Susan James

20

Ian Jones on 21st September 2025

Susanna James (b. 1816, London, England) Birth: 25 Feb 1816, London. Crime: Stealing a handkerchief. Trial: London, 1829, age 13; sentenced 7 years. Transportation: Lucy Davidson, arrived Sydney 1829. Marriages: Married four times; second husband was Thomas Muldoon. Death: 22 Dec 1903, Randwick, NSW, age 87.

56

Wendy Smith on 18th November 2019

Biographical Register of Canberra and Queanbeyan: from the district to the Australian Capital Territory 1820-1930. Entry for James, Susan born about 1813, 1814 or 1816 London; parents John and Anna (nee Harris); arrived Sydney 29 November 1829 per Lady Davidson; convicted of stealing silk handkerchief, transported for 7 years; arrived district 1842; religion Roman Catholic died 22 December 1903 Nwingto Hospital; buried Rockwood; Married 1) 1831 Sydney (St. James) spouse James Brown; 2) 1842 Michelago spouse Thomas Muldoon; 3) 1852 Queanbeyan spouse John Hudson and 4) 1864 Queanbeyan St. Gregory's, Roman Catholic spouse Lewis Horneyblew. Please note that their will be multiply spellings for Susan James first and married surnames - Susan or Susannah; Brown or Browne; Horneyblew or Horneblew or Horniblew. All three spellings of the last surname were used in the Queanbeyan Age or Golden Age. Transcription errors in her fourth marriage certificate have Susannah Hutson marring Lewis Horneybleed or Horanifslen! All four husbands were transported to Australia - James Brown on Canada; Thomas Muldoon on Lord Sidmouth; John Hudson on Canada and Lewis Horniblew on Lady Kennaway. Queanbeyan Age dated Wednesday 4 May 1892 page 2 under heading Queanbeyan Benevolent Society - Mrs Lesmond introduced the case of Mrs Horniblew for relief. Mr Horniblew was unable to work and both were elderly and scarcely able to provide sufficientnourishment. Mr Price favoured the offering of relief temporarily. He moved, 'that one relief ticket (2 shillings and 6 pence) per week be granted to Mrs Horniblew, for the period of 4 weeks. Queanbeyan Age reported on Wednesday 20 April 1898 that a very old resident, Mr Horniblew, died on Friday 15 April and was buried on Sunday 17 April. The Cumberland Argus and Fruit Growers Advocate, Parramatta Saturday 2 January 1904 reported that 'A Nonogenarium - last week at Newington there died an old inmate named Susan Hroneyblew, whose career, little of which, however, is known, has been a varied one. She was a Londoner, although she has resided for 74 years in New South Wales, coming out when she was only 21 years old. She has been married four times, three times at Queanbeyan and the last time in Sydney. All these partners had pre-deceased her, and the last few years of her life has been spent under the parental care of the state of NSW.

56

Wendy Smith on 18th November 2019

Trial Proceedings at the Old Bailey state that Susan James was indicted for stealing on 3 March 1829, 1 handkerchief value 1 shilling and 6 pence the goods of Mr George Knapp, prawn broker in Golden-Lane. Verdict: Guilty Age 15 and transported for 7 years. The Australian Convict Transport Register states that Susan arrived on the vessel (or hulk) on 9 April 1829 via the London Gaol Delivery and sentenced to 7 years. She arrived with the following women on the same day - Elizabeth Ann Warner, Ann Flinn, Ann King and Caroline Kensett. NSW Register of Convict Application to marry No. 133 James Brown 32 transported on Canada for 7 years and now free to Susannah Browne aged 16 transported on the Lucy Davidson for 7 years and bond. Signed by Rev. R. Hill, Sydney. Granted 21 May 1830. Convict Application for publication of Banns 1828-1830. James Brown 34 Bachelor Canada (5) which arrived in 1819. Sentence 7 years now Ticket of Leave and employed as a gardener. Good character and resides in Sydney. to marry Susan James 18 Spinster Lucy Davidson which arrived in 1829 now bond. Assigned to Mrs Brooks and resident in Sydney. An asterick next to James Brown reads as follows: The surname for the publication of the Banns to James Browne and to which his Excellency consented (May 1830) was sent to London by same person to drop in the Port over there. During the 1830's there are a number of entries in the NSW Goal Description and Entrance book for Sydney; appearing in the General Session, Sydney. 4 February 1830 Offence Drunkenness sentence 1st class at Factory in Parramatta; 10 June 1830 Offence Given up by her master sentence 1st class June 4 at Parramatta and 24 September 1830 Offence Not the servant required sentence 1st class September 27 at Parramatta. Certificate of Freedom states the following: Number 37/527 dated July 1837. Prisoner Number 465/29; Native of London and trade servant. Offence Stealing a handkerchief and sentence in London on 9 April 1829 to 7 years. Physical attributes Height 5 feet 4 1/2 inches' complexion fair ruddy; hair brown and eyes grey. Further comment on certificate that she was the wife of James Brown or Browne ship Canada 5, free by servitude.