John Hanford

341

Maureen Withey on 16th June 2021

Remarkable Discovery of Felony, affording useful caution to constables never to take the word of the inspected. In consequence of the numerous robberies and burglaries which, during the last two years more especially, had been committed and were still going on, John Toons, constable of Donington, a man whose personal powers, fortitude, integrity, and perseverance for 15 nights together in detecting and bringing to justice a band of robbers, had endeared him to his own neighbourhood, was solicited by the inhabitants of this to give his assistance, this to give his assistance, for a proper pecuniary recompence, towards checking the present insupportable system of nocturnal depredations in the division of Kesteven. - On Monday last, mid-day, this vigilant person, attended by attended by Mr. Bell, came to Morton in quest of four hogs, value 10/., which had been stolen from Mr, B.s farm-yard in Pinchbeck Fen on the 2d Jan. After some casual inquiry, they were recommended by a person who had recently lost some sheep, to the several premises of the Handfords, as most likely to answer the wished-for end: and to John Handford, they, without the sanction of a magistrate, immediately repaired, and enquired whether he had got any hogs. Yes you are welcome to see them.—These are not what we want, have you any more?— None. Then pointing to a sort of stack without a few paces— pray are there any in that place? None.—Some visible confusion, however, in Handford, increasing suspicion, they took him before a Justice, who, from circumstances which had before occurred, distrusting the accuracy of the search just made, went himself to the spot, followed close up by Mr. Bell, leaving the suspected delinquent in close custody. Within the premises, entrance, hard by the gate, stands the object before noticed, about 6 yards long and 3 wide; one side, next the street, inaccessible by strong hawthorn quick; the other, open to the garden, so neatly trimmed and cautiously roofed as to present the appearance neither of a hovel, nor of a stack particularly. The latter side and both ends were so pared and levelled to seem, at a distance, one uniform mass, which on approach proved otherwise. About the middle, this seeming uniformity was, on close inspection, found to have cuts describing a square of about three feet at each angle. This square piece was easily pulled out, and found to a neat firm truss, inserted for tbe purpose of concealing a cavity, like a brick disengaged from lime fitted to wall. Within the dark recess to the great surprise of Mr. Bell, were two of bis hogs, kept securely in by a strong hurdle, which supported the truss at the mouth, and all which were compleatly concealed by the re-application of the truss. .— Under the direction of the magistrate, in less than ten minutes the two other hogs were found also, in the dairy of one of the five brothers, William Handford. The facts by these and other strong collateral circumstances being satisfactorily made out, the two young men were directly fully committed to Lincoln castle, for trial at the ensuing assizes. Stamford Mercury, 2 Feb 1821. -------------------------------------------------- The following convicts under sentence of transportation were removed on Wednesday the 14th inst, from Lincoln Castle to the hulks at Sheerness, viz. Wm. King, Grantham Giddy, and James Podam, for their natural lives; John Green, Wm. Handford, John Handford, William Hames, John Staniforth, Wm. Lowton, Thomas Hodgson, Jos. Grantham, and Wm. Wilkinson, for the term of seven years each. Stamford Mercury, 15 June 1821. ---------------------------------------------------- Brothers John and William Handford. - also three other brothers in family.

174

Iris Dunne on 15th June 2021

Prison Commission Records: aged 24, Married with no children, aged 24, Laborer, Tried 10 March 1821 for Stealing Pigs, Transferred 16 June 1821

174

Iris Dunne on 15th June 2021

Criminal Registers: Tried Lent 1821 for Larceny with William Hanford Prison hulk ship Retribution moored at Woolwich, Received 16 June 1821 with William, aged 24, Offence: Felony, Transported 21 July 1821 Bound Indentures: Trade for both William & John is Shepherd & Shearer

5

Rod Handford on 15th June 2021

I believe l am a descendent of John and certainly am of William Hanford both convicted together. Morton near Bourne in Lincolnshire, England, is their birthplace but at moment cannot find John's parents. William's parents l have found.

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 14th January 2021

New South Wales, Australia, Hospital & Asylum Records, Liverpool Asylum for the Infirm and Destitute Admissions and Discharges. No; 2808 Name; John Hanforth Age; 72 County; England Religion; Church of England Date of Admission; 28 Aug 1866 By whom recommend; Board Date of Discharge; No details Ship; Minerva 1821 - Trade; Sawyer Surgeon Superintendent Weekly Report DIED: 12 Feb 1878. Age; 84. Australia, Death Index, Name: John Hanforth Death Date: 1878. Death Place: New South Wales Registration Year: 1878. Registration Place: Liverpool, New South Wales Registration Number: 6650 ** All dates, ages and spelling of names as per original source** --------------------------------------

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 14th January 2021

New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents. Name; John Hanford Offence; Ploughman & shears Trial where & Date; Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England. 10 March 1821 Sentence; 7 years Age; 32. Year of birth; abt; 1789 Native Place; Height; 5 ft. 5 3/4 in Eyes; Grey Hair; Brown Completion; Florid Certificate; 28/794. 27/93 Notes; Convicted with William Hanford Was transported to Morten Bay for 3 years, by Parramatta bench. 11 July 1825. for receiving stolen property 1828 - 26 Aug. Certificate of Freedom. 28/794. Age; 30. [Est. year of born 1798] 1842 - Received a Pardon. 22nd October 1842