Comments

If you were born in 1859 and lived in Draycott, does anyone know what grammar school a boy would have been attended?  Assistance in ascertaining what schools in the 1860s children from Draycott attended would be appreciated.

Hi Antipodean James.....

My husband is related to him through Jesse's son Jesse 1867-1912.   However, there are twists and turns, as you may have read....some notations have 'commonly called Weeks', alias Brooks. One person has suggested that he may have dropped his original last name, which could have been Weeks or Brooks and used James as the last name.  I have yet to sort through all the Cheddar baptisms of Weeks and Brooks.....a daunting task.  A cousin, who we had never been in contact with, in England, had responded to my original history queries mentioning he had the great-grandfather's birth certificate and thought he was born in Dorset.  He was to scan these documents and send to me but unfortunately I have not heard back since last Christmas, even after sending subsequent e-mails. Have put my research for this on hold for now since new information could essentially alter my entire effort.  If I do hear and get this information I will let you know.  

Best wishes,

Karen

Many thanks for this useful info, Pat.  I shall try to borrow Francis Disney's book through the inter-library loan system.

Best wishes

Julie

There is quite a bit online about the history of this prison which only closed in 2013. 

Francis Disney, who had been a Warder at Shepton Mallet, published a book entitled "Shepton Mallet Prison - 390 years of Prison Regime" in 1992.    Chapter 15 - dealing briefly with conditions in the latter part of the 19th Century - contains this passage:  "Female prisoners sentenced to hard labour were to pick not less than three pounds of oakum per day."  It also lists the clothing of female inmates and a typical daily routine for prisoners.

I have just come across this photograph showing Whitecross Nursery in the foreground. The Church is Victoria Methodist in Station Road, before a fire destroyed its steeple. I don't have a date for the photo.