Esther Blades

53

Beth Taylor on 22nd November 2019

Esther Blades (c1783-c1828) Tried - 31 July 1813 City of York Summer Assize Esther was christened at Richmond near Leyburn, in Yorkshire England. Her mother’s name is unknown, but her father was Cuthbert Blades, a Junior Sergeant in the North York Militia. Esther had an illegitimate child, William Blades (c1803-c1871) and on his baptism in Richmond, Yorkshire, the baby’s father’s name was given as Richard Atkinson (?-?), cabinetmaker. Together with Sarah Flintoff, Esther appeared before the York Assize in 1813, charged with coin forgery. It was alleged by witnesses that the two women in “the parish of St Trinity Mickelgate, in the said city, feloniously coloured with a wash, producing the colour of silver, several pieces of base metal, of a fit size and figure to resemble the current silver coin of this Realm, called sixpences, contrary to the statute in that case made & provided”. Sarah, aged 43 and Esther aged 30, were found guilty and sentenced to transportation for 7 years. They were both sent to New South Wales on the ship Broxbornebury in 1814. Esther did not take her 10 year-old son; he remained behind in Yorkshire and was raised by father, according to his descendants. William Blades became a master tailor and raised a family in Richmond, Yorkshire. He was buried in the St Mary the Virgin graveyard at Richmond in 1871 and his headstone records: “Porter of Richmond Castle”. BC: 1782/3 [daughter of Cuthbert Blades, Jnr Sgt. North York Militia & unknown mother, when christened on 28/4/1783 at Richmond, near Leyburn, Yorkshire, England] Sentenced: 31/07/1812 at the City of York Summer Assize [see trial record] to death but commuted to transportation for 7 years [also with Sarah FLINTOFF] 1813 – City of York and County of the same city, to take their Trials at the Assizes and General Gaol Delivery, holden for the said city and County of the same, on Saturday the Thirty-first day of July, 1813, before the Honorable Sir ALAN CHAMBRE, Knight, one of the Justices of his Majesty's Court of Common Pleas, at Westminster, and the Honorable Sir GEORGE WOOD, Knight, one of the Barons of the court of our Lord the King, of his Court of Exchequer. GEORGE CRESSEY, and Gentlemen, Sheriffs. JOSEPH AGAR, Prisoners' names Justices' Names 2. (Aged 43) SARAH FLINTOFT, and ) committed the 10th day of July, 1813, 3.(Aged 30) ESTHER BLAYDES, ) upon the oaths of Mary Wright, Betsey Chippendale, and others, with having, on Thursday and Friday last at the parish of St. Trinity, Micklegate, in the said city, feloniously coloured with a wash, producing the colour of silver, several pieces of base metal, of a fit size and figure to resemble the current silver coin of this Realm, called sixpences, contrary to the Statute in that case made and provided.” (Source: Photocopy from Lord Chancellor's Department, London, Margaret Lyall has original) Crime: Coin forgery. Aged 30 on 31st July 1813 at Westminister. "upon the oaths of Mary Wright Betsy Chippendale and others, with having, on Thursday & Friday last at the parish of St Trinity Mickelgate, in the said city, feloniously coloured with a wash, producing the colour of silver, several pieces of base metal, of a fit size and figure to resemble the current silver coin of this Realm, called sixpences, contrary to the statute in that case made & provided." (Source: Margaret Lyall) Previous Occupation: Servant Age on Convict Indent: 32 Ticket of Leave 904; Certificate of Freedom 2514 (indent) 1814 Muster: Ester (sic) BLADES, Broxbornebury, con, off stores, to G Johnston Esq. Sydney (7072) [Also sent here to work was another Broxbornebury convict, Margaret GORDON] 1817, 7 & 8 July – Esther Blades, convict, sought permission to marry Joseph Harris (c1787-?), prisoner per Ad. Gambier 2 (1811), in Sydney by Rev Cowper. (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Letters Sent Reel 6005; 4/3496 pp232-3) 1817 - Esther Blades, widow, married Joseph Harris on 1 Aug 1817 at St Philips C of E Sydney. (Joseph Harris, aged 30, Bachelor, Abode: Sydney, Labourer, Signed X; & Esther Blades, aged 30, Widow, Abode: Sydney, Signed; married 30 Jul 1817, registered St Philips Church of England Sydney by Banns by William Cowper, Assistant Chaplain; Witness: John Barrett, Signed X; Witness: Henrietta Macklin, Signed X. Source: St Philip's Church of England, Sydney NSW: Church Register - Marriages; ML ref: Reel SAG 90 & V1817-2071-3A) Children of Esther & Joseph Harris – • Esther HARRIS born 1815 Sydney (V1815-4204-1B), lodging in Sydney in 1828 aged 14 [nothing further confirmed]. [marr? Joseph Whitehouse…Charles Hearn marr George Rose at Goulburn in 1843], died c1884 Forbes (as Esther Rose) • Joseph HARRIS jnr. bc1818 Sydney (V1818-4355-1B)[nothing further known, believed died as a baby], died ? • Cuthbert Joseph HARRIS born 1821 Sydney (V1821-373-8)[on 1822 Muster called Joseph], marr 1) 1849 Sophia Sergeant Camden district and 2) c1852? Lavinia Gott [this marr not found], died Wentworth c1897 • James Medley HARRIS born 1824 Sydney (V1824-6743-1B), marr 1852 Sydney to Mary Gillespie, died ? 1818, 5 Jan. – Petition for Joseph Harris, from Mr Johnston, to the Gov. He said that there was already a petition at Govt. House signed by Mr Cowper & Dr Wentworth. Harris has been employed by Johnston for 7 years, has a wife & child & soon to be another [“daily in expectation of another”]. Johnston recommended him for government consideration, signed at Annandale. (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Petitions Fiche 3183; 4/1854 p635) 1819 – Joseph Harris petitioned to Macquarie, stating that he was convicted at Southampton [should be Northamptonshire] in 1808, arr Ad. Gambier, sentenced to life, since his arrival 10 years ago has worked for Major Johnston. He now had a TOL & a family [signed by George & David Johnstone – CP written]. (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Petitions Fiche 3091; 4/1837B p149) 1821 – Joseph Harris was a native of Northamptonshire, bc1787, a carpenter, was 5’7½” tall, fair complexion, flaxen hair, blue eyes. He came to Sydney per ship Admiral Gambier (2) on 29 Sep 1811 as a convict & had been tried at Northampton Assize on 6 March 1809, and was given a life sentence. Harris received a Conditional Pardon on 28/11/1821. (Source: SRNSW Copies of Conditional Pardons Registered; Reel Number: 774; Roll 149; Volume Number: 4/4430, p178) 1822 Muster: Hester BLADE (?), Broxbornebury, FBS, 7 years, wife to J Harris, Sydney (A01557) & husband – Joseph HARRIS, CP Admiral Gambier, life, settler, Sydney (A09358) & children – Hesther 7 & Joseph 1, both BC 1823-1825 Muster: Esther BLADES, FS, Broxbornebury, 7 years, wife of Joseph Harris, Sydney (12131) & spouse – Joseph HARRIS, CP, Admiral Gambier, life, employed by Captain Piper, Sydney (24126) & children – Joseph HARRIS, 4, BC, child of Joseph Harpur (?) (24148), Esther HARRIS, 10, BC, child of Joseph Harpur (?) (24149) 1824, 4 Oct. – Memorial of Joseph, married, his wife was also free & they had 3 (?) children. He had known about farming since birth & would like some land, [signed by Will. Cowper]. (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Memorial Fiche 3091; 4/1837B p635) 1825, 6 June - Gov. wrote to Rev Cowper & John Piper (as they had recommended Joseph’s petition), to ask if they knew if Joseph would reside on the land if the government gave him any? (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Letters Sent Reel 6014; 4/3514 p439) 1825, 10 Aug.– Joseph Harris per ship Admiral Gambier. Letter to Col Sec from William Cowper, apologizing for lateness of his reply. He stated that Joseph had a wife & 2 or 3 children, had worked as a servant for the late Col. Johnstone and “he is likely to settle upon and work the land which may be granted to him.” (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Reel 6064; 4/1787 p.80) 1825, 20 Aug.– Joseph Harris was on list of persons who have received orders for grants of land (50 acres) (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Fiche 3266; 9/2652 p.92) 1828 Census: Hesther (sic) HARRIS, 14, BC, prot, servant, lodges with Margaret Rogers, King St Sydney (H0504). No record found for Esther’s parents or her brothers. 1828, 22 July– Joseph Harris made an application to admit his 2 sons James (aged 4) & Cuthbert Joseph (aged 6) to the Male Orphan School. They were put there after their mother’s death [not found in NSW BDM records] & Joseph said that he had to find work in the country, splitting wood & there was no protection for the children. (Source: SRNSW Male Orphan School Records, Reel 2776, NRS 783 [1], pp257-60) 1829, 6 April– Joseph Harris made an application to remove his 2 sons from the Male Orphan School. Harris said that although he was unemployed, he had a friend that would take the boys & give them schooling & a good trade. (Source: SRNSW Male Orphan School Records, Reel 2776, NRS 783 [1], pp461-2) 1876 - Joseph Harris aged 88 died Carcoar in 1876. (1876/5615) [This death is not confirmed & only a possibility] Notes for William Blades, son of Esther & Richard Blades: BC: 1803 Richmond, Yorkshire 1824 – William Blades married Sarah nee Weatherhead at Middleton Tyas, Yorkshire 1837 – His wife Sarah nee Weatherhead died in Richmond, Yorkshire 1841 UK Census: Aged 38, living Tower St., Richmond, Yorkshire, head of the household, occupation, tailor, also living there are his children Sarah, William, Thomas & Ruth 1851 UK Census: Living Tower St., Richmond, Yorkshire, widower, head of the household, occupation, master tailor, also living there are his unmarried daughters Sarah & Ruth & sons Thomas (a painter) & George, also a lodger Henry Embleton 1861 UK Census: Living Tower St., Richmond, Yorkshire, widower, head of the household, occupation, tailor, also living there was his married daughter Sarah Embleton, her husband & children 1871 UK Census: Aged 68, living Tower St., Richmond, Yorkshire, widower, head of the household, occupation, retired tailor, also living there was his grandson Edwin Embleton, aged 15, a painters apprentice 1871 – William Blades died in Richmond, Yorkshire & was buried in the St Mary the Virgin graveyard at Richmond and his headstone records: “Porter of Richmond Castle”. Notes from the book “Journey to a New Life…” the story of the ships Emu & Broxbornebury by Elizabeth Hook (3rd ed. 2014). I am the author & can be contacted on tbeth3370@gmail.com for further info

53

Beth Taylor on 4th August 2019

Together with Sarah Flintoff, Esther appeared before the York Assize in 1813, charged with coin forgery. It was alleged by witnesses that the two women in “the parish of St Trinity Mickelgate, in the said city, feloniously coloured with a wash, producing the colour of silver, several pieces of base metal, of a fit size and figure to resemble the current silver coin of this Realm, called sixpences, contrary to the statute in that case made & provided”. Sarah, aged 43 and Esther aged 30, were found guilty and sentenced originally to death but this was commuted to transportation for 7 years. They were both sent to New South Wales on the ship Broxbornebury.