Jane Castings

221

D Wong on 27th September 2019

Jane Castings was listed as 27 years old when convicted of 'Receiving Stolen goods' at Leicester, 2/3/1846. Birth dates of 1813, 16, 19, 20, 21, and 22 listed. Petition for Mercy: Jane Castings ID1061 per Sea Queen 1846 Jane Castings aged 29 Leicester Borough Sessions 2nd March 1846 Receiving stolen goods 7 years transportation Gaol report – For some time suspected as a receiver of stolen goods. Received into Millbank prison from Leicester Borough Gaol on 16th March 1846 Series – HO 18 Piece Number – 171 ----------------------------- The prisoner denies guilty knowledge – represents her good character and prays for mitigation in account of her family. ----------------------- To The Right Honourable Sir James Graham Her Majesty’s Principle Secretary of State for the Home Department. The Petition of Jane Castings a prisoner in Millbank Prison. Humbly Sheweth The humble Petition of Jane Castings native of Leicester who is now under sentence of transportation convicted on the 2nd March , I am a married woman for 14 years and have left four little children together with my husband. He is a turner and wheeler by trade but he is not able to attend to his work regular on account of his health being very indifferent. I am a worsted spinner and have been employed by Mr Carter manufacturer Leicester for the last five years I have always been the greatest support to my children and have always worked very hard in order to gain an honest livelihood for my family. I have always borne a good character in being honest and industrious and never have been charged with any indictment whatever previous to the23rd February last when I bought some articles not knowing them to have been stolen for which I was taken convicted, my health is very indifferent and has been since I have been in prison. My greatest anxiety of mid is the thoughts of my poor children which I have left behind fearing that if I am compeled to leave my country I fear that I shall never be able to return home to my family owing to the difference of my health therefore being that I have never been previously convicted I do humbly implore for mercy earnestly hoping that your Lordship together with our Sovereign Lady will remember mercy and your great kindness show pity towards the one whose humble Petition is now laid before you. Your moist humble and obedient servant Jane Castings (Aged Thirty Three) Jane was caught and convicted for receiving stolen goods of cheese and bacon in Leicester, England. Originally it seemed her act was due to the poverty and hard times in England and with four little children she was doing what many were forced to do at that time – stealing food for survival. However she was described as a female 'Fagin', Charles Dickens style. She trained and paid a group of teenage boys to steal the goods that she requested and worse still was the cause of a half dozen young boys being transported. Listed as 27 years old on arrival in VDL. 1841 Census, Leicestershire: Henry Castings, 25 Jane Castings, 25 William Castings, 8 (who was transported per 'Aboukir' 1852). Sarah Castings, 4, died 1847 Emma Castings, 1, died 1899 1/7/1844: Birth of Hiram Castings, died 1918. 28/10/1848: Illegitimate child, Maria, born at Cascades Female Factory. 1/7/1850: Sophia Haynes born Hobart. 20/3/1852: Female Haynes born Hobart - Father: David Haines. 14/2/1854: Married David Haynes (Lady Palmyra 1846) at St George's Church, Hobart. David was 26 and Jane 31. 6/11/1854: Selina Ann Haynes born Hobart. (Birth date of 26/12/1854 also listed). 1/6/1857: David Haynes born Hobart. 23/4/1895: Jane Pratt/Castings/Haynes died at Glamorgan, Tasmania., of Senility, aged 74. (Wife of David, a Shoemaker, Swansea).

108

Nell Murphy on 30th June 2019

Jane CASTINGS was convicted at Leicester, England on 3 March 1846 for receiving cheese & bacon, knowing them to be stolen. (Mother of 4 children). 7 yr transportation sentence. Sent to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmaninia) per the ship 'Sea Queen' arriving 29 Aug 1846. Married woman, 4 children. Protestant; can read & write; housemaid; aged 26 yrs; 5'3 1/2" height; dark complexion; dark hair; blue eyes. Stated she had lived at home of W. Wright, M.P. for 2 yrs. Native place of birth: Barbridge, England Husband: Henry Father: Charles Brother: William Sisters: Maria & Sophia VDL: 6 mths Probation Period Stationed on 'Anson' hulk ship, River Derwent, Hobart. Clear Conduct Record Delivered of a female child, Maria, at the Cascades Female Factory, Hobart, on 28 Oct 1848. Father's name not recorded. (ref. 33/1/3 no. 1099) 12 Feb 1850: Ticket of Leave granted. 2 March 1855: Free Certificate issued.