Benjamin Abbott

341

Maureen Withey on 2nd June 2023

Benjamin Abbott and Alfred Marriott were charged with assaulting and stealing a box from Mark Knevett, a lad in the service of Sir E Kerrison, on the King's highway at Eye, on the night of the 18th of Dec. The prosecutor stated that on the night in question he was sent to the post-office at Eye by his master, that afterwards he called at Mr. Watling's for the coachman's wig which was given him in box; he then went to Mr. Barber's, and while sitting on his pony the door, he saw, by the light brought to the door Mr. Barber's son, the prisoner Abbott standing near, and some one behind him. Abbott asked him whose servant he was, he told him Sir Kerrison's. He then went to Mr. Bishop's bank, where he received brown paper parcel, which he was told by the porter to be careful of, it was valuable he put it in his trowsers' pocket and rode off. At the Church-gate he saw Abbott and two other persons standing. After crossing Eye bridge his pony shied a man lying on the bank; and a little further on he was stopped by the prisoners' catching hold of the bridle. Marriott asked if he had any money, replied, If have any, I have none for you. Marriott said, Deliver every farthing, or I'll knock your brains out, and put his hand over witness's pocket, but missed the parcel —he then took the box from witness's hand. Abbott said, Stop, stop, you're not going yet, and came round to the other side. Witness slipped from the pony, ran off, and hid in clap-gate shortly after the pony came galloping up the road, but stopped the top the hill; witness regained him and rode home. is quite sure the prisoners were the men.— George Chambers said he was with Abbott when he spoke to the first witness at Mr. Barber's door—that they followed him to the banker's and heard the caution given by the porter. Abbott then said, “Here's some money and we must have it.” Witness refused go, but Abbott forced him. then fetched Marriott, and they crossed the Church yard and the bridge. Witness still refused to join them, and laid down the bank. When the boy came up the pony shied at him. Abbott and Marriott were in advance, and he saw them stop the lad. When he ran off Marriott followed but missed him. He saw him afterwards with the wig in his hand, which was thrown into the garden of Mr. ... Bury and Norwich Post, 30 March 1836.

341

Maureen Withey on 2nd June 2023

National Archives. Criminal Petitions. HO 17/100/101. Date: 1836 Aug 20. Prisoner name: Benjamin Abbott. Court and date of trial: Suffolk Lent Assizes, March 1836. Crime: Robbery. Initial sentence: [Death] sentence commuted to transportation for 14 years. Gaoler's report: 'Character indifferent'. Annotated (Outcome): Nil. Petitioner(s): Reverend George Abbott, [the prisoner's brother]. Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): Prisoner's first offence; prisoner is young and was led astray by an older person when intoxicated; prisoner is from respectable family; prisoner did not used violence and did not take the item his victim dropped; prisoner did not have Counsel at his trial. Other papers: Trial report from Mr Justice Park: Crime was premeditated; prisoner did not call character witnesses to his trial; prisoner is part of a gang and such gangs are currently prevalent; commutation to 14 years is merciful. Additional Information: Prisoner ordered to Leviathan hulk ship.

221

D Wong on 18th February 2019

Benjamin Abbott was 20 years old on arrival. Native Place: Norwich. Benjamin could read, was protestant, single, 5'5¼" tall, dark ruddy complexion, brown air, hazel grey eyes, eyebrows meeting, scar left side of chin, scar back of left thumb, three scars cap of right knee. 4/12/1837: Convict Death Register - Benjamin, aged 20, died at the General Hospital, Sydney.