John Martin

54

Phil Hands on 9th April 2017

Tried and convicted at the Old Bailey on 3rd July 1782, for the theft of clothing value 39 shillings, sentenced to 7 years transportation to the coast of west Africa, On 1st November 1782 he Embarked on the 'Den Keyser' bound for Africa. He was returned sick to Newgate prison where he remained until sent to the 'Ceres' hulk in 1785, his transportation destination was was later changed to NSW. Left England on 13th May 1787. Ship:- the 'Alexander' sailed with 195 male convicts on board of which 31 died during the voyage. Arrived on 26th January 1788. John Martin was one of the 12 Negroes on the First Fleet. 26th August 1792 - Married convict Ann Toy ('Neptune' 1790) at Parramatta. 30th August 1788 - Received 25 lashes for lighting a fire in the hut he shared with William Davis and John Parker. The other two men were also punished. 29th November 1792 - Received a grant of 50 acres at the Northern Boundary Farms. March 1798 - Recorded as the only one of the old settlers remaining at The Ponds. 1802 - Martin still held his 50 acres, 26 of them clear, nearly nine in wheat and six ready for maize. No children were indicated. John also held the positions of constable, and also of pound keeper in 1820. !806 - His wife, Ann, died at Parramatta 1812 - Married Mary Randall, John's second wife, the daughter of convicts John Randall, another negro, ('Alexander' 1788 & Mary Butler, 'Neptune' 1790), they had 11 children between 1807-1832. 1828,- The census listed John Martin as aged 72, he was pensioned as a constable and still held 50 acres in the Northern Boundary district, with 40 cleared (15 of them cultivated). He owned 3 horse and 20 sheep and employed a convict laborer. John Martin died at Field of Mars on 21st December 1837, age given as 88, and was buried at St John's Parramatta. 17th December 1837 - John's will (signed with mark) described him as a settler, Pennant Hills Road, Field of Mars. He left his wife one shilling and directed that his farm be divided among his 5 children. Isaac Mobbs and Richard Partridge were executors and the estate was valued at under 25 pounds (excluding realty), probate not being granted until 19 October 1841. Buried at St Johns Parramatta. He was a Protestant. Old Bailey Trial Transcript. Reference Number: t17820703-5 421. JOHN MARTIN (a negro ) was indicted for stealing two cloth coats, value 20 s. a stuff waistcoat, value 1 s. and a pair of stuff breeches, value 2 s. the property of Stephen Turnbull ; and two cloth coats, value 10 s. two cloth waistcoats, value 5 s. two pair of cloth breeches, value 5 s. one cotton waistcoat, value 1 s. a linen waistcoat, value 1 s. a cotton petticoat, value 1 s. and a cotton gown, value 2 s. the property of John Turnbull , in his dwelling-house , May the 18th . ( Stephen Turnbull deposed, That he went up to the one pair of stairs room, and found the door wide open, and the prisoner in the room; that he went down stairs, and informed his mother of it; that the prisoner rushed by them in the passage, with a bundle under his arm: he was pursued, and immediately taken. The bundle, containing the clothes mentioned in the indictment, was produced in court, and they were deposed to by the prosecutor.) GUILTY of stealing to the value of 39 s. Tried by the First Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Justice Buller.