Timeline
1824 – Birth of sister, Belina/Belinda Nicholas Breedon.
1824 – 12th December – Death of sister, Belina/Belinda Nicholas Breedon.
1825 – Birth of sister, Elizabeth Belina Breedon.
1825 – 6th November – Baptism of sister, Elizabeth Belina Breedon.
1828 – 24th August – Baptism of sisters, Ann Sophia & Sarah Berenice.
1831 – Birth of brother, Josiah William Breedon.
1831 – 26th August – Baptism of brother, Josiah William Breedon.
1835 – 3rd May – Baptism of John Nicholas Breedon. His parents John & Elizabeth Breedon in attendance.
1841 – Census – Living in Perdiswell, Claines, Worcestershire, aged 6 with John Breedon (father) 45 who works as a gardener, his mother Elizabeth aged 45 and his siblings, Belina (15), Sophia (12), Josiah (11) and Harriett (8).
1851 – Census – Father, John Breedon, aged 51 is a servant gardener at 2 London Road, St Martins in Worcester for the Chamberlain family. John Nicholas Breedon is not mentioned as being with either the mother or the father at this point.
1851 – Census – Mother and sisters living at 2 Rose Terrace, Saint Martin, Worcester. Interestingly, there is a 5-year-old ‘servant’ however this is possibly an illegitimate offspring, as the Breedon’s were not wealthy enough to have servants.
1855 – 26th September – Article from the Worcestershire Chronicle – The man Nicholas Breedon, charged with appropriating monies the property of Mrs Birley, his mistress, was to-day brought up remand by Mr. Dickinson, accountant the National Provincial Bank , having sworn that the prisoner did not pay any money into the bank on the day named in the charge, was committed for trial at the ensuing sessions.
1855 – 18th October – During the Michaelmas Quarter Session at Worcester, Nicholas Breedon was sentenced to 4 years penal servitude for stealing monies belonging to his mistress.
1855 – 24th October – Article from the Worcestershire Chronicle – Breedon, Nicholas, 19, labourer, was charged with stealing, on the 13th September, one five-pound banknote, nineteen sovereigns, and eighteen shillings, the property of his mistress, Mrs. Birley. Mr. Richards for the prosecution. The prisoner a sleepy-looking fellow, was sent with the money to the National and Provincial Bank by the prosecutrix. The money was contained in a leather bag which she had enclosed in brown paper. As he did not return, the prosecutrix informed the police, and Serj. Doughty found the prisoner at his lodgings a few hours afterwards. He told that officer that he had been to the Old Bank by mistake, and that in coming out a man thrust his hand into his pocket and took the money. He added that he knew who the man was, but it would not do to tell because there was something between himself and that person. He had nothing to say now. Guilty. The Recorder told the prisoner that he had stolen a large quantity of money, but that was not alll. He had kept the money concealed even after his offence was discovered, thinking that would get a short imprisonment and could then enjoy the fruits of his dishonesty. He was sentenced to four years’ penal servitude.
1855 – 1st December – Received at Northampton Prison, prisoner number 497.
1856 – 20th August – Received at Portland Prison, prisoner number 6483. Whilst at this prison, his health was good and his behaviour exemplary.
1857 – John Breedon, the father, marries Mary (surname unknown) in Worcester.
1859 – 3rd May – Received at Woking Prison, prisoner number 24.
Listed as single, a labourer, and his next of kin was his father John, living as a gardener at London Road, Worcester. He had no previous convictions and is described as having a fresh complexion, hazel hair, hazel eyes and 5’4 in height.
1859 – 17th October – Released from Woking Prison.
1860 – 7th September – Death of father, John Breedon of Lowesmoore-Terrace, St Martin, Worcester. Will pertaining to effects below £20, was proved by his widow Mary Breedon.