James J Ivey, John J Ivey born in Tennessee in about 1829. Been said he was born in Kentucky also but most of the records say TN.
This was one of 2 photos in the newspaper of him. The only ones I found.
The Record-Union
Sacramento, California
Sat, Mar 01, 1890 · Page
His first time locked up in a California Prison was in 1854.
Inmate: #San Quentin Prison
Rec: 20 Feb 1854
Crime: Grand Larceny
Term: 7 yrs
Escaped 24 Jul 1854 and returned on a new charge as James Curry.
Age: 25
Inmate: #849 San Quentin Prison (As James Curry).
Rec: 29 Feb 1856
Crime: Grand Larceny & Escape
Term: 7 years
Escaped 26 Feb 1857-Returned 26 Feb 1857
Escaped 24 Aug 1857-Returned 20 Jan 1858
Escaped 21 May 1859-Returned with new charges.
Inmate: #1686 San Quentin Prison as James Sanders.
Rec: 16 Aug 1859
Crime: Grand Larceny
Term: 8 yrs
Inmate: #2143 San Quentin Prison as James J Chambers (J. J. Chambers).
Rec: 18 apr 1861
Crime: Grand Larceny
Term: 10 Yrs
Escaped: 14 Feb 1863- returned with new charges.
This next record I didn't find:
Inmate: #2611 San Quentin Prison As James Russell.
Rec: 24 Sep 1863
Crime: Burglary
Term: 5 yrs
Discharged: 11 Jan 1868
Inmate: #3841 San Quentin Prison as Jas. Ivey
Rec: 15 Jun 1868
Crime: Burglary
Term: 10 Yrs
Discharged: 2 Sep 1876
Inmate: #8865 San Quentin prison As John Curry.
Rec: 30 May 1879
Crime: Burglary
Term: 5 Yrs
Discharged: 30 Dec 1882
Inmate: #8865 San Quentin Prison as Jno J Coey.
Rec: 30 May 1879
Crime: Burglary
Term: 56 yrs
Discharged: 30 Dec 1882
He burglarized the Healdsburg Post Office 25 May 1883, and He burglarized the Store of S. Shocken in Sonoma, CA 10 July 1883.
I did not find this record:
Inmate: #10900 San Quentin as James J Ivey
Rec: 23 Jul 1883
Crime: Burglary
Term: 9 Yrs
Inmate: #2191 Folsom Prison as James Brooks
Rec: 1 Apr 1890
Crime: Attempted Burglary 1st Degree
Term: 7 yrs
Age: 66
The Record-Union
Sacramento, California
Sat, Mar 01, 1890 · Page
James was a nonviolent man, the guards had lots of good things to say about him. He never lied,He was absolutely truthful, in as well a out of prison. . He was the best escapee they had ever seen. They all called him "Old Jim Ivey"
Although he was a burglar and a thief, lvey was known as a man of his word. A promise was sacred with him and he would die before* he would break faith with anyone who had reposed confidence in him. Knowing this trait, the Warden made a trade with lvey whereby the latter was to be allowed to conduct a small store or stand inside the walls of the prison and to enjoy a monopoly of the trade of the prisoners, if he would agree not to break out of jail again.
He made things in prison, bric brac and would sell it to the the visitors that cam. He was such a great salesman that when he left the prison in Sep 1876 he had $11,000 in gold coin and opened a cigar store at 231 Kearney Street, sadly it was not very successful. He managed to stay out of trouble until 1879, when he robbed a post office.
He time in prison in the early days was rough he had been flogged on several occasions.
Before coming to California he lived in Missouri for a short time then headed to Texas where he came to California with Judge Terry's Party in 1850.
He served over thirty five years within the walls.
He was determined, and full of resources, he was a natural leader. In the many breaks-prior to 1861 he was an active participant, and did the planning and, generally took the lead. He assisted in building the dungeon under the old prison hospital, and during its construction arranged some of the stones so that they could be easily removed. On the 2 1st of May 1859, some twenty of the worst criminals in the prison, including Jim, refused to work, for which, they were locked up in the Dungeon. On that night they removed the loose stones and all escaped, fourteen empty cells. Imagine the look on the turnkey (Guard) when he opened those cell doors.
I found 2 newspaper clippings all about his life behind bars, it is very fascinating and so much history there.
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43514103/john_j_ivey/
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43515936/james_j_ivey/
James died in Folsom Prison on 23 July 1894, I made him a Find A Grave Memorial.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/206775318
I made him a tree on Ancestry and I also found a book on Google Books that mentions his crimes.
What a interesting man he was. But he had to of been lonely. Where was his family? Did they all die on the trip from Texas or before that. I didn't find any parents, sibling wife, or children. I know he was a farmer, I know in 1850 he was living in Tuolumne, California, USA he 21 years old. The 1870 Census he is in San Quentin Prison.
The description of him says he was raw boned which meant very slim and boney. He had scars and disfigured fingers.It also mentioned his right eye was out.
Well James, I found you and and told some of your story, I hope I did you proud, I loved it.
This was one of 2 photos in the newspaper of him. The only ones I found.
The Record-Union
Sacramento, California
Sat, Mar 01, 1890 · Page
His first time locked up in a California Prison was in 1854.
Rec: 20 Feb 1854
Crime: Grand Larceny
Term: 7 yrs
Escaped 24 Jul 1854 and returned on a new charge as James Curry.
Age: 25
Rec: 29 Feb 1856
Crime: Grand Larceny & Escape
Term: 7 years
Escaped 26 Feb 1857-Returned 26 Feb 1857
Escaped 24 Aug 1857-Returned 20 Jan 1858
Escaped 21 May 1859-Returned with new charges.
Rec: 16 Aug 1859
Crime: Grand Larceny
Term: 8 yrs
Inmate: #2143 San Quentin Prison as James J Chambers (J. J. Chambers).
Rec: 18 apr 1861
Crime: Grand Larceny
Term: 10 Yrs
Escaped: 14 Feb 1863- returned with new charges.
This next record I didn't find:
Inmate: #2611 San Quentin Prison As James Russell.
Rec: 24 Sep 1863
Crime: Burglary
Term: 5 yrs
Discharged: 11 Jan 1868
Inmate: #3841 San Quentin Prison as Jas. Ivey
Rec: 15 Jun 1868
Crime: Burglary
Term: 10 Yrs
Discharged: 2 Sep 1876
Inmate: #8865 San Quentin prison As John Curry.
Rec: 30 May 1879
Crime: Burglary
Term: 5 Yrs
Discharged: 30 Dec 1882
Inmate: #8865 San Quentin Prison as Jno J Coey.
Rec: 30 May 1879
Crime: Burglary
Term: 56 yrs
Discharged: 30 Dec 1882
He burglarized the Healdsburg Post Office 25 May 1883, and He burglarized the Store of S. Shocken in Sonoma, CA 10 July 1883.
I did not find this record:
Inmate: #10900 San Quentin as James J Ivey
Rec: 23 Jul 1883
Crime: Burglary
Term: 9 Yrs
Inmate: #2191 Folsom Prison as James Brooks
Rec: 1 Apr 1890
Crime: Attempted Burglary 1st Degree
Term: 7 yrs
Age: 66
The Record-Union
Sacramento, California
Sat, Mar 01, 1890 · Page
James was a nonviolent man, the guards had lots of good things to say about him. He never lied,He was absolutely truthful, in as well a out of prison. . He was the best escapee they had ever seen. They all called him "Old Jim Ivey"
Although he was a burglar and a thief, lvey was known as a man of his word. A promise was sacred with him and he would die before* he would break faith with anyone who had reposed confidence in him. Knowing this trait, the Warden made a trade with lvey whereby the latter was to be allowed to conduct a small store or stand inside the walls of the prison and to enjoy a monopoly of the trade of the prisoners, if he would agree not to break out of jail again.
He time in prison in the early days was rough he had been flogged on several occasions.
Before coming to California he lived in Missouri for a short time then headed to Texas where he came to California with Judge Terry's Party in 1850.
He served over thirty five years within the walls.
He was determined, and full of resources, he was a natural leader. In the many breaks-prior to 1861 he was an active participant, and did the planning and, generally took the lead. He assisted in building the dungeon under the old prison hospital, and during its construction arranged some of the stones so that they could be easily removed. On the 2 1st of May 1859, some twenty of the worst criminals in the prison, including Jim, refused to work, for which, they were locked up in the Dungeon. On that night they removed the loose stones and all escaped, fourteen empty cells. Imagine the look on the turnkey (Guard) when he opened those cell doors.
I found 2 newspaper clippings all about his life behind bars, it is very fascinating and so much history there.
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43514103/john_j_ivey/
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43515936/james_j_ivey/
James died in Folsom Prison on 23 July 1894, I made him a Find A Grave Memorial.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/206775318
I made him a tree on Ancestry and I also found a book on Google Books that mentions his crimes.
The description of him says he was raw boned which meant very slim and boney. He had scars and disfigured fingers.It also mentioned his right eye was out.
Well James, I found you and and told some of your story, I hope I did you proud, I loved it.
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