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Our Family
Genealogy Pages
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 1785 - 1834 (49 years)
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| Name |
George Hand |
| Birth |
1785 |
High Littleton, Somerset, England, UK  |
| Gender |
Male |
| Criminal Record |
27 Sep 1833 |
Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England, UK |
| Arson |
- On 27th September 1833 George Hand was committed to Shepton Mallet Gaol on the warrant of two local magistrates, Rev. Phillott and Rev. Seymour, for "feloniously setting fire to two mows (ricks) of hay belonging to Charles Keedwell."
What possessed George to do this I have not discovered. Had the act occurred 2 or 3 years previously one would have suspected that it had something to do with the Labourers' Revolt, when farmers received threats in the name of "Captain Swing" and gangs of farm labourers went round burning hayricks and smashing up farm machinery. However, such events were more prevalent in the counties to the east and south of Somerset, which resulted in scores of poor labourers being hanged and many hundreds more being transported to Van Diemen's Land. In any event the revolt was effectively over by the autumn of 1831.
George remained in Shepton Gaol until he was sent for trial at the Lent Assizes at Taunton on 2nd April 1834. There he was convicted of arson and sentenced to death. George was transferred to Ilchester Gaol to await execution, where he is recorded in the description register on 10th April as "aged 53 years (he was actually 49), height 5ft. 4? in., stout build, dark complexion, oval visage, grey hair, grey eyes, cut on top of lip, born High Littleton, labourer, last abode Marksbury, single, can read." It was common at that time for capital sentences to be commuted to transportation for life but there was no such reprieve for George and he was hanged on the front lodge of Ilchester Gaol on 30th April 1834.
His body was buried in Ilchester Churchyard the following day.
Michael L. Browning
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| Death |
30 Apr 1834 |
Ilchester, Somerset, England, UK |
| Burial |
1 May 1834 |
Ilchester, Somerset, England, UK |
| Person ID |
I11655 |
Lasbury Family |
| Last Modified |
26 Apr 2024 |
| Father |
Joseph Hand
b. 1741, Clutton, Somerset, England, UK
d. 1819 (Age 78 years) |
| Mother |
Sarah Carter
b. 1744
d. 1820 (Age 76 years) |
| Marriage |
20 Feb 1765 |
High Littleton, Somerset, England, UK |
Address:
Holy Trinity Church, High Littleton, Somerset, England, UK |
| Marriage Witness |
20 Feb 1765 |
| Benjamin Hand & John Parsons |
| Family ID |
F3988 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
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| Event Map |
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 | Birth - 1785 - High Littleton, Somerset, England, UK |
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 | Criminal Record - Arson - 27 Sep 1833 - Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England, UK |
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 | Death - 30 Apr 1834 - Ilchester, Somerset, England, UK |
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| Burial - 1 May 1834 - Ilchester, Somerset, England, UK |
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