Joseph Law

Level 72

Robin Sharkey on 22nd September 2015

Joseph Law age 26 was married with 2 children when he was convicted at Doncaster (South Yorkshire) on 21 January 1829. Crime: poaching. 14 yrs transportation, per “Norfolk“(2). From Ship’s indent - 5ft6 1/2, ruddy, brown, hazel eyes. No other marks Trade: Hatter His brother Charles Law, 25, was tried at Wakefield, 20 miles away on 21 January 1829, and sent on the same ship. 14 years for a theft. Joseph had two prior convictions, one with Matthew Law, coal miner, who was also on board the "Norfolk". Although Matthew was not noted on the indent as a brother, he must have been closely related to Joseph Law. * Joseph had been sentenced with Matthew Law at Lent the previous year to six months’ imprisonment. Sheffield Independent Saturday 19 April 1828 page 3. DAVID HOLMES, MATTHEW LAW and JOSEPH LAW, charged with stealing at Brampton Bierlow,a quantity of red clover seed, the property f Thos. Jackson. To be Imprisoned six months. They had not long been out of jail, only a few months, when Matthew was picked up on a separate crime, and Joseph for poaching: * Sheffield Independent Saturday 10 January 1829 page 3. The Wentworth Pheasants - After the examination of Joseph Law on Friday last, upon the charge of stealing the golden pheasants, the property of Earl Fitzwilliam, Flather proceeded with his prisoner to Wentworth House in order that it might be proved if he had been seen in the neighbourhood, before or at the time of the robbery. This evidence was partially supplied but the birds were identified by the gamekeeper by a singular circumstance. One of the birds found on the prisoner was a fine com pheasant who had bent his tail. Upon examining the aviary, the poor bird’s feathered extremities were found sticking on the wires of the aviary through which he had been forcibly drawn. Examination was afterwards taken before the Rev Dr Lowe, and the prisoner was committed. Sheffield Independent Saturday 31 January 1829 page 3. MATTHEW LAW along with Joseph Law, charged with steainga consbroi xx property of charlres hot.No evidence xx against Joseph Law, he having been xx other Court, and he was therefore xxx. The Jury found the prisoner Guilty xx chairman in passing sentence said xx when this offence was committed had xx months out of prison. He was convicted xx Easter Sessions in 1828 and sentenced xxxx imprisonment. After the expiration xxx he committed another felony and was xxx Pontefract Session when he was convicted and sentenced to ebimprisoned six months xx was satisfied that he had taken up xxx trade, and it was impossible to bring? xxx by any future warning. His companion xxx dy undergone th sentence of transportation xxx only xxx left for the court was to xxx the same fate. The sentence of the court was that he be transported for fourteen years. On arrival, sent to the Public Works Department, with his brother Charles. Sydney Gaol Record 1831: Joseph Law was a shingler, Protestant, Committed 12 july 1831, at Parramatta Police office, For Bench of magistrates at Parramatta. Sent to Parramatta Police Office on 6 August 1831. (Crime not stated) Apparently sent to Port Macquarie from here. Ticket of Leave dated 30 Apr 1840 For Port Macquarie area “torn up and cancelled, the holder reported dead -letter from P Mag Port Macquarie” DEATH - 25 Dept 1842. NSW Convict death register 25 Sept 1842 Port Macquarie “hospital”