James Warner

26

FC on 7th April 2025

James was baptised at Old Warden, Bedfordshire on the 15th December in 1805. His birth date was not recorded on the transcript. His parents were listed as William and Elizabeth - however, I believe this is an error as the couple having children at this time at Old Warden was William Warner and his wife, Mary Whittamore (Whitmore). James fits nicely between Thomas and Joseph. At 15 he was arrested for breaching the game laws. He was born and resided at Old Warden. He was 4 feet ten, brown haired, light hazel eyes and with freckles on his face. He was committed to Bedford Gaol, serving 3 months, his character indifferent. In August 1822 he received 28 days for breaking and destroying wood with John Chesham. In Sept 1825 he and James Walker were committed for horse stealing. James was now 5 feet 6. They were tried at the Lent Assizes in 1826, where they were acquitted. (However, James Walker was charged with horse stealing again that Sept and tried the following year, found guilty and executed. He may have been related to Ann Walker, who was married to James' brother, John). James married Sarah Bowlett at Old Warden in May 1827. The witnesses were Mary Warner and Benjamin Barnes. They seem to have taken up residence in nearby Biggleswade because he is resident there in 1830, with a physical description that matches, when he was committed in October for want of sureties - which I've learned means no one would go surety of his good behaviour. He was held until Epiphany 1831. On the 30th January 1833, he was charged with violently assaulting beating and wounding - although another Bedford Gaol record puts it as cutting and wounding with intent. John Chesham, William Allbone and John Butler were charged with the same crime. The newspaper reports the incident occurred in December at Everton, although they were from Biggleswade, and that they violently assaulted Thomas and George Perkins, the gamekeepers of Francis Pym Esq of Hazels, with intent to kill and intent to illegally acquire game. They were tried at the Lent Assizes and found guilty by the jury, being sentenced to death but recommended to mercy. This was converted to 14 years transportation. James was the person who cut Thomas Perkins and the others aided and abetted, according to the newspaper. James left Bedford Gaol on the 13th June 1833, going to the hulk Justitia from which he embarked on the Lloyds. At some time he was sent to Goat Island. According to the newspaper account of the inquest, he had been feeling ill for some time but on Monday had been so far recovered that he walked to the place where the men worked. On his return to the hospital, he was seized with violent cramps and died in a few minutes. The inquest verdict was by the visitation of God. A note on the handwritten register of the Lloyds convict list says that James died at Goat Island on the 23rd October 1836.