Record Number: 1967

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Reading Experience:

Evidence:

Witness statements in trial for murder: William Lee: "I am a prisoner in the New prison, Clerkenwell, charged with felony... On Saturday, there was a talk about clubbing for a newspaper; he said he would not be one; but we joined, and had a paper between us -I was present after chapel; the prisoner [Birmingham] was lying on the bed; Arundel came running up with the paper, and said, 'Birmingham, here is your case in the paper, I will read it to you'..." Samuel Arundel: "I come from the New Prison, Clerkenwell... on Sunday morning, the 17th, he [Birmingham] was lying on the bed, when the newspaper was brought it -having it in my hand, I offered to read the article respecting the Kensington murder; he seemed not at all willing, but rather rejected it -I began to read, and after reading a few lines a stranger entered the room; Birmingham at that moment became alarmed..."

Century:

1800-1849

Date:

17 May 1829

Country:

England

Time

morning: morning, after chapel

Place:

city: London
specific address: New Prison, Clerkenwell
other location: prison, in the cells

Type of Experience
(Reader):
 

silent aloud unknown
solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown

Type of Experience
(Listener):
 

solitary reactive unknown
single serial unknown

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Reader / Listener / Reading Group:

Reader:

Samuel Arundel

Age:

Adult (18-100+)

Gender:

Male

Date of Birth:

n/a

Socio-Economic Group:

Labourer (non-agricultural)

Occupation:

prisoner

Religion:

n/a

Country of Origin:

n/a

Country of Experience:

England

Listeners present if any:
e.g family, servants, friends

Other prisoners who clubbed together for the paper, including Thomas Birmingham

Additional Comments:

n/a

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Text Being Read:

Author:

Title:

n/a

Genre:

Ephemera

Form of Text:

Print: Newspaper

Publication Details

n/a

Provenance

reading group

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Source Information:

Record ID:

1967

Source - Manuscript:

Other

Information:

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, 1 August 2006), 11 June 1829, Trial of Thomas Birmingham (t18290611-45)

Additional Information:

n/a

Citation:

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, 1 August 2006), 11 June 1829, Trial of Thomas Birmingham (t18290611-45), http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/reading/UK/record_details.php?id=1967, accessed: 28 April 2025

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Additional Comments:

None