James Blanch

343

Maureen Withey on 17th March 2023

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 17 March 2023), February 1814, trial of JAMES BLANCH JOHN BRENNAN (t18140216-25). JAMES BLANCH, JOHN BRENNAN, Theft > grand larceny, 16th February 1814. 211. JAMES BLANCH and JOHN BRENNAN were indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 20th of January , ten yards of Russia duck, value 30 s. the property of our Lord the King . SECOND COUNT, for like offence, stating it to be the property of George Hall . And TWO OTHER COUNTS, stating it to be the property of other persons. GEORGE HALL . I am master of the ship the Lord Harlington, from St. Petersburgh to London. I brought a general cargo, among other things Russia linen. My vessel laid in the London Docks for being unladen. The two prisoners were Custom-house officers stationed on board my ship. Q. About what time was your cargo delivered - A. She was cleared the 9th of this month, and in the course of delivering the goods I was two pieces of Russia duck deficient. The bale was opened for the purpose of getting it out of the place; it was stationed in my state-room; it was too large to get it out whole, therefore they took it out by pieces, and on my finding that I was two pieces of Russia linen deficient I mentioned it to Blanch. JOSEPH BECKWITH . I am an apprentice on board the Lord Harlington. Q. Were you in the docks in that ship in the month of January - A. Yes. On Tuesday the 18th, Luke Rochford was clearing the forecastle, I saw the two pieces of Russia duck in the shot locker; this bag was underneath the two pieces of Russia linen in the shot locker. About eleven o'clock in the forenoon I saw it again in the same place in the shot locker. Q. What time was it you saw it first - A. A little after breakfast, and I saw it again between three and four in the afternoon in the same place. I saw part of it in the same place; part was gone; about half a piece apparently was gone. Q.When was it you saw a half piece - A. On the 19th, the next day. I perceived a piece and a half was left, and that half a piece was gone. On Wednesday I saw the other half piece underneath the bed cabin. It was about one o'clock I saw it underneath the bed cabin. I first saw a piece and a half, the next day I saw the half piece. Q.About what o'clock did you see the half piece - A. About one o'clock I saw the half piece underneath the bed cabin in the forecastle; that was a few yards from the shot locker. On Wednesday I mentioned it to Blanch; the other prisoner was on shore. I told him on Tuesday I saw the two pieces underneath the shot locker, that it had been removed. Blanch said Brennan was on shore; we should tell him of it; he added that it would be better to tell the captain, and we should not be blamed, and then they would make a seizure of it. He said there were two boys who had run away, it might be imputed to them, and they would be transported for it. Wewaited till Brennan came on board; Brennan came about twelve o'clock; then Brennan sent a man to call me in the cabin; I went into the cabin; I found the two prisoners in the cabin. Brennan said they would take the two pieces of Russia linen; they would give me a few shillings out of it, and they would do the best they could with it. Q. How soon afterwards did you miss the Russia duck out of the place where you saw it - A. Directly after this conversation I went to the place where I had seen it, and found it was missing. GEORGE NORTH . I am mate of the Lord Harlington. I was informed where the Russia duck was; I was directed by the Captain to watch who should take it away from that place; for the purpose of seeing that, I placed myself close to the bulk head, forward; I then commanded a view of the sleeping place of the two prisoners; they were in bed at the time I was stationed there. I saw Brennan get out bed. I saw one of the prisoners take the Russia duck from under the bed cabin; he placed it in the clew of his hammock. The other was by at the time. Then Brennan got on his back; he was partly dressed. I cannot say which of them laid it on his back; they were both together. Blanch tied his breeches with rope yarn; the waistband would not meet. Q. Then the Russia duck was in the waistband of his breeches - A. Yes. I then went on deck, and sent for a police officer; the officer came, and found the duck on his person. Mr. Alley. Smuggling is done as secret as possible - A. Yes. MR. CLARK. I am a Thames police constable. The captain came for me. I took this piece of Russia duck from Brannan's back; it was fastened round his waistband with rope yarn. This is the half piece I took from his back; the other has not been found. When I found it upon Brennan he said it was the first thing he had done ever since he had been in the employ. Q. to Captain Hall. Was that the Russia duck that was on board your vessel - A. Yes; it is ten yards. Blanch's Defence. This piece of Russia linen the two boys that run away from the ship, they said they bought it in Russia; they asked us to buy it; we gave them twelve shillings for it. Brennan said nothing in his defence. Brennan called five witnesses, who gave him a good character. BLANCH, GUILTY , aged 29. BRENNAN, GUILTY, aged 32. Transported for Seven Years . Second Middlesex jury, before Mr. Common Serjeant.

343

Maureen Withey on 17th March 2023

Colonial Secretary Index. BLANCH, John (Per "Fanny", 1816) see BLANCH, James. BLANCH, James. Per "Fanny", 1816; mathematical instrument maker of George Street, Sydney. 1822 Feb 15 On list of persons receiving an assigned convict (Fiche 3290; 4/4570D p.61) 1822 Mar 31-1823 Sep 30 On lists of persons to whom convict mechanics have been assigned (Fiche 3296; X53 pp.1, 13, 25, 40, 55, 71) 1823 Jan 28 Paid from the Colonial Fund for repairs of compasses at the Dockyard (Reel 6039; 4/424 p.126) 1823 Jul 3 Brass founder of George Street. Richard Trinder cites him as coming on the same ship; appears as John (Fiche 3236; 4/1870 p.82a) 1823 Oct Re payment for repairs to locks & copper for the Male Orphan Institution (Reel 6021; 4/7079 p.229) 1824 Paid from the Colonial Fund for repairing mathematical instruments in the Surveyor General's Department (Reel 6039; 4/424 p.416) 1824 Mar 23 Memorial (Fiche 3078; 4/1836A No.71a pp.347-52). Replies, 3, 26 May (Reel 6013; 4/3511 pp.88, 309) 1824 c.Apr On list of defaulters in payment for assigned convict mechanics for the quarters ending 31 Dec 1823 and 31 Mar 1824 (Reel 6061; 4/1778 p.265a) 1824 c.Jul On account of rents received for assigned convict tradesmen for the three quarters ending 30 Jun 1824 (Reel 6061; 4/1779 p.173a) 1824 Jul 8 On list of persons receiving an assigned convict (Fiche 3290; 4/4570D p.3) 1825 Jun 30 Order on the Colonial Treasurer for sundries for Government (Reel 6070; 4/6037 p.34) 1825 Jul 7 Re Treasury Order drawn in favour of (Reel 6063; 4/1784 p.167) -------------------------------------------------- BLANCH, Sarah. Came free per "Brixton", 1821 1824 Mar 23 Memorial of her husband, James Blanch (Fiche 3078; 4/1836A No.71a pp.347-52) -------------------------------------------------- JAMES BLANCH, Mathematical and Philsophical Instrument Maker, Brass and Iron Founder, Brazier, Coppersmith, and General Worker in Metals, No. 71, George-street, Sydney, has always for Sale, brass and plated harness furniture; parlour and chamber candle-sticks; copper boilers and tea-kettles; brass cocks, all sixes; table, ship, and farm bells, of any dimensions, locks and hinges of every description; beams, scales and weights; wire fenders; handsome brass fire irons, fire guards; tin work of every description; cast iron cart boxes, of every size; patent or common chaise boxes; brass or cast iron mill-work, of any weight to pattern, &c. &c. &c. N. B. Sextants, Quandrants, Ships' Compasses, telescopes, and other Nautical Instruments repaired and accurately adjusted. Ivory and Wood Rules made in order. Umbrellas, Parasols, and Musical Instruments repaired. Country, and other Orders, will be thankfully received, and completed with punctuality. An Apprentice wanted, and a premium will be expected Sydney Gazette, 22 Nov 1822. -------------------------------------------------- NSW 1828 Census index. James Blanch, age 44, F.S. Fanny 1816, & years, protestant, Mathematical Instrument Maker, George St, Sydney. Sarah Blanch, age 37, Brixton, 1821, protestant. Maria Blanch, age 6, B.C. James Blanch, age 5, B.C. Sarah Blanch, jun, age 4, B.C. Joseph Blanch, age 19, C.F. Louisa, 1826. ------------------------------------------------------ A NOVEL BOAT.—A very ingenious invention was exhibited on Friday last in Darling Harbour, being a boat that is propelled by paddles instead of oars, on the same principle as the wheels of steam-vessels. She was built under the instructions of Mr. James Blanch, of George-street, by Mr. Jones, the boat-builder. Friday was the day fixed for the first trial. She started from Mr. Jones's wharf, and went several times to and fro in the presence of a number of boat-builders, who were highly satisfied with the excellence of the workmanship and the steadiness and rapidity of her motion. Though only two men are required to work her, and the operation is perfectly easy, yet she glides through the water in the finest stile imaginable, full as swift as a six-oar boat. As a means of conveyance between the metropolis and Parramatta, this sort of vessel would be highly advantageous, combining economy of labour with celerity of movement. Mr. Blanch deserves great praise for so spirited an effort to advance the internal marine of the Colony, and we trust his labours will be amply rewarded. Sydney Gazette, 28 Sep 1830. -------------------------------------------------- RETURN OF ALL CONVICTS ASSIGNED BETWEEN THE 1st DAY OF JANUARY AND THE 31ST DAY OF MARCH, 1832. ELWELL SAMUEL, Surry (4), brassfounder, to James Blanch, Sydney. Grigs Henry, Florentia, tinman, to James Blanch, Sydney. New South Wales Govt. Gazette, 20 Jun 1832. RETURN OF ALL MALE CONVICTS ASSIGNED Between the 1st and 28th February, 1833. Horton John, Camden (2), scale beam maker, to James Blanch, Sydney. Kavanagh Michael, Roslyn Castle (2), tinman, to James Blanch, Sydney. -------------------------------------------------- Advertisement in Bent’s News, 11 May 1839. James Blanch BEGS leave to inform his Friends and the Public, that he has now on Sale the following Articles, and which he can recommend as being of the very best description: Iron Bedsteads, single and double, Ship's Cab houses, various patterns, Parlour Stoves, of all sizes, Cottage Stoves, various patterns, Tobacco Screws, Single and Double-purchase Crabbs Kitchen Ranges with Ovens and Boilers, Large Beams, with scales, hooks, and chains complete, One pair of 2-feet 4-inches superior French Burr Mill-stones, Mill Bills. One Hydraulic Press Iron and Brass Castings executed to pattern on the shortest notice, and all kinds of Smith's work. Every description of Mathematical Instruments repaired and accurately adjusted. Next door to the Royal Hotel, 71, George street. April 13, 1839. Death. Wednesday last, about nine o'clock, Mr. James Blanch, Ironmonger, aged 57. The Temperance Advocate, Wed 3 Nov 1841. -------------------------------------------------- Marriage of his daughter: MARRIED. On Wednesday, the 28th instant, at St. James's Church, by the Rev. R. Allwood, Mr. Robert Porter, of George-street, Sydney, to Sarah, youngest daughter of the late Mr. James Blanch, and ward of Reuben Uther, Esq., of Surry Hills. Australasian Chronicle, 31 Dec 1842. --------------------------------------------------- DIED, On Saturday, 6th instant, Mrs. Sarah Blanch, of Kissing Point, relict of the late James Blanch, Esq., of George-street, aged 63 years. FUNERAL.—The friends of the late Mrs. Sarah Blanch, late relict of Mr. Blanch, Ironmonger, George-street, Sydney, are most respectfully requested to attend her funeral, which will take place This Morning, Monday, 8th December. The procession will move from her late residence, nearly opposite Mr. Robinson's cedar yard, Sussex-street, at 8 o'clock precisely. JOHN HILL, Jun., Undertaker. Sydney Morning Herald, 8 Dec 1851.

21

Jan Addison on 22nd March 2013

Baptism St. Annes Soho 16/02/1785. Date of birth 17/11/1784. James son of James and Jane Blanch

21

Jan Addison on 22nd March 2013

At the time of his arrest James was a Customs house officer. Later in Australia he worked as a brass founder and mechanical instrument maker. In 1833 as required by a recent act of Parliament he manufactured the first sets of weights and measures. Ref. http://members.optusnet.com.au/jph8524/JHjames_blanch.htm

4

Brian Elliott on 18th February 2013

Granted Ticket of Leave February 1821.