Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
Sarah Best was transported on the Britannia Iii, departing 31st Dec 1797 and arriving 18th Jul 1798 with 102 passengers.
Third voyage to Australia. Arrived in Sydney Cove on 18 July 1798 1814 voyage departed from Bengal with 10 male convicts. All tried in India.
Britannia Iii (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 87, Class and Piece Number HO11/1, Page Number 240 |
| Source Description | This record is one of the entries in the British convict transportation registers 1787-1867 database compiled by State Library of Queensland from British Home Office (HO) records which are available on microfilm as part of the Australian Joint Copying Pro |
| Original Source | Great Britain. Home Office |
| Compiled By | State Library of Queensland |
| Database Source | British convict transportation registers 1787-1867 database |
Claims
"Sarah Best is my 5th Great Grandmother."
Photos
No photos have been added for Sarah Best.
Convict Notes
Family connections for Sarah (Best) are: Some amendments added Jun 2025. BEST Sarah (Best) is recorded as Sarah (Best/Roberts) in Smees records; & the surname (Brown) is added on this Website-how these surnames apply is not known. Sarah (Best) was born in 1774. She had a first (1of3) relationship with Peter (Catapodi). She was tried for stealing probably at Old Bailey, sentenced to 7years, held at Middlesex Gaol Delivery & arrived in NSW as a convict with a child on 18 7 1798 after a voyage of 6.5months on BRITANNIA; she was Catholic.>>> [Some details taken from this Website] Peter (Catapodi) did not come to Australia. Sarah (Best/Roberts) & Peter (Catapodi) produced 1child: 1.Caroline (Catapodi) was born on 11 3 1797 in England. She arrived in NSW with her mother on 18 7 1798 after a voyage OF 6.5months on BRITANNIA. She was baptised on 10 7 1803 age6 w/hsi.Matilda at St Johns CofE Parramatta. She used the surname (Byrne/Burn). She married at age16 John (Kennedy) on 30 8 1813 at St Matthews CofE Windsor & produced at least 8children. She died on 15 4 1869 age72. ..John (Kennedy) was born about 1781. He arrived in NSW as a settler on 5 11 1795 after a voyage of 11months on SOVEREIGN also. He married Caroline (Best/Catapodi age16) on 30 8 1813 at St Matthews CofE Windsor. He was recorded in 1828 & 1830 as a farmer. ..Details of John (Kennedy)s family are given in entry for Charlotte (Stroud KITTY 1792) on this Website. .. >>>Sarah (Best/Roberts) married secondly (2of3) Patrick (Byrne) on 22 9 1799 at St Phillips CofE Sydney & produced 5children. She was recorded as Free by Servitude by 1805 & recorded as such in 1806. On 1 1 1809 she was granted 2rods 30poles at Parramatta: which was surrendered on 30 4 1810 then renewed as a lease on 8 10 1811.>>> Patrick (Byrne) was born about 1775. He was tried as an Irish Rebel at Carlow Ireland in 1795, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 11 2 1796 after a voyage of 6months on MARQUIS CORNWALLIS. On 10 4 1801 he joined the NSW Corps with (McArthur)s company. He was Free by Servitude by 1806. He died on 1 4 1808 age33 as private NSW Corps of sickness following duty in arrest of Governor (Bligh) & was possibly buried at St Johns general cemetery Sydney-recorded at St Johns CofE Parramatta. [Some details taken from this Website] .. >>>Sarah (Best/Byrne) emancipist married thirdly William (Sykes) emancipist on 9 1 1812 at St Johns CofE Parramatta & produced 4children. She was apparantly friendly toward the aboriginals & at some time gave food to the leader Wallah, indirectly saving her son John's life. She died on 28 10 1853 age79 mother of perhaps 9children at Yass. CCONVICTdone ..William (Sykes) was born about 1768. He operated a public house named the Sun at Grays Inn Lane Holborn London when he was tried w/1other for stealing & receiving 2barrells beer of William Marmaduke (Sellon) at Old Bailey on 11 4 1804, sentenced to 14years, held at London or Middlesex (possibly) Gaol Delivery & arrived in NSW as a convict on 12 7 1806 after a voyage of 6.5months on FORTUNE; he was assigned to Gov. John (McArthur) & helped educate his children at Parramatta. He gained early Absolute Pardon on 17 3 1810 & grant of 80acres at Appin/Cow Pastures which he named 'Mount Britain'. He was recorded as Free by Servitude by 1812. He was granted 70acres more on 10 6 1815. The family were affected by disturbances with the aboriginals & seemed to be understanding of them. He is recorded in 1822 with 370acres & reached 450acres. In 1826 he applied for liquor licence & built 'Appin Inn' which he operated until about 1833. In 1827 he was witness to a murder trial. From 1828 he was taking steps to sell his property & livestock, as was the Sheriff. He left in 1837 & was well regarded by Government & Administration. He died on 4 8 1854 age86 at Currawang. ..[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. Pamela Statham 'A Colonial Regiment-New Sources Relating to the New South Wales Corps-1789-1810'