Isabel Cruikshank

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 24th March 2022

1835 - Description List. Indent No; 278 Trade; Plain Cook & Housemaid Height; 5 ft 1 in Age; 40 years. [Born about 1795] Native Place; Macduff

6

Tree Brechin on 17th October 2016

Isabel Cruickshank is convicted for the crime of theft, habit and repute, after being caught stealing a tablecloth from Malthillock, King St. At her trial, in April 1835, she belatedly claims she is a widow; Isabel married a Sailor George Booth in Aberdeen in 1816. The only birth I have from their marriage is my Great, Great Grandfather William. In the 1841 census William (15) is living with an Ann Booth (20) in Queen Street, Aberdeen, both down as being born in Aberdeenshire. Also in the 1841 census there is a John Booth(a ships carpenter, 50) living with a Jean Booth (25) in East NorthStreet, Aberdeen, both being born outside the county. I know that there is no evidence to suggest that this John is Isabel's husband, and indeed George could be dead, but it is just a gut feeling that she only claimed to be a widow in the hope that this might bring a more lenient sentence. It wasn't her first theft, hence the "habit and repute". The other crimes as below all Police Court of Aberdeen: 6 August 1832 Isobel Cruickshank or Booth in custody has been guilty of theft actor or art and part. Insofar as on Saturday last 4th Aug did wickedly and feloniously steal and theftuously away take from the shop in King Street, in the occupation of James Riddel, Cabinet Maker, two pieces of Girth Web of white and black colour - Not exceeding ten pounds sterling in value. Isabel Cruickshank or Booth complaint being read over to her answers guilty signed Isabel Cruickshank (nb not her signature)aa labour according to the rules and discipline of the house for the period of thirty days. 26 March 1833 Isobel Cruickshank or Booth at present in custody has been guilty of theft actor or art and part. Insofar as yesterday did wickedly and feloniously steal and theftuously away take from the house in Queen Street, Wm Morrison Snr, Tailor, two blue striped cotton or muslin shirts, the property of Wm Morrison Jnr - Not exceeding ten pounds sterling in value. Isabel Cruickshank or Booth complaint being read over to her answers not guilty signed Isabel Booth (nb not her signature) signed John Booth (nb the sheriff clerk presumably not a relation) Relevant and proven said Isabel Cruickshank or Booth to be carried from the Bar to the Gaol of Aberdeen and be detained for the period of twenty days. 16 April 1833 Isobel Cruickshank or Booth at present in custody has been guilty of theft actor or art and part. Insofar as yesterday did wickedly and feloniously steal and theftuously away take from the warehouse or sale shop in Union Street, in the occupation of Patrick Fogarty, shoemaker and merchant, a pair of new leather shoes - Not exceeding ten pounds sterling in value. Isabel Cruickshank or Booth complaint being read over to her answers guilty signed Isabel Booth (nb not her signature) signed John Booth (nb the sheriff clerk presumably not a relation) Relevant and proven said Isabel Cruickshank or Booth to be carried from the Bar to the Gaol of Aberdeen and be detained for the period of thirty days. The fact she was a widow and had a five year old son didn't get her leniency. And she was sentenced to 7 years hard labour, being transported to Van Diemansland onboard "The Hector". I have the records from the Tasmanian Archives for her and there are 8 or 9 cases of her punishment for various misdemeanors, mostly involving drink, such as the one below. I have also read the journal of the Hector's surgeon Morgan Price, in it he doesn't mention Isabella, but his general remarks about the journey are that it was "rather extraordinary" that the women "landed in a clean and healthy state" given that the majority of them arrived in Woolwich having "suffered greatly" in a "crowded small sloop" from Scotland, kept "a considerable time" before leaving on a journey "of unusual length.........of one hundred and twenty nine days" with ventilation to the prison deck a "very indifferent manner", arriving 20th October 1835 At the ANESFHS I found mention of Isabella on the cd "Tasmanian Colonial Index 1816-1889..." and contacted the producers; Australian Genealogical Education Centre, Incorporating the Kiama Family History Centre. Ray the director kindly sent the following; Colonial trial held at Richmond, Tasmania. A Mr. W. Bonney brought the action on January 14, 1839 and the following is the Indictment and Sentence; Isabella Cruikshanks; Charged by her master with being drunk on Saturday. Plea; Guilty "The prisoner has been in my service about six months and is constantly in the habit of taking any wine and spirits that she can get hold of. On Saturday last she took a quantity of rum out of a keg containing rum, my property --- beside what she drank I found a tumbler full". Sentence; Hard labor (sic) at the Wash Tub with the Female House of Correction for three months and returned to Government. Apart from this one, the only other reference we have is for an Isabella Crookshanks in a marriage at age 42 to a Nathan Toovey, aged 61, on May 9, 1847. The wedding took place in St. John's Church, Richmond. She was shown as a servant and a widow, whilst he is a farmer and a widower. They have been known to play around with their ages.