Stephen Blake

71

Robin Sharkey on 10th April 2017

Stephen Blake was transported on “Boyd” departing December 1808 and arriving in NSW in August 1809 Belfast Newsletter 1738-1938, Friday, March 18, 1808; Page: 4 CLONMEL assizes on 9 March 1808 Stephen Blake found guilty of stealing bridles and saddles from Mr Shaw, to be transported seven years. Muster February 1811 – convict, Sydney 1814 Muster – assigned to Dr Townson at Liverpool 1816 Land Grants *16 January 1816 – Of Liverpool. On list of land grants. Recommended by Thomas Moore Esq. 30 acres. *1816 Land Records – VDL Description Book Stephen Blake of Liverpool. 30 acres ordered by Macquarie “NOT Granted” MARRIAGE 4 August 1817 – permission to marry Susannah Austin aged 30 per “Alexander”, In the Factory NOTE However that Susannah's ship cannot be correct. 'Alexander' was in the First Fleet in 1788. It is probably Susannah Austin per "AEOLUS" in 1809 and she was tried at Norwich in England. She was recorded in 1814 muster has having one child, living with Joseph Harcourt. This child does not appear to live in the family after her marriage. Sydney Gazette Sat 21 July 1821 p 3 LOST, between Littleham and Macquarie Farms, about the 27th June, a small Black Leather Case, containing FOUR NOTES of HAND, for £16 3s. each, drawn by Stephen Blake, in favour of Matthew Dwyer. Whoever will bring the above to Mr. Wilford, Clarence-street, Sydney, will receive £1 reward. - Payment is stopped. in 1822 Stephen lived at Molles Main. Was the lease resident of 50 acres. There was 30 acres of wheat, 2 acres of main and 1 acre of potatoes + 28 hogs FAMILY: Wife, and children: Henry age 5, Ann age 3, James age 1. ASSIGNED CONVICTS in the 1820’s: In 1822 his convicts were: *Robert Oliver, per Minerva, Convict (Life) *Matthew Delaney, per Minerva, Convict (Life) *John McEvoy per Guildford (7 yrs) TL 9 Jan 1823 – of Minto, on list of persons receiving an assigned convict – William Cogan of Mangles 1825 Muster Stephen Blake, per boyd, Free by Serv, Landholder, Minto Wife, and children: *Henry is not listed *Ann Blake age 8, BC, Minto *James Blake age 3 *Mary Blake age 3, BC, Minto Convicts were: • Samuel Tapston per Ann (Life) T/L • Redmond Talent per Medina 1823, Convict, 7 years • John Moriarty per Brampton 1823 Convict, 7 yrs 1825 – FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES: A creditor of Stephen Blake’s – Matthew Dwyer – someone he obviously did business with regularly (see lost note in 1821) must have obtained an order that Blake pay 20 shillings in the pound. However Blake did not pay this and Dwyer must have threatened insolvency. So: Sydney Gazette Thurs 29 Sept 1825. P.1 Blake advertised a meeting of his creditors (plaintiff being Matthew Dwyer) at 10am on Monday 10th October in the Court where he would show a statement of his Estate, Debts and Effects and if it appeared to the satisfaction of the judge that he was UNABLE to pay 20 shillings in the pound to his creditors then it would be UNLAWFUL to declare him insolvent. But in the event of him being declared insolvent, then he sought one of his creditors to be appointed as his trustee to receive in all his estates. Perhaps it was this financial crisis that triggered the family going out to the Lachlan Valley where they were recorded as residing in 1828 Census. Stephen was a labourer there, perhaps trying to get some income together. 1828 CENSUS. Stephen Blake had two 1828 entries. *Stephen Blake “Age 70” Catholic. Tenant. Lower Minto Per Boyd 1809 Free by Serv, * There was a complete other set of returns for the family which stated that were each Catholic, Residing at the Lachlan Valley, but the return district was Lower Minto: *Stephen Blake “Age 60” Catholic. Per Boyd 7 yrs. Free. LABOURER. *wife Susan Blake age 35, Catholic per Alexander 1816. 7 yrs Free by Serv. * Children all recorded as BC: Henry age 12, Anne age 9, James age 6, Mary age 4, In 1829 Stephen was again farming at Lower Minto. Patrick Byrne attempted to burn his wheat stack and was charged with arson but was acquitted because there was no evidence of anything actually being destroyed. The Australian 22 May 1829, page 3 "..... Prosecutor, who rents land, and keeps a small farm at Lower Minto, deposed that about eight o'clock on the above mentioned evening, he happened to be out with his wife; they returned together at about eight or nine o'clock, and saw a man drop a fire-stick near prosecutor's stack. Prosecutor called out fire, fire, upon which his wife ran into the house, and procured water to quench the fire, and prosecutor pursuing the man with the fire-brand, he was finally taken prisoner. The brand had burnt nothing. This testimony was corroborated by the prosecutor's wife. ...."