Henry Robins

Level 350

Maureen Withey on 27th October 2021

John Paxton & Henry Robins, with stealing certain monies from the person of Samuel Neale. Northampton Mercury, 13 Jan 1844. ------------------------------------------------------ Northampton Lent Assizes. John Paxton, aged 25, and Henry Robins, aged 17, charged with stealing, at Evenley, certain monies from the person of Samuel Neal!, were remanded until next Assizes, a material witness being absent. Northampton Mercury, 16 Mar 1844. --------------------------------------------------- Highway Robbery. John Paxton, aged 25, and Henry Robins, aged 17, were, charged with stealing certain monies from the person of Samuel Neale, at Evenley. Mr. Maunsell appeared for the prosecution. Samuel Neal is mason, living at On the 6th of January last, he was work Brackley. About eight the evening, he was going home when he was assaulted by the prisoners, one whom struck at him, with a bludgeon, they fell together, and when prosecutor got up, his money to the amount of 8s. was gone. Knew the men. A man named Spittle was taken up, but .... Ann Sheppard, of Brackley. stated that Robins came to her husband's house on January last, and called her husband, asked him get and down to the bottom of the lane where Jack was; and that there was an old man from towards the Barley-mow way who had got both bacon and money, and if he would go and knock him over, they might have the money. Her husband did not go. Wm. Sheppard, a chimney sweeper, at Brackley, corroborated his wife's statement. John Plowman keeps the Crown, Brackley. On the 6th January, the two prisoners came and had a pint of beer between eight and nine. Mrs Mary Reeve keeps the Fox, at Brackley. On the 6th January, the prisoner came and had two pints of beer between eight and nine; Robins whispered to her, and asked her to change half a-crown. Alexander M'Kay, of the County Police, stated that Neal told him thought thought the parties who robbed him were two men named Spittle, but as soon as he saw them after their apprehension, he said they were not the parties. The prisoners were apprehended from description. The jury after a patient and diligent consideration which drew from the learned judge some warm expressions of approval, found the prisoners Guilty. They were sentenced to 15 years' Transportation. Northampton Mercury, 20 July 1844.

Level 2

Frances O'Halloran on 26th October 2021

Henry Robbins managed to bury his convict past. It was firmly believed by his descendants that he ran away from home in England and jumped on a sailing ship to Van Diemens Land but deserted ship while docked in Melbourne and joined the gold rush. He did however go to the Bendigo goldfields and there drove bullock drays to and from Melbourne for a living before buying land around Clunes and then St Arnard. His descendants were unaware of his convict past until recently. Strangely though Tasmania has no records of him at all -either of his arrival as a convict in Tasmania or as an inmate. Maybe he did escape by jumping ship in Melbourne as his family was told. Would any records of escaped or missing convicts exist either in Tasmania or Melbourne?

Level 2

Peggy Boyles on 28th April 2018

Henry's baptism 18th February 1827 Brackley Northamptonshire.

Level 9

Anne Bruce on 27th October 2014

He was granted Ticket of Leave 30/11/1847.

Level 221

D Wong on 27th October 2014

Henry Robins was 18 years old on arrival. He was born in Brackley, Northamptonshire. Henry was 5'6 1/3" tall, brown complexion, brown hair, hazel eyes, scar on thumb of left hand, could read and write a little, was protestant and single. 1/12/1846: Recommended for a CP 30/11/1847: CP

Level 38

Judith Wood on 27th October 2014

Mother Elizabeth; brothers John, William, Benjamin, Charles. Sister Eliza and Betsey. Religion Portestant

Level 9

Anne Bruce on 26th October 2014

Arrived in Hobart 25/12/1845.