James Belbin

75

iain Frazier on 28th June 2025

Family connections for James (Belbin) are: BELBIN James (Belbin) was born about 1771. He was tried for breaking & entering home of Sarah (Gosling) Claremarket, on 27 12 1787, & stealing petticoat etc at Old Bailey on 9 1 1788 (quick justice), sentenced to death commuted to 7years, held at Middlesex Gaol Delivery & arrived in NSW as a convict on 9 7 1791 after a voyage of 6months on Fleet ship SALAMANDER & was sent straight to Norfolk Island where he became a constable then farmer at Phillipburgh. He had a first (1of3) relationship with Ann (Meredith her second). He was Free by Servitude by 1798.>>> [Some details taken from this Website] Ann (Meredith) was born about 1770. She was tried at Worcester city Quarter Sessions, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 26 6 1790 after a voyage of 7months on Fleet ship NEPTUNE; a voyage noted for extreme brutality of prisoners with a high death rate. She was sent to Norfolk Island on 7 8 1790 on MARY ANN. She had a first relationship with George (Plyer). She was Free by Servitude by 1798. She was recorded as sentence expired off stores with her child on Norfolk Island in February 1805. She died on 1 6 1805 age35 mother of maybe 8known children on Norfolk Island & was buried there. [Some details taken from this Website] .. James (Belbin) & Ann (Meredith) produced maybe 7children: mainly girls a.It seems he adopted his wifes first child Mary Ann (Plyer). 1a.Elizabeth (Belbin) was born on 21 2 1794 on Norfolk Island. 1.Elizabeth Ann (Belbin) was born on 26 2 1795 on Norfolk Island. She is recorded as off stores on Norfolk Island in February 1805. She was taken by her father to Derwent Van Diemens Land (Tasmania) on 3 9 1808 on CITY OF EDINBURGH, arriving on 5 10 1808. She had a relationship at about age15 with William (Sherrard) & produced 1child. She is recorded as off stores in Hobart Town on 2 10 1818. [She seems to have had another relationship with James (Young) see mention under] She died on 15 2 1877 age82-. ..William (Sherrard) arrived in NSW as a convict on 9 9 1803 after a voyage of 8months on HMS CALCUTTA headed for Pt Phillip now in Victoria (this expedition rejected Port Phillip for a settlement at this time); he would have camped at what is now Sorrento/Sullivans Bay. He was moved to Risdon Derwent Van Diemens Land (Tasmania) on 27 1 1804 (arriving on 15 2 1804) on OCEAN or HMS LADY NELSON or leaving on 24 3 1804 (arriving on 25 6 1804) on OCEAN. ..William (Sherrard) does not have an entry on this Website as yet-added by me. .. 2.Sarah (Belbin) was born on 29 1 1797 on Norfolk Island. She is recorded as off stores on Norfolk Island in February 1805. She was taken by her father to Derwent Van Diemens Land (Tasmania) on 3 9 1808 on CITY OF EDINBURGH, arriving on 5 10 1808. In December 1809 her father was arrested, lashed & jailed- during which time she would have been cared for by friends. She married Thomas (Williams) on 9 9 1816 at St Davids CofE Hobart & produced at least 5children. It may be she who is recorded as off stores in Hobart Town on 2 10 1818. ..Thomas (Williams/Hoddy) was born on 8 11 1795 & baptised on 15 8 1802 age6 on Norfolk Island. He is recorded as on stores on Norfolk Island in February 1805 & in 1806. He left Norfolk Island with his parents to Derwent on CITY OF EDINBURGH on 3 9 1808, arriving on 2-5 10 1808. He married secondly Ann (Chaffey/Israel) on 6 1 1818. He is recorded as off stores at Hobart Town on 2 10 1818. He died on 24 8 1844 age53. ..Details of Thomas (Williams)s family are given in entry for Isaac (Williams MATILDA 1791) on this Website. .. 3.Catherine (Belbin) was born on 12 9 1798 on Norfolk Island. She is recorded as off stores on Norfolk Island in February 1805. She was taken by her father to Derwent Van Diemens Land (Tasmania) on 3 9 1808 on CITY OF EDINBURGH, arriving on 5 10 1808. In 1809 she was requested by Elizabeth (Eddington), wife of Governor (Collins) to assist in care of her ailing daughter, which was refused by her father James. In December 1809 her father was arrested, lashed & jailed- during which time she would have been cared for by friends. It may be she who is recorded as off stores in Hobart Town on 2 10 1818. She married Richard John (Bexroft/Berross) on 9 9 1816 at St Davids CofE Hobart & produced at least perhaps 4children. ..Richard John (Bexroft/Berross) was born about 1779. He arrived in Australia as a convict. [Noted a John (Bearcroft) is recorded as dying on 10 2 1820 age48 (born about 1772) & buried at St Davids CofE Hobart] ..Richard John (Bexroft/Berross) does not have an entry on this Website as yet. ..Catherine (Belbin) & Richard John (Bearcroft) produced at least perhaps 4children: ..1.John (???) was born on 24 11 1814 (her first child at age 14 possibly with Richard John (Bearcroft)) & baptised on 23 12 1815 at St Davids CofE Hobart. ..2.William Richard (Bexroft/earcroft) was born on 10 11 1816 & baptised on 23 12 1816 at St Davids CofE Hobart. He died on 27 7 1767 age52. ..3.James Edward (Bexroft) was born on 15 4 1818. He died on 23 5 1889 age about71. ..4.Sarah (Bexroft/Bearcroft) was born on 22 1 1820 & baptised on 17 4 1820 at St Davids CofE Hobart. She died on 18 4 1825 age3d... ..4.Harriet (Belbin) was born on 12 9 1798 also on Norfolk Island. She is recorded as off stores on Norfolk Island in February 1805. She died on on 17/19 6 1805 age6. .. 5.Susannah (Belbin) was born on 27 6 1801 on Norfolk Island. She is recorded as off stores on Norfolk Island in February 1805. She was taken by her father to Derwent Van Diemens Land (Tasmania) on 3 9 1808 on CITY OF EDINBURGH, arriving on 5 10 1808. In December 1809 her father was arrested, lashed & jailed- during which time she would have been cared for by friends. She is recorded as off stores in Hobart Town on 2 10 1818. She married John (Anson) on 24 7 1820 at St Davids CofE Hobart & produced 1child. She died on 28 12 1852 age51. ..John (Anson) was born in 1794 in England. He arrived in Australia with his parents in 1799 on HMS BUFFALO. ..Details of John (Anson)s family are given below. .. 6a.Noted a son William (Belbin) is stated to be a joiner of Collins St Hobart in 1848. 6.James (Belbin) was born on 29 8 1803 on Norfolk Island. He is recorded as off stores on Norfolk Island in February 1805. He was taken by his father to Derwent Van Diemens Land (Tasmania) on 3 9 1808 on CITY OF EDINBURGH, arriving on 5 10 1808. In December 1809 his father was arrested, lashed & jailed- during which time he would have been cared for by friends. About January 1810 he was injured & cared for by his father for 2.5weeks in jail. He may have been taken to England by his father in 1811, returning on EARL SPENCER to NSW on 2 6 1813 arriving on 9 10 1813. It may be he who is recorded as off stores in Hobart Town on 2 10 1818. He seems to have married Caroline (Nichols). In 1881 he was witness (in court) to events when he left Norfolk Island 73years before at age5. He died on 10 7 1884 age80. ..Caroline (Nichols) was born in 1804 in Van Diemens Land (Tasmania). She may be 1of 3children recorded in Hobart town with F (Nicholls) on 2 10 1818. She died on 7 5 1854 age about50. ..James (Belbin) & Caroline (Nichols) produced at least 1child: ..1.Eliza Jane (Belbin) married William (Young) in 1856. She died in October 1917. ....William (Young) son of James (Young who seems to have had a second marriage to a sister of James-Eliza (Belbin)) died in October 1917. ....Eliza Jane (Belbin) & William (Young) produced 10children: ....1-10.??? (Young) .. Noted an Ann (Belbin) child is recorded as off stores on Norfolk Island in February 1805. .. [Noted 2brothers of Eliza Jane (Belbin) are recorded as marrying daughters of James (Joseph)] [Details of a (Joseph) family are given in entry for Willliam (Joseph SALAMANDER 1791) on this Website..] .. .. >>>James (Belbin) was recorded as settler/landowner sentence expired off stores on Norfolk Island in February 1805. He had a second (2of3) relationship with Ann (Brooks her second realationship) during her relationship with John (Cox).>>> Ann (Brooks) daughter of Ann (Brooks) was born on 24 12 1773. She was tried w/her mother at Warwick Assizes on 19 3 1791, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 14 2 1792 after a voyage of 8.5months on PITTalso; much fever & attempts to escape from the ship resulting in deaths of convicts-of the 450convicts on board only 29 were alive at muster in May 1792 (or perhaps only this many could be mustered). She was apparantly sent to Norfolk Island. She had a first relationship with John (Cox), produced 9children & later married. She left Norfolk Island with her family on 20 11 1813 on HMS LADY NELSON to Port Dalrymple Tasmania. She married John (Cox) on 21 1 1819 at St Johns Launceston. She produced 10children in her lifetime. [Some details taken from this Website] .. James (Belbin) & Ann (Brooks) produced 1child: 1.Mary (Belbin) was born on 31 7 1807 on Norfolk Island. She was taken by her father to Derwent Van Diemens Land (Tasmania) on 3 9 1808 on CITY OF EDINBURGH, arriving on 5 10 1808. In December 1809 her father was arrested, lashed & jailed- during which time she would have been cared for by friends. .. Noted an Ann (Belbin) child is recorded as off stores on Norfolk Island in February 1805. .. .. >>>James (Belbin) had 30acres (for which he was not recompensed) on Norfolk Island when he moved with his children to Derwent Van Diemens Island (Tasmania) on 3 9 1808 on CITY OF EDINBURGH, arriving on 5 10 1808; he was not provided with shelter or land 4yrs later, other than by friends. As a critic he upset the local Governor; he was signatory to letter to Governor (Bligh) in May 1809; also he refused request of Elizabeth (Eddington), wife of Governor (Collins) to allow his daughter Catherine to assist in care of her ailing daughter. He was refused Government rations & was arrested by Governor (Collins) on a false charge of insolence & on 4 12 1809 sentenced to 500lashes, 50 of which were administered before intervention by the doctor & detained 10weeks. During detention his son was injured & cared for in the jail for 2.5weeks. He may have been taken his son to England in 1811 where he secured return of his rights. He had a third relationship with/or married Elizabeth (Poulter). He is recorded as receiving free passage with his wife & son on EARL SPENCER from England to NSW on 2 6 1813 arriving on 9 10 1813 & placed on stores. He is recorded as a free passenger to Van Diemens Land (Tasmania) on 12 1 1818 on GOVERNOR MACQUARIE. He is recorded as off stores in Hobart Town on 2 10 1818, although the record indicates he 'came free'. He was granted land for a farm at Cambridge, between Hobart and Pittwater. In 1819 he became Chief Inspector of Stock & Superintendent of Slaughterhouses. He is recorded in 1834 as witness for Emma (Herbert). In 1844 he was given a pension of £75. He died as a retired officer on 8 5 1848 age77 decay of nature at Macquarie St Hobart town father of 10children, all but 1=girls. Elizabeth (Poulter) was born about 1774. She married firstly ??? (???) in 1813 in London. She arrived in NSW as a wife on 9 10 1813 after a voyage of 5months on EARL SPENCER. She died in December 1849 age77 at her home Macquarie St Hobart town. James (Belbin/vin) & Elizabeth (Poulter) produced at least 3children: girls 1.Maria (Belbin/vin) was born on 24 11 1814 & baptised on 26 12 1814 at St Davids CofE Hobart. 2.France (Belbin) was born on 1 2 1817 & baptised on 4 3 1817 at St Davids CofE Hobart. 3.Ann (Belbin) was born on 11 7 1819 & baptised on 9 8 1819 at St Davids CofE Hobart. ANSON John (Anson) was born about 1762. He married Ann (???) in England. He arrived in NSW as a settler with his family in 1799 on HMS BUFFALO; he was granted 100acres at Toongabbie in November 1799. He moved with his family to Hobart Town on ACTIVE in 1813. He died on 12 11 1819 age57 at Bridge St Hobart Town & was buried at St Davids CofE Hobart. Ann (Anson) arrived in NSW as a settler with her family in 1799 on HMS BUFFALO. She moved with her family to Hobart Town on ACTIVE in 1813. She died in 1826. John (Anson) & Ann (???) produced 8children: 1.John (Anson) was born in 1794 in England. He arrived in NSW with his parents in 1799 on HMS BUFFALO. He moved with his parents to Hobart Town on ACTIVE in 1813. He married Susannah (Belbin) on 24 7 1820 at St Davids CofE Hobart. He is recorded in 1822 Hobart Town muster. ..Susannah (Belbin) was born on 27 6 1801 on Norfolk Island. She was taken by her father to Derwent Van Diemens Land (Tasmania) on 3 9 1808 as part of the first evacuation on CITY OF EDINBURGH, arriving on 5 10 1808. In December 1809 her father was arrested, lashed & jailed- during which time she would have been cared for by friends. She is recorded as off stores in Hobart Town on 2 10 1818. She died on 28 12 1852 age51. ..Details of Susannah (Belbin)s family are given above. ..John (Anson/Hanson) & Susannah (Belbin) produced at least 1child: ..1.Mary Ann (Anson) was born on 9 6 1820 & baptised on 16 6 1821 age1 at St Davids CofE Hobart. .. 2.Henry (Anson) was born in 1795 in England. He arrived in NSW with his parents in 1799 on HMS BUFFALO. He moved with his parents to Hobart Town on ACTIVE in 1813. He became a carpenter & was licensee of City of London Arms Inn Hobart Town in 1819&20. He married Sarah (Fletcher age16 her first relationship) on 6 9 1819 at St Davids CofE Hobart. He is recorded in 1822 Hobart Town muster. In 1823 he was granted 60acres at New Norfolk. In 1830 he was granted a further 100acres. In September 1831 he & Sarah mortgaged 60+30acres to James (Turnbull). In December 1831 he was appointed Division Constable & poundkeeper at Back River New Norfolk. In December 1832 he advertised his properties oF 195acres for sale-it apparantly did not sell. In 1834 he bought 105acres at New Norfolk & operated the Jolly Ploughmans Inn there from 1834. On 31 10 1836 he mortgaged his land & the Inn for 500lb. He died on 10 2 1840 age47 & was buried at Back River New Norfolk w/brother Henry. ..[The 195 acres were advertised as one of the best farms in the colony on the banks of the Derwent River, situated 1/2mile from the racecourse & 2.5 miles from Elizabeth Town (New Norfolk), with gentlemans residence, dairy, pigrun, & good garden-stocked with fruit trees; plus a neat cottage & outhouses. Well watered by the Derwent at the front & a rivulet at the back with one of the best stone-quarries in the colony. In addition 100acres adjoined the farm on the beautiful banks of the Derwent River.] ..Sarah (Fletcher) was born on 23 3 1804 (given as 22 3 1803 in Ref:'People of...') & baptised on 17/23 3 1805 on Norfolk Island; Ram John (Conn) was appointed her godfather & gave her 35acres in New Norfolk >1820. She was recorded as off stores on Norfolk Island in February 1805. She was taken to Derwent Van Diemens Land (Tasmania) by her parents as part of the first evacuation on HMS PORPOISE on 25 12 1807, arriving on 17 1 1808; to New Norfolk Derwent Valley. After 1820 she was given 35acres in New Norfolk by her godfather; registered on 3 6 1831. In January 1842 she was declared insolvent & needed to sell 130acres (which was rented by her son Joshua John who did not pay the rent, but used her money to pay bills) & the Jolly Ploughman Inn (which was about to be taken by her brother in law Richard (Anson)). Richard (Anson), with whom she may have been having an affair, did buy the land & conveyed it to her for life. She then lived at Bridgewater Hotel in a second relationship with Richard (Anson). She died on 27 8 1858 age54 mother of 9children at Ship Hotel Hobart. ..Details of Sarah (Fletcher)s family are given below. ..Henry (Anson) & Sarah (Fletcher) produced 8children: ..1.??? (Anson) ..2.??? (Anson) ..3.Amelia (Anson) married ??? (Oakley). She was left a benefit in her stepfathers Will in 1860. ....Details of an (Oakley) family are given in entry for George (Wood ALEXANDER 1788) on this Website. ..4.Frances (Anson) married ??? (Chattaway). She was left a benefit in her stepfathers Will. ..5.Hannah (Hanson) was born on on 29 5 1825 & baptised on 26 6 1825 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. ..6.Joshua John (Anson) rented his mothers farm but did not pay the rent and used her money to pay bills, contributing to her insolvency. ..7.Mary (Anson) was left a benefit in her stepfathers Will in 1860. ..8.Latitia (Anson) was born in 1840. She died about 1841 age11m & was buried at Back River New Norfolk with her father. .. 3.Mary Jane (Anson) was born in 1798 in England. She arrived in NSW with her parents in 1799 on HMS BUFFALO. She moved with her parents to Hobart Town on ACTIVE in 1813. She married firstly at age16 William (Underwood) on 7 1 1817 at St Davids CofE Hobart.>>> ..William (Underwood) was born about 1789. He arrived in Australia as an officer in 1816 on HMS KANGAROO. He was a former mariner when he died at Parramatta died on 25 2 1827 age39 after taking an unusual quantity of spirits & was buried at St James CofE Sydney. ..Ann (Anson) & William (Underwood) produced 2children: ..1.William (Underwood) was born on 4 12 1817 & baptised on 4 1 1818 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. He died on 1863 age about45. ..2.Catherine Lucy (Underwood) was born on 20 11 1820 & baptised on 8 6 1821 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. She died on 16 10 1896 age75. .. >>>Mary (Anson) married secondly Thomas (Brunton)on 7 11 1829 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. ..Thomas (Brunton) was born about 1790/95. He arrived in NSW free on 12 1 1828 after a voyage of 4.5months on ELIZABETH. He died on 1 3 1830 age40. .. 4.Ann (Anson) was born on 25 10 1799 & baptised on 12 1 1806 age6 w/Richard, Elizabeth at St Phillips CofE Sydney. She moved with her parents to Hobart Town on ACTIVE in 1813. She married Thomas Moore (Ikin) on 9 3 1819 at St Davids CofE Hobart & produced 6children. ..Thomas Moore (Ikin) was born on 19 8 1795 & baptised on 15 5 1796 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. He died on 31 1 1860 age54. ..Details of Thomas Moore (Ikin)s family are given in entry for Richard (Martin GLATTON 1803) on this Website. .. 5.Richard (Anson) was born on 16 10 1802 & baptised on 12 1 1806 age3 w/Ann, Elizabeth at St Phillips CofE Sydney. He moved with his parents to Hobart Town on ACTIVE in 1813. He is recorded in 1822 in Hobart Town muster. He became licensee of Ship Hotel Collins St Hobart Town which he still leased in April 1853. In January 1842 his sister in law Sarah (Fletcher/Anson), with whom he may have been having an affair, was declared insolvent & needed to sell 130acres (which was rented by her son Joshua John (Anson) who did not pay the rent, but used her money to pay bills) & the Jolly Ploughman Inn. He bought the land & conveyed it to her for life. He then lived at Bridgewater Hotel with Sarah (Fletcher/Anson her second relationship)). He died on 17 7 1860 age55 at Ship Hotel & was buried at Back River New Norfolk w/brother Henry; his Will left benefits to his daughter & some neices. ..Sarah (Fletcher) was born on 23 3 1804 (given as 22 3 1803 in Ref:'People of...') & baptised on 17/23 3 1805 on Norfolk Island; Ram John (Conn) was appointed her godfather & gave her 35acres in New Norfolk >1820. She was recorded as off stores on Norfolk Island in February 1805. She was taken to Derwent Van Diemens Land (Tasmania) by her parents as part of the first evacuation on HMS PORPOISE on 25 12 1807 arriving, on 17 1 1808; to New Norfolk Derwent Valley. She married firstly at age16 Henry (Anson) on 6 9 1819 at St Davids CofE Hobart & produced 8children. After 1820 she was given 35acres in New Norfolk by her godfather; registered on 3 6 1831. In January 1842 she was declared insolvent & needed to sell 130acres (which was rented by her son Joshua John who did not pay the rent, but used her money to pay bills) & the Jolly Ploughman Inn (which was about to be taken by her brother in law Richard (Anson). Richard (Anson), with whom she may have been having an affair, did buy the land & conveyed it to her for life. She then lived at Bridgewater Hotel. She died on 27 8 1858 age54 mother of 9children at Ship Hotel Hobart. ..Details of Ram John (Conn)s family are given below. ..Details of Sarah (Fletcher)s family are given below. ..Richard (Anson) & Sarah (Fletcher) produced 1child: ..1.Julia Ann (Anson) was born in January 1844. .. 6.Elizabeth (Anson) was born on 14 7 1805 & baptised on 12 1 1806 w/Ann, Richard at St Phillips CofE Sydney. She moved with her parents to Hobart Town on ACTIVE in 1813. She married Joseph (Nettleton his third marriage) servant with Absolute Pardon on 6 12 1825 at St Johns CofE Parramatta & produced 3children. In 1828 she is recorded with her family at Concord. ..Joseph (Nettleton) was born about 1786 or 28 3 1782 & became a painter & glazier. He married firstly (1of3) Esther (???) in about 1804 in England. He was tried for theft of watch etc of Griffin (Andrews) at Old Bailey on 18 9 1805, sentenced to death commuted to Life, held at Middlesex Gaol Delivery & arrived in NSW as a convict with his family on 27 7 1807 after a voyage of 6months on DUKE OF PORTLAND. He was issued his Absolute Pardon for good conduct in the Rum Rebellion of 1808. He was assigned as overseer of road making Sydney to Parramatta. His Absolute Pardon was revoked in 1810 by Gov. (King)-he was assigned as overseer of road making Sydney to Parramatta. He was a servant when he married secondly (2of3) Esther Sophia (Jamieson) on 26 11 1811 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. He was Free by Servitude by 1815. In 1828 he is recorded as a publican at Concord with his family. He died on 7 11 1838 age56 father of perhaps 15children & was buried at (St Lukes CofE?) Liverpool.] ..[Some details taken from this Website] .. 7.Sarah (Anson) was born on 14 11 1808 & baptised on 29 1 1810 age14m at St Phillips CofE Sydney. She moved with her parents to Hobart Town on ACTIVE in 1813. She married John James (McNeal) on 27 10 1828 at Scots Kirk Sydney. ..John James (McNeal) was born about 1808 in the colony. .. 8.Robert (Anson) may have moved with his parents to Hobart Town on ACTIVE in 1813. Noted Samuel (Hanson) died on 11 11 1816 age1m at Christ Church Castlereagh. FLETCHER Anthony (Fletcher) became a stone mason working for Mr (Welsh) painter & glazier 25 Cleveland St London. He married Sarah/Mary (??? her first marriage) in England. He arrived at Port Phillip (now Victoria) free with his family on 4 10 1803 after a voyage of 7+months on OCEAN (supply ship with HMS CALCUTTA) (an expedition that settled in Tasmania); he probably camped at what is now Sorrento/Sullivans Bay. He continued to Port Jackson on CALCUTTA in December 1803 & then went on FRANCIS (although permission was given for travel to Tasmania on INTEGRITY) to Norfolk Island as a free settler in April 1804 arriving on 12 5 1804. He rented land & received rations fron stores 1804-1806. He was recorded as settler from Port Jackson free on stores on Norfolk Island in February 1805. He went to Derwent Tasmania with his family as part of the first evacuation (for which volunteers apparantly had been called with appropriate compensation offerred & for which he may have tried to decline as some successful farmers were asked to stay) on HMS PORPOISE on 25 12 1807 (although Governor (King), in 1804, recommended he remain & be granted land vacated by evacuees-triggering doubt in evacuees that evacuation was the best move), arriving on 17 1 1808; later granted 100acres at New Norfolk Derwent Valley. He went to England alone >1810. In 1816 he sought through the Secretary of State England, as a poor man, to return to Tasmania by any means to recover his property. He may have arrived back on CHRISTIANA in 1822 with John (Fletcher) & family; these two requested allotment of land corner Elizabeth & Warwick Streets Hobart Town for a house. In August 1823 he was fined 5lbs for receiving personal military equipment from private William (Mitchell) 48th Regiment. Sarah/Mary (???) was born about 1772. She travelled to Port Phillip Victoria, Sydney & Norfolk Island with her husband. She was recorded as free on stores on Norfolk Island in February 1805. She went to Derwent Tasmania with her family as part of the first evacuation on HMS PORPOISE on 25 12 1807, arriving on 17 1 1808; to New Norfolk Derwent Valley. A Mary (Fletcher) is recorded on stores in Hobart Town on 2 10 1818.>>> Anthony (Fletcher) & Sarah (???) produced perhaps 4children: 1.a son was born in 1802 in England. He died on the ship OCEAN age about1. [Noted the references 'Exiled...' & 'People of...' tells of the first child dying in May 1803 (therefore born February 1803) near Teneriffe, with some proof: & the second child being born at sea on 5 7 1803 & baptised on 17 3 1805 age20m on Norfolk Island-both being named Sarah: also that a memorial stone was laid at Portsea Victoria. Even here the mystery of 2close births seems odd; perhaps 1802 is correct & age at death greater than 3months.] .. [These two first births are further confused by the living Sarahs death details on 26 8 1858 showing her born on 22 3 1803.] .. 2.a daughter was born on 5 7 1803 in England or at sea on OCEAN. She died, perhaps on the ship, age3m. 3.Sarah (Fletcher perhaps one of the above) was born on 23 3 1804 (given as 22 3 1803 in 'People of...' reference) & baptised on 17/23 3 1805 on Norfolk Island; Ram John (Conn) was appointed her godfather & later gave her 35acres in New Norfolk >1820. She was recorded as off stores on Norfolk Island in February 1805. She was taken to Derwent Tasmania by her parents as part of the first evacuation on HMS PORPOISE on 25 12 1807, arriving on 17 1 1808; to New Norfolk Derwent Valley. A Sarah (Fletcher) is recorded on stores in Hobart Town on 2 10 1818. She married firstly at age16 Henry (Anson) on 6 9 1819 at St Davids CofE Hobart & produced 8children. After 1820 she was given 35acres in New Norfolk by her godfather; registered on 3 6 1831. In January 1842 she was declared insolvent & needed to sell 130acres (which was rented by her son Joshua John who did not pay the rent, but used her money to pay bills) & the Jolly Ploughman Inn (which was about to be taken by her brother in law Richard (Anson). Richard, with whom she may have been having an affair, did buy the land & conveyed it to her for life. She then lived at Bridgewater Hotel in a second relationship with Richard (Anson) & produced 1child. She died on 27 8 1858 age54 mother of 9children at Ship Hotel Hobart. ..[Noted a Sarah (Fletcher) is recorded as an orphan age>10 on stores on Norfolk Island in February 1805] ..Details of Ram John (Conn)s family are given below. ..Henry (Anson) was born in 1795 in England. He arrived in NSW with his parents in 1799 on HMS BUFFALO. He moved with his parents to Hobart Town on ACTIVE in 1813. He was licensee of City of London Arms Inn Hobart Town in 1819&20. He is recorded in 1822 at Hobart Town muster. In 1823 he was granted 60acres at New Norfolk. In 1830 he was granted a further 100acres. In September 1831 he & Sarah mortgaged 60+30acres to James (Turnbull). In December 1831 he was appointed Division Constable & poundkeeper at Back River New Norfolk. In December 1832 he advertised his properties of 195acres for sale-it apparantly did not sell. In 1834 he bought 105acres at New Norfolk & operated the Jolly Ploughmans Inn there from 1834. On 31 10 1836 he mortgaged his land & the Inn for 500lb. He died on 10 2 1840 age47 & was buried at Back River New Norfolk w/brother Henry. ..Details of Henry (Anson)s family are given above. .. 4.Jane (Fletcher) was born on 20 1 1805 & baptised on 17/23 3 1805 on Norfolk Island. She was recorded as child off stores on Norfolk Island in February 1805. She was taken to Derwent Tasmania by her parents as part of the first evacuation on HMS PORPOISE on 25 12 1807, arriving on 17 1 1808; to New Norfolk Derwent Valley. She died on 2 1 1810 age5- & was buried at St Davids CofE Hobart Town. .. >>>Sarah/Mary (???/Fletcher) was left to manage the 100acres >1810. She married secondly Joshua (Thatcher) in 1810s in Tasmania (not shown in Smees records). She was recorded as off stores on Norfolk Island in February 1805. She was tendering the sale of meat to Government late in December 1818. In 1830 (registered on 4 7 1833) the 100acres was mortgaged to James (Turnbull) for 42lb per annum. She died as Mary (Thatcher) in April 1837 age65 mother of perhaps 4children at New Norfolk & was buried at St Matthews New Norfolk. Joshua (Thatcher) was born about 1771. He was tried w/1other for stealing, on 1 11 1801, a pig at Old Bailey on 2 12 1801, sentenced to 7years, probably held at Middlesex Gaol Delivery & arrived at Port Phillip (now Victoria) as a convict on 4 10 1803 after a voyage of 7+months on HMS CALCUTTA with HMS SUPPLY (an expedition that settled in Tasmania); he probably camped at what is now Sorrento/Sullivans Bay & was later taken to Risdon Derwent River Van Diemens Land (Tasmania). He was recorded as off stores at Hobart Town on 2 10 1818. He became a servant to A W H (Humphrey) & later was granted 38acres at Sorell New Norfolk where he was appointed constable & poundkeeper on 14 11 1821. His land increased to 100acres from which he is recorded as selling meat to the Government in 1820s. He sold his land to James (Turnbull). He died on 23 10 1840 age70 of apoplexy at 'Ferry House' New Norfolk/Arundel/Montgomery. [Some details taken from this Website] [Noted-Smees records show a Sarah (Fletcher) born im 1827 who died on 5 2 1828 age3m & was buried at St Lukes CofE Liverpool (not to be confused with Sarah's above] Noted a William (Fletcher), convict tried Chelmsford Assizes Essex Life, arrived at Port Phillip (now Victoria) on 4 10 1803 after a voyage of 7+months on OCEAN (supply ship with HMS CALCUTTA) (an expedition that settled in Tasmania); he probably camped at what is now Sorrento/Sullivans Bay. He went on HMS LADY NELSON to Risdon Derwent Van Diemens Land (Tasmania) on 13 12 1803, arriving on 15 2 1804. He went to Derwent Tasmania with his family as part of the first evacuation (for which volunteers apparantly had been called with appropriate compensation offerred & for which he may have tried to decline as some successful farmers were asked to stay) on HMS PORPOISE on 25 12 1807 (although Governor (King), in 1804, recommended he remain & be granted land vacated by evacuees-triggering doubt in evacuees that evacuation was the best move), arriving on 17 1 1808; He is recorded as on stores in Hobart Town on 2 10 1818. He may have married Mary (Good/win/Munro). Details of Mary (Good/win/Munro)s family are given in entry for Andrew (Goodwin CALCUTTA 1803) on this Website. [Some details taken from this Website] CONN Rum/Rom/Runn/Johnny (Con/n) was possibly born at Inrah (muslim village Princely State of Garnace) Goograh India & became a marine/lascar in 11th Battalion 2nd East Indies Regiment Bombay. He had a first marriage possibly in India. He was perhaps discharged from the army. He arrived at Port Jackson NSW from perhaps India perhaps as a seaman on 3 5 1795 on ENDEAVOUR. He apparantly left Port Jackson on 18 9 1795 on ENDEAVOUR headed for India via New Zealand & Norfolk Island. This ship was unseaworthy & was scuttled at Dusky Sound near south New Zealand; he then travelled to Norfolk Island on the PROVIDENCE-found marooned at Dusky Bay-arriving on 16 1 1796--or on ASSISTANCE built from lifeboats of ENDEAVOUR---or returned to Port Jackson in early 1797 on MERCURY which found the remaining souls. In any event he arrived on Norfolk Island <1803 (perhaps in 1798) & bought 20acres part plot71 at south west of the island from John (McCarty) in July 1803. He is recorded with 7.5acres cultivated thatched log house & supplying meat to Government stores in February 1805 on Norfolk Island. He had 20acres when he left Norfolk Island in 1807 to Tasmania-to 35acres grant at New Norfolk. He later worked for Bartholomew (Reardon) as stockman at Eastern Marshes, where he stayed for 14years. In 1823 he bought 1,700acres at Macquarie River from Bartholomew (Reardon) to be paid for in instalments & bequeathing of the property to his (Reardon)s sons. He trapped kangaroos & dogs for skins to provide for himself (frugally). In 1829 he claimed to be Presbyterian & became a member of Kirklands Church near Campbell Town which had been established by the (Taylor) family of Scotland. In September 1835 he conveyed his land at Port Macquarie River to John (Taylor) & his heirs for life. In 1836 a dispute between Bartholomew (Reardon), Rum John (Conn) & John (Taylor) provided no resolution, although a deed poll memorial became effective on 31 12 1833 placing the land with Rum John (Conn). He married secondly as a widower Christian/ine/Catherine (Cameron her first marriage) on 13 11 1835 at Campbell Town Court House Van Diemens Land (Tasmania). He was granted 35acres at New Norfolk perhaps in 1829. He died at St Johnstone Macquarie River on 21 7 1841 & was buried at Kirklands cemetery; he left his New Norfolk land to goddaughter Sarah (Fletcher) & his 1,700acres at Macquarie River to sons of Bartholomew (Reardon); John (Taylor) applied for the Macquarie River property again, this time succefully. Details of Bartholomew (Reardon)s family are given in entry for Bartholomew (Reardon SCARBOROUGH 1788) on this Website. Christian/Catherine (Cameron) was born about 1809/14. She was tried for repeated pickpocketing at Edinburgh Court of Justiciary Scotland on 6 6 1831, sentenced to 14years & arrived in Van Diemens Land (Tasmania) as a convict on 10 8 1832 after a voyage of 4months on HYDERY; she was small build round sallow face brown hair. She was unruly in the colony. In 1841 she lost her Ticket of Leave for keeping a disorderly house & imprisoned for 6months with hard labour; she was confined to Launceston on her release, but still got into trouble. She married secondly Thomas (Birch) (permission was refused in October 1842) on 22 2 1843 at Evandale Church of Scotland. [Some details taken from this Website] Thomas (Birch) was born about 1796. He was tried for burglary at Oxford Assizes, sentenced to Life & arrived in Van Diemens Land (Tasmania) as a convict on 6 3 1828 after a voyage of 4months on MARMION. He was in much trouble, but earned his Conditional Pardon in 1841. [Some details taken from this Website] REFERENCES 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. Irene Schaffer & Thelma McKay 'Exiled Three Times Over! Profiles of Norfolk Islanders Exiled in Van Diemens Land 1807-1813' James Hugh Donohoe 'Norfolk Island 1788-1813-The People and Their Families' Reg Wright 'Forgotten Generation of Norfolk Island & Van Diemens Land' Pamela Statham 'A Colonial Regiment-New Sources Relating to the New South Wales Corps-1789-1810' Clem Sargent 'Colonial Garrison 1817-1824-48th foot Northamptonshire Regiment in the colony of New South Wales'

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Barbara Lister on 27th September 2024

Digital panopticon have linked him to the Salamander

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Barbara Lister on 27th September 2024

James Belbin was an unemployed servant age 16 when he entered a neighbours home through an insecure window and took two gowns, which he pawned. He left footprints in the snow and dropped other items. Identified by the pawnbroker's shopman, he was initially given a death sentence but with a jury recommendation for mercy.

342

Maureen Withey on 1st April 2024

James Belbin (1771-1848), convict and settler, was born in London. Convicted at the Old Bailey in January 1788 and his death sentence commuted to transportation for seven years, he reached Sydney in the Salamander in August 1791. In due course he transferred as a settler to Norfolk Island, where he received land and by 1796 was selling pork to the government. When the colonists of Norfolk Island were deported, Belbin moved to Hobart Town in 1808; he was then a widower with five daughters, the eldest aged 16, and a son of 5. Next year he got into trouble for his support of the deposed Governor William Bligh who had come to Hobart. Twice arrested, Belbin refused to acknowledge any person but Bligh as governor-in-chief of New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land. He was ordered 500 lashes but, because of his poor physical condition after a month in gaol he was incapable of receiving more than fifty. His only offence had been in persisting in his loyalty to the King's representative. After ten weeks in custody he was released but was victimized by having his children and himself removed from the list of persons entitled to rations. He decided to seek justice in London. Accompanied by his son he sailed from Hobart on 16 November 1811, working his passage to England; there he petitioned for the restoration of his rights as a free settler. On Bligh's recommendation, the Colonial Office ordered that Belbin and his son be given free passages back to Hobart, and a land grant and the other concessions to which he was entitled as a Norfolk Island evacuee. In June 1813 he sailed in the Earl Spencer and obtained letters about his grant from Governor Lachlan Macquarie before proceeding to Hobart; for all that, it took him two years to get his affairs settled. He received land at Cambridge, between Hobart and Pittwater, where he built a home, made a prosperous farm and brought up a second family. In 1819 he was appointed stock inspector and in 1844 was given a pension of £75. He died at Hobart on 8 May 1848. F. C. Green, 'Belbin, James (1771–1848)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/belbin-james-1761/text1965, published first in hardcopy 1966, accessed online 2 April 2024.

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Maureen Withey on 1st April 2024

Death Registration: https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD35-1-2/RGD35-1-2P193 James Belbin, a retired officer, aged 77, died 8 May 1848 in Hobart. The cause of death was “decay of Nature”. The informant was his son, William Belbin, a joiner, resident in Collins Street. —On Monday the 8th instant, at his residence, Macquarie-street, Hobart Town, Mr. James Belbin, in the 78th year of his age. Cornwall Chronicle, 13 May 1848. His wife Elizabeth, died the following year. Yesterday morning, at her residence, Macquarie-street, MRS. ELIZABETH BELBIN, relict of the late Mr. James Belbin, in the 69th year of her age. Friends are respectfully invited to attend her remains to the place of interment on Thursday next, at half-past 2 o'clock. Colonial Times, 11 Dec 1849. Baptism registration of a child Ann Belbin, born 11 July 1819, parents James and Elizabeth Belbin, resident in Hobart, Married England. Ann baptised 9 Aug 1819 by R. Knopwood.

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Maureen Withey on 1st April 2024

Tried at the Old Bailey, 9 Jan 1788. 108. JAMES BELBIN was indicted, for burglariously and feloniously breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Sarah Gosling , widow , about the hour of eight in the night, on the 27th of December last, and burglariously stealing therein, a silk petticoat, value 5 s. a flounced stuff ditto, value 3 s. a striped cotton gown, value 4 s. a silk and stuff gown, value 5 s. two pair of breeches, value 4 s. a coat, value 3 s. a shawl, value 3 s. two handkerchiefs, value 3 s. a cotton a counterpane, value 5 s. her property . SARAH GOSLING sworn. I live in Vere-street, Clare-market ; I keep a chandler's shop ; I am a housekeeper; my house was entered at the parlour window, on Thursday, the 27th of December, I found it out; about ten my daughter went to put my child to bed in the back parlour, and she found the window up, and two drawers moved; that back parlour opens into a small yard at the back of the house; it is the room that I sleep in; I had not been in that room that evening; my daughter was there, she is here; out of two drawers I lost the things mentioned in the indictment; the persons who stole them came into the window, by the assistance of a water tub; I traced them by bits of silk and things that were scattered down my own passage and up the cellar stairs, and through my own passage into the street; it was snow at - that time, and there was the mark of a foot on the top of the water-tub; mine is a lodging-house, and the door is always open; I found two gowns again at the pawnbroker's, Mr. Cooper's; I know the prisoner very well, he was bred and born the next door to me, I have no reason for charging him with this, but his pawning the two gowns. SARAH GOSLING , Jun. sworn. I went into this back parlour between seven and eight; I was in the room, and all was safe; it is a sash window, the window was down, there was only a small hook to it; I do not know whether that hook was in it; there was no shutter; I went into the room again exactly at ten, then I observed the drawers were both open and moved, and the sash thrown up to the top; we never leave our sashes up after dark, particularly at that time of the year; I lost the things in the indictment out of the drawers; I observed a mark on the water-tub, and one on the sill of the window in the room; the bottom of the passage opens into the yard; there is one door into the passage; we always keep that room locked, and it was locked that night, and when I came to go in at ten, it was locked; the people who got in, got in at the window; my mother ran down stairs to see which way they had gone; I know the prisoner. WILLIAM GARDNER sworn. I am servant to Mr. Cooper, in Great Wild-street, Lincoln's-inn-fields; I produce two gowns, I received them on the evening of the 27th of December, from the prisoner, to the best of my knowledge; I think it was about eight, he pledged them for nine shillings; I had seen the prisoner before, and I perfectly knew him again; the prisoner said he brought the things from one Susannah Hambro , a person that uses our shop, and whom we always found to be a very honest woman. (The gowns deposed to.) SUSANNAH HAMBRO sworn. I know nothing about this. PRISONER's DEFENCE. I was going through the streets between seven and eight in the evening, and I saw a person go out before me, and drop somewhat; it was two gowns, I kicked it with my foot; it was a sloppy night, and I took them in my hand, and being rather short of money, I pawned them. Court. What account do you give the Jury of yourself? - I had been lately to service, and I was out of place at this time. Can you satisfy the Jury that you bore a good character? - I can, but my friends are not here. Court. Gentlemen, in construction of law, the raising a sash, which is put down for the protection of a house, is in the idea of law, breaking the house. The Jury retired for a short time, and returned with a verdict, GUILTY , Death . He was humbly recommended to mercy by the Jury. (Aged sixteen.) Court to Clerk of Arraigns. Take the recommendation; I have no sort of objection, gentlemen. Tried by the first Middlesex Jury before Mr. Baron EYRE. ------------------------------------------------------------- Yesterday the sessions began at the Old-Bailey, when James Belbin, aged 16, and Robert Fossett, aged only 13, for burglaries, were both capitally convicted, but were recommended mercy on account of their years. Stamford Mercury, 11 Jan 1788. --------------------------------------------------------------- The following were respited during his Majesty's Pleasure, viz. James Belbin, … Chester Courant, 22 April 1788.

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Maureen Withey on 1st April 2024

Colonial Secretary Index. BELBIN, James. Per "Salamander", 1791 Arrived as a convict on the "Salamander" in 1791 but was a landholder on Norfolk Island by 1796; in 1808 he went to Hobart and in 1811 returned to England; he returned to Van Diemen's Land on the "Earl Spencer" in 1813. 1813 Nov 20 Lately returned from England; to be placed on the Stores and receive a land grant (Reel 6003; 4/3492 pp.289-90) 1814 Apr 4,6 Re passage to Derwent for Belbin and family (Reel 6004; 4/3493 pp.127, 132) 1817 Nov 1 Seeking remuneration for expenses incurred in coming to Sydney as witness (Reel 6046; 4/1737 pp.145-7) 1817 Dec 31 Asking for copy of letter of instruction to Lieutenant Governor Davey re his claims as a Norfolk Island settler (Reel 6047; 4/1739 pp.291-3) 1818 Jan 12 On list of passengers proceeding to Van Diemen's Land at the Government's expense per "Governor Macquarie" (Reel 6005; 4/3497 p.300)