Richard Broadbeer

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Maureen Withey on 18th November 2019

Richard Broadbear was one of three prisoners convicted at Cornwall Assizes and sentenced to Death. He was respited. At Cornwall: Three prisoners received sentence of death, viz. William Kofkilly, for a burglary Richard Broadbear, for dealing a silver watch, and Thomas Littlcjohn, for horse-stealing. The two last were reprieved. Chester Courant, 21 April 1801. Thomas Littlejohn was on the same ship.

2

ANNETTE HAMILTON on 18th November 2019

I would like to know whty he was given life in C0rnwell,

54

Phil Hands on 21st August 2017

Richard was tried and convicted at the Cornwall Assizes on 21st March 1810, sentenced to transportation for life. Left England on 23rd September 1802. Ship:- the 'Glatton' sailed with 271 male and 130 female convicts on board of which 9 males and 5 females died during the voyage. Arrived on 11th March 1803. Ships indent records him as; 5 feet 8 and a half inches tall, fair pale complexion, sandy hair, light blue eyes, high cheek bones. Richard married convict Mary Steidler ('William Pitt' 1806) in 1822 at Parramatta, they had 4 children between 1808-1817. Richard was employed with his wife Mary as servants at the Female Orphan School at Parramatta. In 1825 the Orphan Schools came under the control of the Clergy and School Lands Corporation. The Rev. Walker approached the Colonial Secretary Major Goulburn for permission to hire staff. He claimed that there was no domestic staff at the School, and his wife was unable to provide care for over 100 children without assistance. Walker proposed that a married couple of ex-convicts named Richard and Mary Broadbear, be appointed to the School. Goulburn was agreeable to provide rations for the Broadbears, but no order was made for wages. The couple agreed to accept £25 per annum when Walker explained that he could only afford to pay that amount out of his 'own pocket'. Richard worked as a labourer, and 'he was employed in cutting wood, drawing water, in the Gardens, looking after cows and horses and other work necessary to such an Institution', whilst Mrs Broadbear assisted in the School as housekeeper and nurse. According to the Rev. Walker some of the girls who had suffered with 'sore heads' had been cured. Mrs Broadbear had made clothes for the children, and these improvements had been noted by Goulburn. As a result of this visit it was decided that Walker should not have to pay the Broadbears' wages out of his own pocket. The government initially paid the first quarter of the agreed salary of £25 per annum, and the couple were to receive later payments at the rate of £30 per annum. Mary died in 1828 at Parramatta aged 48. Richard died in 1858 at Liverpool aged 93.