John Richard Patrick

54

Phil Hands on 2nd June 2017

Tried and convicted at the Old Bailey on 13th April 1791 for the theft of 5 silver teaspoons valued at 4 shillings, 1 silver sugar tong valued at 1 shilling, the goods of Isaac Elsgood, sentenced to 7 years transportation. Left England on 17th July 1791. Ship:- the 'Pitt' sailed with 352 male and 58 female convicts on board of which 20 males and 9 females died during the voyage and 5 males were reported to have escaped. Arrived on 14th February 1792. Married convict Mary Cooksey ('Neptune' 1790) in 1810 at Moreton Bay. Mary died on 14th November 1812 due to a snake bite. Sydney Gazette Saturday 21st November 1812 p. 2 Another accident of the same dreadful description too place at Bunbury Curran on Saturday last: - An unfortunate woman, Mary Cooksey, by name, was that evening bit, and died next morning. John Patrick with whom she had long co[habited, endeavoured to save her life by literally extracting the part externally affected. This painful task he performed, but vain was the effort - and the unfortunate companion of his toils took leave of the world next morning. The reptile that inflicted the deadly wound was not seen at the time the deceased complained; but next day, a person propelled towards the spot by a concern for the woman's condition, there found a black snake, coiled around, which he killed, and about the same instant heard that the ill fated object of his solicitude had breathed her last! On 26th January 1818 John married catherine Akers (daughter of convicts Thomas Akers, 'Charlotte' 1788 & Ann Hinchley, 'Mary Ann' 1791) at Sydney, they had 5 children between 1818-1827. Old Bailey Trial Transcript. Reference Number: t17910413-63 JOHN RICHARD PATRICK was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 31st of March , five silver tea-spoons, value 4 s. a silver sugar-tongs, value 12 d. the goods of Isaac Elsgood . SARAH ELSGOOD sworn. I am the wife of Isaac Elsgood . My husband is a cooper . On the 31st of March, Thursday, I lost the teaspoons and sugar-tongs: another man and the prisoner came into my shop, and asked for a dozen of apples; I was afraid of them by their looks, I went just on one e to get what they wanted, and coming back I looked up, and missed the tea-spoons and sugar-tongs; I charged the prisoner with it before he went out of my house; he went out, and was pursued, and brought back, and was flinging them out of his pocket before they touched him. JOSEPH RAMSDELL sworn. I was coming from the mill, and met the prisoner, and saw him throw the spoons out of his pocket on the ground, about fifteen rods from Mr. Elsgood's house. I did not know what they were, till I saw them picked up, four silver spoons, and a pair of silver tea-tongs, all loose: he run, I did not see him taken. WILLIAM GILL sworn. On the 31st of March I heard an alarm, and went out and heard Mrs. Elsgood making a cry out that she had been robbed: I stopped the prisoner. (The spoons produced and deposed to.) PRISONER's DEFENCE. This gentlewoman said, when I was taken, that she would let me go, for she could not say I had taken the things, as there was another lad in the place. The prisoner called four witnesses to his character. GUILTY . (Aged 20.) Transported for seven years . Tried by the first Middlesex Jury before Mr. Baron HOTHAM .