Eleanor Chambers

53

Beth Taylor on 23rd September 2019

CHAMBERS (or Chamberlain), Eleanor (or Ellen) (c1787-?) Tried - 13 May 1812 Middlesex (Old Bailey) Eleanor had been a house-servant to Dennis O’Brien Esq. at Craven Street in the London Parish of St-Martin-in-the-fields from Christmas Eve 1811. She left his employ in May 1812 and her employer received several pawn tickets sent to him by Eleanor. Mr O’Brien said that the pawn tickets were valued at 71 shillings and the pawn-broker said the items were: two pairs of candlesticks, silver slop basin, silver waiter, silver milk-ewer, silver sauce-boat, 4 salts, 5 spoons, 7 silver tablespoons, two silver teaspoons, 3 silver forks, 6 dessertspoons, a silver skewer, two silver butter ladles, 4 bottle labels, 4 sheets, 3 candlesticks, 3 shirts, 3 pieces of carpet, a blanket, another 4 silver teaspoons, two half-handkerchiefs and 4 handkerchiefs. Quite a bundle to carry away! Eleanor was apprehended living nearby and at her trial it was said she had a child. She admitted she had pawned all the items at Convent Garden and Drury Lane. Eleanor had no defence or called any character witnesses. She was sentenced to death, aged 25, but was recommended for mercy on account of her confession and all the articles being returned and received a sentence of transportation for life to New South Wales. Ellen was originally sent to the Colony in 1812 on the Emu and finally reached Sydney in 1814 on the Broxbornebury. BC: 1787 Sentenced: 13/05/1812 Middlesex [see trial record as CHAMBERS below] to death, commuted to transportation for life Crime: Stealing Previous Occupation: Servant Age on Convict Indent (Brox): 27 1812 – ELEANOR CHAMBERS, Theft > theft from a specified place, 13th May 1812. 487. ELEANOR CHAMBERS, alias ELLEN CHAMBERS was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 2nd of May, two pair of silver candlesticks, value 10 l. one silver tankard, value 8 l. a silver slop-bason, value 4 l. one silver waiter, value 2 l. one silver milk-ewer, value 3 l. one silver sauce-boat, value 4 l. four salts, value 1 l. five spoons, value 10 s. seven silver table-spoons, value 4 l. two silver tea-spoons, value 5 s. three silver forks, value 2 l. one pair of sheets, value 1 l. one tablecloth, value 5 s. six shirts, value 4 l. one other silver sauce-boat, value 4 l. one silver fish-slice, value 1 l. two other table-spoons, value 3 l. eight other silver forks, value 4 l. six desert-spoons, value 2 l. one silver skewer, value 10 s. two silver butter ladles, value 1 l. four bottle lables, value 10 s. four other sheets, value 2 l. three candlesticks, value 7 l. three other shirts, value 2 l. three pieces of carpet, value 5 s. one blanket, value 5 s. four other silver teaspoons, value 10 s. two half handkerchiefs, value 2 s. and four handkerchiefs, value 4 s. the property of Dennis O'Brien, Esq. in his dwelling-house. And TWO OTHER COUNTS, for like offence, only varying the manner of charging. DENNIS O'BRIEN , ESQ. Q. I believe you reside in Craven-street - A. I do. It is in the parish of St. Martin in the Fields. Q. Has the prisoner at the bar, for some time past, been your servant - A. She has, since Christmas Eve. On Saturday, the 2nd of May, I went out to a charity committee, for which I always go one day in every month; that my servant was well aware of. I was gone about two hours and a half. On my return my servant was gone. I found almost all my plate gone, except some weighty articles that she, I suppose, in her hurry, could not take away. On the Monday I received a blank cover, containing thirty-four pawnbroker's tickets, enclosed without any writing on the cover. On making a rough draft, between seventy and eighty pounds appeared to have been lent on these tickets. These are the duplicates. Q. Had she given you any intimation that she wished to leave your service - A. She had given warning, and she was to go on the Saturday. Mr. Challenor. The prisoner, you say, sent you back the duplicates - A. She did. Q. She had a child; had she not - A. I believe she had. I never saw the child. THOMAS LANE, I am one of the Bow-street patrol. I went, in company with Thomas Mance in order to apprehend her. Q. After you had apprehended her did you go with her to Elizabeth-place, St. George's-fields - A. I did, on the Monday, to a house she had taken; she took me into a room up stairs. In a box in that room, she took out two carpets, one blanket, and three of Mr. O'Brien's shirts, and 4 silver tea-spoons. We then went down stairs; she there gave me a piece of new carpet, two half handkerchiefs, and four whole handkerchiefs of Mr. O'Brien's. Q. Did she tell you what she had done with the other articles - A. Yes, she said that she had pawned them, and the sum amounted to 71 l. and she had sent the duplicates in a letter to Mr. O'Brien. JOSEPH TURNER. I am a pawnbroker, 20, Bridges-street, Covent-garden. Q. Do you know the prisoner at the bar - A. I do; she has pawned with me various articles of Mr. O'Brien's; with respect to these first silver candlesticks, they were pawned on the 2nd of May. I lent her five guineas upon the candlesticks. Q. What are they worth - A. From six to seven pounds. I produce also a soup bason, pawned for four pounds; and a milk ewer, pawned on the same day for three guineas. On the 2nd of May she called on me, stating to me, that Mr. O'Brien would want twenty pounds in the course of a day; I said I should like to see Mr. O'Brien; or if I could not see him, to have a letter from him; and when she returned with the things, she stated, that Mr. O'Brien had gone out, and that she could not get a letter from him, he was so engaged. Q. to Mr. O'Brien. Did you ever authorise your servant, the prisoner, to pawn any of these things - A. No, nor any of my other servants. These articles are all mine. JOHN PALMER. I am a pawnbroker, in Drury-lane. I produce four salts, a silver candlestick, two large silver candlesticks. I received these things of the prisoner; I am sure as to her person. Q. What are these candlesticks worth - A. Five pounds. I lent four guineas upon them. ROBERT SPARROW . I am a pawnbroker. I produce four sheets. I do not know who pawned them; the young man that took them in has left the place. Q. to prosecutor. Look at all these things - A. My name is on the sheets, they are mine; and all the articles produced are mine. The prisoner said nothing in her defence, nor called any witnesses to her character. GUILTY - DEATH, aged 25. [ The prisoner was recommended to mercy by the prosecutor, on account of having confessed, and returning all the articles to him.] Second Middlesex jury, before Mr. Recorder. (Source: Old Bailey on-line www.oldbaileyonline.org ) ALSO ON SHIP EMU IN 1812 1814 Muster: 1815 - Ellen CHAMBERS, Brox, con, off stores, to Rev Vale, Sydney (7160) Ellen Chambers married Hercules Watt (?) on 16 Sep 1815 at St Philips C of E, Sydney, by banns. (Hercules Watt, aged 28, Bachelor, Abode: Sydney, Currier, Signed X; & Eleanor Chambers, aged 30, Spinster, Abode: Sydney, Signed; married 16 Sep 1815, registered St Philips Church of England Sydney by Banns by William Cowper, Assistant Chaplain; Witness: Lindsey Nimo, Signed; Witness: Thomas Taber, Signed. Source: St Philip's Church of England, Sydney NSW: Church Register - Marriages; ML ref: Reel SAG 90 & V1815-1826-3A) 1817, 15 Oct. – Hercules Watt was tried by Rev Marsden on 13 Oct & sentenced to 1 year at Newcastle. He was sent on the ship Elizabeth Henrietta. (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Letters Sent 6005; 4/3497 p103 1819, 18 Feb. – Hercules was tried by D’Arcy Wentworth & sentenced on 2 Feb to Newcastle for 1 year per Lady Nelson. He gave his occupation as currier. (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Letters Sent Reel 6006; 4/3499 p325) 1819, 19 March – Hercules did not arrive at Newcastle, when he was sent! (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Letters Received Reel 6067; 4/1807 p19) 1820, 15 March – Hercules, of Newcastle, claimed the expiration of his original sentence. He said he came per Prince of Orange [should be Three Bees]. (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Letters Sent Reel 6007; 4/3501 p312) 1821, 15 Sept. - “The undersigned, do hereby Caution all Persons from giving Trust or Credit, on my Account, to my Wife, Eleanor Watts, formerly Eleanor Chambers she having abandoned her home without just cause or provocation :-And I do hereby further caution all Persons from harbouring or concealing the said Eleanor Watts, on pain of prosecution for the offence, Hercules Watts.” (Source: Sydney Gazette, 15/09/1821, p4 & similar notice on 13/10/1821, p4) 1822, 28 Feb. – Eleanor Watts per Brox, was listed as being admitted to Sydney Gaol on 28/02/1822. The register stated that she was to be sent to Newcastle for 1 year, crime not stated. (Source: SRNSW Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930; Series: 2514; Item: 4/6360; Roll: 850.) 1822, 12 March – Hercules was on a trial list, but recommended to be discharged, by Gov Brisbane. He had been committed for trial in Sydney. (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Letters Sent Reel 6016; 4/5781 p216) 1822, 13 March – Hercules was released from Gaol. (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers Letters Sent Reel 6054; 4/1758 p123) 1822, 20 March – Eleanor was tried by Mr Oxley in Sydney on 23 Feb & sentenced to Newcastle for 1 year, travelling on the Elizabeth Henrietta. (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Letters Sent Reel 6009; 4/3505 p44) 1822, Oct. – Eleanor petitioned for mitigation of her sentence. She stated that after her arrival, she married a man & lived with him quite happily while he was a prisoner, for 6 years. But as soon as he gained his freedom, he took up with other women & made false reports about her to the Courts. She had twice ended up at Newcastle because of him & now begged for her freedom. (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Letters Received Reel 6056; 4/1763 pp281-2) 1822 Muster: Eleanor CHAMBERS, con, Brox, 14 years (?), govt employ, Newcastle (A0524) 1823-1825 Muster: 1) Elenor (?) CHAMBERS, con, Brox, 14 years (?), govt employ, Sydney (15343) 2) Elenor (?) WATTS, con, Brox, 14 years, FF, Parra (44549) [second entry] Hercules WATTS, FS, Three Bees 1814, 7 years, housekeeper, Sydney (44458) 1823, 14 Oct. – Eleanor Watts was listed as being admitted to Sydney Gaol on 14/10/1823 for “2nd offence”. The register stated that she was to be sent to the Female Factory, length of time not stated. (Source: SRNSW Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930; Series: 2514; Item: 4/6428; Roll: 850.) 1823, 15 Oct. – Hercules Watts per ship 3 Bees, was listed as being admitted to Sydney Gaol on 15/10/1823 & bailed the following day, crime/charge not stated but it was a matter before the Criminal Court. (Source: SRNSW Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930; Series: 2514; Item: 4/6360; Roll: 850.) 1823, 18 Dec. – “GOLD SEALS LOST-One large Seal with a crystal stone, engraven with Hindostanee characters ; one Seal, red cornelian, engraven with a man’s bust, and a star on the shoulder ; one small Seal, with the hoop broken and engraven with the initials, H. W. K. The Seals, above described, are supposed to have been taken from the House of Hercules Watts, in Phillip-street, a Tanner, in the employ of Mr. Simeon Lord, on Friday last, the 12th Instant.- Whoever will bring all or any one or more of the said Seals to Mr. Michael Robinson, at the Police Office, shall receive double the Value of the Property recovered ; and, if they were stolen, any Person giving such Information, as may lead to the Conviction of the Offender, shall receive the like Consideration, of double the Value of the said three Seals.” (Source: Sydney Gazette, 18/12/1823, p2S) 1825 – Eleanor was employed by John McHenry at Penrith from 9 Sep 1824 to 16 March 1825 (6 months & 7 days). (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Letters Received Reel 6064; 4/1789 pp63B & 102B) 1825, 13 Jan. – Hercules wrote to Gov Brisbane stating that it was NOT his intention to sell his town allotment. (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Memorial Fiche 3160; 4/1844C p11) 1828 Census: Hercules WATTS, 32, FS, Three Bees 1814, 7 years, prot, currier, Phillip St, Sydney (W0567) 1828, 24 Dec. – “NOTICE. IF Elizabeth Richardson does not call at my House, No. 57 Phillip-street, and pay the Sum which is due to me, the undersigned, for Board and Lodging, her Goods, which I have had in my Possession for these 2 Years past, will be Sold by Public Auction, in 14 Days after this Notice, to defray the Expenses. HERCULES WATTS, No. 57, Phillip-street.” (Source: Sydney Gazette, 24/12/1828, p3) 1834, 9 Jan. – Hercules was a witness at a forgery trial against Edward Walsh “…Mr. Hercules Watt being sworn, said I am a tanner and householder residing in Phillip-street – I have known the prisoner for twenty years, and have always considered him an honest man ; he had it in his power to do fraud me a short time of £150, if he had been inclined, but he did not do so ; I had paid him that sum beforehand, as consideration for a house which I purchased of him ; I afterwards found that a question respecting the ownership of this house was pending in the Supreme Court; I had no receipt for the money, but the prisoner afterwards honestly put me in possession of the premises.” (Source: Sydney Gazette, 09/01/1834, p2) 1861, 10 Jan. - “THE TURKISH BATH.-In the course of a conversational discussion, at the Temperance Hall, last evening, one of our oldest colonists, Mr. Hercules Watt, in alluding to the beneficial results which he had experienced from the Turkish Bath, bore the following testimony to its efficacy as a health preserving agent. – “ I wore flannels for a period of forty years," said Mr. Watt, and was continually suffering from cold. I took to the Bath, threw off the flannels, and have never since been ailing.'' We mention this circumstance, not only for the benefit of those who purpose testing the virtues of the bath, but because it is a common notion with the humbler classes that once the practice of wearing flannel next the skin is adopted it can never be got rid of with safety. The experiment of Mr. Watt we take it is a sufficient proof to the contrary.” (Source: SMH, 10/01/1861, p5) 1861 - “On the 29th instant, at his residence, Phillip-street North, after a long and painful illness, which he bore with Christian fortitude, Mr. Hercules Watt, an old and respected citizen, aged 67 years.” (Source: SMH, 30/07/1861, p1). Also - “DEATHS. WATT- at his residence, Phillip-street, North, after a long and painful illness, which he bore with Christian fortitude, Hercules Watt, an old and much respected citizen, aged 67 years.” (Source: Empire, 30/07/1861, p1). Also - Hercules Watt, aged 67 of Phillip St, died on 29 July 1861 & the service was held at the C of E Newtown. (Source: NSW Church Parish Register, V1861-9604-122) It seems probable that Eleanor died between 1825 & 1828, but no record of her burial has been found. There are records of children born to Hercules & a lady named as Mary Kennedy between 1823-1831. 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