More Dodgy People In Himself's Family... - Lung Conditions C...

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More Dodgy People In Himself's Family...

20 Replies

Himself does have rather a large number of thieves and vagabonds in his family you know...I found another one today who came from Devon and was sent to Van Diemen's Land in 1820...she had been convicted of fraud.

It's a pity the records don't describe the crimes in more detail...I wonder what a young woman in 1820 was actually doing when she committed fraud...

Among the other people appearing at the Court the same day as Susan, were three Highwaymen...they didn't fare too well...all three were sentenced to death. And there was one chap who had apparently 'committed an indecent act with a sheep'...he was sentenced to two months in prison.

Whenever I have cause to look at the Criminal records there are always Highwaymen...and they were always sentenced to death...not for them a long and arduous sea passage to the other side of the world, but a short cart ride to the local gallows, where there'd be a good crowd waiting to see them receive their just deserts.

The roads to and from London were those most favoured by the Footpads and the Highwaymen...the coaches carried the wealthy who could afford the fares...often driven by a solitary unarmed coachman, they made for easy targets when stopped by two or three men on horseback intent on robbery...the women's jewellery and the gold coins carried by the gentlemen were easily transportable in saddle bags...

It wasn't until the latter part of the 1800's that the Highwaymen died out...the advent of easily traceable paper money rather than gold coinage and the increasing popularity for carrying personal arms meant the Highwaymen's days were over...

I suppose Footpads who, as their name suggests, didn't ride horses but crept about on foot, were the muggers of times gone past...didn't seem to bother them much as to who they stopped and robbed...because the wealthy rode in coaches or rode their own mounts, Footpads robbed anyone they happened upon...all too often people as poor as themselves.

Susan's voyage took four and a half months...there were three hundred and sixty convicts on board the ship The Endeavour...it sailed back to England with a cargo of wood. Within two years Susan had applied to the Governor for permission to marry...she'd conveniently forgotten she was already married to a man in Devon...permission was granted and she and her new husband...who was also a convict...settled down to produce numerous children...she and husband both applied for their freedom five years after their arrival and that was also granted.

Now had Susan wished, she could have brought her original husband with her to Van Diemen's Land...it was commonplace for people sentenced to transportation to bring with them relatives...most especially those who were dependent...like children or small siblings.

Obviously it was to be encouraged otherwise those dependants would have had to enter a Workhouse and cost money...

Perhaps he thought he was grand where he was...perhaps she hopped on the ship and didn't tell him where she was bound for...

So now Himself has a bigamist to add to his tree...

20 Replies
Nanaeal profile image
Nanaeal

Oh Vashti you do cheer me up. I'm a bit miffed because I have another chest infection & am back on the meds. Were due to go to London on Friday for the weekend going to see the Jersey Boys & then meeting up with family so going to see Charlie & the Chocolate Factory on Saturday & The Natural History Museum on Sunday. So I'm resting up & thinking positive happy thoughts. Your story helped. Sorry I'm rambling - I do love your missives so interesting & entertaining.

I've been off line for a while my phone was poorly & I didn't want to risk going on the computer. It was a ransom virus. All fixed now & I got to read all your missives one after the other what a treat. Thank you. Best wishes. Nan

.

in reply to Nanaeal

I do hope you feel grand for the coming weekend Nan...sounds as though it'll be lovely...

Nanaeal profile image
Nanaeal in reply to

Thanks Vashti It was Hubys Birthday today & we went to The Grosvenor Hotel for afternoon tea very grand & delicious.

Ha ha at least he hasn't got a beheaded one - yet :d x

johnwr profile image
johnwr in reply to

I've got several who lost their heads. Mostly aristocrats who supported the wrong side in an argument that ended up in civil war. So they were charged with treason. One was involved in the Gunpowder Plot. Those at the top of society did bigger crimes, and came to more spectacular ends. Fascinating.

breathe easy, all.

johnwr

in reply to johnwr

The nastiest one I've ever found is in my tree...related by marriage rather than blood...and he was hung, drawn and quartered...

Made me feel quite ill!

peege profile image
peege in reply to

ooo what for Vashti? And did they do that to women or only men?

Fascinating. P xx

in reply to

Just give me time...I'll find one...lol

bulpit profile image
bulpit

Morning Vashti, Another very intresting post, How on earth do you get such detailed information,Himself's ancestors sound a colourful lot.Best wishes. Bulpit

jeanielee profile image
jeanielee

Could you pleas advise which search engines you use to research your family tree and is it expensive ?

in reply to jeanielee

I use Ancestry Jeanie...there are many different sites but I've found that Ancestry has the most records of any of them...and that includes overseas. I pay monthly and it costs around 20 euro depending on the exchange rate...that gives access to every record they have.

johnwr profile image
johnwr in reply to

I also use Ancestry, £12.95 Monthly for UK records. Easy to use, once you get to the point where you start to find links to others in the system.

in reply to johnwr

I went for the worldwide option when I began to find people who'd emigrated...when you look at the Sterling price, it makes for a cheap enough hobby...bit addictive though...lol

jeanielee profile image
jeanielee in reply to

Thankyou Vashti I have made tentative searches but not committed to paying a monthly fee,I can see how it could become addictive but there are a lot worse habits to be addicted to.

jeanielee profile image
jeanielee in reply to johnwr

Hi johnwr thanks for the info,think I might give it a go.

hufferpuffer profile image
hufferpuffer

Another colourful read Vashti, I love your reminders of what the past was like for our forefathers it makes you glad that so much has changed!! :D I will have to catch up with your other posts now as I've been busy with Grandkids and a wedding to attend on Friday, the big fellows daughter is tying the knot in a big hotel by lake Windermere, I've ended up with four hats and probably wont wear any haha!xxxx

in reply to hufferpuffer

So long as you don't wear all the hats at once ....lol

emmo profile image
emmo

Lovely story Vashti, you can sometimes get more details of court proceedings from local papers of that

time. I understand now in Australia those early deportees are considered a good thing in the family tree as they were after all the early settlers.

in reply to emmo

And of course some weren't criminals as such...probably just plain hungry or their family was...

Trouble with looking at the old newspapers is I have to keep reading more and more...lol

emmo profile image
emmo in reply to

Do so agree. My family history society magazine sometimes lists convictions and punishments - they were so draconian, young kids getting transported or birched

for minor offences.

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