I had a surprise find the other day. One of Emily Jane’s great-uncles was a Convict!
Details:
Jacob Wiltshire – Parents James and Jane Wiltshire (nee Evard). Jacob was the brother of Michael Wiltshire, father of Jane Coleman (nee Wiltshire) ie. Jane’s Uncle.
Born: 1808 (Christened 13 March 1808 at Vernham Dean)
Convicted: 18 December 1830, at Southampton Gaol, for ‘Riotous Assembly and sending threatening letters to Farmers’
Sentence: Death, later commuted to transportation to Australia for the term of his natural life.
Departure: 2 May 1833 on the Sailing Ship ‘Captain Cook’.
Estimated arrival date in Sydney, NSW: 2 Jan 1834 (based on an estimated 8 month voyage)
Died: 15 Jan 1839, still a convict. [Archives citation: 4/4549; Reel 690 page 227] Aged 30 years.
Location: District/Parish: Bathurst, NSW.
Source of above information: Australian Joint Copying Project.
The background to Jacob’s conviction can be found at:
From a brief internet search so far, it appears Jacob had requested a pardon, as many of the swing rioters transported to Australia had received pardons. Unfortunately Jacob passed away before such a pardon was granted.
Mudpicker Family 