Ann Williams

Level 349

Maureen Withey on 19th August 2026

Tried at the Old Bailey, 27 Oct 1813. 1056. MARY SMITH, alias CRAWFORD, alias MADDEN , SARAH THORN, alias THORNTON , and ANN WILLIAMS, alias HARKETT , were indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 6th of October , three cards of lace, value 3 l. 7 s. 6 d. the property of William Scrivener , privately in his shop . JOHN RICHARD ELLEBY . I am shopman to Mr. Scrivener, No 96, Oxford-street . Q. When did you lose any lace - A. On Tuesday, the 5th of October, about half past three o'clock, the two prisoners, Smith, and Thorn, came into our shop, and wished to look at some broad lace; I shewed them some of different breadth; there was none that suited them, they went out, saying, that they would call again if they did not suit themselves. Directly after they were gone the officer came in. Q. Where was the other prisoner - A. I never saw the other prisoner. The officer, Johnson, came in, and asked me if I had lost any thing; he said, they were shop-lifters, he suspected them. I looked over the box; I missed one piece of lace: I saw the piece of lace afterwards. BENJAMIN JOHNSON . I am a City officer. On the 5th of October, about ten o'clock in the morning. I saw the three prisoners in Bunhill-row; in consequence of seeing them altogether, I watched them from ten o'clock in the morning until three o'clock in the afternoon; they went round Piccadilly, and Bond-street, into Oxford-street; I saw Smith and Thorn go into Mr. Serivener's shop, and Williams staid outside of the door; directly they came out, I went in, and asked the shopman if he had lost any thing. When they came out of the shop, I saw them give Williams a signal, which gave me suspicion that they had robbed the shop; I followed them into the market, a short distance from the house; they went into a public-house in Oxford-market; they there went into the back yard of the public-house; by their going in so quick I had strong suspicion that they had got something; when they came out of there, I made them all go into the parlour; I then began to search them. In searching Smith, I believe this handkerchief dropped from Williams; I picked the handkerchief up, it contained three carde of lace. I could not discover from whom it fell; they stood close together. I believe it fell from Williams; the handkerchief contained three cards of lace; I sent for a coach, and took them to Mr. Scrivener's door; I made the shopman come to the coach. I asked him if he knew any these cards; he said, he did; they were his master's property. I am confident it did not drop from Thorn. Elleby. I know the cards of lace well; they are the property of Mr. Scrivener. Q. Has Mr. Scrivener any partner - A. He has not. There is no other shopman but myself. Mr. Scrivener was not in the shop at the time. Williams's Defence. When we were taken in the public-house parlour, there were two or three women sitting there, and two or three men; the officer searched us, he found nothing; after we were searched the property was brought forward; I knew nothing of it. Smith's Defence. I am the only the person that is guilty, the others knew nothing of it. SMITH, GUILTY - DEATH , aged 23. THORN, GUILTY - DEATH , aged 22. WILLIAMS, GUILTY - DEATH , aged 30. First Middlesex jury, before Mr. Recorder. -------------------------- The Surgeon of the Northampton, Joseph Arnold was kind enough to acknowledge the three women who had made themselves useful on the voyage as attendants to the sick - Ann Williams who he described as an elderly, trustworthy woman who had her two daughters with her, the eldest about ten years old, her husband came in the Indefatigable. She had been sent from Newgate to the House of Correction in mitigation of punishment but in consequence of receiving letters from her husband she petitioned to follow him. She could read and write and was a good sempstress and in the house of correction had charge of the young children to teach them to read.  (Source: https://www.freesettlerorfelon.com/convict_ship_northampton_1815.htm )

Level 349

Maureen Withey on 18th August 2026

https://content.archives.nsw.gov.au/delivery/StreamGate?dps_pid=FL3997730&dps_dvs=1787069141701~769 List of Convicts embarked in the Northampton Hired Transport whose husbands have already been transported to New South Wales. June 19 1815. Anne Williams, age 40, Transported for Life, Lost Marriage cert, Married at New Church , Birmingham, unknown Clergy name; Maiden name: Anne Fort, 1st husband, Jos. Williams. Married, March 1809; Husband, Thos. Malpass, Button maker, age 30. Transported per Indefatigable, Tried at Winchester, 7 year sentence.

Level 349

Maureen Withey on 11th February 2020

Colonial Secretary Index WILLIAMS, Ann. Per "Northampton", 1815; wife of Thomas Malpas 1815 Jun 19 - Convict embarked on the "Northampton" whose husband had already been transported to New South Wales (Reel 6045; 4/1732 pp.170, 172, 173-4) 1815 Jun 19 - On list of persons on board "Northampton"; with two daughters (Reel 6045; 4/1732 pp.157, 172) WILLIAMS, Anne. Daughter of Anne Malpas; aged 10 1815 Jun 19 - On list of persons on board "Northampton" (Reel 6045; 4/1732 pp.157, 161, 172) MALPAS, Thomas. Per “Indefatigable”, 1815; buttonmaker 1815 Jun 19 -Husband of Anne Williams, a convict embarked on the “Northampton” (Reel 6045; 4/1732 pp.157, 172) 1815 Dec 16 - On list of convicts to be sent to Newcastle per “Estramina” (Reel 6004; 4/3494 p.286) 1821 Jan 1, Mar 11 - Juror at inquests on Edward Herard and Walter Barlow held at Sydney (Reel 6021; 4/1819 pp.23-4, 303-4) 1823 Dec 5 - Of Pitt Street. On list of persons receiving an assigned convict (Fiche 3290; 4/4570D p.63)