Judith Bidwell

Level 75

iain Frazier on 1st February 2025

Family connections for Judith (Bidwell) are: Some amendments added Jul 2025 & Nov 2025. BIDWELL Judith (Bidwell/Bridewell) was born about 1774 in London & became a servant. She was tried for stealing a watch, on 18 10 1792, of Matthew (Fisher) at Old Bailey on 5 11 1794 (quick justice), sentenced to 7years, held at Middlesex Gaol Delivery & Newgate Gaol & arrived in NSW as a convict on 17 10 1794 after a voyage of 9.5months on SURPRISEalso-on which much socialising between soldiers & young female convicts is recorded; she was 5' fresh complexion brown hair hazel eyes. She was Free by Servitude by 1798. She married firstly William (Evans) in 1796 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. After her husband died in 1811 her children were entered into Parramatta Orphan School.>>> [Some details taken from this Website] William (Evans) was born about January 1768 at Llandovery Carmarthenshire Wales. He was with the 1st Dragoon Guards until court martialled (for desertion?) & imprisoned in Savoy Prison. He was released with others to serve as a private in NSW Corps, enlisting on 8 1 1793. He arrived in NSW (recorded as a settler in Smees records) on 17 10 1794 after a voyage of 9.5months on SURPRISE; during the voyage he was forced to implicate conspirators to a murder plot. He was quickly granted 50acres in 1794 at The Ponds & 25acres in 1795 at Mulgrave Place Hawkesbury River. In 1798 he was detached to (Abbott)s company with which he is known to be at Parramatta from 1801. He was transferred to 1company in 1809 & to 73rd Regiment on 24 4 1810. He died on 17 11 1811 age52 private 73rd Regiment formerly of NSW Corps & was buried at St Phillips CofE Sydney. Judith (Bidwell-Bridewell) & William (Evans) produced 5children: mostly girls 1.Sarah (Evans) was born on 19 9 1795 & baptised on 4 10 1795 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. She died in 1796 age<15months. 2.Elizabeth (Evans) was born on 28 1 1798 & baptised on 12 5 1799 age15m at St Johns CofE Parramatta. After 1811 she may have been entered into Parramatta Orphan School. She, as Elizabeth (Evans-Bidwell), married firstly at age15 Simon (Pugh) on 7 6 1813 at St Johns CofE Parramatta.>>> ..Simon (Pugh) was born in 1791 & baptised on 29 5 1791 at St Johns CofE Parramatta. ..Details of Simon (Pugh)s family are given in entry for Edward (Pugh FRIENDSHIP 1788) on this Website. .. >>>Elizabeth (Evans) had a second relationship with John (Madden), with whom she produced 7children & later married. She is recorded in 1828 with her family at Evan. She married John (Madden) on 8 3 1832 at Cornwallis. She died in 1866 age about68 mother of 7known children. ..John (Madden) was born between 1761 & 1778 at Meath co. Ireland. He was tried for theft stealing larceny at Dublin city in 1811, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 16 2 1813 after a voyage of 9months on ARCHDUKE CHARLES; he was Catholic. He was recorded in 1817 & on later occasions as a lobourer. He was Free by Servitude by 1817. He was granted land in 1818, maybe at Evan, where he produced wheat, & sought extra 30acres in 1820-perhaps not granted. He was recorded in 1824 as settler at Nepean where he had purchased some land. He is recorded in 1828 as farmer with his family on 50acres at Evan. On 16 11 1837 he was tried at Windsor Quarter Sessions for stealing cattle & was perhaps acquitted: & again tried on 24 11 1837 for stealing cattle, sentenced to Life & held at Parramatta Gaol & Sydney Gaol-arriving on 28 11 1837. On 16 12 1837 he was sent to Norfolk Island, arriving on 25 12 1837. On 18 1 1844 he was listed as sentence Life (commuted to 15 years), deemed an invalid or ineffective & recommended for removal to Sydney. In 1844 he is described as age77 but healthy. In July 1847 he is listed as with Mr (Dumas) on Norfolk Island. He died on 11 3 1852 age74 at Windsor & was buried at St Gregorys Catholic cemetery Kurrajong Hawkesbury city. ..[Some details taken from this Website] .. 3.Sarah (Evans) was born on 14 1 1799 & baptised on 17 12 1809 age10 w/Charity, Sarah at St Phillips CofE Sydney. After 1811 she may have been entered into Parramatta Orphan School. She married Jacob (Russell) on 14 7 1817 at Christ Church Castlereagh & produced at least 5children. She died on 10 10 1856 age57. ..Jacob (Russell) was born on 22 5 1798 & baptised on 26 6 1798 at St Johns CofE Parramatta. He was recorded as a farmer in 1826 & 1828. He died on 12 12 1852 age54. ..Details of Jacob (Russell)s family are given in entry for Jacob (Russell SALAMANDER 1791) on this Website. .. 4.Charity (Evans) was born on 19 5 1801 & baptised on 17 12 1809 age8 w/Sarah, Sarah at St Phillips CofE Sydney. After 1811 she may have been entered into Parramatta Orphan School; however, she was a teacher at female Orphan School when she married Thomas (Nott his second marriage) emancipist on 31 8 1823 at St James CofE Sydney with whom she produced 7children. She was baptised on 18 6 1826 age25 with her husband & son at St Marys RC Sydney. ..Thomas (Nott aka Smith) was born about 1776 at Stamford Lincolnshire to a well-off family & became a Lieutenant in Rutland Militia. He was tried for burglary of his own rented property in London at probably Old Bailey in 1815, sentenced to 7years, held at Middlesex Gaol Delivery & hulk PORTLAND where he tutored prisoners & arrived in NSW as a convict on 5 10 1816 after a voyage of 5months on ELIZABETH. From 1817-20 he was assistant teacher at Sydney Public School. He received permission on 4 6 1821 to marry firstly Mary (Lenny her second marriage) a teacher at the school. He opened his own academy at 44 Castlereagh St which he moved to 71 Pitt St in 1821. He was issued his Certificate of Freedom on 11 1 1822. From 1822-23 his academy was in George St Parramatta. He was a writing master/clerk on 18 6 1826 when he was baptised age, about50, with his wife & son at St Marys RC Sydney. He was recorded as a schoolmaster in 1829 & 1833. He was father of 7known children when he was buried at St Johns CofE Parramatta.>>> >>>Thomas (Nott) was son of Edward (Nott) who died about 1784 & Mary (???) who remarried after 1784. He was denied an expected inheritance about 1787 (age21). ..[Some details taken from this Website] .. ..[Noted a C (Evans) is recorded as producing a child with ??? (Marlam):] ..[1.Margaret (Marlam) was born in 1821.] .. 5.Samuel (Evans) was born in 1805. He is recorded in 1822 with his mother in Liverpool district. 6.Sarah sic (Evans) was born on 14 1 1809 & baptised on 17 12 1809 w/Elizabeth, Charity at St Phillips CofE Sydney. After 1811 she may have been entered into Parramatta Orphan School. .. .. >>>Judith (Bidwell) is recorded in 1814 as living with Richard (Fri/yer her second relationship) at Parramatta. She is recorded in 1822 with some of her family in Liverpool district. In 1823-1825 she is recorded at Minto with her family. In 1828 she is recorded with Richard (Fryer) at (Pomare Grove?) Cobbitty Cooke. She died on 26 8 1855 age about81 mother of 8known children & was buried at St Pauls CofE Cobbity. .. Richard (Fri/yer/Fryar) was born about 1754/60 in London. He enlisted in NSW Corps as a private on 14 1 1790 in England. He joined the 102nd Regiment & arrived in NSW on 9 7 1791 after a voyage of 6months on Fleet ship SALAMANDER. He was sent to Norfolk Island, arriving on 9 3 1794, where he owned land. In 1798 he was detached to (Townson)s company, from which he was discharged on 25 1 1800. He was recorded as free off stores on Norfolk Island in February 1805. He left Norfolk Island on 5 4 1809. At some time in 1809 he was granted 52acres. He is recorded in 1814 as living with Judith (Bidwell) as landholder at Parramatta. He is recorded in 1822 with some of his family in Liverpool district. In 1823-1825 he is recorded as landholder at Minto with his family. In 1828 he is recorded as farmer with Judith (Bidwell) at (Pomare Grove?) Cobbitty Cooke. He died on 26 8 1844 age90 & was buried at St Paul's (CofE) Cobbity. Judith (Bidwell) & Richard (Fryer) produced 2children: 1.John (Fryer) was born in 1811. He is recorded in 1822 with his parents in Liverpool district. In 1823-1825 he is recorded at Minto with his parents. 2.William (Fryer) was born in 1815. He is recorded in 1822 with his parents in Liverpool district. In 1823-1825 he is recorded at Minto with his parents. He died on 18 6 1866 age about50. 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'

Level 4

Gail Petersen on 14th May 2023

Judith Bidwell is buried at St. Paul's Anglican Church in Cobbity, NSW

Level 13

Lea Katrina Knight on 8th February 2017

her death is recorded under Elizabeth FRYER

Level 4

Christine Cannon on 2nd January 2013

Correct surname is Bidwell as recorded in UK and Australian official documents including criminal record, Transportation record, Convict Musters, childrens' birth certificates etc.

Thank you for recording the information I submitted regarding Judith Bidwell. However, I note that in one paragraph you have mis-quoted what I sent and as such it makes the information misleading, particularly for any future researcher. In the following paragraph you have incorrectly substituted the name Bridewell where I had stated Bidwell; the actual parish baptism registers have the name BIDWELL, recorded. This is the paragraph: &quot;Their first child, Sarah was born on 19 Sep 1795 and her baptism is recorded in the register of St Philip's, (CoE) Sydney on 4 Oct 1795 as the child of Judith Bridewell &amp; William Evans. Elizabeth, the next daughter's baptism is recorded in the Parramatta register on 12 May 1798 or 1799 but it seems that the following two children were recorded in St Phillips at Sydney. Each time the parents were recorded as Judith Bridewell &amp; William Evans.&quot; Also, is there any possibility that a cross-reference (under Bidwell) can be added to your site so future researcher who know that the lady was actually Bidwell, will find the information. Thanks, and thank you for a great site.

Judith BIDWELL (not Bridewell) was convicted 5 Nov 1794 at Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey), London. Her crime was, &quot;Stealing a metal watch with a tortoiseshell outside case, value 30s, the goods of Matthew Fisher&quot; (Transcript of trial is available at: http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?id=t17921031-54-defend518&amp;div=t17921031-54#highlight) Judith's crime is recorded as taking place on 18 Oct 1792. She was taken to Newgate Prison to await trial; the gaol book records her committal on 26 Sep 1792 (commitment No. 37) but given the date of offence, it seems more likely that she was imprisoned on 26 Oct. Judith is described in the gaol register as: &quot;aged 17 years, 5ft, hazel eyes, brown hair, fresh complexion, born in London, single woman&quot;. The Middlesex Court sessions at the Old Bailey commenced on 31 Oct 1792 but Judith's trial did take place until 5 Nov 1792. She was found guilty and was sentenced to 7 years transportation. After her trial she was returned to Newgate to await her voyage to NSW. Judith appears to have remained in the gaol for about 16 months; being discharged on 10 Feb 1794 for embarkation on the Surprize. She was one of 59 female convicts onboard Surprize; there were 23 male convicts, 21 soldiers, 12 free passengers and 30 to 40 crew. Surprize left the Thames in early March but did not sail from southern England until 2 May 1794. Details of the voyage are recorded in Michael Flynn' book; 'Settlers and Seditionists, the people of the convict ship Surprize - 1794'. It is described as an, &quot;extraordinary voyage&quot; with attempted mutiny and much 'socializing' between the soldiers and the mainly young female convicts. The ship finally arrived at Sydney on 25 Oct 1794. Shortly after the Surprize arrived at Sydney, Judith was living with William EVANS, who had arrived on the same ship. Judith was probably William's assigned servant but their relationship produced at least 5 children: Sarah, Elizabeth, Sarah, Charity &amp; Samuel. Their first child, Sarah was born on 19 Sep 1795 and her baptism is recorded in the register of St Philip's, (CoE) Sydney on 4 Oct 1795 as the child of Judith Bridewell &amp; William Evans. Elizabeth, the next daughter's baptism is recorded in the Parramatta register on 12 May 1798 or 1799 but it seems that the following two children were recorded in St Phillips at Sydney. Each time the parents were recorded as Judith Bridewell &amp; William Evans. Although William was a soldier, he too had been in prison. According to Michael Flynn's book, William is reported as enlisting in the NSW Corps (the Rum Corps) on 8 Jan 1793, after having previously been in the 1st Dragoon Guards. He had been court martialled (probably for desertion) and was imprisoned in London's Savoy Prison and was released to serve in the NSW Corps. He, and other ex-prisoner soldiers, embarked on Surprize on 20 Jan 1794. During the voyage, when conspiracy and a plot to murder was uncovered, William signed his X mark to a statement implicating the accused conspirators. He, and a few other 'Savoy soldiers' had been, &quot;stapled to the deck in double irons, exposed to the elements for several days&quot; before making his statement. Judith and William are listed in the various musters books from 1800 to 1811. William was born abt Jan 1768 at Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, Wales and he died in 1811, aged 52 years. His burial was recorded 17 Nov 1811 at St Phillips, Sydney. Sometime after William's death Judith's children were placed in the care of the Orphan School in Parramatta and when the 1814 Muster was conducted, Judith was living with a former soldier, Richard FRYER (Frier) [102nd Regiment], who had arrived on the Salamander in 1791. Richard spent some time on Norfolk Island and had owned land there but by 1814 he was a landholder in the Parramatta district. Richard had arrived as part of the Third Fleet, on the Salamander 21 Aug 1791; he is believed to have been born in London, circa 1754/1760. In the 1822 muster there is an entry for &quot;Mrs Fryer&quot; which gives Judith's details, ie &quot;free by servitude&quot;, by ship Surprize (2) and a sentence of 7 years. She and Richard were recorded as living in the Liverpool district with 2 young sons (William &amp; John Fryer - aged 7 &amp; 12); Judith's son, Samuel Evans appears to have also been living with them. By the 1823-1825 muster, Richard was a landholder at Minto and &quot;Mrs Fryer&quot; is with him and also their 2 sons, John and William Fryer. Again, the census of 1828 shows: Richard Fryer, Judith Fryer (free-served sentence) 54ys &amp; William Fryer - 13yrs (born colony). The occupation of all three is given as, &quot;farmer&quot; and their residence was at Cobbitty, Cooke. Richard died 26 Aug 1844, and is listed in the burial register as aged 90 yrs(?) [ie born circa 1754]. He was buried on 30 Aug in the churchyard of St Paul's (CoE) at Cobbitty. He was described as a veteran of Pomare Grove, which was a property at Cobbitty. It seems Judith died on 26 August 1855 and was also buried in St Paul's churchyard on 27 Aug. The register entry is actually for an Elizabeth Fryer, with a stated age of 95 years; which is clearly overstated; Judith would have only been about 80-81 years old.