Elizabeth Baker

53

Beth Taylor on 8th November 2019

BAKER, Elizabeth (c1785-1857) Tried - 15 Sept 1813 Middlesex (Old Bailey) Aged 29, Elizabeth was a housekeeper when she was charged with stealing a watch and £30 from Charles Myers in London in 1813. Charles, a sailor with his wages, met Elizabeth in the Almonry Westminster late one night and went to her lodgings. When he awoke at two in the morning his money was missing from his pocket-book and his watch. The next day the Police apprehended Elizabeth and some of the money was found in her stocking and the watch in her pocket. She said in her defence: “the gentleman gave me the money to buy things, to go with him to get his things” however Elizabeth was found guilty by the Old Bailey Court and she was sentenced to be transported for life. Elizabeth arrived in Sydney in 1814 on the ship Broxbornebury. BC: 1785 (trial) Sentenced: 12/09/1813 Middlesex [see trial record below] to transportation for Life Crime: Stealing Previous Occupation: Housekeeper Age on Convict Indent: 30 1813 – ELIZABETH BAKER, Theft > pocketpicking, 15th September 1813. 930. ELIZABETH BAKER was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 3th of August, from the person of Charles Myers, a watch, value 2 l. and three 10 l. bank notes, his property. CHARLES MYERS. I am a sailor. On the 3rd of August, I was in the Almonry, Westminster, about nine o'clock at night; I met with the prisoner; I went to her lodgings; I was with her from nine o'clock until two in the morning; I missed her about two in the morning, and I missed my property at the same time. Q. How many notes did you lose - A. I had eighty pounds in my pocket; there were three or four ten-pound notes; they were in my pocket-book. Q. When had you seen these notes the last time before they were taken - A. I had seen them when I was at Somerset House, and drawed my money; I saw the money last in the prisoner's house. I belong to a man-of-war; it was my wages. JAMES BLY. I am an officer. I produce a ten-pound note, and a one-pound note; I found it in the prisoner's stocking; I took her in a court near Charles-street, Westminster. Prosecutor. There is no mark on the notes that I can swear to. JAMES GILLMORE. We apprehended the prisoner between twelve and one o'clock at noon. I produce a watch which Bly took out of the prisoner's pocket. Prosecutor. That is my watch. Prisoner's Defence. The gentlemen gave me the money to buy things, to go with him to get his prize money. GUILTY, aged 29. Transported for Life. First Middlesex jury, before Mr. Justice Heath. (Source: Old Bailey on-line www.oldbaileyonline.org ) Ticket of Leave 27/68; Conditional Pardon 881 (indent) 1814 Muster: Elizabeth BAKER, Broxbornebury, con, off stores, servant to Mr Kable, Windsor (1778) William POWELL, convict per ship Guildford, off stores, to Mr H Kable, Windsor 1816 - Powell received an absolute pardon on 01/01/1816 & was described as 5’7½” tall, fair ruddy complexion, & hazel eyes. (Source: New South Wales, Australia, Convict Registers of Conditional and Absolute Pardons, 1788-1870, Reel Number: 774; Roll Number: 1250) 1816, 30 May – Elizabeth Baker asked for permission to marry William Powell (free) at Windsor, by Rev Cartwright. Permission was given. (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Letters Sent Reel 6004; 4/3494 p505) 1816 - Elizabeth Baker married William Powell (c1789-?) (arrived Sydney per ship Guildford in 1812. He was a native of Essex, a baker, and had been convicted on 13 August 1810 at Essex with a life term) on 25 November 1816 at St Matthews C of E Windsor (V1816-1984-3A) [Note: No record of children born to Elizabeth and William Powell.] 1822 Muster: Elizabeth BAKER, con, Broxbornebury, life, wife to W Powell, Windsor (A00676) 1823-1825 Muster: Elizabeth BAKER, con, Broxbornebury 1814, life, wife of W Powell, Windsor (11041) William POWELL, arrived per ship Guildford 1812, Conditional Pardon, Landholder, Windsor 1826 – Powell had been tried for the second time at Windsor NSW on 12/10/1826 & had a 7 year term for stealing pork. (Source: SRNSW Convict Certificates of Freedom, #33/1205, 4/4318; Reel 991) 1827 – On 17/01/1827 Powell had been a prisoner on the hulk ship Phoenix in Sydney Harbour & was discharged from there to be sent to the penal settlement of Moreton Bay Queensland with a 7 year term. (Source: SRNSW Phoenix Hulk: Discharge Book, 1825-1830; Volume: 4/6285) 1827, 21 March - Elizabeth BAKER, received a TOL, arr per ship Broxbornebury. Native place London - Occupation servant - Tried Middlesex GD 15 Sept 1813 for life - Born 1789 (?) - 5'2", sallow complexion, brown hair & blue eyes. Allowed to remain in Hawkesbury district, Windsor Bench, 31 Jan 1827. (Source: SRNSW Convict Tickets of Leave, Reel 909, 4/4063, #27/68) 1828 Census: Elizabeth BAKER, 40, TL, Broxbornebury, life, prot, servant to Hy. Grounds, Edwardsville, Patricks Plains (B0136) [Note: Henry GROUNDS, 45, FS, Batavia 1818, 7 years, prot, farmer at Patricks Plains with a total of 60 acres & 40 cattle]. William POWELL, convict per ship Guildford, 7 years, Moreton Bay (Penal Settlement Qld) 1828 – “WHEREAS it has been represented to the Government, that WILLIAM POWELL, free, per Guilford, who had Charge of a Dray, the Property of Mr. JAMES HASSALL, conveying Provisions and Wool Bags to the District of Cooke, on the 19th of November last, has not since been heard of; and there being Reason to suspect that the said Powell has been MURDERED; Notice is hereby given, that the above Re-ward of TEN POUNDS will be paid to any Person or Persons giving such Information as may lead to the Discovery and Conviction of the Perpetrator or Perpetrators of the Murder, if such has been committed. By Command of His Excellency the Governor, ALEXANDER M'LEAY”. (Source: Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser, 19/12/1828, p1) [Note: This must be another William Powell who arrived on another voyage of the ship Guildford, as this person was in Queensland at the time] 1833 – William POWELL, convict per ship Guildford, was sent to the Hyde Park Barracks Sydney on 30/10/1833 from Moreton Bay (Qld). (Source: Colonial Secretary’s Correspondence: 44/3898, p473, Reel 1063) 1833 - William POWELL, arrived as a convict per ship Guildford 1812, received a Certificate of Freedom on 1/11/1833. He was born 1789 in Essex, a baker and bricklayer, 5’6½ tall dark sallow complexion, brown mixed with grey hair & dark hazel eyes. He had been tried for the second time at Windsor NSW on 12/10/1826 & had a 7 year term for stealing pork. (Source: SRNSW Convict Certificates of Freedom, #33/1205, 4/4318; Reel 991) 1834 - William POWELL, native of Essex, occupation Bricklayer, arrived as a convict per ship Guildford 1812, was admitted to Sydney Gaol on 24/11/1835 with a 2 year term & to be sent to Moreton Bay (Qld). (Source: SRNSW New South Wales, Australia, Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930, Roll 855) 1835 - William POWELL, convict per ship Guildford, was sent to Moreton Bay (Qld) from Sydney on 07/01/1835. (Source: SRNSW Colonial Secretary’s Correspondence: 4/3899, p191, Reel 1063) 1835, 5 Feb. - TOL for Elizabeth BAKER, per ship Broxbornebury. Native place London - Occupation servant - Tried Middlesex GD 15 Sept 1813 for life - Born 1789 - 5'2½", sallow complexion, brown hair & blue eyes. In lieu of 27/68 returned mutilated & cancelled. CP no. 881 27 April 1837. For the district of Patricks Plains. (Source: SRNSW Convict Tickets of Leave, Reel 922, 4/4096, #35/4) 1837 Convict Muster: Elizabeth BAKER, per ship Broxbornebury 1814, TOL, Patricks Plains, master R. Merton (shown as Richard Merton in 1841 Census, pp 173-4) 1837 Convict Muster: Elizabeth Baber (sic), Age: 43; Arrived per Broxbornebury 1814, Status: TL (Ticket of Leave); Occupation/Residence &c, Patricks Plains (645) 1837, 27 April – Elizabeth Baker, arr per ship Broxbornebury. 1814, was recommended and received a Conditional Pardon #881 on 27/04/1837. She was described as a servant, born 1789, life term, a native of London, 5'2½", sallow complexion, brown hair & blue eyes. (Source: SRNSW Convict Pardons, Reel 797, 4/4478, p62 & Reel 776, 4/4435) 1857 - Elizabeth Baker died on 12 May 1857 at Singleton of cancer of the uterus, said to be aged 65. (Source: NSW DC 1857/4080) No record found for the death of William Powell. 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