile End, New Town, and … [Rachael], married to Henry … [no surname given] of 13 Spital Street, Mile End, New Town (London, England, Selected Poor Law Removal and Settlement Records, 1698-1930 for Hannah Ash; Shoreditch; Settlement Papers; 1843 Sep - 1852 Apr.). --0--

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Dianne Jones on 7th July 2022

JAILS: 27 September, 1849: He was sent from Newgate prison to Pentonville prison (UK, Prison Commission Records, 1770-1951 for William Ash; Newgate Prison; Registers of Prisoners; 1861 [mislabelled]). -- 27 September, 1849: Admitted to Pentonville prison; inmate #2540. Listed as Wm Ash, 28, semi-literate and an electroplater; married with 2 children, his wife Mrs Ash living at the Rosemary Branch, Hoxton. Sentenced to 10 years’ transportation for burglary – stealing boots to the value of £100 from William Reid. All other details as per previous jail records (UK, Prison Commission Records, 1770-1951 for Wm Ash; Pentonville Prison; Register of Prisoners; 1849-1850). Note: The Rosemary Branch Tavern, in Islington but often referred to as being in Hoxton, started as a tea garden around 1823. Also known as the Rosemary Branch Equestrian Theatre, it held regular pony racing events until a timber circus building burnt down in 1853 (https://www.layersoflondon.org/). --0--

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Dianne Jones on 7th July 2022

TRIAL & CONVICTION: 16 August, 1849: Admitted to Newgate prison to await trial for stealing boots. Listed as 28, 5’4” tall, fresh complexion, dark brown hair and grey eyes. Native place Bishopsgate; a plater by trade (UK, Prison Commission Records, 1770-1951 for William Ash; Newgate Prison; Registers of Prisoners; 1861 [mislabelled]). -- 20 August, 1849: Tried at the CCC – Old Bailey – convicted and sentenced to 10 years’ transportation for stealing boots. See his trial transcript below: “1581. WILLIAM ASH , stealing 254 pairs of boots, value £100; the goods of William Reid. MR. HUDDLESTON conducted the Prosecution. JAMES DONOGHUE. I am in the service of Mr. William Reid. He has a house on Finsbury-pavement, and also a house at 9, Little Moorfields—they join at the back—they are in the parish of St. Stephen, Coleman-street—persons live in them in the daytime, and I sleep there at night—there are no lodgers—on Tuesday night, 14th Aug., I went to the house to sleep, at a quarter before eleven at night, with Mr. Reid's son—he sleeps there also—he put the key into the door, and found it was bolted inside—I had a bag in my hand; I gave that to him to hold while I; tried to open the door—before I had time to try the door, it was opened from the inside, and the prisoner and another man rushed out—I had not an opportunity of seeing him at that time, but I followed, and never lost sight of him till I gave him in charge to the police—one of the men knocked young Reid down, and they then ran in different directions—I overtook the prisoner in South-street, which is nearly a quarter of a mile from Little Moorfields—after giving him into custody, I went back to the house in Little Moorfields, where I found three sacks of boots, which had been removed from the place where they were ordinarily kept—I had never seen them in the place where I found them—they were Mr. Reid's—they had been kept hanging on hooks round the shop—the desk in the shop was broken. Cross-examined by MR. PAYNE. Q. How many turnings are there between this shop-door and the place where the prisoner was taken? A. Only two—I turned into Short-street and on to Finsbury-pavement, and then to South-place, which is scarcely a turning, it is almost on a line—the prisoner crossed the road slanting into South-street—there is a cab-stand, but it did not hide the prisoner from me: I was too close to him, only five or six yards from him—I did not lose sight of him till he got to South-street, where he was stopped—he walked easily as I came up to him—I am certain that the person I was pursuing did not run on to Broker-row, and that I overtook another person in South-street—I am quite certain the prisoner is the person—I was getting rather up to him, and he stopped and began to walk—there were other persons in South-street, but I am sure I never lost sight of the prisoner—he turned and came towards me. GEORGE REID. I am the son of William Reid. I went with Donoghue on that night—the door was opened, and two men ran out the second time the door was tried: the prisoner is one—they ran away in different directions—Donoghue ran after the prisoner. Cross-examined. Q. Did you see the prisoner a great while? A. No—I am sure he is the man—he knocked me down—I ran after the other man. NELSON FREDERICK JOHNSON. I am in the employ of a cloth-worker. I was going down Little Moorfields that night—I saw two men run out of the house—I saw the boy knocked down, but I did not see who knocked him down—I followed the prisoner, and did not lose sight of him till he was taken. Cross-examined. Q. Where was he taken? A. In South-street—Donoghue overtook him and laid hold of him—he stopped when Donoghue was coming across to him—he stood—they were talking, I thought he had got hold of him, then he ran into South-place—I was behind him—the policeman was coming up and he stopped. WILLIAM ARTHUR EADE (City-policeman, 125). On that night I heard a cry of "Stop thief!" on Finsbury-pavement, and the prisoner was given into my charge—I found on him some lucifer-matches—I went afterwards to the premises and found a piece of candle, which had been lighted. WILLIAM WHITCHER (City-policeman, 50). I went to examine the premises, and found these three bags of boots all ready to be carried off, a desk in the shop broken open, and a screw-driver, which corresponds with the marks on the desk—it was a common lock on the door—from what I observed I suppose the persons had been on the premises. WILLIAM REID. I am the owner of these premises—I left there at a quarter before ten o'clock that night—they were then all safe—I double-locked the door; it was not bolted—the goods had been put in sacks, and the sacks sewn up—the stock had been partly removed into the house that day, and my son was going to sleep there. GUILTY.* Aged 28.— Transported for Ten Years.” --00--

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Dianne Jones on 7th July 2022

TRIAL -- NOT GUILTY: 3 February, 1845: Old Bailey – William Ash/Ashe, 24, labourer, found not guilty of “burglariously breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Jonathan James Tarrant, about the hour of one in the night of the 27th of Dec., at St. Luke, with intent to steal, and stealing therein 41bs. weight of cheroots, value £2, and 41bs. weight of cigars, £2. 10s., his property” (England & Wales, Criminal Registers, 1791-1892 for William Ash; England; Middlesex; 1845; and London, England, Newgate Calendar of Prisoners, 1785-1853 for William Ashe; Piece 52: 1845; and https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/). --0--