A Prison Story - Isaiah Baynham

Isaiah Baynham was born at Bailey in 1824, the fourth child of James and Elizabeth Baynham (nee Simmonds).

He married Elizabeth Lewis in May 1850 and set up home with her in Lower Redbrook. Sadly, she died the following year, aged just 21.

He did not re-marry until 1859 and in the intervening years he absconded from his employer and ended up in Gloucester prison.

The Prisoners’ Register shows Isaiah’s admission in early 1857:

  • Date of Admission – 11th February
  • Prisoner Number in Index – 900
  • Name – Isaiah Baynham
  • Late Residency and Trade, if any – Clearwell Common. Labourer
  • Age – 28
  • Height – 5 feet 5 1/2 inches
  • Hair – brown
  • Eyes – blue
  • Visage – oval
  • Compexion – fresh
  • Other marks – badly pock marked, scar left leg, ruptured left side
  • Cause of Commitment – Absconding from the service of his employer Thomas Yarworth, without his consent at Newand on 2nd February 1857
  • By whom Committed – J. F. Brickdale Esq
  • Sentence passed – To be imprisoned and kept to hard labour for seven days
  • Memorandum of Expiration of Term –  1857 March 10
  • When Discharged or Removed – 1857 March 10
  • By what Authority – Term Expired
  • Previously known character, habits and connexions – Native of Coleford. married. one child. has been working for Thomas Yarworth at Dean Pool as carter for 8m & Edward Harris 4 1/2 “Church”
  • Convicted before and how often – 
  • Conduct in Prison – Orderly
  • Remarks – 

He doen’t appear in any later criminal registers.

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