Robert Simpson Ayton

Level 346

Maureen Withey on 13th July 2026

Tried at the Old Bailey, 9 April, 1823. 552. ROBERT SIMPSON AYTON was indicted for stealing, on the 2d of April , (being servant to Thomas Flint ,) two pair of silk stockings, value 15 s. 6 d.; seven pair of stockings, value 27 s. 6 d.; two handkerchiefs, value 12 s.; two pair of gloves, value 2 s. 4 d., and three quarters of a yard of linen, value 6 d. , his property. MR. THOMAS FLINT . I am a haberdasher ; I live on Fish-street-hill . The prisoner was my shopman for six months - in consequence of suspicion on the 2d of April, about five o'clock in the afternoon, I sent for him into the counting-house, and told him I was dissatisfied with him and intended to discharge him, and that I suspected he was not honest, and that before he went I should insist on his boxes being searched; they were kept in his bed-room. Mr. Sharp first searched them, and produced five pair of stockings to me - he was allowed to go away; in a few hours after I searched the box in his presence, found two handkerchief and the remainder of the articles stated in the indictment. I cannot say whether there was one or two pair of silk stockings in the box; one pair appeared to have been worn once - I know them well to be mine, from their pattern, quality, and manufacture. I claimed all the property in his presence. GEORGE H. SHARP . Mr. Flint, is my son-in-law. The prisoner went willingly with me to search his box; I found five pair of cotton stockings; he said I should find nothing in it but what was there when there was a search about the porters. I was present also when Mr. Flint searched, and found the silk stockings and handkerchiefs, and claimed them. He acknowledged that he stole them all, and told Mr. Flint where he took them from and when; previous to that he said he bought them of his uncle. When I searched, I found a pair of white silk stockings in his pocket, which had been worn once; he wondered how they came there, and said he bought them near Middle-row. Cross-examined by MR. ADOLPHUS. Q. What share have you in the business - A. None at all. The box had been searched six or seven weeks before, when our porters were detected in robbing us; he gave me his keys willingly; the box was in the back house, which is kept locked all day. MR. FLINT. I held out no promise or threat to him; he said he bought the cotton stockings of his uncle, but on my finding the other things, I said "You have taken these. It is of no use denying it - where did you get them from" - he said he took them all, and hoped I would have mercy on him. (Property produced and sworn to.) GUILTY . Aged 22. Transported for Seven Years .

Level 75

iain Frazier on 28th January 2026

Family connections for Robert Simpson (Ayton) are: AYTON Robert Simpson (Ayton) was born about 1801. He was tried at London Gaol Delivery, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 15 3 1824 after a journey of 7months on GUILDFORD. He married Mary Ann (Jones/Christie her third marriage) on 10 5 1830 at Scots Kirk Sydney. [Some details taken from this Website] Mary Ann (Jones) was born in 1798 in England. She arrived in NSW with her parents on 14 12 1801 after a voyage of 6months on Fleet ship NILE. She may have had a first (1of3) relationship at age about14 with James (Anderson his first relationship) & produced 1child. She married perhaps secondly (2of3) William (Christie) on 17 10 1815 at St Matthews CofE Windsor & produced perhaps 6children. She produced perhaps 7children in her lifetime. Details of Mary Ann (Jones)s family are given in entry for Charles (Games SURREY 1814) on this Website. Reference: Craig James Smee 'Births and Baptisms Marriages and Defacto Relationships Deaths and Burials New South Wales 1788-1830' ..a complete listing from church & other records in the early colony.