Sarah Austin

343

Maureen Withey on 25th August 2022

Old Bailey: SARAH AUSTIN, MARY DAVIS, GEORGE GOODWIN, Theft > shoplifting, Theft > receiving, 6th June 1821. Offences: Theft > shoplifting; Theft > receiving Verdicts: Guilty; Guilty; Guilty Punishments: Transportation; Imprisonment SARAH AUSTIN and MARY DAVIS were indicted for stealing, on the 22d of May , eight yards of of muslin, value 10 s., the goods of John Sparrow Benstead , privately in his shop ; and GEORGE GOODWIN was indicted for feloniously receiving the same, knowing it to be stolen . JOHN CHAPMAN . I am a headborough of St. Pancras. On the 22d of May, between twelve and one o’clock, as I returned from Hatton-garden, I saw Austin come from Little Bath-street, into Great Bath-street, and meet Goodwin; something passed from her to him so quick, I could not discern what it was - thinking all was not right, I took him, and asked what he had got, he said, “nothing” I took him into a public-house, and took this muslin from under his jacket; he said, he found it - I left him in charge, and went to look for Austin; and saw her and Davis sitting in Mr. Benstead’s shop, in Little Bath-street; I took her, she asked Davis “What does this mean” - I took them both, and on coming out, Davis said to Austin, “I am afraid he is taken;” I found nothing on Davis, and discharged her - she followed us to Hatton-garden, and was taken - Benstead’s shopman claimed the muslin. JAMES SMITH . I am an officer. I was with Chapman, and saw Austin give something to Goodwin; we secured him and found the muslin on him. JOHN HOLLIER . I am clerk to a solicitor. I had been to Hatton-garden with Chapman, and saw Austin pass something under Goodwin’s jacket - the muslin was found there. FREDERICK CARY . I am shopman to Mr. J. S. Benstead, linen-draper , No. 7, Little Bath-street . On the 22d of May, the female prisoners came in together, and asked to see some prints; I asked if they had tried a pattern which I gave them yesterday; they said, No, but they wanted another dress - they had paid 1 s. on a dress the day before - I gave them a pattern; they said, if it washed, they would have another - I shewed them a great many prints, on the 22d, and as they liked none of them, I asked them to look in the window, outside, and see if there were any they should like; and in a few minutes, Austin went out to look at the window, as I thought, Davis remained - she returned, and the officer came in - I did not then miss any thing, till he produced the muslin - they had come together the day before. (Property produced and sworn to.) AUSTIN’S Defence. I never saw the man, or gave him any thing. DAVIS’S Defence. I do not think I was ever there before. He told us to look in the window; Austin went out, the officer came in and asked if she was with me, I said, Yes; he took us both, nothing was found on me, he discharged me - I said, I would not go without her. GOODWIN’S Defence. I saw a man come out of the shop and drop it - I picked it up. AUSTIN - GUILTY . Aged 17. DAVIS - GUILTY . Aged 18. Transported for Seven Years . GOODWIN - GUILTY . Aged 17. Confined Three Months. --------------------------------------------------- Mary Davis was on the same ship.

343

Maureen Withey on 28th April 2022

NSW 1828 Census index. Sarah Rule, age 23, C.F. Mary Ann, 1822, protestant, lives with Mary Coombs, Parramatta. Thomas Rule, age 24, per Asia, 1822, Life, religion: Episcl. Assistant overseer, 7 Road Party.

26

CB on 27th April 2022

Sarah Austin, convict of "Mary Ann" applied to marry in 1825 and married Thomas Rule, (a convict who arrived in 1822 on the Asia) that year in St James, Sydney. She had at least one child, Thomas William Rule born 24 Nov 1829 and baptised in St Philips Sydney on 29 Nov 1829. Sarah was granted a ticket of leave on 10 December 1827 to stay in Sydney and then a certificate of freedom on 11 June 1828. Sarah Rule died in 1833 age 30.