Nicholas Piroelle

341

Maureen Withey on 19th February 2023

Deaths at Camp Sullivan Bay, River Derwent , van Diemens Land. https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD34-1-1p002j2k Nicholas Peroelle, Buried 22 May 1804, age 44, Ceremony performed by R. Knopwood.

221

D Wong on 11th April 2017

Old Bailey: NICHOLAS PIRIOLE, Theft > grand larceny, 2nd December 1801. Offence: Theft > grand larceny Verdict: Guilty Punishment: Transportation NICHOLAS PIRIOLE was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 29th of October, ten pounds weight of preserved apricots, value 50s. one hundred pounds weight of carraways, value 30s. two pounds weight of apple jelly, value 8s. twelve pound of sugar, value 6s. a wooden box, value 1s. twelve sheets of coil, value 6s. twelve jars, value 12d. and twelve gall hots, value 6d. the property of Martha Hoffman, widow, Charles-Godfrey Hoffman, and James-Rix Hoffman.(The case was opened by Mr. Knowlys.) JAMES RIX HOFFMAN sworn. - Examined by Mr. Const. Q. What is the firm of your house? - A. Martha Hoffman, widow, Charles-Godfrey Hoffman, and myself; we are confectioners, in Bishopsgate-street ; the prisoner was our servant : About three days before the 29th of October, I missed some preserved apricots from two pans; we suspected the prisoner, and had master-keys made to his boxes; on the evening of the 27th, I examined the boxes, and found two bladders containing preserved apricots. Q. Are bladders the common mode of keeping them? - A. No; about a quarter past eight in the evening, I concealed myself; we had placed Mr. Holdsworth outside the door, where he was to wait for a signal, when he was to stop the prisoner; I saw the prisoner take the bladders one by one out of the box, and put them in his pocket; after that, I saw him return them into the box again; I should suppose they were too large for his pockets; the next day, about twelve o'clock, I examined his boxes, and found the bladders reduced in size, and, in the corner of the same box, I found a brown paper containing preserved apricots; in the evening I concealed myself as before, and saw the prisoner take the bladders out of the box, and put them in his pockets; Mr. Holdsworth was outside the door; my brother gave him the signal, and he brought the prisoner in, and searched him; he fell on his knees, and begged for God's sake we would save his life, and he would confess his guilt; upon his finding, that would not do, he fell flat upon his face, kissed our feet, and begged we would save his life, and he would confess every thing; I made answer, that his conduct had been too infamous for him to expect any mercy; there were two bladders containing preserved apricots found upon him. Cross-examined by Mr. Gurney. Q. I presume the skill that he had used in your house would have enabled him to make up goods of this fort at his own lodgings? - A. I don't know that he did. Q. Of course you don't mean to swear to preserved apricots? - A. No.(Mr. Charles- Godfrey Hoffman and Mr. Philip Holdsworth corroborated the testimony of the last witness.)(The prisoner, being a Frenchman, made his defence by means of an interpreter, as follows:) I bought these apricots of a person at different times; his name is Joseph Fondiere, he lives in the Little Minories; he had been to my house in Lemon-street, Tabernacle-walk, several times, particularly one evening, when I bought twelve pounds of apricots of him, which he was to bring me the next morning; and, as I was going to my work the next morning, I met him in Bishopsgate Churchyard with the apricots in two bladders; he said, he was in a hurry, and could not carry them to my house; he gave them to me, and I took them to Mr. Hoffman's, and put them in my box, not thinking there was any danger in it; I intended to take them all home in the evening, but meeting with a friend in the day, with whom I was to go and sup, I only took a part of them; and, that I might not give my master any room to suspect, I took them out of the bladder, and put them into a brown paper; and on the 29th of October I took the rest away, thinking there was no harm in so doing; Mr. Charles Hoffman came into the shop, and asked me some questions about some ornaments for the Lord-Mayor's day; and, upon quitting the house, I was stopped by the City-Marshal, and brought back; and when I was brought back, I was very much frightened, and did not know what I said. The prisoner called four witnesses, who gave him a good character. GUILTY, aged 44. Transported for seven years. Wife Sarah Riebary/Rubery/Roberry the wife of Nicholas Piroelle and their son Henry were also on board the Calcutta. Originally the Calcutta went to Sorrento, Victoria to make a new settlement, this failed and most ended up in Tasmania. As did Nicholas and his wife and child. 22/5/1804: Nicholas Piroelle died suddenly. *From the General and Garrison orders given by David Collins Esq’re, Lieut Governor of Port Phillip & Lieut. Colonel of the Royal Marines: It having been represented to the Lieutenant Governor that some Person or Persons have inconsiderately suggested from the Suddeness of the Death of the late Nicholas Piroelle, that he had died by Poison, he thinks it necessary to publish the following Report of the Surgeon, who opened the Body and in his presence satisfactorily and clearly ascertained the Cause of his Death. Surgeon’s Report Upon opening the Thorax, the Pericardium and the sides of the Chest contained a large quantity of water which had stopped the Action of the Lungs. The Heart was unusually large but not otherwise diseased. In the Abdomen I examined the Stomach and Intestines particularly, which were perfectly health and contained a small quantity of half digested food, in which there was nothing remarkable. The Liver was also much enlarged from some former disease. Signed Matt.w Bowden Ass.t Surgeon. Sarah began living with Francis Cobb (also on the Calcutta) - they had children together but did not marry until 23/3/1827, Sarah Caroline (1806), Francis William (1811) and Celia (1813). The children were baptised with the surname variations of eerwell/Pearwell etc. Francis COBB had farming interests around 1818/19 particularly growing crops, and that he owned a bakery in Bathurst St Hobart. Sarah PIROELLE had a baker's licence herself in 1806. 1/5/1828 Colonial Advocate, Tasmania: On the 24th March, Mrs. Sarah Caroline Cobb, aged 50, the wife of Mr. Francis Cobb, Settler of Blackman's River, an old and respected inhabitant, having arrived in this Colony in the ship Calcutta, leaving a large family to lament her loss.

4

Miss B on 10th April 2017

Refs:birth: Ancestry.com; occupation and date of death: roots web