Sarah Robinson

75

iain Frazier on 23rd November 2024

Family connections for Sarah (Robinson) are: Some amendments added Nov 2025. ROBINSON Sarah (Robinson) was born about 1783 & baptised on 14 7 1783 at Wilmslow Cheshire & became a housekeeper/cook. She was tried for stealing at Chester Great Sessions Chestershire on 8 10 1799, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 12 6 1801 after a voyage of 10months on EARL CORNWALLIS; she was assigned as housekeeper to William (Spears) with whom she had her first (1of4) relationship.>>> [Some details taken from this Website] William (Spears) was born about 1773/83. He arrived in NSW as a private with NSW Corps (although Smees records show him as a convict) on 12 6 1801 after a voyage of 10months on EARL CORNWALLISalso; he was detached to (Grose)s company. He was detached to (Kemp)s company in 1802.>>> Sarah (Robinson) & William (Spears) produced maybe 2children: 1.William (Spears) was born maybe as firstborn, & maybe died early. [Or was he actually born secondly in 1803?] 2.Mary (Spears) was born on 6 6 1802 (1803 according to Smees records) & baptised on 3 7 1803 age1 at St Johns CofE Parramatta. She was often referred to as Mary (Craft) in reference to her stepfather Joseph (Craft). She married at age16 Price (Morris/Maurice) emancipist on 7 9 1818 at St Matthews CofE Windsor & produced at least 6children. She is recorded with her family in 1828 at Portland Head. She was baptised again on 13 8 1829 age27 at St Marys RC Sydney-a practise undertaken when Catholic Services became available. She died on 14 3 1888 age85. ..Pry/ice (Morris) was born about 1780. He was tried for stealing in 1809 at Montgomery Wales Summer Assizes & sentenced to 6weeks gaol. He was tried again for sheep stealing at Montgomery Wales Summer Assizes on 7 4 1810, sentenced to death reprieved to Life & arrived in NSW as a convict on 31 3 1812 after a voyage of 7months on GUILDFORD. He was recorded in 1821 as a settler. He was recorded in 1827 & 1828 as a labourer with his family on 30acres at Portland Head. He was recorded in 1830 as a farmer. He died in 1867 age87. ..[Some details taken from this Website] .. >>>Sarah (Robinson) was reassigned as houskeeper to James (Peaulet) Free by Servitude & had a second (2of4) relationship with him (his first relationship) with whom she produced 3children.>>> James (Pulet) was born about 1760. He was tried for theft of a watch etc, on 16 6 1784, of Letitia (Bowman) at Old Bailey on 7 7 1784 quick justice, sentenced to 7years, held at Middlesex Gaol Delivery & arrived in NSW as a convict on 26 1 1788 after a voyage of 8months on First Fleet ship SCARBOROUGH. He was Free by Servitude by 1801.>>> [Some details taken from this Website] .. >>>Sarah (Robinson) married thirdly (3of4) Joseph (Cra/oft) Free by Servitude [age40 suggests birth about 1770] on 24/6 4 1810 at St Phillips CofE Sydney Town & lived at Hawkesbury-producing 6children. She was Free by Servitude by 1812. She is recorded in 1828 with her family at Lower Portland Head.>>> Joseph (Crafts/Craft/Croft) was born on 20 5 1759 & became a weaver. He was tried w/2others for breaking entering & stealing silk handkerchiefs, on 3 3 1790, of John (MacFarlane) at Old Bailey on 24 4 1790, sentenced to death commuted to Life, held at Middlesex Gaol Delivery & arrived in NSW as a convict on 9 7 1791 after a voyage of 6months on Fleet ship ALBERMARLE; he was Protestant. He is recorded in 1828 as Joseph (Croft) labourer with his family on 15acres Lower Portland Head. He was recorded in 1821 as a settler. In 1831 he was a farmer. He died on 13 6 1839 age80. [Some details taken from this Website-could Joseph (Craft/s/Croft) be related to Samuel (Craft/s) on same ship?) .. >>>Sarah (Robinson) married fourthly Joseph (Dawkins/Dawkings/Dorkings) on 7 9 1840 at Brisbane Waters. She produced perhaps 9children in her lifetime. a Joseph (Dawkings) was born about 1798. He was tried for stealing a shirt etc at probably Old Bailey, sentenced to 7years, held at Middlesex Gaol Delivery & arrived in NSW on 7 11 1818 after a voyage of 4months on MORLEY. He became known as Portugee Joe & owned the 50' ketch 'Southern Lights' for trading on Hawkesbury River. He died in 1863 age65 drowned when the ketch was hit by a large storm at Broken Bay & was buried initially at back of Ellalong (now Ocean) beach then reburied later. [Some details taken from this Website] .. .. >>>William (Spears) was sent to (Wilson)s company in 102nd Regiment on Norfolk Island in 1803. He associated secondly with Mary (Howe/Coleman her second relationship) from 1803 whom he later married. He left Norfolk Island on 28 2 1805. He was a private when he married Mary (Howe/Coleman) on 29 7 1806 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. He was with (Wilson)s company in Parramatta until detached to (Steele)s company in 1808. In 1809 he was detached to No5 company & in 1810 to 73rd Regiment. About 1819 as a convict he was assigned as labourer to Pierce (Collits), his future father in law) at Prospect. He produced perhaps 12children in his lifetime. Mary (Howe/Coleman) was born about 1781. She had married firstly William (Coleman) a soldier in England. She arrived in NSW with her family on 11 1 1800 after a voyage of 4.5months on MINERVA & then to Norfolk Island in 1803. She left Norfolk Island on 28 1 1805. She died on 15 9 1829 age47 in Sydney mother of 11children & was buried at St Phillips CofE Sydney. Details of Mary (Coleman)s family are given below. William (Spears) & Mary (Howe/Coleman) produced 10children: many boys 1.John (Spears) was born in 1802/3 on Norfolk Island. He died on 3 1 1829 age about25 at Clarence St Sydney & was buried at St James CofE Sydney. 2.James (Spears) was born on 11 3 1804 & baptised on 19 4 1804 on Norfolk Island. He was a sawyer when he married Margaret (Kennedy) on 21 7 1829 at St James CofE Sydney. He died on 27 9 1847 age43. ..Margaret (Kennedy) was born on 2 1 1809 & baptised on 6 6 1813 age4 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. ..Details of Margaret (Kennedy)s family are given in entry for Christopher (Kennedy MARWQUIS CORNWALLIS 1796) on this Website. .. 3.William (Spears) was born on 16 4 1806 & baptised on 13 7 1806 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. He was a sawyer when he married Sarah (Dowling) on 29 12 1830 at St James CofE Sydney. He died on 24 2 1874 age67. ..Sarah (Dowling) was born on 28 4 1813 & baptised on 7 6 1813 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. ..Details of Sarah (Dowling)s family are given in entry for George (Dowling ROYAL ADMIRAL 1800)on this Website. .. 4.George (Spears) was born on 25 7 1808 & baptised on 5 11 1809 as (Ayres) age15m at St Johns CofE Parramatta. He may have been a sawyer when he married Louisa (Hill age16) on 16 6 1830 at St James CofE Sydney. He died on 15 11 1879 age71. ..Louisa (Hill) was born about 1814. She came free to Australia. .. 5.Joseph (Spears) was born on 12 12 1811 & baptised on 29 3 1812 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. He died on 11 4 1860 age48. 6.Mary (Spears) was born on 19 3 1814 & baptised on 3 7 1814 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. She married at age16 Thomas (Humphreys) farmer of Brisbane Waterson 11 8 1829 at St James CofE Sydney and/or 23 9 1829 at St Marys RC Sydney. She died in 1899 age about85. ..Thomas (Humphreys) was born on 23 12 1805 & baptised on 24 1 1808 age2 at St Johns CofE Parramatta. He was a farmer at Brisbane Waters when he was baptised again on 13 8 1829, his wedding day, age27 at St Marys RC Sydney. He died on 17 3 1881 age75. ..Details of Thomas (Humphreys)s family are given in entry for Patrick (Humphreys BODDINGTONS 1793) on this Website. .. 7.Isaac (Spears) was born on 6 11 1816 & baptised on 6 12 1816 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. He died on 25 6 1817 age7m & was buried at St Phillips CofE Sydney. 8.Francis Henry (Spears) was born on 29 4 1818 & baptised on 24 5 1818 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. He died in 1892 age about74. 9.Elizabeth (Spears) was born on 7 10 1821 & baptised on 28 10 1821 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. She died on 7 7 1886 age64. 10.??? (Spears) COLEMAN William (Coleman) married Mary (Howe her first marriage) in England. He arrived in NSW as a private with his family on 11 1 1800 after a voyage of 4.5months on MINERVA & was detached to (Prentice)s company. He was sent to (Foveaux)s company on Norfolk Island in 1803 (recorded as arriving on 28 2 1805). In 1806 he went to Parramatta with (Foveaux)s company. He was transferred to (Lamb)s company in 1808, to (McArthur)s company in 1809 & then to 8company. Ref:'Colonial Garrison...' shows him returning to UK in 1810. He died possibly on 15 12 1830 in Sydney & was buried at St Marys RC Sydney. Mary (Howe) was born about 1781. She arrived in NSW with her family on 11 1 1800 after a voyage of 4.5months on MINERVA & then to Norfolk Island in 1803.>>> William (Coleman) & Mary (Howe) produced 1child: 1.Ann (Coleman) was born on 29 7 1799 in Ireland. She arrived in NSW with her parents on 11 1 1800 after a voyage of 4.5months on MINERVA. She is recorded as arriving on Norfolk Island on 23 2 1805. She possibly died on 4 10 1807 age8 & was buried a St Phillips CofE Sydney-or recorded there. .. >>>Mary (Howe/Coleman) associated secondly with William (Spears private his second relationship) from 1803 whom she later married. She left Norfolk Island on 28 1 1805. She married William (Spears) on 29 7 1806 at St Phillips CofE Sydney & produced 10children. She died on 15 9 1829 age47 in Sydney mother of 11children & was buried at St Phillips CofE Sydney. William (Spears) arrived in NSW as a private (although Smees records show him as a convict) on 12 6 1801 after a voyage of 10months on EARL CORNWALLIS; he was detached to (Grose)s company. He had a first relationship with his assigned convict housekeeper Sarah (Robinson her first relationship (1of4)). He was detached to (Kemp)s company in 1802. He was sent to (Wilson)s company in 102nd Regiment on Norfolk Island in 1803. He left Norfolk Island on 28 2 1805 & was with (Wilson)s company in Parramatta until detached to (Steele)s company in 1808. In 1809 he was detached to No5 company & in 1810 to 73rd Regiment. About 1819 as a convict he was assigned as labourer to Pierce (Collits), his future father in law) at Prospect. He produced 11children in his lifetime. Details of William (Spears)s family are given above. References: Craig James Smee 'Births and Baptisms Marriages and Defacto Relationships Deaths and Burials New South Wales 1788-1830' ..a complete listing from church & other records in the early colony. Irene Schaffer & Thelma McKay 'Exiled Three Times Over! Profiles of Norfolk Islanders Exiled in Van Diemens Land 1807-1813' James Hugh Donohoe 'Norfolk Island 1788-1813-The People and Their Families' Reg Wright 'Forgotten Generation of Norfolk Island & Van Diemens Land' Pamela Statham 'A Colonial Regiment-New Sources Relating to the New South Wales Corps-1789-1810'

343

Maureen Withey on 21st April 2024

Digitised Indent of Earl Cornwallis. Sarah Robinson, tried at Chester, 8 Oct 1799, 7 years beyond seas.

18

Rosenne on 14th November 2021

There is no actual birth date for Sarah; many people quote Sarah's baptism date as her birthdate. Sarah was baptised 14 July 1783 in Wilmslow, Cheshire, England. Sarah's occupation before coming to Australia is unknown. What is known is; Sarah was tried for stealing and received a 7 year sentence. Upon arrival Sarah was assigned to soldier William Spears as his housekeeper, with their daughter Mary being born 6 June 1802 and baptised by Samuel Marsden 3 July 1803 in St Johns Church, Parramatta. William was transferred to Norfolk Island. Sarah was next assigned as housekeeper to the then free First Fleet Convict James Peaulet. Sarah & James Peaulet's daughter Sarah was born around 1804, no record of Sarah Peaulet's birth has been found. Son James Peaulet was born 1807. Sarah married free Third Fleet Convict Joseph Craft 24 April 1810 at 10am in St. Phillip's Church, Sydney Town. Sarah & Joseph's first child Joseph was born 19 November 1808 in Sydney Town and baptised 22 April 1810, just two days before his parents married. A further 5 children were born to the marriage, all attaining adulthood, marrying and having children of their own. Sarah received her Certificate of Freedom 16 February 1811. The above is provided by her 4th great-granddaughter.

105

Denis Pember on 13th May 2017

William Spears was a NSW Corps private on board "Earl Cornwallis" when Sarah was transported and on arrival she was assigned to him. Some researchers have stated that a son William was also born to the couple but given the short time of the relationship this seems unlikely. The daughter, Mary was born 6th June 1802. William was transferred to to Norfolk Island and Sarah was assigned to James Peaulet. They had two children, Sarah 1804 and James 1807, unfortunately James died as a 3yr old. After her marriage to Joseph Craft at St Philips, 24th April 1810, Sarah seems to have stayed in a stable relationship until his death in 1839. The couple and their children are recorded in the 1828 Census: Page 108… [Ref C2974] Croft, Joseph, 58, absolute pardon, Albermarle, 1791, life, Protestant, labourer, Lower Portland Head, 15 acres in total, 11 acres cleared and cultivated. [Ref C2975] Croft, Sarah, 44, free by servitude, Cornwallis, 1800, 7 years. [Ref C2976] Croft, Joseph 20 born in the colony. [Ref C2977] Croft, Edward 18 born in the colony. [Ref C2978] Croft, William 15 born in the colony. [Ref C2979] Croft, James 12 born in the colony. [Ref C2980] Croft, Susan 10 born in the colony. [Ref C2981] Croft, Phillis 5 born in the colony. The two daughters from Sarah previous liaisons are also recorded. Mary (nèe Spears) married to Price Morris (Convict, 1812, "Guildford") [Page 275 Ref M3036] Morris, Mary, 25, born in the colony. With her husband and 5 children (2 sons and 3 daughters). Sarah (nèe Peaulet) married to William Webb (Convict, 1818, "Ocean") [Page 385 Ref W0784] Webb, Sarah, 24, born in colony. With her husband and daughter.

24

Ken Campbell on 7th November 2013

On arrival to Australia she was assigned to William Spear, a soldier, they had one child. Spear was transferred to Norfolk Island in 1802 with the 102nd regiment. Sarah and James Peaulet were married around 1801, they had 2 children. Sarah married Joseph Craft 24/4/1810, 6 children and lived arou nd the Hawkesberry area. Sarah then married Joseph Dawkings or Dorkings in Brisbane Waters 7/9/1840, no children.

24

Ken Campbell on 7th November 2013

On arrival she was assigned to William Spears who was assigned to Norfolk Island in 1802 , one child She married James Peaulett in 1801, 2 children? She married Joseph Craft in 24 April 1810,6 children She also married Joseph Dawkins 7 Sept 1840