Frances Ebden

53

Beth Taylor on 4th February 2026

TIMELINE NOTES: BC: 1770 [indent] or 1773 [trial] Sentenced: 15/09/13 at Middlesex [see trial record below] to transportation for 7 years Crime: Stealing Previous Occupation: Housekeeper Age on Convict Indent: 44 1813 - FRANCES EBDEN, Theft > theft from a specified place, 15th September 1813. 936. FRANCES EBDEN was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 17th of July, a quilt, value 4 s. a sheet, value 18 d. a candlestick, value 6 d. a bed-tick, value 5 s. a tea-kettle, value 2 s. a set of bed-furniture, value 2 s. a shovel, value 3 d. and a pair of tongs, value 6 d. the property of John Cray, in a lodging-room . ANN CRAY . My husband's name is John Cray ; I live in Charles-street, Wapping-wall . I let one room ready furnished to the prisoner at four shillings and sixpence a week; she came in on the 2nd of July; she continued in it until the 17th of July; she went away in the morning; she paid me one week's rent; I got an officer to break open the door; when I went in I missed the curtains of the bed, the bed-tick; the feathers were scattered about. I missed two blankets, one sheet, a pillow, two pillow-cases, the quilt of the bed, a tea-kettle, candlestick, shovel, and tongs. Q. Did you find your things again - A. Yes. JOSEPH HARRIS. I am a pawnbroker's servant to Mr. Flemming, Whitechapel. I produce a tea-kettle, a candlestick, pillow, and a blanket; I took them in pawn of a woman. I don't know the prisoner. CHARLES SULLIDGE. I am a pawnbroker, 128, in the Minories. I produce a blanket, two pillowcases, shovel, tongs, and a bed-tick; I do not know who pawned them. MR. WILDMAN. I was a pawnbroker in Cannon-street-road. I produce a quilt pawned for four shillings. JOHN PAWLEY. I am an apprentice to Mr. Barker, Commercial-road. I produce a tent-furniture, pawned by the prisoner, on the 16th of July. JOHN BUTLER. I am an officer. I took the prisoner in custody; I found these ten duplicates on her. Prisoner's Defence. I did not pledge them with intent to defraud. My husband is on board the Shannon Frigate. I meaned to replace them when I got my husband's money. GUILTY, aged 40. Transported for Seven Years. First Middlesex jury, before Mr. Recorder. (Source: Old Bailey on-line http://www.oldbaileyonline.org ) CAME WITH DAUGHTER MARY EBDEN 1814 Muster: Frances EBDEN, Brox, con, on stores, FF, Parra with 1 child on stores (3282) 1822 Muster: No record of Frances found or James Fletcher. 1823-1825 Muster: Mary (?) EBDEN, con, Brox, wife of Joseph Tripp, Campbelltown (19769) [This is a big mix-up!) & spouse – Joseph (?) FLETCHER, FS, Matilda 1791, 7 years, labourer, Campbelltown (21022) 1828 Census: Frances EBDEN, 55, Brox, FBS, 7 years, prot, housekeeper (E0104) to – James FLETCHER, 72, FBS, Matilda 1791, 7 years, prot, labourer, Airds (F0761) 1828, 14 Nov. – “Nov. 14, 1828. CAUTION-All Persons are hereby Cautioned against purchasing, renting, or otherwise, the Premises in the occupation of James Fletcher, in the District of Campbell Town, and formerly the property of William Kitson, as I hold the same on behalf of my son, William Lindsey, the same being his property, by virtue of a Deed of Gift, duly executed and registered several years since. CATHERINE LINDSEY.” (Source: Sydney Gazette, 14/11/1828, p3) NSW BDM: 1) No record of marriage found for Frances. 2) James Fletcher, aged 93, free-by-servitude, came per ship Matilda, died at the Benevolent Asylum on 8 Sep 1843. The funeral was held on 9 Sep at St Lawrence C of E, Sydney by Rev Bodeham. (V1843-481-26B) 3) Frances Ebden, aged 73, free-by-servitude, came per ship Broxbornebury, died at the Benevolent Asylum on 25 Feb 1844. The funeral was held the same day, also at St Lawrence Church, by Rev Kemp. (V1844-179-29) “Women of Botany Bay” page 330 – “Frances Ebden, “Broxbornebury”, pleaded “my husband is on board the “Shannon” frigate. I meaned to replace them (the stolen articles” when I got my husband’s money”. Jess' Girls - SAG:  Occupation - housekeeper  1814 - Muster  1818 - public factory  1825 - Muster  1828 - Census Notes on James FLETCHER: “The Third Fleet Convicts” – James Fletcher, sentenced Hertford 8 March 1787 for 7 years, came per ship Matilda. The Matilda sailed from Portsmouth on 27 March 1791 with 230 male convicts. It is thought that the 25 deaths were due to the leaky state of the ship, but many of the men were old & infirm when embarked. The ship arrived in Sydney on 1 Aug 1791, a journey of 127 days, the fastest at that time. 1808, 10 Apr. – James Fletcher was listed on the arms register for the Hawkesbury district & he said he had one gun in his possession. (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Letters Received Reel 6041; 4/1719 p92) [Note: Fletcher was a future spouse of Frances] 1810, 28 Jan. – A petition was sent from James Fletcher stating that he had a wife Elizabeth & had been here in NSW for 19 years, lived on the Hawkesbury & would like a grant of land already promised by Gov Colonel Patterson. (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Memorial Fiche 3004; 4/1821 p1111) [Note: Fletcher was a future spouse of Frances] 1) James Fletcher married Elizabeth Bakehouse at St Philips Church in 1798. (V1798-434-3A) 2) Elizabeth Fletcher (his first wife), aged 68, died in 1819 & the service was held at St Mathews, Windsor. (V1819-4237-2B) 3) James Fletcher received a land grant at the Hawkesbury (Mulgrave) of 55 acres 30 31/03/1802. (Source: SRNSW Registers of Land Grants and Leases; Series: NRS 13836; Item: 7/446; Reel: 2560) 4) James Fletcher received a 100 acre land grant at Airds 20/06/1816. (Source: SRNSW Registers of Land Grants and Leases; Series: NRS 13836; Item: 7/447; Reel: 2561) 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

48

jennifer burgess on 28th July 2022

1828 census, Frances Ebden, housekeeper to Jas Fletcher Airds age 55. Died 1844 age 73