Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    QGR5/265
  • Title
    Minute book of the Visiting Justices [third volume] [see also QGR 4/1-360]. Mentions straw plaiting, female prisoners' diet, tobacco smoke from Debtor's Ward pervading the building, gas, new prisoners' diet. Frontispiece includes prison rules and list of Visiting Justices. Page 265 includes the following:
  • Date free text
    7 January 1839
  • Production date
    From: 1839 To: 1839
  • Scope and Content
    George P Livius, Stephen Thornton. It appears that every cell in the Gaol was occupied and Mr Treganza states that he was cautious on the occasion of keeping this prisoner (Plowman) separate from the other prisoners, , as in an examination before the Committee of the House of Lords he had complained of being placed in a room and yard with the other prisoners in the Gaol at Bedford and also complained of the communication he had with other prisoners. It likewise appears that Mr Treganza felt such a firm assurance in the security of the new boundary wall that he never for a moment thought an escape possible. And when it is considered that the circumstances occured during the General Quarter Sessions, when the Gaolers mind was particularly occupied with other duties. The Visiting Justices present are of opinion that they cannot charge the Gaoler with neglect of duty on the occasion. From the great anxiety manifested by Mr Treganza during the building of the wall which occupied 3/4 of the year the Justices presnet feel themselves called upon to bear tis testimony of his vigilance and attention. The hole in the wall made by the prisoner has been substantially repaired and the Visiting Justices present have ordered the windows & door in the receiving room to be as secure as the otehr cells in the prison.
  • Level of description
    item
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