Sarah Adams

53

Beth Taylor on 30th October 2019

ADAMS, Sarah (c1779-1848) Tried - 15 Sept 1813 Middlesex (Old Bailey) Sarah was arrested and tried before the Old Bailey Court in London in 1813 charged with stealing from the person of John Fitteridge, a leather bag containing five £1 notes. John and his friend Thomas Jarvis met Sarah in a public-house and after having a drink together she agreed to “take a walk with them”. The three went to Whitechapel where Fitteridge slept with another woman and Jarvis with Sarah. In the morning Fitteridge found his bag of money missing and when Sarah was searched it was found on her. Sarah said in her defence: “I never touched his pocket; I picked the bag up. I never saw it in his possession. The man that I slept with had a great deal of property. I did not touch his money.” She was found guilty of stealing but not from the person and received a sentence of transportation for 7 years. Sarah, a 35 year-old servant, was sent to the Colony of New South Wales on the Broxbornebury in 1814. BC: 1779 Sentenced: 15/09/1813 Middlesex [see trial record below] to transportation for 7 years Crime: Stealing, but not from the person Previous Occupation: Servant Age on Convict Indent: 35 1813 - SARAH ADAMS, Theft > pocketpicking, 15th September 1813. 916. SARAH ADAMS was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 15th of August, from the person of John Eitheridge, a leather bag, value 1 d. and five 1 l. bank notes, his property. JOHN EITHERIDGE. On the 15th of August I met with the prisoner at Limehouse. I was quite sober. Between six and seven in the evening I and Thomas Jarvis went into a public-house; we were getting a pot of beer. The prisoner came in; Jarvis asked her to drink; the prisoner drank; he then asked her to take a walk with us; she did; the prisoner went with us to Whitechapel . My friend Jarvis slept with the prisoner; I slept with another woman. Q. What money had you - A. I had five one-pound notes in a leather bag. Q. When had you seen the leather bag and the five one-pound notes - A. I had the notes about nine o'clock the evening before I lost them. I missed them on Monday morning, between the hours of two and three o'clock. Q. Have you ever seen them since - A. Yes, at Shadwell office. I cannot say who took them from me. They were found upon the prisoner. On the Sunday evening we returned to Limehouse again. It was on the Saturday I and my friend slept with the girls. FRANCIS JACKSON. I am an officer. I searched the prisoner; on her I found a leather bag containing five one-pound notes. She said she found them by the side of the prosecutor. These are the notes. Q. to prosecutor. Is that your bag - A. It is my bag; in it is the rag that the notes were wrapped up in. Prisoner's Defence. I never touched his pocket; I picked the bag up. I never saw it in his possession. The man that I slept with had a great deal of property. I did not touch his money. GUILTY, aged 35. Of stealing, but not from the person. Transported for Seven Years. Second Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Justice Heath. (Source: Old Bailey on-line www.oldbaileyonline.org ) Certificate of Freedom 1372 (indent) 1814 Muster: Sarah ADAMS, Broxbornebury, con, on stores, factory, Parra (3298) 1816 – Sarah Adams married James Williams (c1789-?). James Williams, aged 23, holding a Ticket of Leave, arrived per Guildford [London], Abode: St Johns [Parramatta], Signed X; & Sarah Adams, aged 35, arrived per Broxbornebury, Abode: St Johns [Parramatta], Signed; married 06 Aug 1816, registered St Johns Church of England Parramatta by Banns by Samuel Marsden; Witness: Hugh McIlroy, Signed; Witness: Ann McIlroy, Signed X. Source: St John's Church of England, Parramatta NSW: Church Register - Marriages; ML ref: Reel SAG 55-56 & V1816-760-147B) [Note: There is also a 2nd record that shows they wed in 1818 but 1816 is most likely the correct date as James stated in 1817 he was a married man. James Williams married Sarah Adams at St Johns C of E Parra on 6 August 1818 (V1818-1954-3A)] 1817, 6 Dec. – James Williams, per Guildford, petitioned Gov Macquarie for mitigation of his sentence. He said he had held a TOL for last 2 years, now had a wife & supported them “on the produce of a farm” held by a clearing lease from Mr William Chalker. James was the former servant of Chalker & now asked for his freedom. (Recommended by Robert Lowe JP & CP written) (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Petitions 1817 Fiche 3182, 4/1853 p337) 1818, 31 Jan. – James WILLIAMS, per ship Guildford 1812, received a CP on 31/01/1818. He was a labourer, a native of Monmouthshire Wales & had been tried at Kent Assize on 18/03/1811 with a life sentence. He was 5’8” tall, dark ruddy complexion, brown hair & hazel eyes. (Source: SRNSW Copies of Conditional & Absolute Pardons Registered; Reel Number: 774; Roll 149; Volume Number: 4/4430.) 1818, May 1818 – James Williams of South Creek district of Bringelly, wrote again to Gov, stating he was FBS since March last (?), living with a wife on a few leased acres from Mr Chalker & would like some land. (Also recom. from Robert Lowe JP Parramatta, who said he had known James for several years & he was a “very quiet industrious character”. 40 acres written. (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Memorial Fiche 3012, 4/1822A p209-10) 1822 Oct. 1 – James Williams was granted 40 acres of land at Sutton, County of Argyle by Gov. Brisbane on 01/11/1822. (Source: SRNSW Registers of Land Grants and Leases; Series: NRS 13836; Item: 7/449; Reel: 2561) 1822 Muster: Sarah ADAMS, Broxbornebury, con, 7 years, wife of J Williams, Liverpool (A0006) James WILLIAMS, Guildford, life, landholder, Liverpool (A22695) 1823 – Sarah Adams, per ship Broxbornebury, received a “certificate” during the week of 8/09/1823, (Source: Sydney Gazette, 18/09/1823, p1) 1823-1825 Muster: 1) Sarah ADAMS, FS, Broxbornebury, 7 years, wife of James Williams, Argyle (10107) 2) Sarah WILLIAMS, FS, Broxbornebury, 7 years, wife of J Williams, Bringelly (45730) [2nd entry] ; James WILLIAMS, CP, Guildford 1812, life, employed by Mr Underwood, Argyle (45590) 1828 Census: Sarah WILLIAMS, 49, FS, 7 years, prot, (W1559), wife to – James WILLIAMS, 39, CP, Guildford 1810, prot, landholder Sutton Forest *(W1558) [he had 40 acres cultivated, 1 horse & 12 cattle, 1 labourer, no children listed to the couple] 1848 - Sarah Williams aged 56, of Sutton Forest, wife of James Williams, carpenter, died in 1848, registered at Berrima C of E. Date of death for James Williams is not known. From the book “Journey to a New Life…” the story of the ships Emu & Broxbornebury by Elizabeth Hook (3rd ed. 2014). I am the author & can be contacted on tbeth3370@gmail.com for further info