Mary (Junior) Beckwith

75

iain Frazier on 23rd May 2025

Family connections for Mary (Beckwith) are: BECKWITH Mary (Beckwith) was born about 1766; there is a suggestion that her maiden name was (Lloyd). She was the wife of John (Beckwith) mother of Mary (Beckwith) when tried for stealing, on 10 6 1800, calico of Thomas (Ball) of St Martin in the Field at Old Bailey in July 1800, sentenced to death reprieved to Life, held at Middlesex Gaol Delivery & arrived in NSW as a convict on 12 12 1801 after a voyage of 6months on Fleet ship NILE. [Some details taken from this Website] 1.Mary (Beckwith) the daughter was born about 1786; there is a suggestion that she was born to a different father than John (Beckwith). She was tried, sentenced, held & transported identically to her mother. She also could be the mother of Richard (Atkins)s children, his third relationship. [.Some details taken from this Website] ..Richard (Atkins) arrived in NSW as an official on 14 2 1792 after a voyage of 8.5months on PITT. He had a first (1of4) relationship with Catherine (Haggerty her second relationship).>>> ..[Catharine (Haggarty) had a first relationship) with Henry (Richardson) & produced 1child. She produced 2known children in her lifetime.] .. ..Richard (Atkins) & Catherine (Haggerty) produced a child: ..[Catherine (Haggerty) & Richard (Atkins) produced 1child: ..1.Teresa (Atkins) was born on 4 7 1794 & baptised on 9 9 1795 age14m at St Johns CofE Parramatta. Noted On Christmas Day 1800, a Richard (Atkins) was told in deposition of Edward (Morris)-an English convict-that he had been visited at midnight on Christmas Eve by Richard (Norris) (a non-political convict from MINERVA) and Thomas (Dunn) from HILSBOROUGH & taken to a gathering chaired by a man called (Clarke). There he was told that there was a plot to seize Parramatta to be led by Joseph (Hold) and William (Alcock), with 300English and 3,000Irish convicts, and that 150pikes had been prepared. Edward (Morris)s kidnappers were drunk so he managed to slip away and alert the authorities. Richard (Norris) denied the accusation, but Abel Purver (Barwell) confirmed the allegation against (Clarke). There is no information on the outcome of the December plot in Sydney, so it is unclear whether it was simply a drunken boast session or a serious conspiracy.] >>>Richard (Atkins) had another (2of3) relationship with unknown & produced 3children:>>> ..1.Elizabeth (Atkins) was born in 1796-she is shown to have travelled to UK in 1810 ..2.Penelope (Atkins) was born unknown date-she is shown to have travelled to UK in 1810 ..3.Louisa (Atkins) was born in 1801. .. ..Mary (Beckwith/Lloyd) & Richard (Atkins) produced perhaps 3children: ..1.William (Atkins) was born in 180?. ..2.Cornelius (Atkins) was born in 180?. ..3.Frances (Atkins) was born in 180?. .. >>>Richard (Atkins) returned to UK in 1810 [some information whether any family travelled with him is included here; he had produced 7known children]. 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.

343

Maureen Withey on 4th July 2020

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 04 July 2020), July 1800, trial of MARY BECKWITH MARY BECKWITH (t18000709-107). MARY BECKWITH, MARY BECKWITH, Theft > shoplifting, 9th July 1800. 583. MARY BECKWITH, the wife of JOHN BECKWITH ; and MARY BECKWITH, the younger, were indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 10th of June, in the parish of St. Martin's in the Fields, forty-six yards of printed calico, value 5l. the goods of Thomas Ball, privately in his shop . - HAYNES sworn. - I live with Mr. Ball, a linen-draper , No. 473, in the Strand, near Charing-cross : I remember the two prisoners coming to my master's shop, about half-past nine on Wednesday night, the 10th of June; the eldest asked for some white calico, I shewed her some, and she bought a yard; she afterwards asked to look at some Bandana handkerchiefs; I shewed her some, she bought one, and afterwards asked to look at some dark printed pocket linen handkerchiefs; we had not any at the price she wanted, she paid for what she then bought; during that time, the young one was standing by some printed calicos which lay upon the counter, about a yard and a half from where I was, not further; having paid for the articles bought, she was going out, and I observed young Mary Beckwith went out a very different way from what she came in, which gave me reason to suspect she had got something, upon which I jumped over the counter, and took hold of her to see what she had got; I took from her three quantities of printed calico; containing forty-six yards, which I have here; I took them from under her gown, she had her gown drawn round them; I asked her what she had got, she said, she had got nothing of mine; the woman said, she was very sorry the child had taken any thing, it was not her intention; I being in the shop alone, called for assistance; the elder Mary Beckwith went out, and having assistance come, I left the younger in care and went after the eldest, she had only gone just by, beyond the next house; I asked her to come back, but she objected at first, till I told her I should oblige her; in consequence of which she came back; she said, she was looking after the girl's father, who was waiting in the street; she was questioned respecting her husband, and she said in answer, it was the fault of the father (that the child was not her's,) and the father encouraged her in doing so. Court. Q. Had you any suspicion of the girl taking the things, when you saw her looking at them? - A. No, I had not. Q. Had you any suspicion she was prepared to steal the things, till you saw her going out? - A. No, I had not; I did not see her do any thing; I observed her look at them, as girls in general do. Q. You had no suspicion she was going to steal them? - A. No. Q. What is the value? - A. Five pounds; I am convinced they are my master's property; he has no partner. Mr. Alley. Q. Had you not a suspicion from the conduct of the prisoners, they were able to steal something? - A. No, I had not. The CONSTABLE sworn. - I took them into custody, and searched them, but found nothing on them. Mary Beckwith , the elder. I know nothing at all of it. Mary Beckwith, the younger. I was looking at the calicos, and they sell off the counter, and before I could pick them up again, that young gentleman jumped over the counter, and would not let me lay them down. Q.(To Haynes.) How far from the place had this girl got, when you took them from her? - A. I don't believe it was more than a yard and a half from where they were taken from. M. Beckwith, the elder, GUILTY . Death . (Aged 34.) M. Beckwith the younger, GUILTY . Death . (Aged 14.) Mary Beckworth, jun. was recommended to mercy, by the Jury, on account of her youth. Tried by the first Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Justice LAWRENCE.