Description:

ELIZABETH DAVIS, LEFT A PAUPER FOLLOWING HER HUSBAND'S CONVICTION

March 18th, 1844 printed form from The Guardians of the Poor of the Atherstone Union, about the cost of keeping Elizabeth Davis, a pauper from Tamworth.

The wives and children of convicted and transported felons were often without the means to look after themselves. They often resorted to the welfare provided by the Workhouses for the Poor. In February 1840, one George Davis was convicted at Birmingham Quarter Sessions of a felony. He was sentenced to be transported for 10 years and was sent in the "Lady Raffles" to Van Diemen's Land. He received his pardon 10 years later. It is possible that Elizabeth Davis was his wife.