James House

c1820-1890

James was a Labourer. He was baptised in 1821 in Thatcham, Berkshire, the son of Anthony and Ann House (formerly Hawkins) who were married on the 2^nd February 1820 at St Mary’s Church Thatcham. (Ann was a widow, Anthony was a bachelor)

Anthony and Ann also had the following two children baptised in Thatcham:

Thomas 1823

Mary Anne 1825

In 1841 James (20) was living with his parents Anthony (70) and Ann (50) and a Thomas House (8) in Crookham Common, Thatcham

The 1851 census records James (30) living in Chapel Street, Thatcham, with his widowed mother Ann (62) and his niece Lussia Jennings (8).

James was serving an 8 year prison sentence in 1861 (convicted of stealing 8 whips on the 29^th February 1860)

In 1871 James (52) was recorded as a Prisoner in Reading Jail. He was convicted of arson on the 28^th February 1871 and was sentenced to 14 years penal servitude and 3 years police supervision.

The Habitual Criminals Register 1881-1882 records the following:

Name: James House, Date of Birth: 1818, Place of Birth: Thatcham Berks, Occ: labourer, Complexion: dark, Hair: grey, Eyes: brown, Height: 5ft 1 ½ ins, Build: thick set, Shape of Face: long, Distinctive Marks: Ruptured on right side, mole on chest, Prison from which liberated & date of liberation: Parkhurst (Convict) 19/11/81, Destination on Discharge: Newbury Berks, Remarks: 8 previous convictions.

James died aged 73 on the 25^th September 1890 in the Newbury Workhouse, he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road cemetery on the 29^th September.

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