Robert Bigg

6

Barry Sylvester on 30th April 2024

On 20th September 1836, Thomas Pointon along with Robert Bigg , was charged with breaking and entering the warehouse of Samuel Garrat at Fulling Mill, Welwyn and stealing 10 Bushells of Pollard, 8 bushels of wheat flour and one gun...They also knocked down and tied up the manager, George Hughes. At the trial which took place at St Albans, 20th October 1836, according to witnesses they took so much they could not carry it all, and dropped 2 of the sacks on their way across a field between the mill and Codicote Road. According to the Criminal Registers 1791-1892, Robert was found Guilty and sentenced to 7 years transportation.. Thomas Pointon was found not guilty, on January 5 th 1837, but was detained for stealing a sheep...Thomas Pointon was indicted again on October 19th 1837, at St Alban's, this time for uttering counterfeit silver and sentenced to one years imprisonment and hard labour...... Seems his run of good luck, was coming to an end, as in 1840, Thomas was tried again, this time for 'poaching in the night time', at Hertford Assizes on 26th February 1840, Thomas was sentenced to 7 years transportation by William Jordan. ........................................................ Liberty of St. Albans Quarter Sessions. October 1836. Robert Bigg [28] Labourer, was convicted of stealing eight Bushells of pollard, eight Bushells of flour, four sacks and a gun, the property of Samuel Garrett - 7 years transportation [Transcribed from the Hertford Mercury and Reformer dated 25 Oct 1836 page 2 col 5]. [Article sent by Ian Jordon [May 2013], grandson of William Joseph Sylvester]. After his conviction, Robert moved from the Gaol at the Abbey Gatehouse and held on board the Prison Hulk “Justitia” at Woolwich on the Thames. Robert Bigg: Name: Robert Bigg Age: 28 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1808 Date of Trial: 20 Oct 1836 Trial Year: 1836. Location of Trial: Hertfordshire, England Sentence: Transportation The above is information from the Criminal Conviction record[s]. Name Robert Bigg Vessel James Pattison Convicted Date 20 Oct 1836 Voyage Date 10 Jul 1837 Colony New South Wales Place of Conviction Hertford, Hertfordshire, England Robert arrived on the James Pattison in 1837 and was assigned to Henry Hooke on the Williams River in the Hunter Valley. Robert received his ticket of leave on the 10th January 1842 and his Certificate of Freedom on the 12th March 1844. On receiving his Certificate of Freedom, his Ticket Of Leave [42/108], dated January 1842, was torn up. Robert was apparently well known in the Kurrajong area and referred to as “Bob the Miller”. Robert was described as a man of 5ft 8” tall, hazel eyes, & black hair....Robert was one of thirteen children and born to parents Thomas Bigg and Elizabeth Tidd, he was born on the 2nd April 1809 and died on the 3rd of February 1854 in Sydney..... Robert lived in a "Common Law" with the widow [Harriet Silvester/Sylvester], of another Miller, John Sylvester who died on the 27th Aug 1840.... Robert and Harriet had six children and all with the exception of one [Robert died as an infant], were raised under the name of Sylvester... According to the St Peters cemetery records [courtesy of Des Café], Robert Bigg and his son, Robert [Bigg] Sylvester, are buried in unmarked grave’s at St. Peters as is John Sylvester [Harriet’s Husband]...