James Rackham

342

Maureen Withey on 31st December 2022

Colonial Secretary's Office, Perth, October 10, 1850. HIS Excellency the Governor directs it to be notified for general information, that any person who may. be willing to engage one or more of the Convicts per Scindian; now at Fremantle, included in the following List, when they become entitled to Tickets-of-Leave, must make application to that effect (stating the name of the Prisoner and Trade) to the Comptroller General, at Fremantle. By His Excellency’s command, T. N. YULE, Acting Colonial Secretary. List of convicts per “Scindian” James Rackham, trade, Farm labourer. Entitled to Ticket of Leave, 22 April 1851. age 47. General character of these men: Very Good. The Perth Gazette, 18 Oct 1850.

342

Maureen Withey on 31st December 2022

Carol Axton-Thompson on 18th January, 2013 wrote: Lydia Rackham was convicted at Chelmsford, Essex on 18/02/1848 cojointly with her husband James for stealing items from shops - in a highly organised system. Lydia was given a 14 yr sentence. Husband was a Millbank. Transported to Van diemens Land on the ‘Cadet’ arriving 1849. Children onboard, William, Emmeline & James. Married woman; aged 40/41yrs; country servant; Native Place - Trimley, Suffolk; 5’3 1/2”; brown complexion; dk brown hair; blue eyes. Married to James Rackham 27/07/1829 Trimley, Suffolk, England. Children at home: Charles, John, Lydia Anna, Sarah. Mother: Sarah Brothers: John & Charles - at Dover Sister: Anna - at Native Place 3rd class Probation Assignments in Hobart and time at the House of Correction. 01/02/1853: Not eligible for Ticket of Leave 07/04/1855: Ticket of Leave granted 09/06/1857: Conditional Pardon granted 18/02/1862: Free by servitude & Cert. of Freedom Child Emmeline aged 5yrs admitted to Queens Orphanage. Mother Lydia Rackham. Discharged 17/10/1854 to brother-in-law George Prowling. Child William aged 7yrs admitted to Queens Orphanage. Dishcarged 17/10/1854 to brother-in-law George Prowling. Child James aged 12yrs admitted to Queens Orphanage. Discharged to W.A. Sharland, New Norfolk 29/11/1852. Died 15 June 1875 aged 67yrs. Buried Queensborough Cemetery, Sandy Bay, Hobart. -------------------------------------------------- At the Essex adjourned Sessions on Tuesday, Lydia Rackham, aged 37, was brought up, charged as the thief in the vast number of cases of shoplifting which were lately discovered at Harwich, and James Rackham, her husband, aged 45, having the appearance of sailor, was charged as the receiver, the great bulk of the stolen property it will be recollected, having been found in his house. The case, from the extensive character of of the system of plunder carried on, excited much interest throughout that district.—Mr. Rodwell conducted the prosecutions; the prisoners were undefended.—The grand jury returned five true bills against the prisoners. ... 19 Feb, 1848, Suffolk Chronicle. Tasmanian Conduct Record: https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON41-1-21$init=CON41-1-21P111 No 484. Lydia Rackham, tried Essex, 15 Feb 11848, 14 years. See record for details. Married, 7 children, three on board. Native place, Trimley, Suffolk. Trade, Farm servant. Indent https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON15-1-5$init=CON15-1-5P175 and https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON15-1-5$init=CON15-1-5P176 Lydia Rackham, age 41, married, 5 children, 3 on board. Husband James tried with me for same offence, left at Millbank. See record for details.