Mansfield Woodhouse Labourer

A doubtful character

By Pauline Marples

An advertisment in the Nottingham Journal dated 20th May 1801, shows how a case of wife desertion was dealt with.

It reads:-

"ABSCONDED and left his wife and family chargable to the Parish of Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottinghamshire.

WILLIAM COAPE, Labourer, about 5 feet 10 inches high, stout made, leans forward in his walk and goes rather wide with his leg; talks loud and has a strong voice; he has frequently been employed as a Navigator.

Whosoever will apprehend the said WILLIAM COAPE and bring him to the overseers of Mansfield Woodhouse or lodge him in any of his Majesty's Gaols shall recieve a reward of TWO GUINEAS and all reasonable charges.

Was he ever caught?

This article was requoted in the 'Local Gossip'column of Mansfield & North Notts Advertiser 24th May 1901, also the Forest Town Crier March 2000.