Charles Vimpany

Level 221

D Wong on 20th December 2015

Charles Vimpany was listed as being 15 years old on arrival in VDL according to Tasmanian records – however at his trial he is listed as being 24??? His occupation was listed as a 'Boy'. Charles was 4’11 1/2” tall, fresh complexion, brown hair, light grey eyes, anchor, C.V. heart woman on left arm, sailor, E.V. heart darts on right arm. 15/4/1835: Determined riotous and unproper conduct in the cell. 1835: Transported to Port Arthur. Old Bailey: CHARLES VIMPANY, Theft > simple larceny, 11th April 1833. Reference Number: t18330411-81 Offence: Theft > simple larceny Verdict: Guilty Punishment: Transportation CHARLES VIMPANY was indicted for stealing, on the 3rd of April , 1 pair of boots, value 5s. , the goods of Eliza Jones . ELIZA JONES. I am single , and keep a haberdasher's shop in Stockbridge-terrace, Pimlico . On the night of the 3rd of April I missed a pair of woman's boots from my window, which I had seen safe five minutes before. JAMES NICHOLLS. I live in Webster's cottages, Westminster, and drive a cab. I was at Stockbridge-terrace on the evening of the 3rd of April - I saw the prisoner come out of the prosecutrix's shop, with a pair of ladies boots, which he gave to another boy, and they ran off; I gave notice of it; I am sure the prisoner had them. Prisoner. He is a thief himself; he told me to go and take the boots - I would not, and he went and took them - because we would not give him any of the money, he said he would tell of me. Witness. I had never seen him before. STEPHEN SAMUEL SHEPPEY . I lived at Mr. Jones, a pawnbroker. On the 3rd of April these boots were pawned, between six and seven o'clock in the evening, by Elizabeth Cryer , in the name of Perry. GEORGE SPOTTISWOOD PECK. I am an officer. I took the prisoner in his father's house, on the 4th of April; he told me where the boots were pawned; I took the prosecutrix there, and she identified them. ELIZABETH CRYER. I live in St. Alban's-mews, and am a flower-maker. I was going out on an errand, and met the prisoner, who asked me to pawn the boots - he said they were his mother's; Taylor and Harris were with him. JAMES NICHOLLS re-examined. Q. How came you not to stop him? A. I knew he had not got them, for he gave them to another boy in a fustian jacket. Prisoner. He took them, and gave them to me. Witness. I did not - I was in the middle of the road.(Property produced and sworn to.) GUILTY *. Aged 24. - Transported for Seven Years. Charles was 4’11 1/2” tall, fresh complexion, brown hair, light grey eyes, anchor, C.V. heart woman on left arm, sailor, E.V. heart darts on right arm. 15/4/1835: Determined riotous and unproper conduct in the cell. 1835: Transported to Port Arthur.

More references to Charles have been uncovered. He was a leading street boy, having a gang of a dozen other boys. Often in trouble with the law, he was sent to Port Arthur when just 14 years old. Big brother George was a well-known counterfeiter. He did not make it to Australia, because he was physically deformed and so spent three sessions in goals in England.

Charles was convicted at teh old Bailey. His eldest brother, Edmund Vimpany. came to Tasmania at about the time Charles arrived. Edmund had a large family and his descendents can be found in Tasmania today. Charles however is believed to have returned to England where he died of TB. I have details of Charles and Edmund's family in London. I am happy to receive emails to jvimpani @ gmail.com. You will have to omit the spaces in the address.