Jane Jones

53

Beth Taylor on 25th September 2019

JONES, Jane (c1795-1868) Tried - 1 July 1812 Middlesex (Old Bailey) Jane was the daughter of William Jones a glassmaker, born in London about 1795. In 1812 Jane, a servant, aged 17, appeared before the Old Bailey Court with a 15 year-old friend Ann Rogers. They were both charged with breaking and entering a public-house in Manchester Square, London during the night and were caught red-handed with the proceeds: a chicken, 4 loaves of bread, 5 eggs, a saucepan and cover, butter, cheese, 2 knives, 2 forks, 2 plates, a spoon, a basin, a tinder-box and a wooden drawer containing 140 pennies, 2,124 half-pennies and 463 farthings! They were soon taken to the watch-house and two weeks later appeared before the Judge. Jane and Ann’s defence was: “we were in great distress”. They were both sentenced to death because of the large amount of money they had taken, however “The prisoners were recommended to mercy by the Jury and the prosecutor, on account of their youth and good characters” and the sentence was commuted to transportation for life to New South Wales. Jane and Ann were first sent to the Colony in 1812 on the ship Emu and finally reached Sydney in 1814 on the Broxbornebury. BC: 1795 Sentenced: 01/07/1812 Middlesex GD [see trial record below, with Ann ROGERS] to death, commuted to transportation for life Crime: Burglary Previous Occupation: Servant Age on Convict Indent: 20 1812, 1 July - ANN ROGERS, JANE JONES, Theft > burglary, 1st July 1812. 575. ANN ROGERS and JANE JONES were indicted for burglariously breaking and entering the dwelling-house of James Caperton, about the hour of one, in the night of the 16th of May, and stealing therein four loaves of bread, value 5 s. five eggs, value 3 d. a saucepan and cover, value 2 s. a pound weight of butter, value 1 s. 6 d. half a pound weight of cheese, value 5 d. two knives, value 6 d. two forks, value 6 d. two plates, value 2 d. a basin, value 2 d. a spoon, value 1 s. a tinder-box, value 6 d. a wooden drawer, value 1 s. one hundred and forty penny pieces, two thousand one hundred and twenty-four halfpence, and four hundred and sixty-three farthings, the property of James Caperton . JAMES CAPERTON. I am a publican. I live in Charles-street, Manchester-square, in the parish of St. Mary-le-bone. I am the housekeeper. Q. Did you make the house fast - A. I did not; it was fast to the best of my opinion. The house was broken open through a window. I went to bed about half past twelve. I did not get up before seven, on the Sunday morning. The maid-servant discovered the robbery. She found the bar-door open. She was alarmed. She came and apprized me of it. I came down stairs, and found the till was missing out of the bar. When I came I found the till was gone. THOMAS BELLAMY. I am beadle of St Giles's in the Fields. Going from the watchhouse, about fifteen minutes after five o'clock in the morning, in company with Mr. Brown, I saw these two girls in possession of something. I asked them, where they were going: they said, to number seven, Grafton-street, Tottenham-court-road. I asked them, where they came from. They said, one of their mothers kept a chandler's shop, close to Monmouth-street; but could not tell the name of the street where the mother lived; but they were going to number seven, Grafton-street. They had a fowl; I asked them, where they got that fowl from: she said, her mother had bought that fowl in Leadenhall-market the night before. I put my hand upon it, and found it quite warm, as if recently killed. I gave it into the hands of Mr. Brown, that he might feel it was quite warm. I told them, they must go down to the watchhouse, and if I found what they said was correct, they might proceed on their journey, and every thing would be returned to them; but I doubted it. While I was speaking to Mr. Brown, he lifted a check apron off the till; and he said, you don't see what is here. I looked in the till, and I took them down to the watchhouse. I believe there was in the till five pounds ten shillings in copper penny-pieces, halfpence and farthings. The chief part of them is here. All the things they had with them is mentioned in the indictment. JOHN BROWN. I am constable of St. Giles's. I know nothing more than what Bellamy has stated. JOHN BAXTER. I am the watchhouse-keeper. I have the property. I produce it. These things were brought in with the women about a quarter past five o'clock. They confessed, that they got in at the window, and staid in there until three o'clock, and went out at the back. Rogers got up, by the help of the other. When she got up to the window, she put the side of the shutter down; opened the window, and put her hand in it, and helped the other up. It is in consequence of their confession that we found out from where it was lost. We examined the premises where they got in. The window goes into a mews. The window is five feet from the ground; but there is a dunghill under it. They got in there. I never saw them before. The bread and cheese, I gave them myself at the watchhouse, to eat. Prosecutor. I lost a fowl, and the fowl the prisoners had was mine; and that is my till; the saucepan, I believe, is mine; the till I can positively swear to. I do not know exactly the quantity of copper there was in the till. Barter. There were twelve shillings in penny-pieces, four pounds and odd, in halfpence, and nine shillings and odd in farthings. Roger's Defence. We were in great distress. Jones's Defence. The same. Rogers called three witnesses, who gave her a good character. ROGERS, GUILTY, DEATH, aged 15. JONES, GUILTY, DEATH, aged 17. [The prisoner were recommended to mercy by the Jury and the prosecutor, on account of their youth and good characters.] (Source: Old Bailey on-line www.oldbaileyonline.org) 1812 - Jane and Ann were first sent to the Colony in 1812 on the ship Emu and finally reached Sydney in 1814 on the Broxbornebury. 1814 Muster: Jane Jones is not recorded in the Muster (taken in Sydney in October or November), although her husband-to-be John Stilwell is listed as “John Stilwell, CF, "Broxbornebury", Off Stores, House Steward, Sydney (4457).” 1819, 5 April – Application to Marry - John Stilwell - Free and Jane Jones - Convict by ship Broxbornebury by Reverend William Cowper, Assistant Chaplain. Approved by Gov. Macquarie. (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Reel 6006, 4/3500, p67) [Note: John Stilwell arrived free as a passenger on the Broxbornebury, which was where the couple met] 1819, 26 April – Marriage of John STILWELL, aged 28, bachelor & Jane JONES aged 24, spinster. John Stilwell, dealer, & Jane Jones were married at St Philips Church of England, Sydney on 26 April 1819. Stilwell signed his name & Jane with a X. [Witnesses Richard & Susannah Wise] (Source: NSW Church Parish Records V1819-2339 Vol 3A & V1819-18- Vol 8) Children born to John Stilwell and Jane Jones: • John STILWELL born 20/01/1817 Sydney, died aft. 1828 • Lucy STILWELL born 23/04/1818 Sydney, died 08/12/1818 Sydney • Thomas STILWELL born 22/09/1819 Sydney, marr 1844 Goulburn to Julia Croak/Croke, died 23/02/1900 Springvale • Jane Margaret STILWELL born 11/05/1821 Sydney, marr 1837 Goulburn to William Robson/Robinson, died 10/01/1885 Swatchfield William STILWELL born 03/09/1823 Sydney, marr 1857 Hartley to Catherine Maclean, died 08/03/1900 Black Springs 1820, 9 March – Petition of Jane - To Gov. Macquarie etc. “The humble Petition of Jane STILWELL – Sheweth - That your Petitioner was tried at the Old Bailey in July 1812 & received sentence of transportation for Life, was taken by the Americans in the Brig "Emu" on her passage to this Country, returned again to England, and arrived in this Colony in the Ship "Broxbornebury" in 1814, Captain Pitcher. Is now married to Mr. John Stilwell and has by him two children alive and with him been in the service of Sir John Jamison Esq. for the last four years. Petitioner humbly hopes that your Excellency may be pleased to take into consideration Petitioner's good conduct, since her arrival in this Colony, and grant such indulgence as your Excellency may think proper to bestow, and your Petitioner as in Duty bound will ever pray. Jane STILWELL” [“I believe most respectfully to recommend petitioner as being very worthy of your Excellency protection. J. Jamison”] [“An Absolute Pardon is to be made out for the Memorialist Jane Jones (now Stilwell), bearing on the 9th March 1820, L.M.”) (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Fiche 3208, page4) 1820, 9 March - Absolute Pardon for Jane JONES - Granted 9 March 1820, By Governor Macquarie. Described as - servant, per ship Brox., tried Middlesex Gaol Delivery 01/07/1812, life sentence, 4’10½” tall, fair complexion, black hair, and hazel eyes. (Source: SRNSW Convict Absolute Pardons, Reel 800, 4/4486, p57) 1822 Muster: Jane Jones, AP, Broxbornebury, Life, wife of E. Stelwell (sic), Sydney (A11514) 1823-1825 Muster: Jane STILLWELL (?), AP, "Broxbornebury" 1814, Life, wife of John STILLWELL, Sydney (41749) & children - John, aged 8, BC & Thomas aged 6, BC (where was daughter Jane Margaret? husband John also listed as a Mariner) (Source: General Muster List of NSW 1823-25) 1825 - Muster roll of ship "Princess Charlotte" of London, sailed from Sydney in January 1825, bound for Calcutta. 40 persons @ 5 pounds. Passenger - Mr J STILWELL, came in the "Broxbornebury" (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers Reel 652, 4/4775 page 428) 1828 Census: Jones (sic) JONES, 34, CP, "Broxbornebury" 1814, Life, Prot, Housekeeper to John Webster, Castlereagh St, Sydney [and children, Jane STILWELL, aged 8, BC, William STILWELL, aged 6, BC & Joseph WEBSTER, aged 2, BC] (W0810) (Source: 1828 Census of NSW) 1829, 28 May – Re William STILLWELL - Parents John and Jane STILLWELL. Petition dated 28 May 1829 - “Your petitioner came to this Colony under unfortunate circumstances but her husband followed her as a free subject and has left her with four children he having returned to England. That your petitioner from the depression of the times is unable to support herself and family by her usual occupation of washing and needlework and therefore humbly solicits the admission of her son to the male Orphan School.” (Source: SRNSW Colonial Secretary's Papers - Application for Admissions to Orphan Schools - 4/331, page 39) (Also reference to daughter aged 8 to be admitted, but not sure if this occurred) William STILLWELL, aged 5 1/2, No. 259 in Roll Book, admitted to Male Orphan School 29 May 1829 (Source: SRNSW Orphan School Admission Book AO 4/352 MOS) 1832 – Marriage of Jane STILWELL & John WEBSTER - I certify that John WEBSTER of Sydney, bachelor, aged 33, & Jane JONES/STILWELL, also of Sydney, widow, aged 37, were married in this town by banns with consent of those concerned. 30 March 1832, by John Dunmore Lang, Pres. Chaplain. [Signed John Webster & mark of Jane] - in the presence of W.H. Alway & Isaac Dole. (Source: NSW Parish Church Records V1832-232-Vol 23A) Children born to John Webster and Jane Jones: • Joseph Nehemiah WEBSTER born 30/09/1826 Kissing Point, marr 1856 Goulburn to Lucinda Ellen Lack, died 15/06/1885 Orange • John WEBSTER born 29/04/1828 Sydney, died ? • Leonard WEBSTER born 04/03/1829 Sydney, marr 1869 Wagga Wagga to Mary Maria Morris, died 05/05/1879 Eeralgambeth, near Junee/Cootamundra • Jeremiah Godfrey WEBSTER born April 1831 Parramatta, died 27/09/1905 Taralga • Sarah WEBSTER born 29/09/1832 Goulburn, marr 1854 Goulburn to Charles Thomas Edwards, died c1897 Sofala • Rebecca WEBSTER born 16/10/1834 Goulburn, marr 1867 Sydney to George Edward Wakefield, died 26/10/1913 Sydney 1837, 20 March - John WEBSTER & His wife Jane were witnesses at the wedding of William ROBSON (Robinson) and Jane Margaret STILWELL (16 year-old daughter of Jane) at the Court House, Goulburn, NSW. John signed his name & his wife Jane X her mark. (Source: NSW BDM Church Records V1837-1791-21) 1842 - John Nehemiah Webster died in late February 1842, aged 43 years old in Goulburn. (Source: NSW Burials V1842 - 792 Vol 103) 1843 - Mrs WEBSTER, Midwife, Goulburn. (Source: Brabazon's NSW Directory 1843 - listed under Goulburn. Mitchell Library - FM4/2376) 1843 – Jane (as Jones, aged 49, arrived per ship "Broxbornebury" with a life sentence, Absolute Pardon) applied to the Governor for permission to marry John MITCHELL (aged 45, arrived per ship "Mary" III (4), 14 year sentence, Ticket-of-Leave) by Reverend Hamilton at Goulburn. For some reason the wedding did not go ahead & John Mitchell applied again in 1844 for permission to wed Bridget CONNELLY, aged 36, per ship "Diamond", 7 year term, now TOL, by Reverend Brennan at Goulburn. (Source: Convicts Permission to Marry 1826- 851, CD-Rom Indexed by Lesley Uebel 2000) 1868 – Death Certificate of Jane WEBSTER Date of Death - 24 April 1868, Place - Auburn St, Goulburn NSW Occupation - [blank], Age - 74 Place of Birth - London England Time in NSW - 47 years in NSW Father - William Jones, Glass Manufacturer Mother - Unknown Place of Marriage - Sydney NSW, Year of Marriage - 1824 Name of Spouse - John Nehemiah Webster Children of Marriage - 5 boys and 4 girls living Informant - I. N. Webster son, Goulburn Cause of Death - Old age Length of Illness - 6 days Date of Burial - 26 April 1868. Place of Burial - Goulburn Religion - Rev William Ross, Presbyterian (Source: NSW Death Certificate 1868/4068) Widowed Jane Webster (nee Jones, formerly Stilwell) died of “old age” on the 24th of April 1868 in Auburn St., Goulburn, aged about 73 years-old. Jane has left a legacy of many thousands of descendants. 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

53

Beth Taylor on 13th May 2013

Jane was the daughter of William Jones a glassmaker. In 1812 when Jane was aged 17, she went before the Old Bailey Court with a 15 year-old friend Ann Rogers. They were both charged with breaking and entering a public-house in Manchester Square, London during the night and were caught red-handed with the proceeds: a chicken, 4 loaves of bread, 5 eggs, a saucepan and cover, butter, cheese, 2 knives, 2 forks, 2 plates, a spoon, a basin, a tinder-box and a wooden drawer containing 140 pennies, 2,124 half-pennies and 463 farthings! They were soon taken to the watch-house and two weeks later appeared before the Judge. Jane and Ann’s defence was: “we were in great distress”. They were both sentenced to death because of the large amount of money they had taken, however because of their youth the sentence was commuted to transportation for life to NSW. Jane and her friend Ann were first sent to the Colony in 1812 on the ship Emu (see Chapter 1) and finally landed there in 1814 on the Broxbornebury. Also on board the ship was Sir John Jamison who was to become her employer and his steward John Stilwell, who Jane was later to marry. On their arrival in Sydney John Stilwell was installed at one of Sir John’s properties the Westmoreland Arms, as the Publican and Manager, with Jane assigned to work there as housekeeper. Jane and John Stilwell had 5 children: John (c1817-?); Lucy (c1818-1818); Thomas (c1819-?)[marr 1844 Julia Croke]; Jane Margaret (c1821-1885)[marr 1837 William Robinson/Robson]; and William (c1822-?)[marr 1857 Catherine McLean]. The couple applied to Governor Macquarie to be married and even though Jane was still a convict, permission was granted and they were wed in 1819 at St Philips Church. Over the next few years John was employed by Jamison to look after his properties in Sydney. After working for Sir John Jamison for 4 years, Jane applied to Governor Macquarie for her freedom in 1819, possibly so that she could return to England. Jane received an Absolute Pardon in March 1820, a very great honour only received by one other Broxbornebury passenger, Jane Dannet, who was given her paper after serving 21 years of her sentence!. John Stilwell seems to have had owed money to several people and by 1825 he left the Colony on board the Princess Charlotte bound for London via Calcutta, without his wife and children. No further record of John has been found, but this left Jane, aged about 30 with several children to feed and clothe as well as herself. She became the housekeeper to John Nehemiah Webster (c1799-c1841), an ex-convict, in Castlereagh Street Sydney, where he ran a business being a carver and gilder and also employed two convict shoemakers. Jane had her children living with her and her eldest son, John Jnr. found a position as servant to Richard Hawks of Kissing Point. In 1829 Jane applied to have two of her children admitted to the Orphan School as she could not support them as a “washerwoman and needleworker”. John was the son of Joseph and Ann Webster, born in London and he had appeared before the Old Bailey Court in 1819 charged with having forged and counterfeit bank notes in his possession and pleaded guilty. He received a sentence of 14 years transportation and arrived in the Colony in 1820 on the Mangles (1). John was first assigned to work at Government House as a carver where he was commissioned to make two large carved ornamental chairs for Governor Lachlan Macquarie. John was helped by a carpenter William Temple and the two chairs, constructed of Australian rosewood with kangaroo fur upholstery, were later taken to his home in Scotland by Macquarie when he returned in 1822. Subsequently both were bequeathed to Lachlan’s nephews who took them to Canada in the 1890’s when they emigrated. Since the 1960’s, both chairs have been back in Sydney; one is used as the Chancellor’s Chair at Macquarie University, Ryde and the other belongs to the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences in Sydney. A third chair was later made for Thomas Hobbes Scott, then Secretary to Commissioner Bigge, later Archdeacon of NSW. This chair is now located in St James Church Sydney. Probably because of his fine workmanship, John Webster received his Conditional Pardon only a year after his arrival and then set up his own business. Jane had 6 children to John Webster: Leonard (c1824-1879)[marr 1869 Mary Maria Morris]; Joseph (c1826-1886)[marr 1856 Lucinda Lack]; John (c1828-?); Jeremiah (c1831-?); Sarah Webster (c1832-?)[marr 1854 Charles Edwards]; and Rebecca (c1834-1913)[marr 1867 George Edward Wakefield]. The first four were born in Sydney before they wed in Scots Church in 1832. Jane called herself a widow, but possibly only had to wait 7 years after John Stilwell had left the Colony before she was legally allowed to get married. John and Jane Webster moved to Goulburn NSW about 1832, where the last two children were born. Her husband John Nehemiah Webster had a new occupation as a butcher but he died at Goulburn about 1841, aged 43. Jane Webster (nee Jones, formerly Stilwell) was to survive him by 27 years, seeing her children married and many grand-children born, before dying in Auburn Street, Goulburn on the 24th of April 1868, aged 74 of “old age”.