Hannah Brown

53

Beth Taylor on 3rd February 2026

TIMELINE NOTES: BC: 1796 [from TOL] Sentenced: 14/07/1813 Middlesex [see trial record below, also with Sarah DERRING] to death, commuted to transportation for life Crime: Stealing Previous Occupation: Silk weaver Age on Convict Indent: 25 1813 – Trial #1 HANNAH BROWN, SARAH DEERING, Theft > pocketpicking, 14th July 1813. 715. HANNAH BROWN and SARAH DEERING were indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 5th of July, four yards of muslin, value 24 s. the property of Thomas Sonby, privately in his shop. THOMAS SONBY. Q. I believe you did not know the prisoner until the officers took them; after they had taken them was there any muslin produced to you - A. Yes, which was my property. THOMAS WHITLOW. I am shopman to Mr. Sonby. On Monday the 5th of July, about two o'clock, the prisoners came into Mr. Sonby's shop; they asked for Japan muslin; I shewed them some sprigged muslin; they said it was too dear. They did not buy any. They went away. Q. Did you miss any thing - A. I did not. About five o'clock, Read, the officer, came; he produced some muslin. I knew it belonged to my master. I sent for Mr. Sonby from the next door immediately. I had seen the piece of muslin in the shop three hours before the prisoners came in. Q. to Prosecutor. The piece of muslin that was brought back by Read, was it yours - A. Yes, it was. I had seen it the evening before. My house is in the parish of St. Andrew's, Holborn. WILLIAM READ. I am an officer. I took the prisoners into custody. This piece of sprigged muslin I found in the bundle that was delivered up to me by Mr. Bennett, where they had committed another robbery, in the city. Mr. Bennett, when he delivered it up to me, said they dropped it. This is the muslin that I shewed to Mr. Sonby. MR. BENNETT. I am a linen-draper. The prisoners came into my shop, both of them, on the 5th of July, about four o'clock; they asked me for some muslins; I shewed them some; they purchased a quarter of a yard of muslin. Soon after the prisoners were gone I was called down; there was a shawl missing. I overtook the prisoners about three hundred, yards from my shop; I brought them back again. Hannah Brown dropped from under her shawl a bundle; she dropped it on my foot just as I got them back again. This is the bundle that she dropped. I sent for an officer immediately. Prosecutor. This piece of sprigged muslin I can positively say is my property, by the private mark, and by the peculiar pattern. It is worth about twenty-four shillings. Brown's Defence. It was given me. The other prisoner is innocent of it. Deering's Defence. I am as innocent of it as the child in my arms. I always worked hard for my living. Deering called four witnesses, who gave her a good character. BROWN, GUILTY - DEATH, aged 20. DEERING, NOT GUILTY. [ The prisoner, Brown, was recommended to mercy by the Jury, on account of the smallness of the property.] Second Middlesex jury, before Mr. Justice Gibbs. Trial #2 HANNAH BROWN, SARAH DEERING, Theft > grand larceny, Theft > grand larceny, 14th July 1813. 721. HANNAH BROWN and SARAH DEERING were indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 5th of July, a shawl, value 4 s. the property of John Bennett. JOHN BENNETT. I am a linen-draper, Lower Holborn. On the 5th of July the two prisoner's came together to my shop, they asked to look at some sprigged muslin; my wife served them. Q. Were you by at the time - A. No, I was not; nothing was missed until after the prisoners went out; in about two minutes after they were gone a shawl was said to be missing, that was on a stool in the shop. I had seen it not ten minutes before the prisoners came in. I followed the prisoners, and asked them to walk back with me; they came back; I charged them with having taken a shawl, and as soon as they came into the shop Hannah Brown dropped a bundle from under her shawl, as soon as she entered the shop. I picked up the bundle and gave her in charge of a constable. The shawl was in that bundle; it lay on the top of every thing else. The stool was by the other counter, not the counter where my wife was serving. Nothing was found on the other prisoner. The shawl is worth four shillings. WILLIAM READ. The prisoners were delivered to me, and the shawl. This is the shawl. Prosecutor. I know it is my shawl BROWN, GUILTY, aged 20. DEERING, NOT GUILTY. London jury, before Mr. Common Serjeant. Trial #3 HANNAH BROWN, SARAH DEERING, Theft > grand larceny, Theft > grand larceny, 14th July 1813. 722. HANNAH BROWN and SARAH DEERING were indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 5th of July, a yard of lace, value 4 s. 3 d. the property of Henry Gray. HENRY GRAY. I am a laceman, 22, Lower Holborn. On the 5th of July, the two prisoners came into my shop together; one of them asked to look at some lace; my lad attended them. I did not miss the lace until Read, from Hatton Garden office, brought the lace. I saw both of them look at the lace; they were close to each other; they were in the shop about ten minutes; they bought nothing. It was between six and seven when Read brought the lace; I knew it to mine by the marks; I know I never sold it, and I am quite certain the prisoners bought nothing at my shop; I never saw them before. The lace has never been in wear; it is worth four shillings and three-pence. I am certain it is my lace; there are figures on it the hand writing of my servant. WILLIAM READ. I was sent for to take charge of this woman and the bundle; directly I untied the bundle the lace was on the top; I asked them how they came by the bundle; Brown said in the hearing of Deering, it was given to them. Q. What did the bundle contain - A. A piece of muslin, and articles of haberdashery; they were not articles that had ever been in wear. Brown's Defence. The bundle was given to me by a person that ran away from me. The person at the bar is innocent of every thing as a child unborn. Deering's Defence. I know nothing at all about it; I am innocent. BROWN, GUILTY, aged 20. DEERING, GUILTY, aged 22. Transported for Seven Years. London jury, before Mr. Common Serjeant. (Source: Old Bailey on-line http://www.oldbaileyonline.org ) Ticket of Leave 2419 (indent) 1814 Muster: Hannah BROWN, Brox, con, on stores, FF, Parra (3267) 1817, 10 Jan. – Hannah Brown is on a list of prisoners sent to Newcastle on the ship Lady Nelson, after being tried by Mr Wentworth on 9 June 1817 (?) to 3 years. (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Letters Sent Reel 6005; 4/3495 p178) 1819 – There is some evidence (on www.Ancestry.com.au ) that Hannah had a relationship with Thomas Messling/Mazlin (1790-1847) & had a child Thomas born at Newcastle in 1819. Thomas jnr died in 1894 as surname MAZLIN, parents unknown. Possible mention in 1823-25 Muster…child Thomas Brown, aged 6, son of H. Brown, Sydney 1821 – Isaac Gadman per ship Baring was a stonemason. On list of all persons victualled from H.M. Magazines. (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Reel 6016; 4/5781 p.70) 1822 Muster: No record found for Hannah. Isaac Gadman, TL, Baring, life, Housekeeper, Sydney (A07787) 1823-1825 Muster: 1) Hannah BROWN, TL, Brox, 14 years (?), housekeeper, Sydney (13202) 2) Hannah BROWN, TL, Brox, life, employed by Major Druitt, Melville (13564) Isaac GADMAN, TL, Baring 1815, life, stonemason, Sydney (21728) 1826 to 1830 – Isaac GADMAN received a TOL in 1826, 1828 & 1830, & stated he was born 1773, arr per ship Baring, tried at Lancaster QS on 18 Jan. 1815, life term, a native of Manchester, stonecutter, dark ruddy complexion, hair grey, hazel eyes, 5’8” tall. (Source: SRNSW Tickets of Leave) 1827, 15 Feb. – Hannah received a new TOL, “in lieu of No. 3/937 returned mutilated & cancelled”. It stated she had arr per ship Brox in 1814, she had been tried in London on 14 July 1813 with a life term, native of London, a …weaver, born 1796, 5’1¾” tall, with a ruddy complexion, brown hair & grey eyes. (TOL Reel 890, No. 34/2419) 1828 Census: Hannah BROWN, 32, life, Brox, prot, Female Factory inmate, Parra (B2573 or 72?) Isaac GADMAN, TL, Baring 1815, life, prot, aged 50, stonecutter, lodges at Robert Hasketh, Market St. (G0006) 1828, 20 Oct. – “The Tickets of Leave granted to the following persons have been cancelled…Broxbournebury, Hannah Brown, for being drunk in a disorderly house at a late hour of the night.” (Source: Sydney Gazette, 20/10/1828, p1) 1828, 29 Nov. – Isaac Gladman (sic) per ship Baring 4 aged 55, TOL, life term, sought permission to marry Hannah Brown, aged 44, per ship Brox., life term, now bond. Rev. Marsden of Parramatta sent the application. (Source: SRNSW Convict Permission to Marry, Fiche 780, 4/4508) 1830, 15 April - Hannah Brown, per Brox., prisoner, was admitted to Sydney Gaol for “improper conduct” and sent for 3 months to the “3rd Class”. (Source: www.ancestry.com.au Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930; Series: 2514; Item: 4/6432; Roll: 851) [Note: Classification at the Female Factory. Until 1826 women were distinguished as either the Merit Class or the Crime Class. This was refined to a Three class system with First class women eligible for assignment, a Second 'probationary' class and a Third class either on secondary punishment or serving time for offences committed while on assignment. First and Second class women were employed in a range of tasks such as wool picking, cloth scouring, carding, weaving, laundry, oakum picking, needlework, cleaning duties and straw plaiting for which they received a small payment. Third class women were restricted to menial tasks and hard labour such as stone breaking and oakum picking. Source: http://www.parragirls.org.au/female-factory.php ] 1836 – Isaac Gadman per ship Baring received a conditional pardon on 20/12/1836 #605. (Source: SRNSW Convict Registers of Conditional and Absolute Pardons, 1788-1870, Reel 776, 4/4434, p215) NSW BDM: 1) Hannah Brown married Isaac Gadman on 02/02/1829 at St Johns C of E, Parra. (Isaac Gadman, aged 50, Free, arrived per Baring 1, Abode: Sydney, Signed X; & Hannah Brown, aged 32, Bond, arrived per Broxbornebury, Abode: of the parish [Parramatta], Signed X; married 02 Feb 1829, registered St Johns Church of England Parramatta by Banns, with consent of Governor by John Vincent; Witness: Isaac Howarth, of Parramatta, Signed X; Witness: Ann Robinson, of Parramatta, Signed X. Source: St John's Church of England, Parramatta NSW: Church Register - Marriages; ML ref: Reel SAG 55-56 & V1819-2458-3A) [No children born to the couple] 2) Hannan (sic) Gadman aged 40 died 1835 buried Sydney CofE (V1835-2114-19) 3) Hannah Brown per Broxbornebury, died 09/03/1835, Sydney, Coroner's Inquest, not in BDM Index (Source: SRNSW Convict Death Register, Reel 690, 4/4549, p14) [Note: Hannah CADMAN died in 1835. “CORONER'S INQUEST. An inquest was held, on Monday last, at the Printer's Arms, Kent-street, on the body of Hannah Cadman, who died suddenly while returning to her own residence from that of a neighbours, about three o'clock of that day. The deceased had been long struggling with disease. The Jury returned a verdict - Died by the visitation of God.”. Source: Sydney Herald, 12/03/1835, p3. Also - Broxbornebury Convict Indent says she died suddenly on 9 March 1835.] 4) Isaac Gadman aged 70 died 1846 buried Cobbity C of E (V1846-190-31B) Jess’ Girls - SAG:  1814 – Muster  1825 – TL, employed by Major Druitt, Melville  1828 – Census  Reel 1029 – to Newcastle 1817 for 3 years  Reel 890 – TL 34/2419 in 1827  COD 11 – No. 612 – Permission to marry approved to Isaac Gladman (per ship Baring 4 aged 55, life term, holding a TOL) on 29 Nov 1828 at Parramatta by Rev. Marsden  Mutch – m Isaac Gladman 2 Feb 1829 at St Johns Parra [Reg. as Isaac GADMAN] Convict Indents and notes for Isaac GADMAN/GLADMAN: Isaac GADMAN/GLADMAN arr Sydney 07/09/1815 on the ship Baring (1), a convict with a life term for “larceny from the person”, tried Lancaster Quarter Sessions in January 1815. (Source: Indent of Baring (1) & PRO) 1773 – Isaac Gadman was baptized at Eccles, Manchester England to William & Sarah Gadman. Source: www.ancestry.com.au Manchester, England, Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1541-1812 1793 - Isaac Gadman born 1773, aged 20, married Ellin Wyche in 1793 at Eccles, Manchester England. Source: www.ancestry.com.au Manchester, England, Marriages and Banns, 1754-1930 Notes re Major George Druitt George Druitt was born in 1775 and became a professional solider in 1794. He had a distinguished career during the Napoleonic Wars and also the American War of Independence. In 1817, he sailed to Australia on the Matilda with 440 officers and men, some with their families. The soldiers were needed to manage the population in Australia, which was mainly convicts. While on his journey to New South Wales, George met and formed a relationship with Margaret Lynch (his future wife) who had stowed away on the ship to be with one of the other soldiers. Once they arrived in Australia, George and Margaret lived together and had a daughter Judith in 1819, who died as a baby, and two sons, George Joseph in 1820 and Edward in 1821. George and Margaret were married in 1825, eight years after they met. After they were married, they had four more children, Joseph in 1825, Margaret Jane in 1828, Jane Euphemia in 1829 and James Cottingham in 1837. On December 16 1817, he was appointed as Engineer and Artillery Officer and Inspector of Government Public Works, a position which he held for several years. Druitt was responsible for the construction and maintenance of all roads and bridges in the colony. In 1821, Governor Lachlan Macquarie granted Druitt 1000 acres, which was named the Mount Druitt Estate. The 1000 acre grant was selected by Druitt because it had access to water and good soil. By 1822, Druitt's house on his property was completed, the entrance to the homestead was on the western side of the present primary school. In 1825 George Druitt married Margaret Lynch, with whom he had lived for 8 years and had four sons and four daughters. George and Margaret were married in Reverend Henry Fulton's Christ Church at Castlereagh. His support for Governor Macquarie and transportation, as well as his blunt manner, made him many enemies and he was involved in a smear campaign and trial during the mid 1820s to mid 1830s. In 1839, George Druitt borrowed £4,800, using his Mount Druitt estate as security. Margaret died at Mount Druitt in 1842 and George died of a lingering illness, aged 69, four months later in the same year. After his death, the property was owned by the lender, Robert Campbell. Campbell put the property up for sale in 1848 and it was bought by John Alger. Alger put the property up for sale one year later. The advertisement for the property at this time stated that the mansion had burned down three years previously, but that there was "a large garden, with vineyard, and choice selection of fruit trees, the whole approached by a carriage road nearly a mile in length, through park-like grounds, skirting the great Western road, from whence it is entered by a circular gateway, with handsome iron gates on stone pillars, and elegant gatekeeper's lodge adjoining." Sources and more information: • Austin, M., 'Druitt, George (1775-1842)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University,http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/druitt-george-1994/text2431, accessed 19 September 2012. • Magann, H. (1997). They left their mark. Blacktown, NSW. • Nicolaidis, G. (1990). The Druitts of Mount Druitt. Blacktown City Council: Blacktown, NSW. • Sydney Morning Herald "Mount Druitt" January 23 1849 p.2 • Blacktown City Council Library Service - Local History Section - Vertical File: Biography - Druitt, Major George. (Source: http://www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au ) 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

7

Jennifer Mazlin-Law on 19th July 2020

Hannah had a son Thomas Maslin in 1819. He is the son of Thomas Marslin (Maslin), convict, came on ship Glory in 1818. Thomas shown living with his father in 1822 muster, aged 3, but his whereabouts after are unknown until adulthood.

341

Maureen Withey on 14th March 2020

--------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- This is NOT the same Hannah Brown, who is referred to in the following case. Old Bailey 16/2/1814: MARY COOMBE and HANNAH BROWN. Hannah Brown and Mary Coombe, both sentenced to 7 years, were both transported on the Northampton 1814. -------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- Sarah Deering, convicted with Hannah Brown, was also transported on the Broxbournebury.

341

Maureen Withey on 14th March 2020

NSW Census 1828, at Parramatta Government Factory. Hannh. Brown, age 32, Bloxenbury, 1813, Life, Protestant.

10

Mark Fischer on 25th May 2018

Old Bailey Reference Number: t18130714-35

10

Mark Fischer on 25th May 2018

In Sydney in 1814, she met Thomas Messling (arrived Indefatigable, 1815), and together they had a child, Thomas Maslin/Mazlin/Messling. They did not marry. She want on to marry Isaac Gadman.

10

Mark Fischer on 25th May 2018

HANNAH BROWN and SARAH DEERING were indicted at the Old Bailey on 14 July 1813 for feloniously stealing, on the 5th of july, a shawl, value 4 s., feloniously stealing, on the 5th of july, a yard of lace, value 4 s. 3 d. feloniously stealing, on the 5th of july, four yards of muslin, value 24 s. the property of thomas sonby , privately in his shop. Hannah Brown was found guilty guilty with recommendation of death (Sarah D was sentenced to 7 years transport). On 2 Nov 1813 Hannah Brown pleaded for mercy & was sentenced to transportation for life

221

D Wong on 13th June 2014

Old Bailey 16/2/1814: MARY COOMBE and HANNAH BROWN were indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 11th of January , twenty-two yards of ribbon, value 16 s. the property of Charles Robinson . COOMBE, GUILTY , aged 18. BROWN, GUILTY , aged 18. Transported for Seven Years. 1827: TOL 1829: Married Isaac Gadman/Cadman/Gladman (Baring 1815). He was 55 years old and Hannah was listed as 40 but was actually about 33. No children found. 12/3/1835 The Sydney Herald: CORONER'S INQUEST. An inquest was held, on Monday last ,at the Printer's Arms, Kent-street, on the body of Hannah Cadman, who died suddenly while returning to her own residence from that of a neighbours, about three o'clock of that day. The deceased had been long struggling with disease. The Jury returned a verdict-Died by the visitation of God.