Kingston Penitentiary, Warden's Daily Journal, 1858

1855
Thursday August 26

[ Cell in the Ottawa Jail, 1895, This jail cell is typical of those of this time period. , William Topley, National Archives of Canada PA-027438 ]I visited the prisoners, ate Mess Block, all reported quiet

Friday
August 27

I Delivered the keys to the guard Mr. Flemming at [illegible] after 3 oclock . . . I saw Mr. Murray come in time for Bell ringing. I attended to the opening of the prisons.

No clergyman in Roman Catholic Chapel for morning prayer.

M Gardner attended for the Rev. Mr. W. Mulkins.

I attended to general office business after convicts leaving chapel.

I visited the Work Shops the sheds Hospital and attended to the punishment book.

The Day stormy and rainy. Therefore convicts all under shelter. Though much crowded in the [illegible] shed.

I attended at the convicts dinner hour and to general office business after dinner.

Dr. Lithfield called to see the convicts history books. Is of opinion that he is of unsound minds.

I visited the female J Mavie between 3 and 4 oclock and then guard and ground floors & this was during the afternoon event — all appeared regular.

I attended to all convicts to their cells and accounted for all lock up.

[...] reported all comments.

I visited the prisons between 7 and 8 oclock. all then quiet. cautioned the guards in the prisons. [...]

Wednesday
July 19th

Delivered the keys to the guard Constable Johnston at ½ after 4 oclock. Mr. Rev W MacDonald attended for morning prayer and W Murray came in time for bell ringing. Attended to the opening of the prison, saw convicts [pap?] out with buckets and proceed to their work. Visited the work shops, store sheds quarry , and dining halls. Attended to the punishment book. Returned to my breakfast. Attended & ate the convicts breakfast, spoke with the convicts Peter Freple and others during breakfast hour. After breakfast spoke with the convict William Fox who has been found with a number of awls in his possession. He accounts for them that they were given him at various times by W. Penn and W Murray. Saw W Robt spoke with him over the subject of the convict Fox [...]. Attended at the convicts dinner hour and to general office business after dinner. [...]

Source: National Archives of Canada, Kingston Penitentiary, Warden's Daily Journal, RG73, Vol. 420 (reel T1986), Unknown, Kingston Penitentiary, Warden's Daily Journal, September 1, 1855 — December 3, 1856.

Return to parent page