William Hunt

2.0
Norfolk – 1845

William made his first recorded court appearance on the 15th of July 1845, at the age of 16 years and 10 months, charged with larceny (theft).

Over a period of time, William was convicted on theft charges (stealing a pair of leather gloves and a horn comb, a gun, and 3 geese and a gander) and that was entered into his records as larceny. Under the sentencing system of the day, larceny “involved the unlawful taking or theft of the personal property of another or business”. It was classified in the 1840’s and 1850’s as a “serious crime”.

William was charged with having stolen a pair of leather gloves and a horn comb from a fellow labourer Isaac Nudds (appears in Census 1841 Forncett St Mary) on the 7th July 1845 at Tharston. He appeared at the Norfolk Summer Assize Court (Case no. 9) [4] on the 22nd July 1845, was found guilty and was sentenced to 1 week in gaol, with hard labour.

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[4] England & Wales, Criminal Registers – Ancestry