John Head
(1802-1880)

John Head's parents are currently unknown, but his first confirmed appearance is in the marriage register of Barkway, in Hertfordshire, England in 1827.

John married 20 year old Sarah Haggar in 1827, and the couple soon began their family. However, after the births of two children, John unfortunately turned to a life of crime.

In 1834, when his youngest child was just 5 years old, he was convicted at Hertford of Larceny, and sentenced to 1 month in prison and a whipping. It is noted that he had previously been convicted of felony.

By 1841, he had served his sentence, and returns home to his family in Barkway, but he returns to crime and prison - this time receiving a 7 year sentence for 'stealing a quantity of peas' in 1843. A note reads 'character very bad'. He was imprisoned on board 'The Warrior' prison hulk ship moored at Woolwich, Kent (now Greenwich, London), and was alongside thieves, rapists, burglars, and back-street doctors.

Having been absent from the family home during his children's childhood, he returns home by the time of the 1851 census, and seems to remain there until his death aged '80' in November 1880.

Life Events

Born

• circa 1829 in Barkway, Hertfordshire, England.

Married

• Sarah Haggar (1807-?) on 3rd March 1827 at St. Mary Magdalene Church, Barkway, Hertfordshire, England.

Children

• Thomas Head (1828-?) married Mary Hale (1828-1859)
• Mary Head (1829-1892) married William Barker (1823-1892)

Census and Residence

• 1841: 39yrs, High Street, Barkway, Hertfordshire, England.
• 1843: 41yrs, The Warrior Prison Hulk, Woolwich, Kent, England.
• 1851: 48yrs, High Street, Barkway, Hertfordshire, England.
• 1861: 60yrs, Barkway Street, Barkway, Hertfordshire, England.
• 1871: 70yrs, High Street, Barkway, Hertfordshire, England.

Employment

• 1834: Criminal
• 1841: Agricultural Labourer
• 1843: Criminal
• 1851-1871: Agricultural Labourer

Death

• November 1880 at Barkway, Hertfordshire, England, aged 80 years.

Burial

• 19th November 1880 at St. Mary Magdalene Church, Barkway, Hertfordshire, England.