• Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.

    We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team

John ELWELL, Born c1827, Kingswinford, Stafford, Hairdresser

TC3

proper brummie kid
Hello,

John ELWELL was sentenced to 10 years penal servitude on 21/10/1842 at the Birmingham Boro' Sessions. He was pardoned on 25/09/1848, largely due to the submissions of Mrs Louisa Roberts, a Hairdresser, 34 Bishopgate Street, Five Ways , Birmingham. Part of her submission was that she would employ him after release. NB: Mrs Roberts, a Widow, re-married and became a "THACKERBERRY".

John ELWELL's parents were Joseph and Sarah, and he was actually baptised on 15/04/1827 at Kingswinford.

Sadly I can find no trace of John ELWELL after 1848. Did he work for Mrs. Roberts? He appeared not to re-offend and there are no truly identifiable Census returns.

Can someone help please?

Thank You

TC3
 
James Elwell was, in July 1840, convicted and full story appeared in the Journal on the 14th of June. However in the July his name appears as John and was sentenced to 10 years penal servitude due to a former conviction being proved.

Was he actually pardoned in 1848 or released early from his full sentence?
 
Last edited:
This sort of thing is a tough one for genealogists. The offender may adopt a new identity to wipe the slate so to speak. Perhaps a new location for a new start. They may simply dodge the enumerator. I have not got the luxury subscription for Ancestry so perhaps if you haven't either somebody could look up John Elwell for you. For example, there is a record for a John Elwell arriving at Port Phillip Bay in Australia. Good luck!
 
John Elwell was charged for stealing a gold watch and three coins from the house of Theophilus Richards.

He was sentenced to 10 years. The totals for the Sessions were listed and he would be one of those counted as such. Transportation was another count.

(Strike this from the record, another report is shown below.)
 
Last edited:
I think the maiden name of Mrs Louisa Roberts in the original post was Bright. Her father's name is listed as Samuel Bright on her marriage to Bartholomew Tackaberry.
 
1868 Kelly's gives 34 Bishopsgate Street as Thomas Bayliss, hairdresser. (close to Tennant St)

1855 White's gives Bartholomew Tackaberry at 34 Bishopgate Street.
 
34 B. Street in 1855 was Tackaberry Bart, Hairdresser. And in 1848 you say that Mrs Louisa Roberts was at 34, B Street. The 1851 Census gives Bart and wife Louisa, Susannah Roberts was stepdaughter, and living at 34, B Street.

What is the source of information on which you base the idea that Louisa Roberts would employ John Elwell?
 
Thank you for all your inputs.

There are two aspects that I should answer specifically:

(1): The John ELWELL transported to Port Philip was sentenced in 1845 in Lancaster and transported in 1847: and

(2): The information for Louisa ROBERTS is courtesy of The National Archives Ref: HO13 "Correspondence and Warrants".

For the moment

TC3
 
By the looks of the newspaper clipping John Elwell used the name Henry Bright when committing a previous crime.

John Elwell being the person helped by Mrs Roberts, nee Brght in original post.
 
By the looks of the newspaper clipping John Elwell used the name Henry Bright when committing a previous crime.

John Elwell being the person helped by Mrs Roberts, nee Brght in original post.

And one of Louisa Roberts/Tackaberry's children was Thomas Bright Roberts.
 
Back
Top