Thomas Crapper

45

Margaret Weston on 6th June 2022

Parkhurst Prion, Newport, Isle of Wight, Hampshire England, Richard Parker Crapper died here aged 14 after two years of awaiting transportation to Australia. He died of a contusion of the bowels and that may mean appendicitis.

45

Margaret Weston on 6th June 2022

"The Oxford Chronical and Reading Gazette Saturday, December 16, 1843 Richard Parker Crapper 13, and Thomas Crapper, aged 14, were indicted for the burglariously of breaking open the dwelling house of Harry Hitchcock, of the High-street, Oxford, in the night of the 8th of December instant with intent to commit a felony – Mr Piggott presented. Richard Gadney sworn-I live in a house in the passage at the back of Mr Hitchcock’s premises. On the morning of Saturday last, between twelve and one o’clock, saw the prisoners in the passage under Mr Hitchcock’s window. I turned them out of the passage and went to bed: after I had been in bed about half an hour heard a pane of glass break, and something like scratching of a diamond. My window looks into the passage and I immediately looked over and saw the two prisoners; it was moon-light one of them took the glass out, pulled off his coat and got in at the window. I called my brother and we went down stairs and took the younger prisoner late custody, and called a policeman and the prosecutor. William Tame, one of the University Police—was on duty in the High street on Saturday morning last and was called by last witness to Mr Hitchcock’s house; assisted in searching his house, I took the younger prisoner from John Cadney; after the elder prisoner was found, I searched him and found a quantity of lucifer matches on him. Took Richard Crapper in the police rooms and on the road he said “it was his uncle (the other prisoner) who caused him to go there; he told him that he could take out a pane of glass and go to the lodgers room and get some money and then return to London”. John Buckingham, another policeman went to Mr Hitchcock’s house, assisted in searching it, and found Thomas Crapper in a little cupboard at the top of the cellar stairs. Harry Hitchcock, the Prosecutor, sworn—I am a chemist residing I the High Street at No. 121, went to bed on the night in question about half past twelve o’clock: Know Thomas Crapper; he lived at my house as a servant, and had only left me on the Monday before; he must have unfastened the cellar door to get where he was found. This was the case for the prosecution. The boys declined saying anything in defence and the Jury found both the prisoners Guilty. A previous conviction for felony at the last Quartersessions for the City of Oxford was then proved against Richard. The Judge sentenced them to ten years transportation each: at the same time saying the he would recommend that they should be sent to same Penitentary."

4

Marian Kingham on 24th October 2013

Son of clothes cleaner of Oxford St Giles, Henry Crapper 1788-1851 and his wife Martha nee Lovegrove 1804-1846. Convicted aged 14 together with his relative Richard Parker Crapper aged 12 of breaking and entering the dwelling house of Henry Hitchcock at 121 High Street, Oxford, with intent to commit a felony on Friday evening 8 Dec 1843. Thomas had lived with Hitchcock but had left the previous Monday "without giving any reason" according to Hitchcock. Both sentenced to 10 years transportation. They were not defended in court. Thomas had no previous conviction, but Richard had a previous conviction for burglary. Richard Parker Crapper died in Parkhurst Prison, Newport, Isle of Wight aged 14 awaiting transportation. Thomas Crapper transported aged 17. He married Alice Catherine Kenny in Bendigo, Victoria on 3 Oct 1859. They had 9 children. He was a hotel-keeper in Raywood, Victoria on 1903 electoral roll. He died at Raywood on 24 Oct 1909 aged 80.