DavidTP wrote: > Those of us who discover ancestors who may have dwelt in the confines of penal establishments might like to take comfort from the reasons why they committed the crimes which sent them there. A brief study of the workings of the enclosures of the commons in the 18th - 19th centuries show that the majority of people below the rank of landowning aristocrat were subject in varying degrees to the harsh withdrawal of their means of subsistence. They were often starving, despite which, the collecting of a few twigs from the landord's hedgerow was considered to be theft and they were frequently convicted of robbery for that and similar "offences". > I wonder how the people of todays society would fare in such circumstances. > > Dave Pearsall - Dorridge Good work Dave. Thanks! We need to understand and remember. Similar conditions of existance were penned by JOSEPH ARCH of Barford, Warwickshire, in his writing: "Village Life in the 1830s and 1840s" from his auto-biography. http://www.pacefamilyhistory.info/uk/josepharch.htm JOSEPH founded the National Agricultural Workers Union about 1873 at Leamington. Being a Methodist preacher, he turned his skill of eloquence towards the aid of the Agricultural Labourers' situation. JOSEPH, a 'mystery' relative of my grandmother ANNIE ARCH of 16 Blakenall Lane, Bloxwich. JOSEPH's mother was a PACE. The connection is obscure. Any help welcome. + HANNAH SHARRARD nee PACE 1783-1845 HANNAH's maiden name was PACE - she and her father JOSEPH PACE were employed at Warrick Castle - married 1st - Mr. SHARRARD a footman at the castle - after HANNAH's 1st husband died about 1816 - HANNAH married JOHN ARCH 12 Oct 1818 Witnesses - ELIZABETH RYMILL and JNO COOK, Clerk. - Pamela Horn's book - HANNAH died 8 Sept 1845 and was buried 11 Sept 1845 at BARFORD. Gord Pace, Ontario http://www.pacefamilyhistory.info/uk/barford.htm