Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
Robert Aull was transported on the Francis And Eliza, departing 15th Dec 1814 and arriving 8th Aug 1815 with 125 passengers.
The Francis & Eliza was built on the Thames in 1782 (345 tons). The Francis & Eliza and the Canada departed Cork in convoy on 5 December 1814.The Francis and Eliza was taken on 4th January by the American Warrior privateer. She was plundered before being given up and allowed to continue on the journey. Captain Harrison was removed on board the privateer, and detained many hours but was afterwards liberated and restored to his own ship. Captain Harrison later reported that while the ship lay at Sierra Leone, in the month of March, a terrible fever raged at that settlement, occasioning a mortality most dreadful.The Francis & Eliza and Canada sailed from Sierra Leone together for the Cape of Good Hope, where they arrived the 12th May and remained three weeks to refresh. Fifty-two male prisoners and sixty-five female prisoners arrived in Port Jackson on the Francis and Eliza on 8 August 1815. (Ref. Sydney Gazette 12/08/1815)
Francis And Eliza (generic)References
| Primary Source | Mayberry, Peter; Comp. Irish Convicts to NSW 1788-1849. [database online] |
Claims
"He was my 4th great grandfather."
Photos
No photos have been added for Robert Aull.
Convict Notes
Apr 1813 - Robert, with James Bell and Bernard Dougan were apprehended after offering payment with a counterfeit bank note. They all had other forged bank notes in their possession. 23 Aug 1813 - The three men were sentenced to death. Execution to take place on the 22nd of September. 12 Sep 1813 - Robert Aull and Bernard Dougan's sentences are commuted to transportation for life. 27 Jul 1814 - Transferred to Kilmainham Prison, Dublin. He was sent from there to the convict ship on 3rd October 1814. 8 Aug 1815 - Arrival in Port Jackson, NSW. Embarked at Cork, a convict on board 'Francis and Eliza'- age: 25; height 5' 10 1/2"; Dk brown hair; hazel eyes. 15 Aug 1815 - Sent to Liverpool, NSW as one of 11 men to be distributed as a Government Servant to a settler as needed. 18 Mar 1817 - married Jane Thompson at Richmond, NSW. 1819 - Ticket of Leave #1357, Windsor. 31 Jan 1820 - Conditional Pardon. - Residing at Richmond as a free man aka Robert Arol. Jane is listed as his wife with 3 children. In a letter he describes having received his Conditional Pardon in January. Over many years he purchased and leased a lot of land. He built and was the publican for the General Darling Inn at Agnes Banks (Yarramundi, Yellow Mundi, Yellow Munday). He had 4 daughters and a son by his wife Jane. Their son William Robert Aull died at the age of 26. Their daughters were: Elizabeth (1816-1885) married John Paton; Jane (1818-1859) married Thomas Kirk; Margaret (1820-1867) married 1: John Riley, 2: James Roberts; and Mary (1826-1917) married Charles Shrimpton. Jane Thompson died and was buried "by the Catholics" 21 Dec 1828 in Richmond, NSW. Robert remarried Mary Johnson nee Moore and was step-father to her five children. Robert and Mary separated in 1839. Robert's son James Aull was born 26 Mar 1840 to Mary Day, an emancipated convict. Robert was declared bankrupt in December 1841 and went to Debtor's prison in Windsor, NSW. 10 Mar 1876- Robert died at Canobolas, near Orange. Cause of death was senility and old age. His daughter Elizabeth and her family also lived in the district. Reference book: Robert Aull - Irish Convict to Yarramundi Settler https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3339438797/view
Sunday evening, the Sheriffs of Londonderry received a respite of the sentence of death given to Robert Aull and Bernard Doogan, the other prisoners who were convicted at last assizes, of passing forged notes. We understand the sentence has been commuted to Transportation for life - Belfast Newsletter 17 September 1813
Robert Aull, age 38, previously married, married Mary Johnson, age 38, married, 5 May 1829 in St James, Sydney, New South Wales. Source: Familysearch. ----------------------------------------------------- CAUTION. THE Public are hereby cautioned against giving my Wife, MARY AULL, of Richmond, credit, she having left her home without any just cause, as I will not be answerable for any debts by her contracted from this date, and any person or persons found harbouring her hereafter, I have instructed my legal adviser to proceed against them for the same. The Colonist, 6 Feb 1839. ---------------------------------------------------- ROBERT AULL. Richmond, February 5, 1839. Robert Aull, a settler, residing at Richmond, was summoned to answer the complaint of his housekeeper, Jane Vassell Brown, for ill-using her. The defendant was ordered to pay arrear of wages, and the agreement was cancelled. Commercial Journal, 15 Jun 1839.
Colonial Secretary Index. AULL, Robert. Per "Francis and Eliza", 1815; constable and landholder at Evan. 1815 Aug 15 On list of convicts disembarked from the "Canada" and "Francis and Eliza" and forwarded to Liverpool for distribution (Reel 6004; 4/3494 p.141) 1817 Jan 13 Re permission to marry Jane Thompson at Castlereagh (Reel 6005; 4/3495 p.454) 1817 Mar 1,3 Re permission to marry at Parramatta; listed as Hall (Reel 6005; 4/3496 pp.25-6) 1820 Memorial (Fiche 3013; 4/1823 No.23) 1821 Mar 24 Store receipts of for wheat paid at Windsor (Reel 6051; 4/1748 p.155) 1822 Aug Signatory to petition objecting to the Commissariat's new system of paying for supplies in Spanish Dollars (Reel 6017; 4/5783 p.124d) 1822 Oct 7 Re his capture of runaway convict (Reel 6009; 4/3506 p.334) 1822 Nov Memorial (Fiche 3041; 4/1828 No.11). Reply, 7 Jun 1823 (Reel 6010; 4/3508 p.465) 1823 Sep 16 Re conduct of Martin Connel (Reel 6059; 4/1772 p.122) 1823 Sep 16 Had a Government servant named Martin (Reel 6059; 4/1772 p.122) 1823 Oct 8 Resigned from post as constable, district of Evan (Reel 6039; 4/424 p.193) 1824 Apr On list of persons receiving an assigned convict (Fiche 3290; 4/4570D p.25) 1824 Oct Settler at Evan. Memorial (Fiche 3075; 4/1836A No.22 pp.89-90) 1825 Sep 30, Oct 1 Petition with Thomas Astbury for reward for capturing bushrangers (Reel 6064; 4/1787 p.148) ---------------------------------------------------- Sydney, 5th May, 1821. CIVIL DEPARTMENT. HIS HONOR the LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, in the Absence of His EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR, has been pleased, at the Recommendation of Sir JOHN JAMISON, Knt. J. P. to appoint Robert Aull to be District Constable, in the District of Evan, in Lieu of Michael Stinton, resigned ; Sydney Gazette, 5 May 1821. -------------------------------------------------- He was also Poundkeeper at Evan IMPOUNDED at Evan, a Bay Horse COLT, about 12 months old, having a small white spot on the forehead.-The Owner may have the same, on paying the necessary Expences, by applying to Robert Aull, Pound-keeper. Sydney Gazette, 1 Dec 1821. -------------------------------------------------- Robert Aull is reported as Robert Hall, in the following account of the capture of three bushrangers in 1825. In illustration of our leading article of to-day, we hasten to lay before our Readers the following account :—On Friday last, about four in the afternoon, as the wife of Mr. John Crawley, a settler of Richmond, was returning from Sydney market with a cart, containing little sundries for domestic purposes, she was accosted by three men on the Richmond-road, about 4 miles from the town of Windsor. They stopped the cart, and demanded her money--- one placed himself at the horse's head, a second stood on the side of the cart, and the third leaped into the cart, who handed out the property to him that was nearest. Mrs. Crawley had only one of her children with her at the time, a boy of years old. As soon as they rifled the cart of its contents, Mrs. C. drove off at full speed, exclaiming she would have them yet; when one of the villains replied in the usual blasphemous manner. She reached home about sun-set, and informed her husband of all the circumstances attending the robbery. Upon a conference with some of the neighbours, they agreed to go in quest of the plunderers, with Crawley, and proceeded to arm themselves accordingly. At the hour of 3 on the following morning (Saturday), Crawley, Asbury, two Australians (the young Eatons), and a black native, named Richmond, set out ; and, on their way, called on another settler, named Robert Hall, who also equipped himself with arms, and joined the party. Soon after day-break they arrived near the Chain of Ponds Creek, on the Richmond-road, and beheld advancing towards them three armed men, with bags on their backs. One was in possession of a musket and bayonet; another had a fowling-piece; and the third a pistol and sword. Believing these to be the highwaymen, from the description given by his wife, Crawley and his party determined to attack them. A short man was the foremost; Crawley advanced towards him, commanding him to stop. He still kept on his pace without speaking; on which Crawley told him that he would blow his brains out if he did not stop, at the same time cocking and presenting his pistol. The man then brought his gun to the present, and both fired together. Crawley wounded him, but the other missed. His antagonist then turned the butt end of his piece on Crawley --- broke it, and ran off. He was pursued by Crawley and one of the Eatons, but unfortunately effected his escape. During this time Hall was attacking the stoutest man, who had a musket. They were within six feet of each other, and both fired together. Hall's musket took effect, but, by a dexterous movement, escaped the contents of the other's gun, which passed over his shoulder. Hall found that he was unable to stand against the ponderous blows from the man, who repeatedly contended for the point, though dangerously wounded, and therefore retreated behind some trees. After a short interval, the attack was renewed, when Crawley came to Hall's assistance, and they fought furiously. Eaton, returning from the pursuit of the little man by this period, succeeded in aiming a full blow at the desperado with his gun-barrel, which laid him prostrate. In the mean time, Asbury and the other Eaton had been busily engaged with the third ruffian. They also both fired, and after a most desperate resistance he was compelled to yield to superior force, from wounds and loss of blood. They were then secured and bound. The whole of the property stolen from the cart on the preceding day was found, with the exception of half-a-gallon of spirits, and half-a-gallon of wine. A cart was sent for to Richmond, and the two captured prisoners with their arms and spoil, were escorted to the Court-house at Windsor, by ten in the forenoon. Crawley received a severe blow on one arm, and was covered with blood. From the examination and confession taken before the Windsor Magistracy, it appears their names are, John Lomas, by the 5th Minerva, a runaway from Mr. Hovell's farm; Abraham Thompson, by the same ship, from the store gang at Sydney; and William Leddington, by the said ship, a runaway from Hyde Park Barracks---who escaped. Lomas was not expected to survive the day; and Thompson was also severely wounded on the head and back, but is expected to recover. They were all advertised as absentees. Too much commendation cannot be offered towards Messrs. Crawley, Asbury, Eatons, &c. for their magnanimous conduct in the transaction; which, we think, will effect more execution amongst these unfortunate and hopeless gangs, than all the sentences of death that ever were or might have been passed upon them.--- It is an event of that kind which must strike terror on the bare recital; and as these villains have no idea of systematically risking their lives, we must again beg to urge the necessity of travellers carrying arms ready to pop off at an instant's warning. Sydney Gazette, 31 March 1825. -------------------------------------------------- Surveyor General's Office, April 19, 1825. GRANTS of LAND, for the undermentioned PERSONS, are now ready for Delivery, at this Office:--- Robert Aull, … Sydney Gazette, 21 Apr 1825.
Sainty & Johnson; 1828 Census of New South Wales: Page 37... [Ref A0777] Aull, Robert, 37, conditional pardon, Francis and Eliza, 1815, Protestant, landholder, Evan. 300 acres, 30 cleared and cultivated, 8 horses and 40 cattle. [Ref A0778] Aull, Jane, 42, free by servitude, Francis and Eliza, 1815, Catholic. [Ref A0779] Aull, Elizabeth, 12, born in the colony. [Ref A0780] Aull, Jane 10, born in the colony. [Ref A0781] Aull, Margaret, 8, born in the colony. [Ref A0782] Aull, William, 4, born in the colony. [Ref A0783] Aull, Mary, 2, born in the colony.
Robert was granted 2 acres and 1.36 acres on Ham Common around 1822 and a further 2 acres in 1834. He was also granted 50 acres at Kurrajong in 1823. Between 1821 and 1823 he was a district constable for the Evan district and the district pound keeper. He was charged in 1826 at Windsor for breaking an agreement with his convict employee.
Robert Aull and his future wife Jane Thompson arrived in New South Wales aboard the ship 'Francis and Eliza' on 8 Aug 1815. Robert was described as a labourer, five feet ten and three quarters of an inch tall, sallow complexion, dark brown hair and hazel eyes. He was sentenced to life in Mar 1813 after being tried at Londonderry. His native place was country Derry. Jane Thompson was sentenced in Dublin to seven years. She was a straw bonnet maker, had a fair complexion with freckles, light brown hair and hazel eyes.