Ten hours Act
Instructions to Mr. Oastler 1846
You are a Member of Parliament for HAMPSTEAD
& KILBURN constituency. You are very familiar with the problems of the poor.
You try to improve the Factory Act by imposing a ten hour limit to the work of children and women.
Using the documents, prepare a speech at the house of commons where you will explain that less hours of work will give more time to children to get some education and become honest citizen instead of being attracted to crime. Less hours of work will also mean more work for other children that have no other means to survive
List of convicts embarked on the Elphinstone for Van Diemen’s Land (Australia) 1842
- What is the average age of these convicts who are being transported?
- What are the crimes that most of them have been convicted of? (Hint : Larceny means theft)
- How long is the average sentence?
- Do you think they were allowed to come home at the end of their sentence?
- Why do you think these children committed these crimes?
John Greening 5997
Transcript
Name No – John Greening 5997
and Aliases _______________
Description:
Age (on discharge) ________11
Height __________________4ft 4 1/4
Hair ___________________ Lt Brown
Eyes ___________________D Grey
Complexion _____________Fresh
Where Born _____________Mortlake
Married or Single _________Single
Trade or occupation ______ None
Distinguishing marks – Scar on forehead
Address at time of apprehension – 1 Senior Place, Mortlake
Place and date of conviction – Richmond 10 June 73
Offence for which convicted – St[ealin]g a Q[uar]t[er] of Goosberries (growing)
Sentence – 1 Cal[endar] M[on]th H[ard] L[abour] & 5 years Ref[ormitor]y
Date to be liberated – 17 Jult 73
Indended residence after liberation – Boleyn Castle, East Ham, Essex
Previous Convictions: Summary 11 March 71 – St[ealin]g coal J.O.A. 10 Days H[ard] L[abour] or 10/- Richmond 1
5 Feb 73 St[ealin]g coal
St[ealin]g coal
2 cal[endar] mo[nth]s H[ard] L[abour] & whipped Richmond
By Jury
Remarks, antecedents &c
Rab. sent 5-April 73
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Questions to help you:
- How old was John?
- What offence had he committed?
- What was his sentence?
- Why do you think he committed this crime
- Why do you think his sentence is so harsh ?
Joseph Lewis 5248
Transcript
Name No – Joseph Lewis 5248
and Aliases.___________________
Description
Age (on discharge) _____ 11
Height _______________ 4ft 6 3/4
Hair _________________ Lt Brown
Eyes _________________Dk Grey
Complexion ___________ Fresh
Where Born ___________England
Married or Single _______Single
Trade or occupation _____None
Distinguishing marks _____Pockmarked Scar rght wrist
Address at time of apprehension – 32 Princess St Rotherhithe
Place and date of conviction – Greenwich 10 April 73
Offence for which convicted – Simple Larceny for st[ealin]g 28lb of Iron = 3/-
Sentence – 1 Cal[endar] Mo[nth] H[ard] L[abour]
Date to be liberated – 9 May 1873
Intended residence after liberation – Same Previous
Convictions:
Summary
By Jury
Remarks antecedents &c
************************************
Questions to help you:
- How old was Joseph?
- What offence had he committed?
- What was his sentence?
- Why do you think a photograph and description of this boy was included in his record?
- Why do you think he committed this crime?