Newspaper cuttings for 1813
Northampton Mercury, 9 January 1813
A letter from Plymouth gives information of the following summary proceeding against two French prisoners lately sent over to France: “Jean - a French youth, who, at the last assizes, gave evidence against a fellow-prisoner, who was tried for forging Bank of England notes, was after the execution of the prisoner, sent to Mill Prison ; and was afterwards released, together with some old and infirm prisoners, and sent to Morlaix. One of the old men, however, informed the French Government of the circumstance that led to the liberation of the youth, and he was, in consequence, sent to hard labour the public works for 10 years.—The like sentence has also been awarded against a subaltern, who, while at Dartmoor Depot, struck his superior.
A letter from Plymouth gives information of the following summary proceeding against two French prisoners lately sent over to France: “Jean - a French youth, who, at the last assizes, gave evidence against a fellow-prisoner, who was tried for forging Bank of England notes, was after the execution of the prisoner, sent to Mill Prison ; and was afterwards released, together with some old and infirm prisoners, and sent to Morlaix. One of the old men, however, informed the French Government of the circumstance that led to the liberation of the youth, and he was, in consequence, sent to hard labour the public works for 10 years.—The like sentence has also been awarded against a subaltern, who, while at Dartmoor Depot, struck his superior.
Cheltenham Chronicle, 6 May 1813
In Dartmoor prison there are about 600 prisoners, who call themselves Romans. They are almost naked, having gambled away, all their provisions and cloaths. Finding nothing would aim them, the superintendant, Capt. Cotgrove, has appointed a certain number of trusty French prisoners to see every day that they are mustered in seperate parties, and eat their allowance, to prevent starvation.
In Dartmoor prison there are about 600 prisoners, who call themselves Romans. They are almost naked, having gambled away, all their provisions and cloaths. Finding nothing would aim them, the superintendant, Capt. Cotgrove, has appointed a certain number of trusty French prisoners to see every day that they are mustered in seperate parties, and eat their allowance, to prevent starvation.
Exeter Flying Post, 6 May 1813
PLYMOUTH, May 4.
Tuesday. Orders came down yesterday for the 2d Royal Lancashire to leave Dartmoor Barracks, and occupy the Higher Barracks at Dock lines. The Perthshire Scots regiment are now on the march from the north to relieve them in the prison duty at Dartmoor.
PLYMOUTH, May 4.
Tuesday. Orders came down yesterday for the 2d Royal Lancashire to leave Dartmoor Barracks, and occupy the Higher Barracks at Dock lines. The Perthshire Scots regiment are now on the march from the north to relieve them in the prison duty at Dartmoor.
Chester Chronicle, 16 July 1813
Last week, about 200 American prisoners were sent to Taunton, on their way to Stapleton prison, escorted by the East Norfolk Militia. A similar detachment marched to Dartmoor, escorted by the Royal Cheshire.
Last week, about 200 American prisoners were sent to Taunton, on their way to Stapleton prison, escorted by the East Norfolk Militia. A similar detachment marched to Dartmoor, escorted by the Royal Cheshire.
This is the first mention of American prisoners arriving at Dartmoor that I have seen.
Exeter Flying Post, 2 September 1813
MANOR of LIDFORD and FOREST of DARTMOOR.
I Hereby give Notice to all whom it may concern, that I shall hold a COURT of SURVEY and COURT BARON for this MANOR and FOREST, at Two Bridges, within the said Forest, on Thursday the 9th day of September next, at eleven o'clock in the morning, at which Court the ancient and accustomed Bounds of the said Manor and Forest, as ascertained by perambulations recently made thereof, will be duly presented and enrolled. Dated at Moretonhampstead, this 30th day of August, 1813.
EDW. MARTIN
Deputy Steward.
MANOR of LIDFORD and FOREST of DARTMOOR.
I Hereby give Notice to all whom it may concern, that I shall hold a COURT of SURVEY and COURT BARON for this MANOR and FOREST, at Two Bridges, within the said Forest, on Thursday the 9th day of September next, at eleven o'clock in the morning, at which Court the ancient and accustomed Bounds of the said Manor and Forest, as ascertained by perambulations recently made thereof, will be duly presented and enrolled. Dated at Moretonhampstead, this 30th day of August, 1813.
EDW. MARTIN
Deputy Steward.
Morning Post, 11 September 1813
Nothing can exceed the rage for gaming that exists among the prisoners at Dartmoor Prison. Although 260 of them, principally Italians, were last week sent to the prison ship in Hamoaze, to be clothed anew, having lost all their clothes by gaming, there remain many at Dartmoor in the same situation. These unfortunate men play even for their rations, living three or four days on offal, cabbage stalks, or, indeed, anything which chance may throw in their way. They stake the clothes on their backs, and what indeed is worse, their bedding. It is the custom at Dartmoor for those who have sported away the latter article, to huddle very close together at night, in order to keep each other warm. One out of the number is elected Boatswain for the time being, and at 12 o'clock at night he pipes all hands to turn ; an operation which from their proximity to each other, must be simultaneous. At four o'clock in the morning the pipe is heard again, and the like turn is given.
Nothing can exceed the rage for gaming that exists among the prisoners at Dartmoor Prison. Although 260 of them, principally Italians, were last week sent to the prison ship in Hamoaze, to be clothed anew, having lost all their clothes by gaming, there remain many at Dartmoor in the same situation. These unfortunate men play even for their rations, living three or four days on offal, cabbage stalks, or, indeed, anything which chance may throw in their way. They stake the clothes on their backs, and what indeed is worse, their bedding. It is the custom at Dartmoor for those who have sported away the latter article, to huddle very close together at night, in order to keep each other warm. One out of the number is elected Boatswain for the time being, and at 12 o'clock at night he pipes all hands to turn ; an operation which from their proximity to each other, must be simultaneous. At four o'clock in the morning the pipe is heard again, and the like turn is given.
Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette, 30 September 1813
Capt. Ball is appointed to command the depot for prisoners of war at Dartmoor, vice Cotgrave.
Capt. Ball is appointed to command the depot for prisoners of war at Dartmoor, vice Cotgrave.
Exeter Flying Post, 14 October 1813
DARTMOOR, DEVON.
TO be SOLD by auction, at the London Tavern, Foxhole Street, Plymouth, on Thursday the 28th day of September instant, at twelve o'clock at noon, for the remainder of a term of 99 years, of which 94 are unexpired, all those well built, extensive, and commodious BAKE-HOUSES, OVENS, STORE HOUSES and STABLE, in Princes Town, Dartmoor, most conveniently situate, close adjoining the great road between Plymouth and Exeter, and the Prison of War, at Dartmoor; capable of baking Bread, and storing provisions for the supply of 20,000 prisoners, and being the only Bake and Store house there, are indispensible to carrying on the contract for victualling the prisoners of war at Dartmoor ; well supplied with water, and rented by the present contractor at 400l. per annum.
Also a PIECE or PLOT of GROUND, adjoining the said premises, on which the purchaser is at liberty to erect buildings.
To be viewed by applying thereon, and printed particulars had at the office of Messrs. Lamb, Brutton, and Hawke, Princes Street, Paul Buildings, London ; at the Bar of the Hotel, at Dartmoor ; at the offices of Mr. Zachary Turner, in Exeter, and of Mr. Bozon, in Plymouth-Dock.
Dated, 13th September, 1813.
DARTMOOR, DEVON.
TO be SOLD by auction, at the London Tavern, Foxhole Street, Plymouth, on Thursday the 28th day of September instant, at twelve o'clock at noon, for the remainder of a term of 99 years, of which 94 are unexpired, all those well built, extensive, and commodious BAKE-HOUSES, OVENS, STORE HOUSES and STABLE, in Princes Town, Dartmoor, most conveniently situate, close adjoining the great road between Plymouth and Exeter, and the Prison of War, at Dartmoor; capable of baking Bread, and storing provisions for the supply of 20,000 prisoners, and being the only Bake and Store house there, are indispensible to carrying on the contract for victualling the prisoners of war at Dartmoor ; well supplied with water, and rented by the present contractor at 400l. per annum.
Also a PIECE or PLOT of GROUND, adjoining the said premises, on which the purchaser is at liberty to erect buildings.
To be viewed by applying thereon, and printed particulars had at the office of Messrs. Lamb, Brutton, and Hawke, Princes Street, Paul Buildings, London ; at the Bar of the Hotel, at Dartmoor ; at the offices of Mr. Zachary Turner, in Exeter, and of Mr. Bozon, in Plymouth-Dock.
Dated, 13th September, 1813.
It would be interesting to know precisely where this large bake-house was. At the time of this advertisement Dartmoor Prison held approx. 6,500 men. Each of whom received 1 1/2 pounds of bread a day, that is 9750 loaves of bread for the prisoners alone. It must have been quite an operation.
Royal Cornwall Gazette, 16 October 1813
The recruiting parties of the 60th regiment have had great success at Plymouth, in procuring volunteers from the remains of the garrison of St. Sebastian's. A number of very fine fellows, Germans, Dutch, and Italians, have entered into the 60th. This is the more remarkable, as the same parties had very bad success in respect to the German prisoners at Dartmoor ; and on board the prison ships in Hamoaze, not one of them, (Hesse Darmstadt) would enlist.
The recruiting parties of the 60th regiment have had great success at Plymouth, in procuring volunteers from the remains of the garrison of St. Sebastian's. A number of very fine fellows, Germans, Dutch, and Italians, have entered into the 60th. This is the more remarkable, as the same parties had very bad success in respect to the German prisoners at Dartmoor ; and on board the prison ships in Hamoaze, not one of them, (Hesse Darmstadt) would enlist.
Hesse Darmstadt was an area in Germany.
Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette, 25 November 1813
Captain T. G. Shortland (not Ball), to command the prison depot at Dartmoor.
Captain T. G. Shortland (not Ball), to command the prison depot at Dartmoor.