Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
Francis Riley was transported on the Sir William Bensley, departing 9th Oct 1816 and arriving 10th Mar 1817 with 201 passengers.
Sir William Bensley (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 88, Class and Piece Number HO11/2, Page Number 298 |
| Source Description | This record is one of the entries in the British convict transportation registers 1787-1867 database compiled by State Library of Queensland from British Home Office (HO) records which are available on microfilm as part of the Australian Joint Copying Pro |
| Original Source | Great Britain. Home Office |
| Compiled By | State Library of Queensland |
| Database Source | British convict transportation registers 1787-1867 database |
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Convict Notes




Sydney, Australia, Anglican Parish Registers, St John's Parramatta. Year 1826 No; 2 Name; Francis Riley Abode; Parramatta When Buried21 June 1826 Age; 28 years Ships Name; Sir William Bensley Quality or profession; ---- By whom the Ceremony was performed; Samuel Marsden




Samuel Neale/Neall and John King both arrived NSW per 'Almorah' 1817. Francis Riley arrived in NSW and was sent to VDL per 'Pilot' arriving 28/9/1817. Francis was listed as 27 years old when he arrived in VDL. Native Place: London. Francis was 5'5" tall, brown hair, grey eyes. NSW Colonial Secretary Papers: RILEY, Francis. Per "Sir William Bensley", 1817 1824 Aug 7: Re his delivery to Castle Hill Lunatic Asylum (Reel 6013; 4/3512 pp.156-7) VDL records. 1830-1835 Musters: TOL There are 2 pages of his conduct records in VDL - 2nd page says: Struck off our 53" - no - Run.




As per Old Bailey Records Reference Number t18160529-97 Verdict Guilty Verdict Guilty Verdict Guilty Francis Riley Samuel Neale John King Were indicted for stealing,on the 8th of April a pocket book, value 14d the property of Robert Barnett,from his person ROBERT BARNETT. I am a merchant. On the 8th of April, I wa coming through the Strand,at about four o'clock in the afternoon in company with two other gentlemen,I felt someone touch my pocket and turning round I saw a man in a great coat gently let go of my pocket and pass on I suspected my pocket had been picked,but found it had not.I turned round shortly afterwards,but the person I had seen was gone. Mr Vaughan came up and asked me if I had lost anything and I found my pocket book was gone. He requested me to accompany him to Bow street,which not being able to do.I gave him my address and a description of the things in the pocket book and the pocket book itself I went to Bow Street the following morning and learned that three persons had been apprehended:one of whom had my pocket book. On seeing those three persons,I recognised Riley as the man who let go my pocket. GEORGE VAUGHAN.I on Monday the 8th of April was in the Strand at about four o'clock,and saw the three prisoners at the bar in company together. They were coming from Charing Cross following a gentleman,who.was going towards Somerset House;they left him by Akerman's and followed the prosecutor, Mr Barnett.Riley went up to Mr Barnett's pocket,and sounded it with his right hand.He then went and spoke to the other two prisoners; they passed the prosecutor and joined again behind him.then King,the old man was on the outside,Riley was next to him,and Neale was next the houses. Then Riley went up to Mr Barnett's pocket,and raised the bottom of it,and had one of his hands partly in; Mr Barnett turned round.let go of his two friends.and Riley walked on two or three yards,and looked in at a window:then Mr Barnett walked on to Charing Cross,and the prisoners joined in company together,in similar situations as before.and walked after the prosecutor. They followed him about thirty or forty yards;when King the old man took a silk handkerchief out of his own pocket,and Riley went up to the prosecutor's pocket again,and drew something out,which King immediately caught up in his handkerchief,and then all three ran towards Covent Garden. I Went up to Mr Barnett,and in consequence of what passed between him and me.I went to Bow street,and got a brother officer.and we went to a house in Wild street,where I guessed the prisoners had gone to.We apprehended Riley coming out at the door and apprehended the other two in the house.On searching Riley,we found a pocket book,which the prosecutor swears to. Riley's defence.The pocket book that is there is mine I bought it from among a hundred in Exeter Change: I have not got the man here that I bought it from. Neale's defence I might be in the Strand,but was not in company with these men King's defence I was going down to the Golden Cross,Charing Cross,to fetch s parcel for my sister. RILEY,GUILTY aged 20 NEALE,GUILTY aged 36 KING GUILTY aged 67 Transported for Life Second Middlesex Jury.before Mr.Recorder