Summary
Personal Information
Transportation
Joseph Brittain was transported on the Nile, departing 18th Sep 1857 and arriving 1st Jan 1858 with 271 passengers.
Nile (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 93, Class and Piece Number HO11/18, Page Number 243 (123). --00--Chipulina, Neville (2013). “1842 - The 'Gib' Convicts - Skipper Figallo and the Fandangillo”, available at https://gibraltar-intro.blogspot.com/2013/08/1842-gib-convicts-figallo-and.html --00--Edgar, W. (Bill). (2018). “The precarious voyage of her majesty’s convict ship ‘Nile’ to the Swan River colony, late 1857 – and the unexpected aftermath.” The Great Circle, 40(1), 20–43. |
| Source Description | This record is one of the entries in the British convict transportation registers 1787-1867 database compiled by State Library of Queensland from British Home Office (HO) records which are available on microfilm as part of the Australian Joint Copying Pro |
| Original Source | Great Britain. Home Office |
| Compiled By | State Library of Queensland |
| Database Source | British convict transportation registers 1787-1867 database |
Claims
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Convict Notes
Newspaper reporting of their trial: Of the original six arrested, five were tried and one man -- William Powell -- turned approver (he gave evidence for the Crown in return for his freedom). The following is a compilation from various newspapers, published between 28 January and 6 April, 1850 (https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/): WESTERN CIRCUIT – Taunton. Dispersion of a Desperate Gang Highwaymen. -- (Before Mr. Justice Erie, on Tuesday.) Joseph Brittain, 36, William Gunning, 25, Samuel Bryant, 21, John Rogers, 24, and Samuel Rogers, 26, were indicted for having committed three highway robberies. The first was committed on the person of Mr. Joseph Wyatt, of Coldharbour farm, of Wick and Abson, while returning from Bath market on the night of the 9th instant; he was attacked near Lansdowne, and robbed of his watch and all he had about him; the highwaymen also cut his bridle reins and stirrups, to prevent his pursuing them. The next victim, Mr. Daniel Wilkins, of the Bell Inn, Chelwood, Somerset, was waylaid by five men at the bottom of Knowle-hill, who robbed him and then made off in the direction of Keynsham. About an hour later the same evening the third victim, Mr. Richard Barrow, a black-smith and farrier, who carries on business at Keynsham, was stopped, and although he resisted till he was nearly throttled, the blood gushing from his month and nostrils, he was robbed of £5. By the exertions of police-sergeant Hasell No. 60, we are happy to say five of the gang named Samuel Bryant, William Powell, William Gunning, Samuel Rogers, and John Rogers have been apprehended. One of them, we are informed, has turned approver and some bludgeons have been found by the police at a spot indicated by him. The prisoners were examined on Saturday [26 January] and remanded and it is stated that a great number of cases will be brought home to them. Subsequently to their apprehension another man, named Joseph Brittan [sic], has been taken into custody, and also the keeper of a beershop in the vicinity of Hanham, named Eli Tremlett, at whose house the police have received information, the gang used to meet. [Eli Tremlett was not prosecuted.] --00--
TRIAL: 2 April, 1850: At the Somerset Assizes, held at Taunton Castle, commencing on 30 March, Joseph Brittain and four others were tried for "robbery together". On April 2, all were convicted and sentenced to varying terms of transportation, as below: Joseph Brittain, 36, 20 years' transportation William Gunning, 25, transportation for life Samuel Bryant, 21, transportation for life John Rogers, 24, 20 years' transportation Samuel Rogers, 26, 15 years' transportation (England & Wales, Criminal Registers, 1791-1892; England; Somerset; 1850). --0--
Newspaper report of the committal: Thursday, 31 January, 1850: From the “Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette”, p3: “The late Robbery on Lansdown.— On Saturday last [26 January], the examination the six men charged with robbing Mr. Wyatt, of Wick and Abson, on Lansdown, was completed, and the whole of the prisoners were committed for trial.” (https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/) --0--
COMMITTAL: 26 January, 1850: At Beaminster, Somerset, Joseph Brittain was one of six men committed to stand trial. --0--