City of Exeter Police Charge Book, Feb 1849 - 2 Dec 1850

transcribed by

Brian Brassett - Brian.Brassett[at]btinternet[dot]com

Charge Book for 24 February - April 1849

Charge Book for May - June 1849

Charge Book for July - August 1849

Charge Book for September - October 1849

Charge Book for November - December 1849

Charge Book for January - February 1850

Charge Book for March - April 1850

Charge Book for May - June 1850

Charge Book for July - August 1850

Charge Book for September - October 1850

Charge Book for November - 2 December 1850

Index for January - 2 December 1850

Here is a transcription of the City of Exeter Police Charge Books and accompanying Indexes for the period February 1849 - through - November 1850. For this period there is one charge book of some 278 pages with an accompanying index. (The transcription of the charge book is split into seven parts, because of its length.) These documents are held in the Devon Record Office but, as they have not yet been assigned reference numbers they would need to be specifically requested by name from a member of staff. The documents are normally held at the central storage facility at Marsh Barton so notice for recovery from that facility would be required.

The City of Exeter during the period covered by the documents is seen to be a very cosmopolitan city, and appearing in the charge book is quite a cross-section of individuals from around the United Kingdom, and in some cases from areas previously administered as countries within the British Empire. There is quite a high incidence of Irish immigrants probably brought about by their attempts to escape famine and general conditions within the country at that time.

Charge Book & Index:

The charge book contains names of malefactors; persons laying the charge; witnesses if any; the arresting and charging officers; justices of the bench; sentence if any imposed.

The alphabetical index contains the names of malefactors appearing within the charge book with in some cases a description of the individual. This includes the age; height; colour of hair; eyes; shape of face, and perhaps if appropriate general supportive data such as injuries; impediments; tattoo's.

The page numbers [No's] quoted refer to the pages of the charge book on which the named malefactor appears. Where the named person is a persistent offender the word 'many' is substituted for the individual page numbers.

Magistrates Court:

The offender was after charging, usually brought before the magistrates court sitting at the time. The offender would be summarily dealt with by the magistrate[s] or, committed for trial either at the County Court, or at the Assizes. Sentence was passed and the punishment recorded in the charge book. Sentences passed down when the felon appeared before County or Assize courts would normally be recorded against the original entry in the charge book[s].

The magistrates bench consisted of one or more of the appointed magistrates of the time. They were, His Worship the Mayor [whoever held the post at that time], and any one or more of the following burghers: Messrs: John Harris; S. Kingdon; Dr. Millar; Dr. Barham; Mr. Hooper; E. Woolmer; Dr. Pennel; D.B. Davey; Mr. Backham; & Mr. Holroyd.

City of Exeter Police Force:

The city force appears to have consisted of a Supertindendant with control over a number of police Inspectors; sub-Inspectors and police constables. There were also super-nummery officers [special constables] attached to the force. Working in conjunction with the police force proper were police constables from outlying villages and the city parks, and Beadles of the Corporation. There was a 'station house' which at one time was situated in Waterbeer Street. For the mid-19th century being transcribed it is not clear exactly where the 'station house' was located.

The police force proper appeared to consist of the following members:

Brian Randell, 23 Nov 2002