Sarah Ann Johnson

Sarah Ann Johnson was baptised 18 September 1822 Swaffham as daughter of Edward Amond Johnson (2-12-1794) and Elisabeth Mary Heath.

Sarah Ann Johnson  died December 1902 Blean.

Edward and Elisabeth married 23 Nov 1819 in the Virgin Mary and St Thomas a Beckett Wymondham Norfolk.
Witnesses on their wedding were Thomas Kemball, John Johnson Other Witnesses were Louisa Johnson, Eliza Johnson and Mary Norman Johnson
Sarah was born on 17 Aug 1822 and baptised 18 Sep 1822.St Peter & St Paul Swaffham County Norfolk.
Her fathers occupation at her birth was Gaoler and later governor of the Brideswell.
Sarah Ann Johnson married Jerome Nicholas Vlieland in 1866 In Norwich.

Kentish Chronicle - Saturday 27 January 1866

Sarah Ann Johnson had a lot of brothers and sisters as we find in the Parish register.
Baptisms 23 Jan 1821 JOHNSON Elizabeth Mary Norfolk Heigham.
Baptisms 18 Sep 1822 JOHNSON Sarah Ann Norfolk Swaffham.
Baptisms 07 Jan 1825 JOHNSON Edward Amond Norfolk Swaffham.
Baptisms 28 Jun 1826 JOHNSON John Kerrison Norfolk Swaffham.
Baptisms 09 Jul 1828 JOHNSON John Kerrison Norfolk Swaffham.
Baptisms 29 Jan 1830 JOHNSON Lucy Grice Norfolk Swaffham.
Baptisms 26 Nov 1831 JOHNSON Henry Godwin Norfolk Swaffham
Baptisms 19 Mar 1833 JOHNSON Fanny Norfolk Swaffham
Baptisms 12 Nov 1834 JOHNSON Charles Walter Norfolk Swaffham
Baptisms 25 Feb 1836 JOHNSON Frederic William Norfolk Swaffham
Baptisms 07 May 1837 JOHNSON Harriett Anna Norfolk Swaffham
Baptisms 22 Apr 1839 JOHNSON Lewis Heath Norfolk Swaffham
Baptisms 25 Oct 1843 JOHNSON Horace Amond Norfolk Swaffham he died at the age of 12.
Her father was keeper of the brideswell in Swaffham.

census 1871

Swaffham Bridewell
Description of the Bridewell in 1868: ‘The County Prison, which was erected in 1787, and considerably enlarged in 1844 at a cost of £1,500. It has a residence for the governor, and contains 67 cells and 3 hospital rooms. The prisoners are employed in mat making, sacking weaving, tailoring, shoemaking, oakum picking, and pumping water from a well 150 feet deep.’
(J.G.Harrod and Co., Directory of Norfolk and Norwich, (London and Norwich, 1868) pp.610-611).
White’s History, Gazetteer and Directory of Norfolk (Sheffield,1883) p. 711 records: ‘The County Prison at Swaffham has been discontinued under the Prisons Act, and was pulled down in 1881.’
In 1822 the time Sarah is born we read:
Swaffham. County Bridewell. — Dietary. Two pounds and a half of bread, made of good household flour, and half a pound of cheese per week; the prisoners are also permitted to purchase a pint of milk per day : hot water and salt are also allowed them.
The governor observes that a surprising difference has taken place with regard to the number of offences and committals since the erection of the tread-mill, and the number of recommittals has also very greatly decreased. The mill has been completed nearly twelve months. The effect of this labour upon the health of the prisoners, is very beneficial.