Richard Francis

342

Maureen Withey on 9th November 2025

Richard Francis and James Taylor, both late of Tattershall, laborers, were indicted for breaking into and stealing from the dwelling of James Ward, of Tattershall Thorpe, various articles of wearing apparel.—--It seemed from the evidence of James Ward, and of Sarah. Ward his daughter, that the prisoners, and a third man not in custody, broke into the house between 9 and o’clock night on the 9th of January  all of these having their faces completely blacked over, and remained in the house nearly hour, during which time they rummaged all the boxes and cupboards, and stole the articles mentioned. One of them stood with a bludgeon over old Ward (who had just got into bed when they entered), and demanded money, but did not obtain any; and they had the audacity whilst looking at Sarah Ward in bed, to hold the candles which they carried close to their faces for some time, that, notwithstanding the blacking, she was able to swear positively to the features of the prisoners.—Thos. Cuthbert, constable of Coniugsby, apprehended the prisoners Poston, and found on their persons and in their lodgings some of the articles stolen.—Jb/m Stotherd, of Coningsby. deposed that he had known the prisoners for or years, having butchered for them when they were employed on the public  works, and that his seeing them at Boston they told him they had committed a robbery with their faces blacked at the Pack-house (the name of Ward’s dwelling}.——The prisoners, in their defence, said they bought and pajd for the articles in Boston market.—Verdict, both Guilty, Stamford Mercury, 14 March 1817. … and Rd. Francis and Jas. Taylor for burglary at Tattershall. Were severally sentenced to Death, but were all reprieved; Stamford Mercury, 14 March 1817.

342

Maureen Withey on 9th November 2025

The following convicts under sentence of transportation, were delivered on board the Bellerophon hulk, from Lincoln Castle, on the ult. viz. Wm. Chiffins, John Whitacre, William Miller, Thomas Bones, George Barker, Joseph Beach, Saml. Mowbray, Andrew Johnston, and William Wells, for the term of seven years each; and James Fillingham, Thomas Mason, Richard Francis, and John Kirton, for the term fourteen years each.— Stamford Mercury, 13 June 1817.

75

iain Frazier on 17th April 2025

Family connections for Richard (Francis) are: FRANCIS Richard (Francis) was born about 1787/91 & became a brickmaker. He was tried for burglary at Lincoln Assizes on 8 3 1817, sentenced to 14years, held on prison hulk BELLEROPHON from 12 5 1817 & arrived in NSW as a convict on 22 11 1817 after a voyage of 4months on LARKINS. He was a labourer when he married Sarah (Chapman/Maddison-maiden name?) on 1 12 1818 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. He was issued his Ticket of Leave 504/1438 on 11 11 1824. He was arrested in 1833 & indicted for perjury in attempting to defraud at Windsor Court on 7 5 1834 & sentenced to 1month prison in Windsor, 2hours standing in pillory at Windsor market place & 7years in a penal settlement. He escaped from the Windsor jail on 8 7 1834; he was 5'11" dark ruddy complexion brown sandy hair blue eyes. He died in 1837 age50 at St Albans. [Some details taken from this Website] Sarah (Chapman) was born in Yorkshire about 1781 & became a farmers servant. She was tried for stealing at York West Riding Assizes, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 14 12 1801 after a voyage of 6months on Fleet ship NILE. She apparantly had a first (1of4) relationship with John (Harris his 2nd (2of3) marriage?), but does not fit the calendar of John (Harris)s life, surgeons mate NSW Corps. She was assigned to Aaron (Peckham) in 1803 & entered into a second (2of4) relationship with him-producing 4children. She is also recorded living with Aaron (Cook aka Peckham) constable in 1806. She had a third relationship (3of4) with George W (Dixon). She is recorded at musters 1822 & 1823 housekeeper free by servitude. She made a desperate plea (unsuccessfuly?), after her husband apparantly left, for housing in 1824. She was issued her Ticket of Leave no.113/2122 on 22 4 1824; she was 4'11" pale freckled complexion brown hair grey eyes. She is recorded at musters 1824 & 1825 as housekeeper free by servitude. In 1827 she is at Launceston, in 1828 at Pitt Town & in 1835 at Launceston, giving rise again to thoughts of 2separate Sarah's as she is recorded mainly as wife Andrew (Peckham). She died in 1863 age82 mother of perhaps 9children at St Albans McDonald River. [Some details taken from this Website] Richard (Francis) & Sarah (Chapman) produced 3children: 1.William (Francis) was born in 1814. [It is possible that he is actually Sarah's firstborn George (Dixon) son of George 'W' (Dixon); baptism record seem to be non existent or unavailable. 2.Sarah (Francis) was born in 1818. 3.Eliza (Francis) was born in 1820. She died in 1897 age about77. 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.

75

iain Frazier on 15th November 2019

Richard married Sarah (Chapman) in 1818 at St Phillips Sydney. Sarah & Richard had 3children- 1.William (Francis) was born in 1814. This information clashes with earlier birth George (Dixon)) but may be due to incorrect details for William (Francis) as evidenced by the next sibling Sarah being born 4years later 1818 & the arrival of Richard not being until 1817. 2.Sarah (Francis) was born in 1818. 3.Eliza (Francis) was born in 1820. Sarah (Chapman) has an entry on this Website.

174

Iris Dunne on 3rd May 2018

Convicted: 8 March 1817 Received on Prison Hulk Bellerophon on 22 May 1817 and discharged to ship Larkin on 4 July 1817, aged 26. Ticket of Leave No.504/1438 dated 11 November 1824 in Sydney, Year of Birth: 1789, Calling: Brickmaker. Certificate of Freedom No.31/126 dated 14 March 1831, Trade: Brickmaker, Offence: Housebreaking, Year of Birth: 1791

4

Megan Beveridge on 2nd May 2018

Richard married Sarah Chapman who arrived on ship NILE in 1818 they had 3 children. Richard was arrested again in 1833 and died in 1837 in St Albans NSW. I am unable to find information on Richards death and conviction.

105

Denis Pember on 12th September 2015

In 1834 there is a legal mention of Richard: Sydney Monitor Sat 10 May 1834 p. 2 WEDNESDAY, MAY 7th - Before Mr. Justice Dowling and a Military Jury. Richard Francis was indicted for swearing at the last Windsor Court of Requests, before the Commissioner of the said Court, that he never received the sum of six pounds from one Patrick Crigan, plaintiff in the case of "Crigan v Francis', then being determined before the said Commissioner; when in truth and in fact, he had received the sum of six pounds from the said Patrick Crigan. The facts of the case are very simple. The plaintiff Crigan and the defendant Francis were neighbours, and had farms near Windsor. In the month of January they came down together with their produce. Francis persuaded Crigan to give him six pounds to take care of, as he had a private place in his dray where he could plant it. When they got to Parramatta, on their return homewards, there was a fight between Bailey and Corduroy, to which they all went; and there, it is supposed, Francis lost the money by betting. At Windsor, Francis in the presence of a man named Ready, admitted receiving the money, and said he would pay it as soon as he could; subsequently, he denied having received it at all, and refused to pay Crigan any thing Crigan having no means of compelling him, summoned Francis to the Court of Requests, at Windsor, were Francis took an oath, the subject of the present indictment. Crigan and Ready swore to the above facts, and several coinciding circumstances being adduced, the Jury, without retiring from the box, returned a verdict of guilty. Mr Justice Dowling said - Richard Francis, you have been convicted of one of the most heinous crimes that can be committed; with the exception of murder, it is certainly the worst crime that can be committed. Your offence has been satisfactorily proved, and it has been attended with the most aggravated circumstances. You were defrauding a man of your own condition, a friend, a neighbour, and all under the pretence of friendship. The sentence of the Court is that you be imprisoned in Windsor Gaol for the term of one month, and that on Thursday the 22nd instant, you stand in the Pillory at the public Market-place of Windsor, from twelve till two o'clock; and that you afterwards be transported to such Penal Settlement as the Governor may direct, for the term of seven years. And then we find.................. Sydney Herald Mon 21 Jul 1834 p. 4 Colonial Secretary's Office, Sydney, July 14, 1834 TWENTY POUNDS REWARD. WHEREAS, it has been represented to the Governor, that RICHARD FRANCIS under sentence of transportation for perjury, and MILES BOURKE, committed for trial for stealing wheat, effected their escape from Windsor jail on the night of the 8th ultimo, His Excellency, for the better apprehension of the above offenders, hereby offers a REWARD of TEN POUNDS to any person or persons who shall apprehend and lodge either of them in any of His Majesty's Jails. The following are the descriptions of the men in question:- Richard Francis, per Larkins, fee by servitude, a Native of Lincoln, a laborer, 47 years of age, 5 feet 10 inches in height, dark ruddy complexion, brown sandy hair and blue eyes...

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Denis Pember on 12th September 2015

Richard married Sarah Chapman (aka Maddison) in 1818. Sarah Chapman (Convict, Nile, 1801) had previously been in a relationship with Aaron Peckham (Convict, Neptune, 1790) and had 4 children with him. Sarah and Richard had three children between 1818 and 1822.