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He continued sending petitions for his release, including in one in 1856 that he had been instrumental in saving the life of a prison officer. He was released on licence in March 1858, 10 years after his conviction, and returned to his wife and son, settling back in Shoreditch. [A convict sentenced to “life” could “earn” early release by exemplary behaviour after one year’s probation (“solitary confinement”) and serving six years on public works. It is possible that his 10 years are made up of these seven years with the three years in asylums not counting towards early parole but again this is only a guess.
It seems that after Millson’s initial enthusiastic contact with Wilmshurst at Fisherton House he may not have done much more. This may be because Perceval and White took over, and Millson would have known what they were doing as he was a good friend of White, or perhaps he exaggerated his initial commitment. Perceval was probably in less contact with Wilmshurst by the time of his release as he was mainly interested in asylums, though Gilbert Bolden presumably still had contact. (By the time of Wilmshurst’s release it seems that White had progressed from clerk to partner in his land and building surveyors company). Although White later says that he had had little contact with Wilmshurst it was him that found employment for Wilmshurst when he was released and it was through him that Wilmshurst was put back in contact with Millson which is where he got work, as Millson had originally promised. Millson was now a partner in a civil engineers and surveyors company.
However, Wilmshurst left this firm within at most 3 months, later claiming that he left because they were carrying out fraudulent business but Mr White, who Wilmshurst had now fallen out with, claimed that he was dismissed. Mr White’s answers to questions put by Wilmshurst, who was defending himself at the subsequent trial, summarise their connection and how it changed. “I have not had access to all your papers relating to your case while you were in the Asylum—I knew nothing of the case except what I was told—I did not tell the Lord Mayor that I had known you for fifteen years; that was a newspaper report; I said “for years”—I first became acquainted with you about four years ago—I have reason to be sure that you have an enmity against me, from what took place at the Mansion House—you were treated with every kindness and consideration by us, and you have made a very bad return for it”
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