Summary
Personal Information
Transportation
Robert Laing was transported on the Nile, departing 18th Sep 1857 and arriving 1st Jan 1858 with 271 passengers.
Nile (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 93, Class and Piece Number HO11/18, Page Number 249 (126). Western Australia, Australia, Convict Records, 1846-1930; Convict Department Registers (128/38 - 39). |
| Source Description | This record is one of the entries in the British convict transportation registers 1787-1867 database compiled by State Library of Queensland from British Home Office (HO) records which are available on microfilm as part of the Australian Joint Copying Pro |
| Original Source | Great Britain. Home Office |
| Compiled By | State Library of Queensland |
| Database Source | British convict transportation registers 1787-1867 database |
Claims
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Photos
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Convict Notes
FOOTNOTE 2: Newspaper reporting of the trial: From the Aberdeen Press and Journal, 23 April 1856, p5: "... ROBBERY, &C. Robert Laing (18), Andrew Roorke or Rork (22), and Benjamin Walker (19), all unprepossessing looking youths, were accused of robbery, and also theft, aggravated in the case of the two first-named panels by their being habit and repute thieves and previously convicted of theft. The indictment set forth that, on the 8th or 9th September last, the prisoners, in Barnett’s close, attacked Chas. Ferguson, ship-carpenter (somewhat in the garotte fashion), robbed him of a purse and 24s sterling in silver money—or otherwise, that they simply stole the purse and money libelled. They severally pled not guilty to either of the charges. The evidence of Ferguson went to show that he was in a public house on Saturday evening, 8th September, and shared some drink with the three individuals, two of whom he now identified as Laing and Roorke. Witness paid for the drink, and they must have seen his purse..." (https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/). --00--
Footnote: His co-accused Andrew Roorke was also transported to WA per Nile -- see https://convictrecords.com.au/convicts/roorke/andrew/59249.
From his Fremantle jail record: LAING, Robert; #4583, arrived 1 Jan 1858 per Nile Date of Birth: 1838 Date of Death: 2 Apr 1879 Place of Death: Cossack, drowned Marital Status: Unmarried Occupation: Carter Literacy: Semiliterate Sentence Place: Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland Crime: Robbery Sentence Period: 15 years Ticket of Leave Date: 2 Feb 1860 Conditional Pardon Date: 6 Sep 1862 Comments: Pearler (https://fremantleprison.com.au/).
TRIAL: 22 April, 1856: National Records of Scotland -- Reference JC26/1856/4 Trial papers relating to Robert Laing, Andrew Roorke and Benjamin Walker for the crime of robbery, or theft, habit and repute, and previous conviction. Tried at High Court, Aberdeen. Accused: Robert Laing, Verdict: Guilty, Verdict Comments: Guilty - robbery, Sentence: Transportation - 15 years Previous convictions: theft. Accused: Andrew Roorke, alias Roork; Rork, married, Verdict: Guilty, Verdict Comments: Guilty - robbery, Sentence: Transportation - 15 years Previous convictions: theft. Accused: Benjamin Walker, Verdict: Guilty, Verdict Comments: Guilty - robbery, recommendation for leniency, Sentence: Penal servitude - 4 years. --00--
CRIME: 1856: National Records of Scotland -- Reference AD14/56/172 Precognition against Benjamin Walker, Andrew Roorke and Robert Laing for the crime of robbery, or theft. Accused: Benjamin Walker, Age: 19, labourer, Address: Gallowgate, Aberdeen. Accused: Andrew Roorke, alias Roork; Rork, married, Age: 22, private, Royal Aberdeenshire Regiment of Militia, Address: Hanover Street, Aberdeen. Accused: Robert Laing, Age: 18, private, Royal Aberdeenshire Regiment of Militia, Address: Seamount Place, Aberdeen. --0--