James Hanks

75

iain Frazier on 14th May 2025

Family connections for James (Hanks) are: HANKS James (Hanks) was born about 1776 at Handborough Oxfordshire & became a labourer. He was arrested for burglary, in 1793, of irish cloth of Mr (Friend) Principal New Inn Hall & watch of Samuel (Denton) of All Saints & held at Oxford Castle. He escaped the Castle gaol & was apprehended at breakfast at Public House Woodstock: he was 5'5.5" well made fresh complexion brown hair hazel eyes. He was tried at Oxford Assizes in March 1794, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 18 5 1798 after a voyage of 8months on BARWELL; he was Protestant. He had a first relationship with Sarah (Trapnell her second relationship). He was Free by Servitude by 1806. He is recorded in 1822 as a labourer with his family in Sydney & in 1828 as a carter with his family at Castlereagh St.>>> [Some details taken from this Website] Sarah (Trapnell nee Irvin), daughter of Job (Viner) & Susannah (Watham), was born in 1774 in Gloucester. She married firstly Thomas (Trapnell) on 5 11 1792 at Bristol (Gloucestershire or Somersetshire) & produced 3children who apparantly remained in England. She was tried w/1other of theft of a handkerchief at Bristol Somerset Sessions of Peace on 6 10 1800, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 12 6 1801 after a voyage of 10months on EARL CORNWALLIS (Smees records show NILE); her husband may have died on the voyage; she was Protestant. She was Free by Servitude by 1808. She is recorded in 1822 in Sydney with her family & in 1828 with her family at Castlereagh St. She died on 17 12 1828 age54 at Castlereagh St Sydney mother of 11children & was buried as (Hanks) at St James CofE Sydney. [Some details taken from this Website] James (Hanks) & Sarah (Trapnell/Frapnell) produced 8children: mainly girls 1.Sarah (Hanks) was born on 2 8 1802 & baptised on 1 4 1804 age18m w/Harriet at St Phillips CofE Sydney. She is recorded in 1822 in Sydney with her parents. She associated firstly with Thomas Bedwell (Child) & produced 3children. She was living in Launceston by 1827 & attended her husbands execution in Sydney on 3 7 1827-with her children.>>> ..Thomas Be/idwell (Child) son of Mr (Child) solicitor Bristol Gloucestershire was born about 12 12 1794 & baptised as CofE, perhaps in Bristol (Gloucester or Somerset). He was tried for obtaining shirts by false prettences at Bristol Quarter Sessions, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as convict Thomas (Bidwell) on 30 9 1817 after a voyage of 5months on LORD ELDON. In January 1824 he was apprehended at Cockle Bay, after swindling some merchants & attempting to escape the colony, with others, in a small boat to meet a whale boat & schooner SALLY; then committed for trial on the day of the issue of his Certificate of Freedom. From 1824 to 1827 he was engaged w/others in forgery, swindling & stealing of goods & attempting to escape the colony by boat from Sydney, for which he was tried at Central Criminal Court on 14 4 1827 & sentenced to death. His family were living in Launceston by 1827. He was tried in April 1827. He died on 3 7 1827 age32 by public hanging at Hobart. ..[Some details taken from this Website] .. >>>Sarah (Hanks) married secondly William Richard (Green) cooper on 21 4 1829 at St Phillips CofE Sydney & produced at least 1child. She died on 18 6 1855 age52 mother of at least 4children. ..William Richard/Richard William (Green) arrived in NSW free on 1 3 1803 after a voyage of 6months on HMS GLATTON. He was a cooper in 1829. ..Details William Richard (Green)s family are given in entry for Jonathan (Green HMS GLATTON 1803) on this Website. .. 2.Harriett (Hanks) was born on 18 1 1804 & baptised on 1 4 1804 w/Sarah at St Phillips CofE Sydney. She is recorded in 1822 in Sydney with her parents. She had a first (1of3) relationship with John (Gray).>>> ..John (Gray) arrived in NSW free on 21 9 1819 after a voyage of 4months on DAPHNE. ..Harriett (Hanks & John (Gray) produced 1child: ..1.James (Gray) was born on 22 5 1821 & baptised on 4 11 1821 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. He died on 18 12 1821 age7m & was buried at St Phillips CofE Sydney. .. >>>Harriett (Hanks) had a second (2of3) relationship with Daniel (Taylor) & produced a child:>>> ..1.George (Taylor) was born on 3 9 1822 & baptised on 13 10 1822 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. .. >>>Harriett (Hanks) had a third relationship with Patrick (Hayes) & produced at least 1child. She died in 1866 age about62 mother of at least 3children. ..Patrick (Hayes) was born in 1810 on Norfolk Island-not found in Norfolk Island references. He died on 12 1 1890 age about89. ..Details of Patrick (Hayes)s family are given in entry for Michael (Hayes FRIENDSHIP 1800) on this Website. .. 3.Mary Ann (Hanks) was born on 27 6 1805 & baptised on 22 9 1805 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. She is recorded in 1822 in Sydney with her parents. She associaed with an unknown. She died on 5 11 1871 age66. ..Mary Ann (Hanks) & an unknown produced 1child: ..1.Harriet Louisa (???/Hanks) was born on 8 4 1826 & baptised on 18 5 1826 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. .. 4.William (Hanks) was born on 26 8 1806 & baptised on 25 12 1806 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. He is recorded in 1822 in Sydney with his parents & in 1828 as a cabinet maker with her parents at Castlereagh St. He died on 12 4 1889 age82. 5.Elizabeth (Hanks) was born on 21 4 1808 & baptised on 25 12 1811 age3 w/Phoebe at St Phillips CofE Sydney. She is recorded in 1822 in Sydney with her parents. She married firstly at age15 Joseph (Johnson) with permission on 11 8 1823 (from Smees records) or 10 9 1823 at Christ Church Newcastle.>>> ..Joseph (Johnson) was born about 1788 & became a clerk. He was tried for embezzlement of money from his employers at Liverpool Lancaster Assizes, sentenced to 14years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 7 9 1815 after a voyage of 5months on BARING & sent, on 15 9 1815, to Liverpool; he was 5'9" dark ruddy complexion dark brown hair hazel eyes. It seems that he was again sentenced to 14years in April 1823. On 23 5 1823 he was sent to Newcastle on ELIZABETH HENRIETTA & on 15 9 1823 to Port Macquarie on MERMAID. In the meantime he was seeking to marry & having difficulty in being able to obtain the company of his proposed wife. He died on 16 4 1828 age41 & was buried at St Phillips CofE Sydney. ..[Some details taken from this Website] .. >>>As Elizabeth (Hanks)s husband was soon transferred away to Port Macquarie, she apparantly sought transport & company with John Shaw (Strange) on 9 3 1824 at Phillip St Sydney. She produced maybe 2children in her lifetime. ..[Noted an Elizabeth (Hanks) was born on 21 4 1820 to Elizabeth (Hanks) & an unknown. She died on 22 4 1820 age1d.] ..John Shaw (Strange) was born about 1794 in Warwickshire & became a boot & shoe maker. He married firstly unknown before 1820 in England & produced 4children. He was tried for high treason as a Cato Street Conspirator (attempt to murder several British Ministers-apparantly a minor player) at probably Old Bailey on 12 4 1820, sentenced to hanging & beheading commuted to Life, held at Middlesex Gaol Delivery & arrived in NSW about October 1820 (offloaded from ship which was headed to Van Diemens Land (Tasmania) after a voyage of about 5months on GUILDFORD & sent, on 16 10 1820, to Newcastle on ELIZABETH HENRIETTA; he was Protestant 5'3.5" fair complexion dark brown hair hazel eyes. On 22 11 1823 he was to be sent to Sydney & on 5 1 1824 to Bathurst. In September 1825 he was messenger & constable & took part in capture of thieves. He was issued his Ticket of Leave for Sydney about 1825. His Ticket of Leave was altered to Bathurst on 31 5 1827 when he was appointed Police Constable leading him to become Chief Constable. He married secondly Jane (Baylis age16) on 24 4 1829 at Holy Trinity Kelso-permission given by Governor. In 1832 he was issued his Conditional Pardon & purchased land for an Inn & a Tan Yard. He became a farmer & shoemaker also living at Fish River. He died on 14 1 1868 age about78 father of 14children, of old age/natural causes after 3year illness after suffering paralytic attack at Oberon/O'Connell & was buried at Dubbo. ..[Some details taken from this Website] .. 6.Phebe/Phoebe (Hanks) was born on 30 4 1811 & baptised on 25 12 1811 w/Elizabeth at St Phillips CofE Sydney. She is recorded in 1822 in Sydney with her parents & in 1828 as a dressmaker with her parents at Castlereagh St. She is recorded as a dress maker in 1828. She married John (Thomas) butcher on 30 3 1829 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. She died on 24 5 1835 age24. .. 7.Phillis (Hanks) was born on 7 8 1813 & baptised on 5 1 1817 age3 w/Louisa at St Philips CofE Sydney. She is recorded in 1822 in Sydney with her parents. She died in 1867 age about53. 8.Louisa (Hanks) was born on 29 9 1814 & baptised on 5 1 1817 age2 w/Phillis at St Phillips CofE Sydney. She is recorded in 1822 in Sydney with her parents & in 1828 as a dressmaker with her parents at Castlereagh St. .. .. >>>James (Hanks) married secondly Margaret (Irwin her second marriage). He seems to have separated by 1836. He died on 11 5 1842 age66 father of 8children. Margaret (Irwin) was born in 1784, possibly at Belfast Antrim Ireland, & became a servant housemaid nurse. She married & produced 4children. She was tried for stealing a bowl at Antrim Ireland in 1827, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 26 4 1829 after a voyage of nearly 4months on EDWARD; she was Catholic. She was issued her Ticket of Leave on 17 3 1829 at Cumberland, where she was in service. She seems to have separated by 1836. She produced 4known children in her lifetime. [Some details taken from this Website] REFERENCES 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. Family History Group of Bathurst Inc.'Bathurst Pioneers-Register of Pioneer Families Of Bathurst NSW And District <1900' Irene Schaffer & Thelma McKay 'Exiled Three Times Over! Profiles of Norfolk Islanders Exiled in Van Diemens Land 1807-1813' James Hugh Donohoe 'Norfolk Island 1788-1813-The People and Their Families' Reg Wright 'Forgotten Generation of Norfolk Island & Van Diemens Land'

342

Maureen Withey on 10th July 2020

CAUTION. I, James Hanks, do caution all People against giving credit to my Wife Margaret Hanks, as I will not hold myself responsible for any debts she may contract from this date. 16, Castlereagh-street, 27th April, 1836 Sydney Gazette, 30 April 1836.

105

Denis Pember on 3rd December 2015

Sarah died in 1828 and James remarried in his later years, Margaret Irwin (Convict, Edward, 1829)

105

Denis Pember on 3rd December 2015

1828 Census of New South Wales: [Ref 0437] Hanks, James, 52, free by servitude, Barwell, 1794, Protestant, carter, Castlereagh Street. Hanks, Sarah, 48, free by servitude, E. Cornwallis, 1881, 7 years, Protestant. Hanks, Phebe, 18 born in the colony , dress maker. Hanks, Louisa, 12, born in the colony, dress maker. Hanks, William, 21, born in the colony, cabinet maker.

105

Denis Pember on 3rd December 2015

1822 Muster: Hanks, James, free by servitude, Barwell, 7 years, labourer Sydney. Hanks, Harriett, 18, born in the colony, child of J. Hanks. Hanks, Sarah, 20, born in the colony, child of J. Hanks. Hanks, Mary, 17, born in the colony, child of J. Hanks. Hanks, William, 15, born in the colony, child of J. Hanks. Hanks, Elizabeth, 13, born in the colony, child of J. Hanks. Hanks, Phebe, 10, born in the colony, child of J. Hanks. Hanks, Phillis, 8, born in the colony, child of J. Hanks. Hanks, Louisa, 6, born in the colony, child of J. Hanks. Trapnell, Sarah, free by servitude, Earl Cornwallis, 7 years, wife of J. Hanks, Sydney.

105

Denis Pember on 3rd December 2015

In the colony, James had a long term relationship with Sarah Trapnell (nèe Viner) (Convict, Earl Cornwallis, 1801) - no marriage record has been located. They had 8 children between 1802 and 1814.

105

Denis Pember on 3rd December 2015

[Oxford Journal Sat 17 Aug 1793 p.3] On Wednesday last, James Hanks of this City, Labourer, was committed to our Castle, charged on the Oath of Elizabeth Hopper, on suspicion of burgariously entering the Lodgings of the Principal of New Inn Hall, and stealing from thence a Piece of Irish cloth containing about twenty-five Yards, three Guineas in Gold, two Pair of Silver Shoe-Buckles, four Silver Spoons, and divers other Articles. The said James Hanks stands further charged with stealing from the Dwelling House of Mr. Samuel Denton, in the Parish of All Saints in this City, a Silver and a Metal Watch, the Property of the said Samuel Denton. Just a week later: [Oxford Journal Sat 24 Aug 1793 p.3] Last Tuesday evening, James Hanks, charged with a Birglary at the Lodgings at New Inn Hall, and with stealing two watches, the property of Mr Samuel Denton of this City, made his escape from our Castle Gaol by scaling the Boundary Wall towards the Castle Mills, and got from thence through an adjoining garden. WHEREAS on Tuesday Evening last, the 20th of this instant, JAMES HANKS, a Felon under Confinement in the Castle Gaol at Oxford, found means to make his Escape from the Felons' Building in the said Prison, by breaking through the Grating that encloses the Day-Room, and getting over the Boundary Wall. Notice is hereby given, That whoever shall apprehend the said Felon and lodge him in any of His Majesty's Gaols, shall receive a Reward of TEN GUINEAS over and above what may be allowed in such cases by Act of Parliament. The said JAMES HANKS is Twenty-two years of Age, five Feet five inches and an Half high, well made, fresh Complexion, hazle [sic] Eyes, brown Hair, and was born at Handborough, in the County of Oxford; had on when he escaped, a light coloured Coat, striped Waistcoat, Buckskin Breeches, Worsted Stockings, and a round Hat; has much the appearance of a Groom, and has worked for a Time in and about Oxford. And then three months later: [Oxford Journal Sat 16 Nov 1793 p. 3] On Tuesday last, James Hanks who found means to escape from our Castle in August alst, was apprehended in a Public House at Woodstock, in this County, where he was recognised by some Person in Company, and was next Day re-conducted to his former Apartments. This fellow's Folly and Audacity has been such, that it seems since his Escape he has been in the Service of some Gentleman a small Distance from hence, and has been several Times in Oxford during the Time he was at large; - that last Tuesday morning he came to the Cross Inn at this Place in one of the early Coaches, where he breakfasted, and pretended to be on his Way to Worcester, but stopped at Woodstock, a Place where he was well known; yet on being apprehended, he called himself Smith, and so boldly confronted those who challenged his Person, that for a while they became rather doubtful of his Identity. He was hoever, Detained by Order of the Mayor and Mr. Smith sent for, who first apprehended him. [Reading Mercury Mon 10 Mar 1794 p. 3] On Wednesday evening the Commission for holding the assizes for this county was opened in our Town-hall, where the following prisoners took their trials, viz. James Hanks, on suspicion of burglary in the house of the Rev. Mr. Friend in New Inn Hall, when he was found guilty of felony under the value of 40s. and sentenced to be transported to Botany Bay for seven years. He was likewise found guilty upon another indictment for stealing a metal and a silver watch, from the dwelling house of Mr. Samuel Denton, of the Parish of All Saints in this city.