Charles KNOWLES, Dudley Worcs UK c1820-1887?
Charles KNOWLES was my 3xggfather.He was (I think) the son of John KNOWLES and Ruth born in Dudley, Worcestershire around 1820-22.He married Eliza BUTCHER in the JuneQ of 1845. And they had 4 sons - William Henry (my 2xggf), Richard, John and Joseph.
Charles appears to have spent the 1871 and 1881 censuses in prison - 1871 in Woking,Surrey listed as an Invalid Convict and in 1881 he is in Parkhurst on the Isle of Wight.Also listed in the 1881 Census for Parkhurst is a Joseph Knowles who may well be his son, Joseph.Adding to the jailbird contingent for this lot, his other son, Richard appears to be in Pentonville in 1881.
Does anyone have any idea just what they were up to - neither Pentonville or Parkhurst were 'local' prisons so it must have been something fairly serious.
Just to show the validity of family legends.My mother always thought the Knowles were the 'posh' part of the family and came from money.It was quite amusing to tell her that if they did, it might not have been there's in the first place...