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Note: r prison record she reported her birth on 26 July 1826 in Leith, Midlothian, Scotland. A family legend says she was a runaway from a castle. The link to father is based on Catherine Jane Brack as a witness at the marriage of her brother William Doig with the other witness Robert Gordon Doig. In 1861 Catherine Doig (36 Ireland) was the wife of Christopher Brack at 33 Collier Street, Greengate, Salford, Lancashire with 7 children. She was not in the household in the 1871 cenus. PETITIONS Manchester. Intermediate Feb. 1871- ref. QSP 3858-3881 FILE - Bill of costs of prosecution of Catherine Scholes for larceny - ref. QSP/3863/4 - date: c1871 In 1871 Catherine Scholes (44 Scotland) was an inmate in the District County Prison for Salford, Cheetham, Lancashre; she was described as a married charwoman. On 16 Apr 1878 Catherine Brack (alias Elizabeth Hodson, Elizabeth Scholes, Catherine Doig, Catherine Scholes) was convicted of larceny for stealing three shirts from John Dring. She was sentenced to 10 years penal servitude and 7 years police supervision. At the time her residence was in Salford. Age at conviction, 56. Court of conviction: Lancaster Sessions, Manchester, Lancashire. (Lisc. no. 7135. Records held at National Archives, Kew) PETITIONS Manchester: Easter 1878 - ref. QSP/4030 FILE - Bill of costs of prosecution of Catherine Brack for larceny and receiving - ref. QSP/4030/59 - date: c1878. In 1881 Catherine Brack (widow, 59 Scotland), charwoman, was a prisoner in the District Female Convict Prison, Woking, Surry. Age at death listed as 58. Notes by Chris Doig: PENAL RECORDS of CATHERINE BRACK (nee Doig) Catherine had several aliases: Catherine Brack, Elizabeth Hodson, Elizabeth Scholes, Catherine Doig and Catherine Scholes. These display a lack of imagination on Catherines behalf - she used her married name, her maiden name and the name of her daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Hodson. 1871 This first record shows that Catherine was a charwoman aged 49 years. She was married to Christopher Brack with whom she had nine children. She was convicted for larceny in Salford involving the stealing of thirty six yards of linen cloth, the property of John Button, for which she was sentenced to seven years at Fulham Prison followed by seven years police supervision. On admission to Fulham she was described as having good health, 'indifferent' conduct' and she could read and write imperfectly. She was 5ft 2.5 inches, weighing 130 lbs, with sallow complexion and dark brown hair. She had lost all upper front teeth and had several distinguishing marks including a scar of left wrist and a cut on right temple. It says she was Church of England. The record shows she had previous convictions in 1864 for stealing ten handkerchiefs at Salford for which she was sentenced to 2 months, in 1866 for stealing one shirt at Salford for which she was sentenced to 3 months, in 1867 for stealing 5 yards of calico for which she was sentenced to one month, and in 1869 for stealing 6 yards of flannel for which she was sentenced to one year. In prison Catherine was employed as a knitter and cleaner. The papers record each application she made to the Prison Governor - these are heartbreaking - for example - in May 1872 within 6 months of her arrival in Fulham she applies 'to ask if she might shake hands with her children when they visit her'. The application was refused by the superintendent although later granted by the Prison Director. In November 1872 she asks for special paper to write to her children - which was granted 'under special circumstances'. In May 1873 she asked to be removed from her duties as cleaner in the Chapel - refused. The records also list her prison offences - 1873 for baking 2 large pies on the stove in the old laundry for which she received one day's confinement, in 1874 for having a light burning in her cell at 4.45am also for having a candle, some pieces of lucifer matches and other articles concealed for which she received 3 days close confinement and 21 days separate confinement. Her medical history only shows a black eye and bruised cheek from a fall whilst in Millbank Prison before being moved to Fulham in 1871. The record lists each letter she received and sent. It is interesting to see that she wrote to her husband on only one occasion in 1872 although he died in 1874 so perhaps he was in poor health. She sent and received regular letters from some of her children. During the whole period she was in prison she appeared to have one visitor in May 1875, presumably from her children. She was released from Fulham under licence in 1875 to the refuge in Russell House in Streatham. 1878 The second penal record shows Catherine had returned to Salford where she was up to her old tricks. In March 1878 she caught for stealing three shirts, the property of John Dring. She was sentenced for 10 years and a further period of 7 years police supervision. She was still being described as a charwoman, now a widow with nine children, aged 56 years 9 months. The record shows that she was a Dissenter as regards religion. On admission to Woking Prison, she was dark complexion, grey hair, brown eyes, 5ft 1.5 inches, and slight build. She was said to have ears pierced, slight scar on right side of face, and lost all teeth but one. She was classified as being weak and having a malformed chest and 'v.v.leg' whatever that is, and fit only for light work. Her occupation in prison was needlework. In December 1882 she sent a petition to the Secretary of State - praying for some mitigation of her long and painful sentence, pleading that she is 60 years of age and that her family are anxious and willing to receive her before her health utterly fails. The petition was refused on account of no grounds. In July 1884 she broke the rules by throwing two parcels containing tea leaves and stewed meat to C.H. 154 Wilson in the Messroom. She was punished by making her forfeit her berth. In December 1884 she was caught having a light in her cell for the purpose of cooking at 12.45pm. She was given 7 days separation in the penal ward and to forfeit her special class. Catherine was released on licence in December 1884. She died 14th January 1888. It is interesting from a family history point of view that Catherine told the Authorities that she was born on 26 July 1826 at Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland. Now, obviously we don't know if the information is correct, but it is the very first clue we have as to where to the family may have come from in Scotland.
Note: Catherine's birth reported in Ireland on some census and in Scotland on other census. On he
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