Transportation to the colonies

Those countries we used to call the colonies are full of families descended from English citizens who were sentenced to be deported for criminal acts during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Transportation as a punishment for convicts began during the reign of Charles II (1660-85) when pardons were granted to persons under sentence of death conditionally on their being sent to the colonies for a number of years, usually seven. It was however, unknown in common law and was not legalised until an Act of 1719. The first convicts deported to Australia were sent to Botany Bay but this ceased in 1840 and from then on, until 1853, they were sent to Tasmania that already had several penal settlements, although there were others elsewhere in the world. The system was gradually abolished between 1853 and 1864, principally because the colonies objected to receiving the convicts and the punishment was substituted by penal servitude or imprisonment with or without hard labour.

The offences in most cases hardly justified transportation and usually involved the theft of food and clothing because the poor were frequently cold and hungry. But stealing in those days was considered a heinous crime by the justices because it was usually their property that was being stolen. The bench of magistrates invariably comprised landowners and wealthy tradesmen who were anxious to protect their belongings and so anyone who came before them accused of stealing them were liable to be given severe penalties as an example to others.

An estimated 2,000 citizens of Lincolnshire were deported between 1788 and 1868 to Australia, Gibraltar and Bermuda, and the newly released convict records from this period currently held by Lincolnshire County Archives contain several from the Bourne area who were transported for various periods after being sentenced at Kesteven Quarter Sessions, usually held at the Town Hall in Bourne, which at that time was also known as the Sessions House. They include the following entries:

Francis ALLAM, aged 32, a mason, was accused at the sessions on 15th January 1788 of breaking into the shop of Robert Tinsley, a cordwainer, of Haconby, and stealing a pair of calf skin boots, a pair of leather shoes, a pair of women's stuff and leather shoes and a pair of men's leather pumps. He was sentenced to be transported for five years and in 1790 was embarked on the ship Scarborough bound for New South Wales but did not sail with the fleet and his fate is unknown.

Abraham ATKINS (alias William MATKINS), aged 26, a labourer, appeared before the sessions on 30th June 1834 accused of stealing 15 yards of hempen cloth, the property of Thomas Richardson, of Deeping St James. He was also found guilty, but not sentenced, on two other charges: stealing three tame ducks from Joshua Fletcher and stealing a sheep skin and a hempen sack, also from Joshua Fletcher. The court was told that Atkins was married with no children, was unable to read or write and had a previous conviction fore stealing a silk handkerchief. He was sentenced to be transported for 14 years and sailed for New South Wales aboard the ship Westmoreland in 1835.

Henry BARNES (alias BARNS and BAINES), aged 24, a cordwainer or wandering labourer, was accused of stealing four lamb hogs, the property of John Wilson, a farmer, of Grimsthorpe, near Bourne, and stealing a lamb hog, the property of George Jones, a farmer, of Elsthorpe. He appeared before the sessions on 15th October 1833 when the court was told that he was a single man with no known convictions but had a bad character, respectable connections, a good state of health and was able to read and write. Barnes was sentenced to be transported for life, sailing for Tasmania aboard the ship William Metcalfe the following year.

Davy BENNET, aged 21, appeared on 5th January 1835 accused of being found armed at night in a wood and presenting his gun to [threatening] a gamekeeper. He was sentenced to be transported for seven years and sailed for Tasmania later the same year aboard the ship Layton.

Thomas BENNETT (alias TUCK), aged 15, theft, was sentenced to be transported for ten years when he appeared on 16th October 1848 and sailed for Tasmania in 1850 aboard the ship Rodney.

James BROWN (alias BAKER), aged 19, theft, was sentenced to be transported for ten years when he appeared on 16th October 1848 and sailed for Tasmania in 1849 aboard the ship Pestonjee Bomamjee.

John BUCK, aged 26, a labourer, of Deeping St James, near Bourne, was accused of stealing a cart saddle from John Tomlin, a miller, when he appeared before the sessions on 2nd July 1833. He had a previous conviction for stealing ten tame fowls from John Tomlin in 1829 and in this case, he was sentenced to be transported for seven years, sailing for Tasmania aboard the ship Moffatt in 1834.

Augustine CHAMBERLAIN, aged 23, a labourer, appeared before the court on 13th January 1824, accused of stealing 19 tame fowls and four tame ducks, the property of John Wilson, of Grimsthorpe, near Bourne. He was sentenced to be transported for seven years and sailed for Bermuda on 9th December 1825.

Perkins COBLEY, aged 40, a labourer, was accused of stealing a pair of worsted stockings, a shovel, a fork and a mop, the property of William Markham, a carrier, of Market Deeping, when he appeared before the sessions on 9th July 1827. The court was told that his behaviour in gaol had been "very bad". He was sentenced to be transported for seven years and sailed for New South Wales aboard the ship Phoenix the following year.

John CLOSE, a labourer, aged 22, appeared on 3rd April 1838 accused of breaking into the Eastgate shop of William Watson and stealing five loaves of bread, a pound’s weight each of cheese, tobacco, tea, sugar, candles and other articles, and of stealing an earthen pancheon [a shallow milk bowl], the property of John Phillips, a grocer of Church Street, and of stealing 13 fowls, the property of John Osborn, of North Street. He was sentenced to be transported for 10 years and sailed for New South Wales in 1839 aboard the ship John Barry.

William COX, aged 24, of Baston, near Bourne, was charged with stealing six tame ducks, the property of John Peter Hill, at Baston. He appeared in court on 6th April 1857 when it was stated that he had three previous convictions having been sentenced to one month's imprisonment on 18th October 1847 for stealing six hoes at Bourne Fen when he was 14 years old, with John Fowler, aged 17, and William Fowler, aged 13; and on 26th June 1848 he was sentenced to one month's imprisonment and to be once publicly whipped for stealing a smock frock at Baston; and on 30th December 1850, when aged 17, he was sentenced to seven years' transportation for stealing three fowls and a duck at Baston, with Charles Ullett, aged 26. Cox was sentenced to be transported for six years and was sent to Bermuda.

William CRUST, a labourer, of Deeping St James, near Bourne, appeared in court on 11th April 1820 when he was charged with stealing two tame rabbits and a mop made of wood and woollen from Joseph Fairchild, a grazier, of Deeping St James, and of stealing two tame ducks and one tame drake from Thomas Palmer, of Deeping St James. He was also acquitted of stealing four ducks, the property of John Stapleton, a cottager, of Deeping St James. Cox was sentenced to be transported for life and sailed for Tasmania aboard the ship Richmond in 1822.

Henry DAWSON, aged 17, a labourer, appeared before the court on 7th April 1840 when he was convicted of house breaking and stealing three Scotch shawls, eleven filled shawls etc from William Goodacre, a grocer, of Edenham, near Bourne, and of stealing a quantity of flour from George Martin Lord, a miller, of Harlaxton. The court was told that he committed the crimes with George Rouse and William Shaw and that John and Sarah Holmes received the goods from the first offence. Dawson could neither read nor write and the trial documents were extensive and included plans and witness and prisoner statements. He was sentenced only on the first offence and was ordered to be transported for ten years, sailing for Tasmania aboard the ship Layton in 1841.

Robert ELDERKIN, a labourer, was found guilty on 6th October 1789 of stealing two hempen shirts, the property of Elizabeth Parham, from a hedge in Bourne, and sentenced to be transported for seven years. He sailed for New South Wales in 1792 aboard the ship Royal Admiral. Elderkin may have been a naval deserter and had also been accused of stealing a pair of calfskin leather boots and a pair of garters, the property of Robert Nicholls, of Crowland.

Ephraim FRANCIS, aged 23, of Langtoft, near Bourne, appeared in court on 4th January 1836 accused of stealing 11 tame fowls at Baston, the property of Edward Sharp, and of stealing five tame rabbits, the property of William Musson. He was sentenced to be transported for a total of 21 years, 14 years for the first offence and seven years for the second. While in Lincoln Gaol after the trial, Francis and another man, George Cook, made an unsuccessful attempt to break out by pulling down the brickwork of the chimney in No 2 sleeping room and descending into No 1 day room where they had cut the door to enable them get into the day yard but once outside, they were seized, put into irons and restricted to rations of bread and water. He sailed for Tasmania later that year aboard the ship Eden.

George GARDINER, a labourer, aged 25-27, of Baston, near Bourne, was accused of stealing a red kerseymere waistcoat, a coat, a pair of buckskin breeches, a man's hat, a penknife and a canvas purse, the property of Matthew Hainsworth, a weaver, of Langtoft, and he appeared in court on 17th April 1798. It was said in evidence that Gardiner and Hainsworth slept together* at the Wheatsheaf public house at Baston and the theft took place during the night. Gardiner and the stolen property were later tracked down by Hainsworth at the Coach and Horses Inn at Osbournby. He was sentenced to be transported for seven years and sailed for New South Wales in 1800 aboard the ship Royal Admiral.

*NOTE: It was common practice in those days for anyone staying the night at an inn to share a room or even a bed with other guests.

Mary GLENN, aged 42, a married woman who kept a lodging house at Rippingale, near Bourne, was found guilty of receiving a gun and other articles, the property of Eldred Knipe, and receiving two gallons of rum and other articles, the property of John Cole, a butcher, of Baston, knowing them to have been stolen. The court hearing on 30th December 1850 was told that both offences had been committed in Bourne. She was sentenced to be transported for seven years and sailed for Tasmania in 1852 aboard the ship Anna Maria.

James GRAY, a labourer, aged 23, of Baston, near Bourne, appeared before the sessions on 16th October 1826 and was found guilty of stealing a man's shirt, a shift, a gown and a napkin, the property of John Cawthorne, toll bar keeper, of Rippingale, from his garden. Two other men were accused with him, Edward Mansfield and James Rouse, but were acquitted. Gray was sentenced to be transported for seven years and sailed for New South Wales in 1827 aboard the ship Prince Regent.

William HAXEY, aged 53, of Bourne, was sentenced to be transported for ten years when he appeared at the sessions on 3rd January 1848 for a crime unknown. He sailed for Tasmania the following year aboard the ship Pestonjee Bomanjee.

James JOHNSON, aged 18, of Deeping St James, near Bourne, was sentenced to be transported for seven years after being found guilty on 3rd April 1837 of receiving eight fleeces of wool at Market Deeping, the property of Joseph Beecraft Mawby, knowing them to be stolen.  He was also accused of receiving seven more fleeces of wool from J B Mawby and eight fleeces from Robert Searson, as well as stealing a hempen sack at Deeping Fen, the property of John Holland, but was found not guilty on these charges. The court was told that Johnson was able to read and write imperfectly. Two other men were convicted with him, Peter Moore Johnson and Samuel Preston, after being informed against by John Henson. He sailed for New South Wales the following year aboard the ship Lord Lynedock.

William KNIGHT, a labourer, aged 25, of Morton, near Bourne, appeared before the sessions on 16th October 1821 accused of stealing five tame grey geese from John Cole, a farmer, of Hanthorpe. He was sent to Tasmania for seven years, sailing on the Commodore Hayes in 1823.

Edward MARVIN, a labourer, of Morton, near Bourne, was sentenced to transportation for seven years when he appeared before the sessions on 15th January 1822 accused of stealing two guns, one the property of John Roberts, of Morton, and the other, the property of Jeremiah Franks, a yeoman, of Dyke. He sailed for New South Wales aboard the ship Eliza later that year.

Sarah MARVIN, aged 15, a servant girl, who was born at Morton, near Bourne, was accused of stealing four linen sheets and one cotton sheet from Elizabeth Seward, of Dyke, near Bourne, when she appeared at the sessions on 27th June 1836. She was sentenced to be transported for seven years and sailed for Tasmania aboard the ship Westmoreland later that year.

John MARVIN, a labourer, aged 21, of Morton, near Bourne, appeared at the sessions on 7th April 1845, accused of slaughtering a sheep, the property of Edward Moore, a farmer, of Hanthorpe, and of stealing the carcass. He was sentenced to be transported for ten years and sailed for Tasmania on the ship Equestrian later that year.

John MOYSEY, a butcher, aged 26, of Lound, near Bourne, was accused of stealing three lamb hogs, the property of Robert Wass, a farmer and grazier, of Toft, when he appeared on 1st January 1844. The court was told that he was able to read and write imperfectly. He claimed that he had taken the sheep from the close [enclosure or farmyard] in the occupation of his aunt, Mary Cawthorn, slaughtered them, and then took them to the van at Bourne to be sent to Newgate Market in London. He was sentenced to be transported for ten years, sailing for Tasmania later that year aboard the ship Maria Somes.

Thomas MOYSEY, a butcher, aged 34, of Toft, near Bourne, was accused of stealing a fat sheep, the property of Samuel Hotchkin, a farmer, of Kirkby Underwood, when he appeared on 17th October 1836. The court was told that he was able to read and write imperfectly. A number of witnesses testified that he had been seen driving sheep with his black and white sheepdog whilst riding on his black bald-faced horse called Mettle. One witness described him as "lightish made . . . with a smock frock on". He was arrested at Carlby while selling mutton. Moysey was sentenced to be transported for life and sailed for New South Wales aboard the ship Prince George the following year.

Charles PELL, aged 50, was found guilty of stealing a lamb hog, the property of Thomas Moxon, of Witham-on-the-Hill, near Bourne, when he appeared before the sessions on 6th April 1857, and was sentenced to be transported for seven years. He later sailed for Bermuda.

Charles PINFOLD, aged 18, a labourer, of Deeping Fen, near Bourne, appeared before the sessions on 20th October 1829 accused of stealing a blue cloth coat, a purple and scarlet silk shawl, a black silk cloak and a pair of ribbed child's cotton stockings, the property of Thomas Palmer, a labourer, of Deeping Fen. He was sentenced to be transported for seven years and he sailed for Tasmania aboard the ship Lord Lynedock in 1831.

Samuel PRESTON, aged 30, a fellmonger, of Market Deeping, near Bourne, was accused of stealing eight fleeces of wool, the property of Joseph Beecraft Mawby, a merchant, of Market Deeping, when he appeared before the court on 3rd April 1837. He was also accused of stealing seven more fleeces of wool from J B Mawby and eight fleeces from Robert Searson, a farmer, of Deeping St James, but was acquitted of these offences. He was sentenced to seven years transportation and sailed for Tasmania the following year aboard the ship Moffatt. The court was told that Preston, who was able to read and write imperfectly, had been informed against by John Henson who claimed that he had previously committed a crime with Hardy Woolley, who was also transported in 1838. Peter Moore Johnson and James Johnson were convicted of receiving the stolen property.

John ROBERTS, aged 21, a labourer, of Baston, near Bourne, was accused of stealing 1 lb. weight of horse hair, the property of George Featherstone, a farmer, of Baston, when he appeared in court on 18th July 1823. He was also fined 6d. for stealing 1 lb. of horse hair, the property of Joseph Wood, of Baston, acquitted of stealing 1 lb. of horse hair, the property of William Hill, a baker, of Baston, and an accusation that he stole 1 lb. of horse hair from Thomas Bland, of Baston, was found to be unproved. Roberts was sentenced to be transported for seven years and sailed for Tasmania in 1824 aboard the ship Chapman.

Susannah ROGERS, a spinster, of Toft, near Bourne, appeared in court on 15th January 1811 accused of stealing a piece of printed cotton, or pocket handkerchief, the property of Thomas Warren, a yeoman, of Toft. She was sentenced to be transported for seven years and sailed for Tasmania in 1812 aboard the ship Indefatigable.

William SCOTT, aged 20, a chimney sweep, of Baston, near Bourne, was charged with stealing a pair of cotton sheets, one silk handkerchief, one cotton handkerchief and a pair of women's half boots from Thomas Wilson, of Baston, when he appeared before the sessions on 14th October 1839. The court was told that he was able to read imperfectly. Scott was sentenced to be transported for seven years and sailed for Tasmania aboard the ship Eden in 1842.

William SHAW, aged 45, a labourer, of Edenham, near Bourne, was sent for trial on 7th April 1840 accused of housebreaking and stealing three Scotch shawls, 11 filled shawls etc from William Goodacre, a grocer, of Edenham, and of stealing a quantity of flour from George Martin Lord, a miller, of Harlaxton. The court was told that Shaw could neither read or write but the trial documents were extensive and included plans of the scene of the Edenham crime, witness and prisoner statements and two statements of good character from previous employers. Shaw was alleged to have committed the crimes with George Rouse and Henry Dawson and John and Sarah Holmes received the goods from the first offence. He was sentenced only on the first offence, to be transported for 14 years, and he sailed for Tasmania aboard the ship Duncan the following year.

John SIMPSON, aged 17, a labourer, of Deeping Fen, near Bourne, appeared before the sessions on 20th October 1829 accused of stealing a blue cloth coat and scarlet silk shawl, a black silk coat and a pair of ribbed child's cottons stockings, the property of Thomas Palmer, a labourer, of Deeping Fen. He was sentenced to be transported for seven years and sailed for New South Wales aboard the ship Camden in 1831. Convicted with him was Charles Pinfold although John Roebuck, John Ogden and William Ogden were all acquitted of the crime.

Thomas SIMS, aged 17, of Aslackby, near Bourne, was sentenced at the sessions on 16th October 1843 to be transported for ten years, crime unknown. He sailed for Tasmania aboard the ship William Jardine the following year.

John STAPLEFORD, aged 57, a labourer, appeared before the sessions on 9th July 1827 accused of stealing 17 goslings, the property of John Mossop the younger, a farmer, of Deeping Fen. He was also accused of two crimes at Deeping St James, stealing two geese, the property of George Lee, a publican, of Littleworth Drove, and stealing 16 goslings, the property of Stephen Leaton, a farmer, of Deeping St James, but he was not sentenced on these last two charges. Stapleford was ordered to be transported for seven years and he sailed for New South Wales aboard the ship Phoenix the following year.

Joseph STIMSON, aged 22, a labourer, of Morton, near Bourne, was sentenced to be transported for seven years when he appeared before the sessions on 16th October 1821 accused of stealing five tame grey geese from John Cole, a yeoman, of Hanthorpe. Convicted with him was William Knight. Stimson sailed for Tasmania aboard the ship Commodore Hayes in 1823.

Thoman STIMSON, aged 46, a labourer, of Deeping St James, near Bourne, appeared before the sessions on 7th April 1845 accused of slaughtering a wether [castrated male] sheep, the property of William Goodale, of Deeping St James. The court was told that he was unable to read or write and lived with his Martha, his son Francis, aged 22, his two daughters, and his lodger William Merrill and owned a little black dog. He was caught when a constable went to his house to find his son who was accused of assault and found the household eating mutton. Stimson had been quoted as saying: "There was no harm in taking anything from the big folks." He was sentenced to be transported for ten years and sailed for Tasmania aboard the ship Equestrian later that year.

John STUBLEY, aged 24, of Bourne, was accused of stealing three moulding planes, one dovetailed saw and one mortice gauge from Jonathan Veasey, a carpenter, of Bourne, and of stealing eight table knives and five table forks from Joseph Shotbolt, at Bourne, when he appeared before the sessions on 2nd July 1833. He was found guilty of both offences but was only sentenced on the first, to be transported for seven years. Stubley sailed for Tasmania aboard the ship Moffatt in 1834.

John THOMPSON, aged 39, a labourer, of Market Deeping, near Bourne, appeared before the sessions on 22nd April 1816 accused of stealing 10 oz. of horse hair, the property of John Dixon. He had also been charged with stealing horse hair from Aquilla Peasegood, John Weldon, Thomas Chesterfield and Thomas Shillaker, of Market Deeping and Langtoft. Thompson was sentenced to be transported for seven years and sailed for New South Wales aboard the ship Sir William Bensley in 1817.

Henry THORPE, aged 28, a labourer, of Bourne, was accused of stealing two cotton gowns worth 6d. and eight pairs of cotton stockings worth 4d., the property of the wife of Benjamin Ferraby, a veterinary surgeon, of` Bourne. He appeared before the court on 13th January 1818 and was sentenced to be transported for seven years, sailing for New South Wales aboard the ship Morley later that year.

Fraser WARD, aged 24, was indicted for stealing at Kesteven Sessions held at Bourne Town Hall, 1 cwt. of horse and cow hair, the property of Mr George Bettinson, tanner. The prisoner was a groom in the service of Mr [Francis] Bellingham, surgeon, of [Market Place], Bourne. Mr Bettinson kindly granted to Mr Bellingham the privilege of putting a number of fleeces of wool in a granary where there was a large quantity of hair and which had been accumulating for five or six years. The prisoner had access to this granary for the purpose of keeping his master's wool in a proper condition. Mr Bettinson for some time fancied that his stock of hair (which had been taken from the hides of skins used in his business) diminished in bulk and after being absent for a week at Easter, he was confident that a great quantity had been taken away. Enquiries were made when it was discovered that Mr [Abraham] Davis, [blacksmith, North Street]. had purchased some of the hair taken from the granary. Five boys were called as witnesses who stated that the prisoner at various times had gone up to them, when in the street, and asked them to go on an errand for him; they consented, and he desired them to go round to his master's back gates, when he gave them some hair in a bag and told them to go with it to the shop of Mr Davis, who would buy it. The sum received for these quantities was generally about 2s. 6d. and for such errand from 2d. to 6d. was given to the boys by the prisoner. Some of the hair was also taken to the shop of Mr [Robert] Howe, [rope and sacking maker, West Street] who, having his suspicions, caused inquiries to be made. The jury found the prisoner guilty. A conviction for felony at Boston in 1839 having been proved against him (when he was sentenced to be transported for seven years but was liberated before the expiration of his sentence, owing to good conduct), he was this day sentenced to be transported for ten years. - news item from the Stamford Mercury, Friday 5th July 1844.

William WELLS, aged 18, of Deeping St James, appeared before the sessions on 18th April 1817 accused of stealing a woollen cloth coat, a deal box and a wooden box, the property of John Frisby, a labourer, of West Deeping. Alexander Robinson was found not guilty of the same crime. Wells was sentenced to be transported for seven years and sailed for New South Wales aboard the ship Batavia in 1818.

John WHITACRE (alias WHITAKER), aged 35, a labourer, of Bourne, was accused of stealing a pair of black stays, a white muslin gown, a printed cotton gown, a silk gown and a white muslin petticoat, the property of Edward Harmston, a butcher, of New Sleaford, when he appeared before the court on  14th January 1817. John Whitaker the elder, of Bourne, and Ann Whitaker, of Bourne, spinster, were mentioned in recognizances [sureties for bail or good conduct]. He was sentenced to be transported for seven years and sailed for New South Wales aboard the ship Batavia in 1818.

PRISCILLA WOODFORD, aged 16, a servant, was sentenced to death at Lincolnshire Assizes on 17th March 1832 for setting fire to a haystack, the property of her employer, at Haconby, near Bourne, but the death penalty was later commuted to transportation for life and she sailed for Australia in February 1833.

An 18th century print showing black-eyed Sue and sweet Poll of Plymouth taking leave of their lovers who were being transported to Botany Bay, Australia.

Many convicts were destined to die during the long voyage to Australia of between four and six months when prisoners were herded into cramped accommodation between decks in unhygienic conditions and with little food or medical care. For instance, the 800-ton Neptune, the largest of the convict ships seen here in this cotemporary drawing, sailed from England on 19th January 1790 with 421 male and 78 female convicts and arrived in Sydney on 27th June 1790 after 158 of them had died on the 160-day voyage.

The fate which awaited them - a contemporary engraving of an Australian penal colony.

NOTE: I have edited these entries to make them more readable and I have also added more
details and names from my own records where available.

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John Close     Priscilla Woodford

REVISED AUGUST 2016