THE BLACK SHEEP
At times within the Lake family tree I have found references to court cases. Obviously the worst was with the murder already covered in a previous page but there have been numerous lesser offences that I will take a look at.
FREDERICK ARTHUR LAKE (1st Cousin 4x removed)
Born in 1823 in St Andrew Plymouth, Frederick was the son of James Lake & Frances Way. He married Susan Madge and had two children James in 1856 and Clara in 1860, Susan already had a child Lewis Davis from a previous marriage. By 1861 Frederick was working for the local corporation as a labourer, but he obviously had different ideas which led him in the wrong direction. On 4 July 1868 he appeared in court in Plymouth, along with his wife Susan Lake (nee Madge) on charges of running a Bawdy House (a bawdy house is an old fashioned name for a brothel).
The outcome of the trial is that Frederick was given 9 months imprisonment for keeping a bawdy house and ordered into recognizance for good behaviour for 2 years.
Susan was given 6 months imprisonment for keeping a bawdy house and ordered to find surety for good behaviour for 2 years.
I have been unable to discover what happened after their imprisonment, except that Frederick died in Plymouth in 1878. I have not been able to discover anything about Susan.
With regards to their children in 1871 James their eldest son was a groom but there is no sign of Clara on any records after 1861.
JOHN LAKE (3rd Great Grandfather)
John was born in Wembury Devon in 1779 the son of Robert Lake & Sarah Webb. His offence is one that was fairly common in Devon & Cornwall in the 1700 & 1800's that of smuggling and customs and excise offences. (Think of Poldark)
John was in court on three occasions that I know of
FILE - ref. 1/706/2/11 - date: 1804
Summons issued to Henry Elliott, Francis Avery and John Lake, all of Wembury, following information given by Henry Tolcher, esq, customs collector, summoning them to attend the Guildhall to defend themselves against suspected smuggling.
Again in 1804
Indictment, depositions and general sessions business
FILE - ref. 1/695/21 - date: 1804
Information relating to a case between Henry Tolcher esq and Henry Elliott, Nathaniel Avery and John Lake
Date 1811: FILE - Ann Avery, 9 to John Lake, of Weston Peverel yeoman - ref. 125/254
Plymouth Municipal Records
Correspondence and other papers relating to smuggling and excise offences
Same again in 1825.
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JAMES TRAVERS (my 3rd Great Grandfather)
James born 1788 in Loders Dorset was the illegitimate son of Fanny Travers. He married Rachel Green on 9 Jan 1813 but only 3 years later on I August 1816 he was found guilty of Bastardy (Lewd & Disorderly Behaviour) and was sentenced to 3 months hard labour at Dorchester Prison.
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