July 2010
Calendar of Prisoners for the East Retford Quarter Sessions, 3 July 1871
Reference: C/QSP/2/29/2
Calendars of prisoners are lists of people who are awaiting trial or who have been tried at the county's courts. They record the name of the prisoner, the crime (allegedly) committed, the sentence received and sometimes levels of literacy and any previous convictions.
Calendars of prisoners survive at Nottinghamshire for various dates during the nineteenth century for both the Quarter Sessions and the Assizes. The Assizes heard the most serious cases. The Quarter Sessions were the forerunner of the Magistrates Court and heard less serious offences, although some serious cases would be heard here before being transferred to the Assizes. There were four county Quarter Sessions held during the year, two at Nottingham, one at Newark and one at East Retford.
This example is from the Midsummer Session of 1871, held at Retford. The cover of the calendar, shown above, gives a summary of the prisoners as well as the names of the sheriff, the under-sheriff and the clerk of the peace. Inside are two pages listing the prisoners in more detail (see right). Each prisoner is held at the House of Correction in Southwell. At this session, the following were heard:
- Charlotte Cooper, a 30-year old servant, was found not guilty of stealing five jars of preserves, honey and tea from the Reverend Joseph Walker at Averham
- John Brown, a miller, was sentenced to six months hard labour for stealing twelve stones weight (about 180kg) of wheat
- Edward Atkin, a 41 year-old grocer, was accused of 'unlawfully keeping a large dog of a fierce and furious nature' and did not muzzle it, 'to the great damage, terror and common nuisance of the subjects of our Lady the Queen, at Clarborough', but was not prosecuted
- William Gilbert was sentenced to nine months hard labour for inflicting grievous bodily harm on John Taylor at Worksop
- Emma Alvey, 15, got three months hard labour for stealing half a crown from Denis Otter at East Markham, but was found not guilty of stealing shawls, a petticoat, jackets, aprons and other items from Maria Caudwell also in East Markham
- Thomas Smith got six months hard labour and seven years supervision of police for stealing a waistcoat, trousers, a coat and other articles from John Rook in Worksop; he had previously been convicted of stealing a jacket and a knife in April 1871
- Thomas Rich, a huckster (hawker or peddler) stole a mare valued at £30 at Eakring and got nine months hard labour.
See the Calendar of Prisoners in more detail here [PDF 13238KB] 
Find out more about the courts of Nottinghamshire and their records.
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