Elizabeth Male

53

Beth Taylor on 4th February 2026

TIMELINE NOTES: BC: 1793 Sentenced: 11/03/1813 Stafford Lent Assize to death, commuted to transportation for life Crime: Burglary Previous Occupation: Servant Age on Convict Indent: 21 Conditional Pardon 1651 (indent) [1807, 19 April – William Sibley sold John Blaxland a boat for 11 pounds. (SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Letters Received Reel 6043; 4/1727 p198) Future spouse of Elizabeth] Notes re John Blaxland: John Blaxland (4 January 1769 – 5 August 1845) was a pioneer settler and explorer in Australia. Early life Blaxland was born in Kent, the eldest son of John Blaxland and Mary, née Parker, of Fordwich, Kent, England. He was the older brother of Gregory Blaxland. John Blaxland was educated at The King's School, Canterbury, later joined the army and rose to become a captain. He resigned his commission in 1792, managing the family estates at Newington, Kent. Australia In 1805 Blaxland decided to emigrate to Australia with his brother Gregory [explorer] after persuasion from Joseph Banks. Blaxland made a good bargain with the English government which agreed that if he brought £6000 to the colony he would be granted 8000 acres (32 km²) of land, the labour of 80 convicts who would be fed for 18 months by the government, and a free passage for himself, his wife, children and servants. John Blaxland, the elder of the two brothers, reached New South Wales on 4 April 1807, having, in conjunction with Hulletts brothers, of London, built The Three Brothers, a ship of 252 tons, carrying eight guns and a crew of 21 to bring himself, his wife, and four daughters, a governess, two female servants, a bailiff, a carpenter, a man for agricultural purposes and a boy to this land, Oliver Russell being the master.[1] He arrived with instructions to Governor Bligh to give him various concessions in place of the free passage. Bligh was no more helpful than he thought necessary, but Blaxland obtained cattle from the government herd, started a dairy in Sydney, and also sold meat and vegetables. Blaxland did a very useful piece of work in reducing the prices of these necessities, but Bligh insisted that he should go in for agriculture as well as grazing. He antagonized Blaxland, who joined in the deposition of Bligh in January 1808, but Blaxland could not get the concessions he wanted from Colonel Johnston. (Source: Wikipedia) [1813, 5 Nov. – William was a witness at the inquest of his friend James Mullen, who had drowned after falling from the cutter Elizabeth. (SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Special Bundle Reel 6021; 4/1819 pp481-2) Future spouse of Elizabeth] 1814 Muster: Elizabeth MAIL (?), con, Brox, on stores, hospital nurse, Sydney (7105) 1821, 28 Nov. – Elizabeth petitioned for a CP. She stated she had been tried at Stafford in 1813 & given a life term & was now married to William Sibley, a very respectable inhabitant. She had been in NSW for 8 [7] years. (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Petitions Fiche 3210; 4/1863 p62) 1821, 28 Nov. – Elizabeth MALE received a Conditional Pardon on 28/11/1821. Described as: arr per ship Brox. 1814, servant, native of Stafford, life sentence, 5’1¼” tall, fair ruddy complexion, brown hair, and light hazel eyes. (Source: SRNSW Convict Pardons, Reel 774, 4/4430, p181) 1822 – William wrote to the Gov stating he was at a loss what to do with his wife. He said he had been here 23 years, & his wife keeps taking his property & absconding with it whenever he is temporarily absent. He has taken her before the Magistrates previously & forgiven her & taken her back, but this time she eloped with a former Constable Thomas Colebrook (?) & William stated she has no shame or remorse. He asked for advice. (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Letters Received Reel 6056; 4/1763 p263) 1822, 5 April – “Notice.-I the undersigned, do hereby Caution all persons from giving Trust or Credit to my Wife Elizabeth Sibley, on my account, she having left her house without just cause or provocation :- And I further Caution all persons from harbouring or concealing her on pain of prosecution for the offence. WILLIAM SIBLEY” (Source: Sydney Gazette, 05/04/1822, p4) 1822, 2 May – Elizabeth SIBLEY, per ship Brox., was admitted to Sydney Gaol on 02/05/1822. Elizabeth was sentenced to the Female Factory for 30 days. The crime was not recorded. (Source: SRNSW Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930; Series: 2514; Item: 4/6460; Roll: 850.) 1822 Muster: Elizabeth MAY (?), CP, Brox, wife of William Sibley, Sydney (A14528) & spouse – William SIBLEY, FBS, Hillsborough, 7 years, dealer, Sydney (A19117) 1823, 12 Aug. – A letter was sent from the Col Sec to Thomas Dunne, Chief Constable, to proceed to the rear of Sibley’s yard in Cumberland St. & take into his charge Charlotte Jane Thorpe, alias Anderson & to put her on the [ship] Phobia. (SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Letters Sent Reel 6011; 4/3509 p63) 1823-1825 Muster: Elizabeth MALE, CP, Brox, life, wife to William Sibley – left colony! (31867) [Found also in Home Office 1825 Muster. Note: May mean only William left Colony?]& 2nd entry Elizabeth SIBLEY, con, Brox, life, FF, Parramatta (40283) & spouse - William SIBLEY, FS, Hillsborough 1798, 7 years – left colony 1825 (40093) [Found also in Home Office 1825 Muster] [see also Charlotte MAY for this Muster] 1824, 1 Jan. “MOST DESIRABLE COTTAGES IN SYDNEY. BY MR. PAUL, On Tuesday next, at 12 o'Clock without Reserve by Order of the Proprietor, Mr. Wm. Sibley, on the Premises, TWO particularly Neat COTTAGES, recently and substantially built, with handsome verandah, eligibly situate in Cumberland street, commanding a fine view of the harbour, domain, and its adjacent picturesque scenery:— Lot 1. Myrtle Cottage; a most desirable residence, containing 4 good rooms, detached …with kitchen, two-stall stable, &c. Lot 2. A well arranged roomy Cottage, adjoining the former, 4 apartments on the ground floor and …above, with other conveniences; a productive garden, with fruit trees, &c.; wells to both tenements, that have the decided advantage of always possessing a plentiful supply of excellent water. These will present the opportunity for a profitable investment, as the returns by letting are great. A deposit of 30 per cent. will be required, and the residue on giving possession, which may be immediate. At the same Time will positively be Sold, the neat Furniture, composing feather beds, bolsters, pillows, mattrasses, bedsteads, chests of drawers, tables, chairs, culinary utensils, and various other useful articles. Further Particulars may be had on the Premises …” (Source: Sydney Gazette, 01/01/1824, p1) 1824, 23 Jan. – Elizabeth SIBLEY. Per "Broxbornebury", 1814, as Elizabeth Male; wife of William Sibley of 7 Cumberland St.. Her husband laying a complaint against her & asking that she be committed to the House of Correction. William wrote that Elizabeth was sometimes away from home for weeks at a time, broke his property when she returned and recently “making away of her wearing apparel to satiate her inordinate quest for spirituous liquors”. (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Letters Received Reel Reel 6061; 4/1778 p.44) 1824, 26 Feb. – “WHEREAS my Wife, Elizabeth Sibley, being in the habit of repeatedly leaving her Home, on her own accord, and being now absent, this is to Caution the Inhabitants, and Public in general, not to trust her on my Account, as I will not be responsible for any Debts she may contract, Cumberland-street, Rocks, 25th February, 1824. William Sibley” (Source: Sydney Gazette, 26/02/1824, p3) 1824, 27 May – Elizabeth SIBLEY, free, was admitted to Sydney Gaol on 27/05/1824, charged with being a “notorious rogue and vagabond…and robbing her husband”. Elizabeth was sentenced to the Female Factory for 4 months. (Source: SRNSW Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930; Series: 2514; Item: 4/6428; Roll: 850.) 1825, 16 Dec. – The Superintendent of Police was asked by Col Sec Goulburn for a report on the circumstances of the letter from Elizabeth Sibley. (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Letters Sent Reel 6016; 4/3516 p201) 1827 - Elizabeth SIBLEY, free, was admitted to Sydney Gaol on 17/07/1827, charged with being “illegally at large…frequently absenting from her husband…and living in a state of prostitution”. Elizabeth was sentenced to “the 3rd class” at the Female Factory for 3 months. (Source: SRNSW Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930; Series: 2514; Item: 4/6430 & 6/6429; Roll: 850 & 851.) 1828, 4 March – Elizabeth (as MALE/MOYLE), aged 35, free by pardon, was refused permission to marry James Podam, aged 28, per ship Minerva (4), with a life sentence, now bond, on 04/03/1828 at Bathurst. The reason given was that James was not able to support a wife and that Elizabeth was “already married to William Sibley, residing in Sydney.” (Source: SRNSW Convicts Permission to Marry, Reel 714, #156) [Note: James Podam had arrived in Sydney in 1821 on the ship Minerva (4) and was first assigned to work for John Macarthur at Parramatta. Source: Col Sec records] 1828, 30 August – William SIBLEY reported that he had some bank notes missing from his house. He claimed he had been robbed by Charlotte Peby, a 16 year-old newly married woman, who he had invited home overnight. No verdict could be made by the jury and the woman was discharged by the Court. (Source: Sydney Monitor, 30/08/1828, p4-5) 1828 Census: No record found for Elizabeth or William. 1830, 30 Nov. – Petition of Elizabeth Male to Gov. Darling. Elizabeth had arr per ship Brox., life sentence, granted her freedom by Gov. Macquarie 9 years before. She had returned the pardon to Gov. Darling’s office when he arrived in the Colony as it was “mutilated” requesting a new certificate but had not received it. The petition was possibly written at Bathurst or Mount York. The Col Sec office wrote a note that Elizabeth Male (now Sibley) had a Conditional Pardon #1651 and that it had been left in 1825 [5 years before!] “on the occasion of her applying for a Government male servant”. (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Reel 827, 4/8922, Item 30/8922) NSW BDM: 1) Elizabeth Male, spinster, married William Sibley, seaman, bachelor, at St Philips on 9 May 1815 by Rev Cowper. William Sibley, aged 32, Bachelor, Abode: Sydney, Seaman, Signed X; & Elizabeth Male, aged 24, Spinster, Abode: Sydney, Signed X; married 09 May 1815, registered St Philips Church of England Sydney by Banns by William Cowper, Assistant Chaplain; Witness: Henry Lamb, Signed; Witness: Catharine Lloyd, Signed X (Source: V1815-1768-3A & St Philip's Church of England, Sydney NSW: Church Register - Marriages; ML ref: Reel SAG 90) Children born to Elizabeth and William SIBLEY: • Thomas SIBLEY born 27/03/1815 Sydney (Thomas, son of William Siveley (sic), & Elizabeth Neale (sic); Born 27 Mar 1815 Sydney, Baptised 8 Apr 1815, Registered at St Philip's Church of England Sydney (Source: St Philip's Church of England, Sydney NSW: Church Register - Baptisms; ML ref: Reel SAG 90; Vol Entry# 482), died ? • Sarah SIBLEY born 11/11/1819 Sydney (Sarah, daughter of William Sibley, Elizabeth; Born 11 Nov 1819 Sydney, Baptised 28 Nov 1819, Registered at St Philip's Church of England Sydney. Source: St Philip's Church of England, Sydney NSW: Church Register - Baptisms; ML ref: Reel SAG 90; Vol Entry# 133), died 18/12/1819 Sydney, aged 5 weeks (Sarah Sibley, Free; Died 18 Dec 1819 [Sydney], Aged: 5 weeks; Buried 20 Dec 1819 [Sydney]; Registered at St Philip's Church of England Sydney. Source: St Philip's Church of England, Sydney NSW: Church Register - Burials; ML ref: Reel SAG 90; Vol Entry# 161 & V1819-133-8) • William Elias SIBLEY born Sydney 01/03/1823 Sydney, (William Elias, son of William Sibley, Elizabeth; Born 1 Mar 1823 Sydney, Baptised 16 Mar 1823, Registered at St Philip's Church of England Sydney. Source: St Philip's Church of England, Sydney NSW: Church Register - Baptisms; ML ref: Reel SAG 90; Vol Entry# 559 & V1823-559-8), died 03/07/1823 Sydney aged 4 months (William Elias Sibley, Free; Died 3 Jul 1823 [Sydney], Aged: 4 months; Buried 4 Jul 1823 [Sydney]; Registered at St Philip's Church of England Sydney. Source: St Philip's Church of England, Sydney NSW: Church Register - Burials; ML ref: Reel SAG 90; Vol Entry# 896) 2) Elizabeth Sibley (nee Male) was a witness at the wedding of fellow Brox passenger Judith MILLARD to James Doherty in 1815. James Doherty, aged 25, Bachelor, Abode: Sydney, Carpenter, Signed; & Judith Miller, aged 22, Spinster, Abode: Sydney, Signed X; married 16 May 1815, registered St Philips Church of England Sydney by Banns by William Cowper, Assistant Chaplain; Witness: Elizabeth Sibley, Signed X; Witness: James Boyle, Signed X (Source: St Philip's Church of England, Sydney NSW: Church Register - Marriages; ML ref: Reel SAG 90) 3) William Sibley aged 67, died in 1842. The service was RC, St Marys Sydney. (V1842-632-114 & 1587-132) 4) Death of Elizabeth Sibley nee Male not found Jess’ Girls – SAG:  1814 – Muster  1818 – married (woman)  1822 – Muster, as May  1825 – 1st entry, CP  1825 – 2nd entry – con, FF, Parra  Indent – TL 1651 – 5’1¼”, fair ruddy complexion, brown hair, hazel eyes  Mutch – marr William Sibley 1815  Mutch – children born – Thomas 1815, Sarah 1819, William Elias 1823 & bapt at St Philips Sydney  COD 19 – Pardon, 28 Nov 1821, no other info  Reel 714 – No. 156 as Moyle, aged 35, has CP, permission to marry refused by Rev Keane, Bathurst, to James ….odum (per ship Minerva), she was already married to Sibley in Sydney Convict Indent: William Sibley came to Sydney per ship Hillsborough on 26 July 1799. He had bee tried at Middlesex (Old Bailey) [see trial record below] in Feb 1798 & was sentenced to 7 years transportation. 1798 - WILLIAM SIBLEY, Theft > burglary, 14th February 1798. 159. WILLIAM SIBLEY was indicted for breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Everard Cruttenden about the hour of nine in the night of the 20th of February, and stealing thirteen yards of silk ribbon, value 7s. the property of the said Everard. EVERARD CRUTTENDEN sworn. - I am a haberdasher, No. 35, Rosemary-lane : On Saturday night last my shop-window was broke, I was behind the counter serving in the shop at the time, it was between eight and nine o'clock in the evening; I lost a piece of satin ribbon containing between thirteen and fourteen yards, on a roll, worth about seven shillings, the shop-door was shut; I immediately went out to the opposite side of the way, and laid wait for his coming back again; I had before lost things in the same way, to a considerable amount. Q. It was not day-light then? - A. No, it was dark; I observed a small hole in one square of glass, and the prisoner at my shop-window making several attempts; I cannot say what with, but I think it was a knife, making the hole larger to convey the roll through, which at last he did, and instantly put it into his bosom. Q. Had he got his hand inside the window? - A. No; I immediately caught him as he was running away, and secured him; he took it out of his bosom, and dropped it on the ground, with a knife, which I afterwards found; I took him to my own shop, and called for assistance; I sent for a constable, who lives next door to me, and he searched him. Q. Can you swear, that at the time you left the shop, there was room enough to get the ribbon out? - A. By no means; but as I was watching him all the time, I can swear that no other person had been near the window. JOSEPH DUTTON sworn. - I am a constable, I was sent for by Mr. Cruttenden: I searched the prisoner but did not find any thing upon him; I then went to the spot where he was taken, at the corner of a street, and there was a woman who had just picked up the prisoner's hat, and a piece of ribbon in the crown of it; I gave the prisoner his hat, and have had the ribbon ever since. (Produces it). Prosecutor. This is my ribbon, I had placed it there myself in the morning, I cannot say whether I saw it or not when I went out to watch; I saw him put his hand in his bosom and throw this piece of ribbon down, and his hat fell off at the same time in the scuffle; here is a piece of the same that was found in the glass case, that had been cut off with a knife. The prisoner did not say any thing in his defence. GUILTY (Aged 15.) Of stealing the goods, but not guilty of breaking and entering the dwelling-house. Transported for seven years. Tried by the first Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Justice ASHHURST. (Source: Old Bailey on-line http://www.oldbaileyonline.org ) Notes 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

342

Maureen Withey on 15th August 2023

The following prisoners condemned, but afterwards reprieved, were—John Nicholls for forgery; Michael Smith, and Richard Allerton, for privately stealing; William Williamson, and Elizabeth Male, for house-breaking; Thomas Cooper, for stealing bay mare; and John Johnson, for sheep stealing. Thomas Adams, aged 14, for robbery at Walsall,  was sentenced to be transported for seven years. Oxford University and City Herald, 27 March 1813.

342

Maureen Withey on 11th February 2020

Colonial Secretary Index: SIBLEY, Elizabeth. Per “Broxbornebury”, 1814, as Elizabeth Male; wife of William Sibley 1821 Nov 28 - Petition for conditional pardon (Fiche 3210; 4/1863 p.62) 1822 - Memorial of her husband William re her absconding with his property (Reel 6056; 4/1763 p.263) 1824 Jan 23 - Her husband laying a complaint against her & asking that she be committed to the House of Correction (Reel 6064; 4/1788 p.44) 1825 Dec 16 - Re circumstances of (Reel 6016; 4/3516 p.201) Her husband: SIBLEY, William. Per “Hillsborough”, 1799 1807 Apr 19 - On statement of capital advanced by John Blaxland in his concerns from 3 Apr 1807 to 14 Sep 1808 (Reel 6043; 4/1727 p.198) 1813 Nov 5 - Evidence at inquest on James Mullen (Reel 6021; 4/1819 pp.481-2) 1821 Nov 28 - Petition of Elizabeth Sibley for mitigation of sentence (Fiche 3210; 4/1863 p.62) 1822 - Memorial re his wife Elizabeth absconding with his property (Reel 6056; 4/1763 p.263) 1823 Aug 12 - Re his house in Cumberland Street (Reel 6011; 4/3509 p.63) 1824 Jan 23 - Of 7 Cumberland Street. Laying complaint against his wife & asking that she be committed to House of Correction (Reel 6061; 4/1778 p.44) ADVERTISEMENTS. WHEREAS my Wife, Elizabeth Sibley, being in the habit of repeatedly leaving her Home, of her own accord, and being now absent, this is to Caution the Inhabitants, and Public in general, not to trust her on my Account, as I will not be responsible for any Debts she may contract. Cumberland-street, Rocks, 25th February, 1824. WILLIAM SIBLEY. Published in the Sydney Gazette, 26 Feb 1824.