Samuel Crafts

75

iain Frazier on 16th January 2025

Family connections for Samuel (Craft) are: Some amendments added Jul 2025. CRAFT Samuel (Craft/s) was born about 1768 possibly in London & became a farmers man-he had 3siblings. He was tried w/3others for cow stealing/receiving, on 15 2 1788, of James (Scott) in Islington at Old Bailey on 9 9 1789, sentenced to death commuted to 7years, held at Middlesex Gaol Delivery Newgate Prison & hulk DUNKIRK at Portsmouth & arrived in NSW as a convict on 9 7 1791 after a voyage of 6months on Fleet ship SALAMANDER. He married Elizabeth (Davi/es) about 1793 at Sydney-not shown in Smees records. He purchased 25acres in 1798. He was Free by Servitude by 1800. He was recorded in 1806 muster. In 1811 he had spirit licence for Windsor & operated The Sign of the Plough Inn in George St. In 1816 he was granted land at Airds & in 1817 moved there after selling the farm at Windsor; he also bought land at Airds for son William. In 1820 he was granted 50acres at Grose Wold. He was recorded in 1828 with his wife living with son William at Richmond. In 1830 he passed his land to gdson John. He died on 25 8 1833 age65. [Could Samuel (Craft/s) be relation of Joseph (Craft/s/Croft) in same Fleet?) [Some details taken from this Website] Elizabeth (Davi/es) was born about 1766. She was tried at Carmarthon Wales Great Sessions, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 18 11 1792 after a voyage of 10months on KITTY. She was Free by Servitude by 1800. She was recorded in 1828 living with her husband with son William at Richmond. She died in 1830 age64. [Some details taken from this Website] Samuel (Craft/s) & Elizabeth (Davi/es) produced 4children: 1.John (Craft) was born on 19 1 1794 & baptised on 16 2 1794 at St Johns CofE Parramatta. In 1816 he was granted land at Airds & in 1817 moved there from Windsor. He died in 1867 age about73. 2.Ann (Craft) was born on 14 1 1796 at Airds & baptised, as (Croft), on 10 9 1796 at St Johns CofE Parramatta. She married Joseph (Baylis) on 27 6 1814 at St Matthews CofE Windsor & produced 2children. She died on 13 12 1841 age45. ..Joseph (Thomas) was born on 12 9 1792 at sea on BELLONA & arrived in NSW on 11 1 1793. He was baptised on 25 12 1794 w/William (Minifie) at St Phillips CofE Sydney. He later assumed the surname of his stepfather (Baylis). He died on 29 12 1828 age36 at Richmond & was buried, as (Baylis) sawyer alias J (Thomas), at St Peters CofE Richmond. ..Details of Joseph (Thomas/Baylis)s family are given in entry for Betty (Thomas BELLONA 1793) on this Website. 3.Elizabeth (Craft) was born on 9 5 1800 & baptised on 11 8 1805 age5 w/William at St Johns CofE Parramatta. She died on 24 9 1836 age36. 4.William (Craft) was born on 9 5 1800 also & baptised on 11 8 1805 age5 w/Elizabeth at St Johns CofE Parramatta. His father bought land for him at Airds after 1817. He had a relationship with Rosanna (Byrne). He is recorded in 1828 as farmer of 32acres at Richmond with his children & with his parents living with him. He died on 11 6 1880 age80. ..Rose/anna (Byrne) was born in Ireland. She apparantly arrived in NSW with her parents on 15 2 1806 after a voyage of 4months on TELLICHERRY. ..Details of Rosanna (Byrne)s family are given in entry for Hugh (Byrne TELLICHERRY 1806) on this Website. ..William (Craft) & Rosanna (Byrne) produced 2children: ..1.Ann (Craft) was born in 1822 & baptised on 13 3 1822 at St Marys RC Sydney. She is recorded in 1828 with her father & grandparents at Richmond. ..2.Samuel (Craft) was born in 1823 at Airds & baptised, as (Croft), on 2 10 1823 at St Marys RC Sydney. He is recorded in 1828 with his father & grandparents at Richmond. He died on 15 3 1909 age about85. gds.John age7 received land Grose Wold from father in 1830. REFERENCE Craig James Smee 'Births and Baptisms Marriages and Defacto Relationships Deaths and Burials New South Wales 1788-1830' ..a complete listing from church & other records in the early colony.

342

Maureen Withey on 1st April 2024

Digitised Indent of ship Salamander. Robert Fossett, Thomas Holyoak, Samuel Crofts, Robert Cox, Thomas Ward, tried Old Bailey, Middlesex, 9 Sept 1789, 7 years. -------------------------------------------------------------- Old Bailey, 9 Sept 1789. The following capital convicts were offered his Majesty's pardon, on condition of Transportation to the Coast of New South Wales, for seven years, which they accepted, viz. … Robert Fawcett, Thomas Holyoake, Samuel Crofts, Robert Cox, Thomas Ward, ... --------------------------------------------------------------- His original trial at the Old Bailey, 27 Feb 1788. 171. THOMAS ESTOL , otherwise WINDSOR TOM , SAM CRAFTS , and JOHN MUNDY were indicted, the two first for stealing an heifer, value 5 l. the property of James Scott ; and the other for receiving the said heifer, knowing it to have been stolen , February 15th . (The witnesses were examined apart at the request of the prisoners.) JAMES SCOTT sworn. I live in Duval's lane, Islington ; on the 15th of February, between five and six in the evening, the heifer was at my door; we always keep this and another at the door, it eats the offal hay that the other cows will not eat on the common opposite my door. When did you miss her? - My boy missed her between seven and eight the next morning; I found her between nine and ten the same morning, at Mr. Mundy's, in Red-lion-alley, Cow-cross; when the boy told me, the little black Scotch heifer was lost, I went into the road, and saw the track of the heifer; I followed the track as far as the pound, Holloway, and through the turnpike gate into Panton-street, and there on the red gravel I lost it; I went toward Battle bridge, and found the track again, and followed it on the stones; I then went into the alley where Munday lives, there I saw the track again; I went to the slaughter-house; it was locked; I peeped through, and saw the heifer tied up, ready for knocking down; I left my boy to watch her, and I went to the Justice's, and got the door broke open, and went and took Munday in his own house, at breakfast; he said, he did not know how it came there, but that he ordered it to be tied up and some hay to be given it; there was a man said, he would be d - d if he did not see such a person bring it in; I do not know any thing farther. Mr. Garrow. Mundy keeps a common slaughter-house? - Yes. It is a very public place? - Yes. How long had the beast been missed before you found it? - About an hour. Had this beast never had a calf? - No, or it could not have been an heifer. WILLIAM BLACKMAN sworn. I went with Mr. Scott to Mundy's; we found the black heifer in the slaughter-house; we broke open the door; we took Mundy at his own house; he said, the heifer was brought down there, that he ordered it to be tied up, and gave it some hay himself; he said, he did not know the people that brought it; he said, he thought it was a pity to kill it; we took him to Justice Blackborow's. EDMUND LAVENDER sworn. Last Saturday morning I went to South-gate, upon an information from Mundy against Crafts; Mundy was taken up. Was he examined? - Yes; I was at the first examination; Mr. Blackborow had had several conferences with him. Mr. Garrow. Mundy was examined under a promise that he should not be prosecuted? - I believe that to be the case; and I believe every body else understood it so. Where did you find Crafts? - At South-gate; when we got to the door, a woman said, Sam, Sam, the men are come for you; he was rather frightened; and he said to Isaacs, can you tell how this business is? is that rogue Mundy an evidence? Was he told what he was taken up for? - No; Isaacs told him he did not know any thing about the business; I told him you may make yourself easy; he is not, but Ruddy is; when I told him Lyons was an evidence, he said, if he did not tell every thing that he knew, he would do him over; as we came along, there was a man going across the fields like Mr. Scott; Isaacs called, Scott, Scott; Crafts said, that is not Scott, nor are those his houses, for they are a mile farther; I know no more, except the prisoner being brought and committed. THOMAS ISAACS sworn. On the information of Mundy, I and Lavender went and apprehended Crafts. Did you tell him what he was taken up for? - Yes. Was Lavender with you? - Yes. Did he hear all that passed; - I believe he did. What did he say when you told him what he was taken up for? - He asked me what I knew of the business; I told him I could say nothing about it; he asked me if I knew who was the evidence; I told him, I could not particularly tell; he asked me, if Munday was; I would not give him any particular answer; upon that we proceeded to London. Did any thing particular happen in the way to London? - Yes; coming across the fields, he seemed to be rather down upon himself. Did any thing particular pass? - Not very particular. Did you meet any body, or speak to any body? - Yes, at the Sluice-house; as we came along we stopped and had something to drink. Did you meet any body going across the fields? - There was a man walking in the fields; I thought it had been Scott, but Crafts said, no, that is not Scott, Scott's house is a mile distant from there; oh! says I, I had forgot what field I was in. Mr. Garrow. You heard all Lavender's conversation, and he was in a situation to hear all you said? - Yes. You heard all he said of course? - Yes. This man was brought to town in perfect ignorance who had given information against him? - Not particularly. Did you tell him of any body else? - No. Did Lavender? - I do not know that he did. You told him what he was taken up for? - Yes. Was Lavender by? - Yes. JOHN EMERY sworn. I am a butcher, I live at Cow-cross, I saw the heifer about seven o'clock in the morning at Cow-cross. Who was with her? - That young man that stands there. (Pointing to Crafts.) Any body else? - No; I asked him where he was going with her; he said to Mundy's slaughter-house. What is Crafts? - A drover. Did he say where he brought her from? - From the Bear and Ragged Staff, Smithfield. Do the drovers carry cattle to the slaughter-house ever? - Yes, they bring them down for the butchers. Did he say whose heifer this was? - Yes; he told me it belonged to Mr. Swain in Thames-street. You did not see Mundy upon the business? - No. Mr. Garrow. What day of the week was it? - Last Saturday week. Mundy's slaughter-house is a public one? - Yes. It is a very common thing for drovers to drive beasts to the slaughter-house for drover? - Yes. They are taken in of course? - Yes. People in Mundy's slaughtering-house are paid so much for slaughtering - Yes. They could soon have dispatched the heifer if they had chose? - Yes, I could have dressed it in about an hour. WILLIAM LYONS sworn. You have been taken up for this fact? - Yes. You are the man called Ruddy? - Yes. You was concerned in the robbery? - No. You were taken up for it, and admitted to be an evidence as an accomplice? - Yes. Court. What were you charged with? - Upon suspicion of stealing it. They said they would hang you, if you could not put it upon somebody else? - No; about six o'clock in the morning, last Saturday week, I was called up by Crafts, I went with him to Cow-cross, and met Mundy; Crafts and Mundy talked together. Did you hear what they said? - No, Mundy left Crafts, and he and I went and got a pint of purl; we had not been there long, before Windsor Tom called me out, and said he wanted Crafts; they said they wanted Mundy or my master, I cannot tell which. Are you a servant of Mundy's? - Yes, they had some discourse, but what I cannot tell; Mundy and I went up the cross; after that we met Crafts at the top of the alley, and we all went together. Where was the heifer when you first saw it? - In the slaughter-house. You did not see who brought it there? - No, my master told me to tie it up, and I did. When you went first it was loose? - Yes. Mr. Garrow. You and Crafts are not upon very good terms? - We never quarrelled; Lavender would have had me said that, that I never thought of. What did Lavender want you to say? - He wanted me to say that I was a party concerned with Crafts in stealing it. Did he tell you any thing about the reward? - Nothing. That he kept snug, intending to have it himself; he knew it was false at that time? - Yes, for I had a witness what time I got up. Scott. After Mundy was taken up, Lavender over and above persuaded me to admit Mundy an evidence; I said I could not swear to any body else but where I found my property; I said openly in the Court, that all the people between here and St. Paul's, should not persuade me to admit him an evidence; Lavender said, I suppose you want to massacre the man, but I'll get him through, I'll be bound. Are you sure the heifer you found at Mundy's, was your heifer? - Yes, I knew it perfectly well. PRISONER CRAFTS's DEFENCE. I saw a man coming down St. John's-street, with a black heifer, and he gave me six-pence to drive it to Mr. Mundy's, he bid me tell him it belonged to Mr. Swaine in Thames-street; I met Mr. Mundy, and told him it was a heifer of Mr. Swaine's, Thames-street. PRISONER MUNDY's DEFENCE. I desired Lyons to tie up the heifer, and ordered the boy to give it some hay; Lyons locked the door, and locked it in, that if I should hear any body had lost it they might have it again; I said I fancied it was heavy in calf, that I believed it belonged to Mr. Marsh of Hampstead, he had just such another; I had not time to send to any body when Mr. Scott came; I said, Sir I am very glad you have got it again. (There being no evidence to affect Estol, he was not put on his defence.) (Crafts called three witnesses, who had known him from his infancy, and gave him a good character.) ESTOL, NOT GUILTY . CRAFTS, GUILTY , Death . MUNDY, GUILTY . Tried by the second Middlesex Jury before Mr. RECORDER.

105

Denis Pember on 7th February 2016

Sainty & Johnson; 1828 Census of New South Wales: Page 106…. [Ref C2774] Craft, Samuel, 59, FS, Salamander, 1791. [Ref C2775] Craft, Elizabeth, 62, FS, Kitty, 1792. They were living with their son William and his children, his wife, Rosanna, nèe Byrne had died in 1825. She was the daughter of the exiled Irish rebel Hugh ‘Vesty’ Byrne (Convict, Tellicherry, 1806) and his wife Sarah nèe Dwyer. [Ref 2771] Craft, William, 28, BC, Farmer, Richmond. 32 acres, all cleared and cultivated, 5 horses and 160 cattle. [Ref 2772] Craft, Ann, 6, born in the colony. [Ref 2773] Craft, Samuel, 5, born in the colony.

105

Denis Pember on 7th February 2016

In about 1798 Samuel purchased 25 acres and was described as ‘a settler at ’ by Acting Commissary Williamson and authorised to put 100 bushels of wheat in the Government Store. In the 1806 Muster, his farm was identified as one acquired from George Tilley, a 1798 grant. They suffered occasional floods and had to be rescued from a barn roof in 1806. However, they did well and stayed on the farm until 1817. They expanded their activities in 1811 when Samuel was granted a spirit licence at Windsor. He established an inn ‘The Sign of the Plough’, in a two storey brick building in George Street, believed to be part of Baker’s grant. At various times there are records of wheat sent to the Government Store and pork sent to Sydney. In 1816 Samuel and his elder son John received land grants at Airds and in 1817 the two Windsor properties were sold. Additional land was bought at Airds for the younger son, William. Further grants were sought in 1820 and Samuel received another 50 acres at Grose Wold. Eventually he moved to the new area, for in the 1828 census he was there with 160 head of cattle, but he gave this property to Samuel, his 7 year old grandson, in 1830.

105

Denis Pember on 7th February 2016

In the colony, Samuel married Elizabeth Davies (Convict, Kitty, 1792) about 1793 Sydney. They had 4 children, born between 1791 and 1800. John C1791, Ann 1796, Elizabeth 1800 and William 1800 (twins).

105

Denis Pember on 7th February 2016

Samuel, the third of four children, spent his younger days in and around London. In Feb 1788 he was arrested and charged with stealing a heifer from a farm in Islington and delivering it to a slaughterhouse in Cow Cross. His defence was that he was a drover and had been given six-pence by a man to deliver the animal. The jury was not convinced, Sam was found guilty and sentenced to death. I have located his punishment summary at the Old Bailey but not the trial details. He waited 18 months in Newgate Prison before his sentence was commuted to transportation to New South Wales for seven years. Then followed another 18 months, spent mostly on the hulk 'Dunkirk' at Plymouth, before he boarded the 'Salamander' for Sydney. He arrived in the colony on 21 Aug 1791 as part of the Third Fleet.