James was the eldest son of Richard Manthorp and Anna Gray, and the entry for James Manthorp in Ipswich Gaol Book reveals how an encounter with the law has recorded personal details that will not be found elsewhere.

He had been born in 1844 before his parents' marriage and in his childhood had sometimes been recorded as James Manthorp Gray. He had been living with his parents in Wickham Market, following in the family trade of blacksmith.

The gaol book records him as James Manthorpe, resident in Wickham Market, committed on 9 September 1864 by PC Simpson. His offence involved stealing 6lb of brass and 1lb of copper and once again this appears to relate to an irregularity in the workplace. Presumably he did not have a lawyer and there is no way of knowing how far circumstances had weighed against him.

The gaol book provides a series of columns to enter a brief description and the clothes and items on the prisoner at the time of entry. James had a smock in addition to his coat and waistcoat, perhaps as extra protection against the weather. There is no mention of a hat or cap:


Age: 19
Height: 5 feet 5 inches
Complexion: Light
Colour of hair: Light brown
Colour of eyes: hazel
Visage: long
Coat: 1
Smock frock: 1 [the smock worn by countrymen as a working garment]
Waistcoat: 1
Trousers: 1
Stockings: 1
Shoes: 1
Boots: 1
Shirt: 1
Handkerchief: 1
Purse: 1
Money: 5s 0d
Tobacco box
Key
Religion: Church of England
Place of nativity: Eyke
Father's name, trade and residence: Richard Manthorpe, Blacksmith, Wickham Market
Married: no
Offences: Stealing
Where committed: Wickham Market
Date of warrant: 8 September 1864
Sentence if convicted: 6 weeks hard labour
Time will expire: 19 October 1864
In custody before: no
Can prisoner read and write?: imperfectly
School: Rendlesham, 5 years


Whatever the circumstances, James put this event behind him. He continued to work as a blacksmith and in due course married and had five children.