Convict Ship Neptune - 1790
Embarked: 424 men; 78 women
Voyage: 160 days
Deaths 147 men; 11 women
Surgeon's Journal: no
Previous vessel: Surprize arrived 26 June 1790
Next vessel: Scarborough arrived 28 June 1790
Captain Donald Trail
Surgeon William Gray
Assistant Surgeon D'Arcy Wentworth
1st Mate William Ellington
Follow the Female Convict Ship Trail
In November 1789 the London Times noted that the ships bound for Botany Bay were planning to depart on 26th December. The Captains of the ships had received strict orders from the Secretary of State's Office to have everything on board by that time. [1]
It was noted on the 10th December that the Neptune remained in Causand Bay awaiting further orders.[2]
A month before departure news of the fleet appeared in The Times - The number of convicts going out to Botany Bay in the fleet now under sailing orders amounts to 1000; 500 with the Neptune, Captain Gilbert at Plymouth; 250 with the Scarborough, Capt. Marshall; and 250 with the Surprise, at Spithead. The Gorgon is the only King's ship that goes at present on the above voyage, and she is to make the best of her way, without any sort of regard to the transports. The Gorgon carries out the Botany Bay rangers consisting of about 300 men and her own complement of officers and seamen exceeds 190.
Governor Philip's description of the new settlement was included in the edition and readers in England were reassured with an idyllic picture that touched on none of the deprivation, starvation or death that had really occurred in the previous two years..... Port Jackson being one of the finest harbours in the world in which 1000 sail of the line might ride in perfect security. Sydney Cove, named so in honour of Lord Sydney, the Governor chosen in preference, has the finest spring water and ships can anchor so close in shore that at a very small expense quays may be constructed at which the larges vessels may constantly unload. His meeting with the natives was friendly and the appearance of the place was picturesque and pleasing. [3]
Four hundred and twenty-four male convicts and seventy-eight female convicts were embarked towards the end of the year 1789 and January 1790. The expense of transferring these prisoners was paid by the various gaols and possibly later reimbursed. The Bedfordshire Archives holds the Gaoler's bill for the conveyance of 10 male and 2 female prisoners from the Bedford Gaol to Portsmouth in January 1790 at a cost of £69. 7s. 6d.
The two female prisoners from Bedford were
Eliza Hawkins sentenced to 7 years on 7 July 1786
Susan Carr sentenced to 7 years on 19 July 1787
This brought the total number of female prisoners embarked in England in various transports since May 1787 to almost five hundred women. In Finn's Leinster Journal in May 1790 a curious tale of one of the women was related..... - It is a melancholy truth that a woman, who had been brought up in all the splendour of affluence and who upon the death of her father only a few years since, came from India with a fortune of several thousand pounds is now on her passage to Botany Bay as a convict. A hasty marriage with a disguised sharper who squandered away her money and drew her step by step into a series of mal practices was the occasion of this wretched catastrophe. It is not more than five years since she came from India. [7]
On the Neptune was Lieutenant John Shapcote, the naval agent, whose duty it was to see that the convicts received their full rations and the best possible treatment. Apparently he failed in his duty. The crew, too, was very disorderly and inclined to be riotous throughout the voyage. Before the Neptune left London, Shapcote put all the male convicts into irons; he was not risking an uprising. Even while in the river many of them died, their bodies being thrown overboard. When a search was made for concealed weapons nearly a hundred knives were found so overboard they too went....Affair of the Hell Ship Neptune by George Mackanness...Sydney Morning Herald 10 February 1945
Departure
The Second Fleet ships Neptune, Surprize and Scarborough and store ship Justinian sailed from England on 19th January 1790, six months after the departure of the Lady Juliana.Military Guard
Nicholas Nepean came on the Neptune in charge of the first detachment of the New South Wales Corps.Cabin Passengers
John and Elizabeth Macarthur with their son Edward came passengers also. Also on the Neptune were six women who came free to the colony to act as midwives. One of those women was Sarah Cobcroft who later (1825) petitioned the Governor for a grant of land to assist in the support of her nine children. She had attended to all the female prisoners in the district. Surgeon Major West attested to her employment as midwife. [6]Mary Llewellyn is listed in the 1825 Muster as also arriving free on the Neptune.
The Voyage
Finns Leinster Journal gave an account of the voyage..... Mr. Evans in his account of the voyage of the Neptune to Botany Bay, has given an idea of misery on the part of the convicts, and cruelty on the part of those concerned in their transportation which makes humanity shudder. We hope some exaggeration has crept in - if not, that due punishment will fall on the guilty. A great quantity of goods it seemed was shipped on freight and which took up most of that room which the wretched passengers ought to have had the benefit of. The following is the description he gives of the part of the Orlop, or third deck allowed for these unhappy sacrifices to the justice of their country.According to the dimensions given me of this place, it contained 75 feet, or thereabouts, in length; 35 feet or thereabouts at the utmost breadth; and 6 feet 6 inches or thereabouts, in height between the beams; and 5 feet 7 inches, or thereabouts in height below the beams; within which space were built the miserable apartments for confining boarding and lodging upwards of 400 male convicts in four rows of cabins one story high . Each side of the ship from the mainmast forwards, and two rows in the middle on midships, not quite so long. These cabins were about six feet in length and breadth and the bottom boards of the lower cabin were four inches above the deck. (Finns Leinster Journal 1771 - 1828 Saturday January 14 1792 Irish Newspaper Archive).....
The Guardian store ship had been wrecked in December 1789 however under the direction of Captain Riou had managed to make it to False Bay at the Cape. Lieut. Riou wrote to Secretary Stephens in May 1790 informing him of some of the details of the wreck and of the articles he had put on board the vessels of the Third Fleet to be taken to New South Wales -
The Neptune, Surprise and Scarborough arrived in False Bay the 14th April, and in them I sent, under the care of Lt. John Shapcote, the agent, twenty convicts which were all that remained alive of the twenty-five that were sent on board the Guardian at Spithead. I also put on board those ships four hundred tierces of beef and two hundred tierces of pork; and had not a misunderstanding existed between Lieutenant Shapcote and myself, it is my opinion I could have sent many articles which would not have taken up much stowage in the ships under his direction that would have been very acceptable to his Majesty's colony in new South Wales. But as that officer waited my orders for his proceedings and afterwards persisted in his own resolution of sailing from False Bay on a certain day which he determinately fixed upon, I lost no time to endeavour to acquiesce in his measures, resolving that nothing should be wanting on my part to give all possible assistance to the colony, fearing that it might severely experience the effects of the accident that has befell his Majesty's ship under my command. The Neptune, Surprize and Scarborough sailed from False Bay on the 29th April. [8]
Twelve of the surviving convicts of the Guardian were embarked on the Neptune and eight on the Scarborough.
Port Jackson
The Neptune arrived in Port Jackson on 28th June 1790 -
Reverend Richard Johnson reported the misery of the scene of their arrival as indescribable - their heads, bodies, clothes, blankets, were all full of lice. They were wretched, naked, filthy, dirty, lousy, and many of them utterly unable to stand, or even to stir hand or foot.. A number of them laying nearly naked without bed or bedding and unable to turn or help themselves. The smell was so offensive I could scarcely bear it.
Hell Ship Neptune
It would be many months before relatives and friends back home would hear of the fate of the convicts on the Second Fleet which had the highest mortality rate in the history of transportation.On the Neptune one hundred and seventy-eight men and eleven women died on the passage out. The vessel was later referred to as the Hell Ship Neptune.
When word of the calamity reached England an enquiry was promised and depositions of some of the crew and marines were taken and although Trail and Ellington were indicted at the Old Bailey for the wilful murder of one of the convicts, they were acquitted after only three hours. (Bateson).
Below is an account of the murder they were accused of: Public Office Bow Street -
On Saturday Mr. Evans, who some few days back laid before the above Magistrate several depositions respecting the murder of the cook of the Neptune transport, by Donald Trail and William Ellington, appeared with two persons lately belonging to the ship, whose depositions were read, and disclosed a scene of barbarity shocking to relate.
The depositions of John Rogers and Patrick McDonald charged Trail and Ellington late captain and chief mate of the Neptune, with the murder of one of the male convicts on board of that ship, on her passage to Botany Bay. They stated, that when nearly in the latitude of the line, the deceased convict was ordered by Ellington on deck, when he came up, the mate said, 'so you have had your irons off in the course of the night'. The convict declared that he had not; Ellington immediately seized both the hands of the deceased, and placing one of his feet against his stomach, pulled him towards him with such violence, that the convict cried out and entreated Ellington not to hurt him; who, not content with the ill-treatment he had already given the deceased, went directly to the captain (Trail) and complained of the conduct of the deceased convicts. Traile immediately ordered the poor fellow to be tied up to the bows of the long boat, and to be flogged. Ellington took the end of the foretop sail brace (a rope of three inches in circumference), with which he beat the convict till his back was very much bruised and covered with blood.
Rogers was at this time on the forecastle, making matts, and close to the deceased during the whole of this inhuman treatment, who, when he was released, laid down on the booms, and in a faint voice, sighing; said it was the last flogging he ever should receive, for that he was a dead man; he begged of McDonald to give him a draught of water which was given to him by one of the seamen from his own allowance. For three hours after, the poor creature continued groaning, and expired, on the same spot he had lain down on after he was flogged. Both the witnesses saw him dead, and declared, that he appeared to have been in perfect health, until Ellington pulled him with such violence, at the time he placed his foot against his stomach. They added, that notwithstanding the deplorable situation in which both Ellington and Traile saw the convict previous to his decease, they did not order the surgeon to render him any assistance whatever; nor had he any other refreshment after the severe flogging he received from Ellington, than the water given him by one of the sailors.
At the request of Mr. Evans, Mr. Bond put some questions to the two men, respecting the treatment of the convicts on board the Neptune. They declared, that the treatment which the crew of the Neptune received was so inhuman and cruel, that each man embraced the first opportunity of quitting her. Rogers left her at the Cape of Good Hope, but McDonald proceeded on with her to Botany Bay; he declared that the allowance given to the convicts was not sufficient to support nature. He added, that they were chained together, and he had known more than five or six instances, where one of the two died, of the other's concealing his companion's death until the corps became putrid, on purpose to receive the allowance intended for the dead man. They died in great numbers every day; and before the arrival of the ship at Botany Bay, one hundred and seventy one were thrown overboard. On their arrival at Botany Bay, numbers of the convicts were hoisted out of the hold, whose faces (McDonald) had never once seen in the course of the voyage; numbers of these unhappy people were so reduced, that they expired in the boat as they were conveying on shore. - Belfast Newsletter 15th November 1791
In 1793 the circumstances surrounding the convict ships of 1791 were mentioned in Parliament - {Extract}
Out of 500 passengers on board the Neptune but 42 were able to crawl over the ship's side; the rest were carried and eight out of every ten died at Sydney Cove. The detail of the sufferings of these wretched convicts would be tedious and painful; suffice it to say, that by the depositions taken by the solicitor of the treasury, they were equal to any endured in the slave ships. Out of 1,863 on board the Queen and other transports in autumn 1791, 576 on landing were sent to the hospital. Governor Philip wished to punish the author of these calamities, but doubted his power over offences committed on the high seas. It was necessary, therefore, that an admiralty court should be established at Sydney Cove. Sir Charles then moved six resolutions, the sixth being: To preserve those criminals who may hereafter be transported from a calamity similar to that which destroyed the greater part of the unfortunate men of the Neptune and to rescue them from the dangers of foul air and famine it seems expedient to allow a space of at least two tons for each person should be allowed; in addition to regulations already in place, a premium should be given to the contractors, on the arrival of every felon in good health at the place of their destination; and likewise that all the provisions on board of the ships hired to carry convicts, should be purchased for the service of government, and the surplus, at the end of the voyage, be deposited in their storehouses......(Sir Charles Bunbury's Resolutions respecting Convicts for Transportation 1793, Parliamentary History of England)
Despite descriptions of sometimes licentious, idle female convicts in the colony, there was no shortage of work to be done and by August 1790 a pressing need saw the women who were able, employed in sewing new garments........The female convicts were now employed in making the slops for the men, which had been sent out unmade. Each woman that could work at her needle had materials for two shirts given her at a time; and, while so employed, was not to betaken for any other labour. - An Account of the English Colony in New South Wales - David Collins.
Convicts and Soldiers of the Neptune identified in the Hunter Valley:
Bentley, JohnBorn c. 1764. Convicted of sacrilege in London.Sent to Newcastle penal settlement from VDL in 1818 having been found guilty of theft of 200 sheep. Murdered at Newcastle in February 1824
Charlton, William
Soldier of the NSW Corps. Born 1771 at Wiltshire. Died at Kelso in 1839
Conway, George
Born c. 1756. Served as a soldier at Newcastle
Cooley, Samuel
Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing mathematical instruments. Young boy. Enlisted in the NSW corps and served at Norfolk Island before being discharged in 1808 for a criminal offence and sent to Newcastle penal settlement. Married Elizabeth Grant at Newcastle in 1818
Eather, Thomas
Born c. 1771 in Kent, England. Spouse Elizabeth Lee. Died at Windsor March 1827
Frost, Mary
Tried in Norfolk in 1789. Wife of Joshua Peck
Gulledge, Thomas
Born c. 1780. Spouse Mary Gow
Morgan, Molly
Alias Mary Mears/ Hunt. Tried at Salop, Shrewsbury 8 August 1789. Sentenced to 14 years transportation
Terrant, Henry
Private in NSW Corps. Stationed at Newcastle in 1805
Notes and Links
1). John Buttersworth arrived as a convict on the Neptune. He died at the age of 84 in February 1819 and was buried in the Old Sydney Burial Ground as was Richard Keele who died in September 1819; William Roberts who died September 1819 age 65; Sarah Fielder who died aged 50 in 1810 and Mary Gregory who died in June 1805. Robert Howard died in April 1801 and was also interred in the same place. John Lacy is noted in the records to have been killed by natives in January 1796. David (Davy) Latham from London who died in November 1793, Thomas Teasdale who died in January 1793 and John Loft who died in August 1801 were also interred at these burial grounds.2). D'arcy Wentworth's case had been reported in the Times in November 1789 -
Yesterday morning the famous D'Arcy Wentworth, was brought before Nicholas Bond, Esq., on suspicion of having committed diverse highway robberies. The manner in which this highwayman was apprehended, last Saturday, was rather singular. He had lodged in Marybone and a wounded man, one Day, came to his lodgings. The landlord overheard some of the conversation that passed between this man who had been wounded and the prisoner. He understood that he had been wounded with a ball. This man was carried to the Middlesex Hospital last Friday. Some suspicious circumstances relating to this man being mentioned at Bow street, the runners went to the hospital to see if they could recognize his face. After they had seen him, they went to bring a person who had been robbed, to see if he could identify his person, and before they returned to the hospital this man, wounded as he was, had been able to effect his escape. Enquiry was then made of the surgeon of the hospital, who first recommended him to his care, and from the information which the surgeon communicated to the officers, they were enable to trace and apprehend Wentworth. When he was apprehended he disclaimed all knowledge of the wounded man, but that his name was Jack, and that he had told him he had been wounded with a ball out of a carriage. Notice having been given to a great many persons robbed, that W. was to be brought up for examination, a great concourse of people attended yesterday at Bow street. John Pemberton Heywood, Esq., Barrister of Lincoln's Inn, was the first who gave an account in what manner he had been robbed. He said, that on Sunday morning the 5th July he was in a post chaise with Mr. Russel on Finchley Common, when they were stopped by two highwaymen, who demanded their money and watches. The tallest of the highway men said, 'We know you, and where you are going; we know you have watches' After they had their booty they wished Mr. H. and Mr. R. good morrow and rode off. Mr. Heywood immediately observed to his companion, that if D'Arcy Wentworth were in the kingdom he would say that was he. The greatest part of his face was covered with crape. Mr. H had seen him once in York. On this evidence Wentworth was committed. Several other Gentlemen who had been robbed attended to look at the person of the prisoner, but they could not identify it. Wentworth said he had been bred a surgeon and when he was apprehended was just about to set sail for Botany Bay where a berth had been provided for him by his friends. Later at trial John Heywood did not positively identify Wentworth and there being no other evidence, the Judge thought it was too much to found a capital convictions upon inconclusive evidence and Wentworth was found not guilty.....The Prisoner and Mr. Hayward applied to the Court to discharge him immediately as he had agreed to go to Botany Bay as a surgeon on board the fleet bound for that place. The Court upon consideration granted his request.
3). The following female prisoners arrived on the Neptune......
Antony, Mary - Convicted in Norfolk in 1788
Baker, Elizabeth - Convicted in Surrey in 1789
Barker, Ann - Convicted in Suffolk in 1788
Barnett, Martha - Convicted in Manchester in 1788
Bates, Martha - Convicted in Middlesex 1789. 7yrs transportation for stealing a child's linen shift...Prisoner - I beg the mercy of the Court and to go to Botany Bay (Old Bailey)
Beilby, Elizabeth - Convicted in York in 1789
Bond, Mary - Convicted in Somerset in 1786
Brown, Keziah - Convicted in Gloucester 1789. Fifth great grandmother of Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison
Brown, Martha - Convicted in Essex in 1789
Butler, Mary - Convicted at the Old Bailey 1789. Mary Desmond and Mary Butler were indicted for stealing on the 5th day of August 1789 one wicker basket, value 2 s. and nine pecks of French beans, value 4 s. 6 d.
Calcutt, Ann - Convicted at Stafford in 1789
Carey, Ann - Convicted at Norfolk in 1789
Carr, Susan - Convicted at Bedford in 1787
Chadderton Mary - Convicted at Lancashire 1788
Clarke, Margaret - 1788
Codd, Jane - Convicted in Wales in 1788
Cooksey, Mary - Convicted at Stafford in 1787
Cousins, Mary - Convicted at Lincoln in 1787
Cragg, Mary - Convicted at Yorkshire in 1787. 9th October 1814. Memorial of her husband, Thomas Murphy, settler of New Norfolk, Van Diemen's Land (CSI)
Davis, Elizabeth -Elizabeth Davis was indicted for stealing, on the 13th of September1789, a child's cotton frock, value 1 s. a worsted stuff petticoat, value 1 s. the property of Jane Matthews .Prisoner's defence - I am as innocent as the baby that is unborn; I thought I should not be tried till three o'clock; I was at home at the time this was laid to my charge. (Old Bailey)
Dell, Elizabeth - Convicted at Reading 1789 - On Thursday morning the family of the Dell's (mother, son and son in law) sentenced for transportation at our sessions, for shop lifting, were removed from our gaol to London, to be ready to be sent to Botany Bay with the ships that sail the first of next month. The men behaved in the most insolent and hardened manner; but the woman appeared very much affected. - The Reading Mercury and Oxford Gazette, etc (Reading, England), Monday, May 11, 1789; pg. 3; Issue 1425. British Library Newspapers,
Desmond, Mary - Mary Desmond and Mary Butler were indicted for stealing on the 5th day of August 1789 one wicker basket, value 2 s. and nine pecks of French beans, value 4 s. 6 d. (Old Bailey)
Donnelly, Sarah - Convicted at York in 1787
Donnovan, Mary - Convicted at the Old Bailey in 1789
Drury, Elizabeth - Convicted at Lincoln in 1787
Edwards, Elizabeth - Convicted at Suffolk
Edwards, Jane - Indicted for stealing, on the 24th of September1789, a child's linen shirt, value 12 d. two linen frocks, value 2 s. a bed-gown, value 12 d. a linen pin-cloth, value 6 d. two linen handkerchiefs, value 12 d. the property of John Berry . (Old Bailey)
Elley, Jane - Jane the wife of Benjamin Elley was indicted for stealing, on the 23d day of September 1789, nine yards and three quarters of sprigged muslin, value 10 s. the property of Timothy Fisher. Prisoner. I leave it to my counsel; I did not expect to be tried till two o'clock; when I went into this shop, I went with an intent to buy; the gentleman pulled me about sadly, and he put his hands down my bosom, and I thought it was a very indecent action; he asked me where I lived; I told him; and he went and enquired of my character; and he said to me, are you a married woman? I said, yes; says he, it is a pity you have a big belly; I said, it is no matter, I have a good father for it; says he, I wish I was the father of it; and what he has said against me, is as false as God is true. (Old Bailey)
Evans, Sarah - Tried at Denbhi in 1786
Flannagan, Mary - Tried at the Old Bailey in 1789
Flood, Rose - Indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 14th day of August 1789, one blue linen apron, value 6 d. and one linen table-cloth, value 13 d. the property of William Connell . (Old Bailey)
Frost, Mary- Tried at Norfolk in 1789. Later the wife of Joshua Peck.
Godwin, Elizabeth - Tried in Hereford in 1789
Gott, Eleanor- Tried at Liverpool in 1789. Wife of William Buckridge. 1825 Muster
Gregory, Mary - Indicted for stealing, on the 5th day of June1789, a black silk cloak, value 5 s. a cap, value 2 d. a pair of robins, value 1 d. and two guineas, the property of Samuel Whitaker, in his dwelling house . Prisoner - I went as a servant to the prosecutor; I was in very great distress, and the drawer being open, I took one guinea, I have no witnesses.. (Old Bailey)
Griffiths, Ann - Indicted for stealing, on the 30th day of October 1789 twenty-eight yards of printed calico, value 3 l. the property of Godfrey Hill and Samuel Tinecoat , in their dwelling house (Old Bailey)
Griggs, Sarah - Convicted in Kent in 1788
Harbour, Jane Convicted in Norfolk in 1787
Hawkins, Elizabeth - Convicted in Bedford in 1786
Hawkins Hannah - Convicted at Stafford in 1789. Widow residing at Richmond in 1825 Muster.
Heathcote, Rebecca - Convicted at Chester in 1788
Ireland, Elizabeth (Hyland) - Convicted at Kent in 1789. Wife of John Limeburner, Sydney 1825 Muster.
Johnson, Elizabeth - Convicted at Glamorgan in 1786
Jones, Elizabeth - Convicted at Liverpool in 1789. Widow, pauper residing at Windsor in 1825 Muster.
Jones, Grace - Convicted at Denbigh in 1786
Jones, Mary; - Convicted at Middlesex in 1789
Joy, Ann- Convicted at Kent in 1789
Justin, Mary - Convicted at Buckinghamshire in 1789
Leary, Mary - Convicted of larceny 28 October 1789 - I bought these goods, all the four pieces, from this lady; she told me she wanted to buy some lace; she was ready to lay in, and I lent her two guineas and a half; she told me she had some old things to send to her sister in the country, and she would sell these old things to me for the money; I was to give her four guineas and a half for the old things; I was intending to leave this lady; I served her for half a year, as long as she has been a house-keeper; all See original Click to see original the neighbours gave such a character of her, they desired me to leave her; she was to give me ten guineas, and half a guinea Christmas-box; this lady did not pay me but at the rate of eight guineas; and stopped out of my wages two guineas and a half; I bought this bed gown of her for five shillings; my mistress desired me not to tell my master or this girl of it, because she thought it too mean to sell these old things to me; if these things are looked at, they are all old things only fit to give away. (Old Bailey)
Linsley, Elizabeth - Convicted in York in 1787
Litheby, Elizabeth - Convicted at Devon in 1788
Lynch, Alice - Convicted at Monmouth in 1788
Manlove, Sarah - Convicted at York in 1789 Wife of Mr. Hughes of Sydney. Free by Servitude. 1825 Muster.
Martin, Mary - Indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 30th of July 1789 , one muslin shawl, value 2 s. and three muslin half shawls, value 5 s. the property of Samuel Francis in his shop . Prisoner's defence - I was walking along; I heard the cry of stop thief, and there were three girls running; they dropt these shawls, and they took me instead of one of them; I am seventeen the 10th of next June; my friends are in the country. (Old Bailey) Residing at Pittown in 1825 (1825 Muster)
Massey, Betty - Convicted at Lancashire in 1788
McDonaugh, Mary - Convicted at Hants in 1789
Meredith, Ann- Convicted at Worcestershire in 1789
Merryfield, Ann - Convicted at Devon in 1789
Mitchell, Mary - Indicted for stealing, on the 6th of August 1789, one cotton gown, value 10 s. the property of George Lane. Prisoner's defence: I went into Mr. Lane's to buy a pair of buckles, and there were a many people in the shop; he called out stop thief; three ran out; I staid till they all came back, I knew Mr. Lane very well; he did not stop me; as I was coming out, I picked up a gown, I did not know it was his; I went to Mr. Duberry's and pawned it; my friends are all gone home. (Old Bailey)
Morgan, Martha - Convicted at Pembroke in 1786
Morgan, Mary Convicted at Salop in 1789. Molly Morgan built the first Inn at Maitland, the Angel Inn
Molloy, Jane - Indicted for stealing, on the 26th of August 1789, sixteen yards of printed cotton, value 34 s. the property of John Noble, privily in his shop . Prisoner's defence: I went with an acquaintance to buy a gown; the gentleman pulled down a great many things; there was nothing she liked; coming out, he said come back; and the piece of linen was laying behind the counter; and he said I put it there; the other man went away. Guilty stealing, but not privately . Transported for seven years . (Old Bailey)
Naggs, Elizabeth - Convicted in Kent in 1789
Neve, Margaret - Convicted in Cumberland in 1786
Phillips, Sarah - Sarah wife off George Phillips , was indicted for stealing, on the 6th of June 1789 , two pair of stays, value 2 s. two pair of silk stockings, value 1 s. and one pair of shoes, value 6 d. two waistcoats, value 6 d. two clouts, value 2 d. a hat band, value 1 s. a piece of gauze, value 2 d. two pair of gloves, value 2 d. one gauze handkerchief, value 2 d. the property of Dennis Granier . Prisoner's defence - After I left my place, I was taken to the prosecutrix's house, and she asked me to do some needle work for her, which I did several days, she gave me a bed-gown and shift to mend, which I did, and returned it back by the lad, and gave him three pence to carry it; she immediately came down, and took me to the watch-house.
Rhymes, Elizabeth - Convicted in London in 1789 Widow of Wilberforce NSW in 1825 Muster
Rice, Elizabeth - Indicted for stealing, on the 26th day of June1789, one linen towel, value 6 d. one counterpane, value 1 s. a muslin cap, value 1 s. two aprons, value 2 s. a pair of sheets, value 3 s. half a yard of dimity muslin, value 1 s. a napkin, value 6 d. a handkerchief value. Prisoner pleaded illness and distress. (Old Bailey)
Risam, Elizabeth - Convicted in York 1787. In the Asylum Sydney in 1825 Muster.
Sandwick, Eleanor - Convicted at Cumberland in 1785
Smith, Elizabeth - Convicted at Middlesex in 1789
Smith, Elizabeth; - Convicted at Middlesex in 1789
Smith, Sarah - Convicted at Essex in 1789
Stultz, Mary - Indicted for stealing, on the 25th of September 1789, a flannel petticoat, value 1 s. and a linen shirt, value 1 s. the property of William Foreman . Transported for seven years to the coast of New South Wales, or some of the islands adjacent . Prisoner. Prisoner - My lord, I return you thousands and millions of thanks; they would have had my life if they could; and I am bound in duty to pray for you all. (Old Bailey)
Thompson, Jane - Convicted at York in 1787
Tucker, Mary - John Tucker was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 3d day of October 1787, four hundred and ninety yards of linen, value 30 l. one hundred and thirty yards of cambrick, value 20 l. ten yards of muslin, value 28 s. forty muslin handkerchiefs, value 3 l. one cotton towel, value 1 s. and twenty yards of printed callico, value 3 l. the property of George Jeremy and Henry Small : and Stephen Tucker and Mary Tucker were indicted for feloniously receiving on the 4th of October , four hundred and ninety yards of linen, value 30 l. one hundred and thirty yards of cambrick, value 20 l. forty muslin handkerchiefs, value 3 l. one cotton towel, value 1 s. and twenty yards of printed callico, value 3 l. part of the said goods, knowing them to have been stolen. Sentenced to 14 years transportation. (Old Bailey)
Wade, Elizabeth - Indicted for stealing, on the 26th of March1789 last, a silk damask gown and coat, value 2 l. and two satin gowns and coats, value 4 l. six pair of silk stockings, value 2 l. the property of - Spankster . My Lord, I went to Mr. Spratt's, shoemaker, No. 9, if my memory assists me right, where I lived very retired; I went there in the name of Smith, coming to a long law-suit I had; I lodged at Mr. Anderson's; I went to be retired intirely till I had sold my estate, which is in America, General Wade is my brother; I told them I was a person come from the country; and had ten pounds a year, and would do some needle work; one night at Mr. Spratt's I was met by an elderly gentleman, I had a few sprats in my hand, I was very ill at that time with St. Anthony's fire in my face, that no person who saw me then could know me again; the gentleman came and spoke to me, and said, my dear, will you have a glass of wine? I knocked at the door, I never was at Mr. Spratt's from Easter Saturday till the day I was taken with this gentleman; I sat down on Monday morning and made a little frock, I thought I would go to Mr. Spratt's, and tell him the alteration of my name; I every day attended Mr. Plowden, who was going to sell my estate, and I thought I; might be met with at Mr. Spratt's; I know nothing or the gowns, I was going to Mr. Spratt's, I was never there before; I left this gentleman in the street; he says to me; will you go and drink a glass of wine? I do not drink any wine, Sir, says I; I have no business with you; he followed me; when we got to Long-lane, he took hold of my hand; I have been ill since I have been in Newgate, I have sent to my friends; Sir Sampson Wright knows me; Mr. Spratt can clear me, I was ill in his house. (Old Bailey)
Walters, Mary - Indicted for stealing, on the 16th of October 1788, a cotton shawl, value 1 s. a pair of cotton stockings, value 6 d. the property of Thomas Barber . (Old Bailey)
Watkins, Rachael - Convicted at Hereford in 1785
Watt, Jane - Convicted at Stafford in 1785
Wheeler, Ann and Elizabeth Barnsley were indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 26th of February , eighteen yards of muslin, value 6 l. the property of Enoch Hodgkinson , George Warrener, and John Percival, privily in their shop. (Old Bailey)
White, Ann Sarah Woolley and Ann White were indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 9th of October , four yards of printed cotton, value 8 s. the property of Joseph King and Robert Cottle, privily in their shop (Old Bailey)
White Mary - Convicted at Surrey in 1789
Willcock, Ann- Convicted at Lincoln in 1789
Williams, Mary - Convicted at Monmouth 1788
Willis, Sarah - Convicted at York 1787
Wood, Elizabeth - Convicted at Middlesex 1789 Sarah Conjuit and Elizabeth, wife of John Woodd were indicted for feloniously stealing a pair of silk stockings, value 7 s. a pair of cotton ditto, value 3 s. 6 d. the property of Isaac Garner , privily in his shop. (Old Bailey)
Woolley, Sarah - Sarah Woolley and Ann White were indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 9th of October , four yards of printed cotton, value 8 s. the property of Joseph King and Robert Cottle , privily in their shop (Old Bailey)
References
[1] Times [London, England] 2 Nov. 1789: 3. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 18 Apr. 2013.[2] Times [London, England] 12 Dec. 1789: 3. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 18 Apr. 2013.
[3] Times [London, England] 14 Dec. 1789: 3. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 18 Apr. 2013.
[4] 'Bow Street.' Times [London, England] 13 Nov. 1789: 3. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 18 Apr. 2013
[5] Times [London, England] 11 Dec. 1789: 4. The Times Digital Archive. Web.
[6] CSL Fiche 3124; 4/1840C No.139 p.777
[7] Finn's Leinster Journal 1st May 1790
[8] Historical Records of New South Wales. Vol. 1, part 2., p338.
[9] Historical Records of New South Wales. Vol. 1, part 2.,p. 356
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