Auguste Rogers

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Dianne Jones on 20th December 2023

FREMANTLE JAIL RECORD: ROGERS, Auguste; #9860 arrived 10 Jan 1868 per Hougoumont Date of Birth: 1831 Marital Status: Unmarried Occupation: Tailor Literacy: Literate Crime: Burglary Sentence Period: 10 years Previous Convictions: Yes Ticket of Leave Date: 19 Jan 1872 Comments: Conditional Release 1 Jul 1874, Albany. Gardener, self-employed, 1872-1873. Absconded from Albany on an American whaler Young Phoenix, 15 Jan 1875 (https://fremantleprison.com.au/history-heritage/research/convict-database/). --000--

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Dianne Jones on 20th December 2023

IN WA: 1868: On arrival, Auguste Rogers, 35, was listed as convict #9860; sentenced to 10 years, at C.C. Court, 17 September, 1866, for "burglary after previous conviction"; tailor, previously an engraver; single; literate; RC; family – no details provided; character “fair”. Described as 5'2" tall, light brown hair, grey eyes, oval visage, light complexion, strong appearance; tattoos of soldier, woman and anchor on arm. Other: Ticket of Leave granted 17 January 1872. Conditional Release 1 July 1874. Abscondee – “supposed to have left the Colony from Albany for New Bedford per ship ‘Young Phoenix’ [an American whaler] between the 8th and 15th January, 1875” (Convicts to Australia at https://www.perthdps.com/convicts/con-wa42.html; and Western Australia, Australia, Convict Records, 1846-1930; Convict Department, Registers; General Register for Nos 9599-10128 cont. (R16)). Note: During the first half of the 19th century, New Bedford, Massachusetts, “was one of the world's most important whaling ports. At its economic height during this period, New Bedford was the wealthiest city in North America per capita... The city also served as a setting in Herman Melville's 1851 novel Moby-Dick.” (https://en.wikipedia.org) --0--

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Dianne Jones on 20th December 2023

EMBARKATION: “The hired convict ship Hougoumont, which has been taken up, by the Government for the conveyance of a numerous party of convicts to Freemantle, Western Australia, left the Nore on October 1, and proceeded down Channel, after receiving on board 150 convicts from the establishments at Chatham and Millbank. The convicts from the Chatham establishment, at St. Mary's, embarked from the dockyard on board the paddle-wheel steamer Adder, Mr. W. J. Blakely, and were in charge of a numerous party of convict guards and wardens, all heavily armed. Among the convicts shipped were a party of fifteen Fenians, who were engaged in the late conspiracy in Ireland, together with the officers and crew convicted of scuttling the ship Severn [only two were on the Hougoumont – Thomas Berwick and Lionel Holdsworth, each sentenced to 20 years for fraud], and some others who have achieved notoriety from their crimes. The Fenian convicts, like the remainder of the prisoners, were chained together in gangs, but it was observed that they were kept apart from the other convicts in a portion of the vessel by themselves. The steamer Petrel also took down a number of convicts from the establishment at Millbank, for shipment on board the Hougoumont, in charge of a strong escort and convict guard. On Tuesday, October 8th, the Hougoumont arrived in Portland roads. Shortly before midday ninety convicts were marched down to the Government pier at Portland under a strong escort of the 12th Light Infantry. The party included twenty-three Fenian convicts, among whom it was said, was Moriarty [not the senior Fenian, Captain Moriarty; rather, this was Bartholomew Moriarty, aged 17]. The Government steamer employed in the breakwater service was used for conveying the convicts on board the Hougoumont transport ship. The convicts were chained together on embarking, and on board the steamer a strong guard of marines from her Majesty's ship St. George was formed, and saw the convicts safely placed on board the Hougoumont. The Governor of the penal settlement at Freemantle, Captain Young, is on board the Hougoumont, and returns in that ship to his sphere of duty after paying a visit to his native land.” (Sydney Morning Herald, 19 Dec 1867, p4, at https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/28608271). --00--

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Dianne Jones on 20th December 2023

1867, September quarter: As above (image 284). 1867, December quarter: As above; sent to board the Hougoumont on 5 October (England, Criminal Lunatic Asylum Registers, 1820-1876 for Auguste Rogers; Quarterly Returns of Prisoners in Convict Prisons/Lunatic Asylums; 1867; December; image 308). --0--

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Dianne Jones on 20th December 2023

1867, 14 June: Admitted to Portsmouth Prison, Portsea – Auguste Rogers, inmate #1075, 34, “burglary”; convicted Central Criminal Court, 17 September, 1866, 10 years; surgeon’s report “good”, behaviour “very good” (England, Criminal Lunatic Asylum Registers, 1820-1876 for Auguste Rogers; Quarterly Returns of Prisoners in Convict Prisons/Lunatic Asylums; 1867; June; image 333).

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Dianne Jones on 20th December 2023

1866, 10 October: Sent from Newgate to Millbank Prison, London. Admitted – Auguste Rogers alias Frederick Necker, inmate # 2499; 34, single, engraver, Roman Catholic; served 22 days in separate confinement in Newgate, behaviour “good” (UK, Prison Commission Records, 1770-1951 for Auguste Rogers; Millbank Prison; Register of Prisoners; 1866-1867; image 105). --0--

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Dianne Jones on 20th December 2023

JAILS: 1866, 11 September: Auguste Rogers was admitted to Newgate Prison to await trial on a charge of burglary and stealing clothing; committed to stand trial by W Flowers, Bow Street. Described as 34, engraver, from France, 5’2” tall. He had a previous conviction – as Frederick Necker, 34 – in the Old Bailey on 20 January, 1866, for breaking and entering the Roman Catholic chapel, of St. Mary of the Angels, Paddington, with intent to steal, and was sentenced to jail for six months (UK, Prison Commission Records, 1770-1951 for Auguste Rogers; Newgate Prison; Registers of Prisoners; 1863 [sic]; image 239). --0--

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Dianne Jones on 20th December 2023

TRIAL: 1866, 17 September -- Old Bailey, London (https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/record/t18660917-824). [Case #] 824. AUGUSTE ROGERS (34), JULES PERROT (32), and LOUIS ROUSINOT (36), Burglary in the dwelling house of Henry Selim, and stealing a gown, two jackets, and other goods, value 30l., his property. ROGERS PLEADED GUILTY. MR. F. H. LEWIS conducted the Prosecution, and MR. BROOKE defended Perrot and Rousinot. ELIZA MASTERS. I am a servant in the service of Mr. Selim, 4, Upper Bedford Place—upon the night of the 23rd August, about half-past ten, I went to bed—I closed the house up before I went, with the exception of the back drawing-room window—I came down the following morning about a quarter-past seven, and found all the bedroom doors open, the drawing-room door, the dining-room door, and the shutters in all the rooms—every shutter was closed before I went to bed—I had barred and bolted the street door—when I came down I found that ajar—it must have been opened from inside; it was impossible to open it from the outside—I found the door in the lower passage leading to the scullery opened; that also must have been opened from inside—I went into Mr. Selim's bedroom and found a quantity of apparel gone—the timepiece out of the drawing-room was in the back drawing-room on the bed, it was not taken out of the house—I, the cook, and a friend of the cook were alone in the house that night—we all slept upstairs. SAMUEL JOHN CHOWN (E 9 Sergeant). On the 25th August, about eleven o'clock, accompanied by Constables Foley and Blissett, I went to Castle Street, Long Acre—I saw Perrot come out of the house No. 24, Castle Street, with two parcels under his arm—I watched him to a pawn-broker's in Cranbourne Street, Leicester Square—he returned to 24, Castle Street—I did not see him come out of the pawnbroker's—I returned to Castle Street—he had not the parcels in his hand then—he went into the house, and came out again in about two minutes with Rogers—they both stayed in conversation in the street—I went up to them and took them into custody, with the assistance of the two other officers—Foley spoke to them in French—I took them back to 24, Castle Street, to the second floor back room, which the landlady pointed out as the place where Rogers lived—he opened the door with a key, which he brought from his pocket with my assistance, as he was handcuffed at the time—I found a large sheet on the bed tied up, containing this property (produced)—a great deal is marked "Henry Selim"—I then took both of them to the station—I afterwards went to 24, Arthur Street, Oxford Street—I found Rousinot living there in the second floor front room—Foley spoke to him in French—I saw a bench fitted up, and on the top of the bench there were a number of files and rasps (produced)—I also found in a drawer of the same bench a number of skeleton keys and other keys (produced)—I also found three crucibles—I took him into custody—I then went to 45, London Street, where Perrot lived—in the front parlour, which I was informed of by the landlady, in a box I found the whole of this property, dresses, shawls, and other things (produced)—I found also there this rope ladder (produced)—I have no doubt that this was used in committing the burglary—I found this under the bed in a bag—there was not a passport or any papers in the bag. Cross-examined by MR. BROOKE. Q. It was near Castle Street you first saw Rogers and Perrot together? A. I was within twenty yards of the house—Perrot gave his address 40, London Street—I didn't hear him speak English—I got that information from Foley—Rousinot said he was a watchmaker—the conversations the prisoners had was with the officer who speaks French. JOHN FOLEY (Policeman E 131). I was with Chown on the morning of the 25th August, and spoke French to the three prisoners—I told Perrot and Rogers that they were charged with committing a burglary in a house in Upper Bedford Place, Russell Square—Perrot said he knew nothing whatever about it, and said that he was in bed that night—Rogers made no reply—I went to Arthur Street, to Rousinot's residence—I asked him if he knew Rogers—he said he did—he afterwards told me he had known him for a fortnight—I asked him what he had done with the basket he had taken from Castle Street, containing articles of wearing apparel—he told me had taken away an empty basket—he said Rogers had given it to him to take away because it was in his way—I asked him at what trade he worked—he said he was a watchmaker and worked at home—he said Rogers had given him the skeleton keys—on searching his room, after I had taken him to the station, I found this under-shirt marked "H. Selim"—I also found these (articles produced found at Perrot's)—they have been identified as belonging to Mrs. Selim. Cross-examined by MR. BROOKE. Q. When you took Perrot into custody did he tell you he lived in London Street? A. Not then, at the station—he did not tell me that there was some other property, which Rogers had brought to London Street, other than that which he had pledged—Marie told me that Rogers had given these things to her—she is a young woman who is a witness in the case, and was staying at that time at Perrot's house in London Street—Perrot did not say, "If these things are stolen they are a lot of things that Rogers has given to a young girl at my house"—I do not recollect anything of the kind—I don't know whether Rogers speaks English or not—Perrot knows two or three words, not much, and when he spoke to me he spoke in French—I am not usually employed in French cases—we don't keep French officers—very probably I was imported into this case because it was a French case—I was with Sergeant Chown when he found these tools at Rousinot's house—Rousinot says he is a watch-maker—I asked him where he worked—he said, "At home"—there were no watches or anything of that kind there—there was no clock there what-ever—we took away all the property of any value there. JURY. Q. Did he have any tools proper to the watchmaking? A. He had some large files used for filing skeleton keys. COURT. Q. Did you ask him where his tools where? A. I asked him if these were his tools, and he said they were. MR. BROOKE. Q. Did he not say he worked sometimes at home and sometimes elsewhere, where he found work? A. No; he said he worked at home, nothing more—he did not tell me his tools were not there at that moment, but were at Mr. Laupeuvre's, where he worked—I do not know that a large number of watchmakers live in Clerkenwell, and do work sent to them by the different large shops—I know nothing about Clerkenwell—these articles (referring to those produced as being found at Perrot's house) were all found in Perrot's room—some were in a box, others in bundles in the drawers—we ransacked the whole place—we found some silver buttons, yet to be produced—the young woman who is a witness in this case was not at home when we went to Perrot's house—the landlady let us in—the girl told me she had been in a situation some time before—I did not make inquiries—she told me it was with some French family. RICHARD BLISSETT (Policeman E 106). I went to Castle Street with Chown and Foley—I found a bag there with the second rope ladder that has been produced—there is not much difference between the two—this appears to be a little newer than the other, that is all—I searched Perrot in that room, and found upon him a pawn ticket (produced) and 2l. 11s.—I after-wards went to Arthur Street—at 45, London Street, I found a silk veil, three jackets, and twenty-nine pawn tickets—I also found a purse containing silver buttons (produced). Cross-examined by MR. BROOKE. Q. That ticket merely represents goods pledged for 2s.? A. Yes. JULIA KREMER. I am a single woman—Perrot lodged with me about three months—he occupied the room I showed to the officers—I have seen Rogers there—I believe I have seen some articles like these in Perrot's room Cross-examined by MR. BROOKE. Q. Perrot had lodged in your house about three months, he and his wife; do you know what business he is? A. A cabinet-maker—Rogers came two or three times to my house to see Perrot—I don't know whether he came to see a young French girl—there was a young person stopping with Mr. Perrot, Marie Mesnage—Perrot occupied the front parlour on the ground floor—I never let Rogers in—I saw him when he rang the bell. MR. LEWIS. Q. Did you ever see any cabinet-making going on at Perrot's? A. No. MR. BROOKE. Q. Did not Perrot work with your husband? A. I have no husband—the man I am engaged to be married to is a cabinet-maker—I don't think Perrot worked with him—he has worked with a master in Brunswick Street, but not since he has lodged with me. MARIE MESNAGE. I am a single woman, and was staying with Perrot and his wife—I know all these things—Rogers gave them all to me—I left them on the bed, and Madame Perrot put them into my box. Cross-examined by MR. BROOKE. Q. Did Rogers tell you how he came to be possessed of these goods? A. He told me he had them from a gentleman who had gone to America, and took them out of the money which he brought over from Paris—I had left a situation I had been at, and was stopping at Perrot's a few days—the situation I had been at was the French Society, in King William Street—I had been there four years—Rogers brought in the things, threw them on the bed, and said, "All these things are for you"—he represented himself to be a widower, and wanted to pay his addresses to me—that is the reason he gave me these presents—he gave me these buttons—it was on a Friday—I saw him on Wednesday and Thursday, and on Friday he brought these things—Wednesday was the first time I saw him—I slept in the parlour at the bottom of the house, the next room to that occupied by Perrot and his wife—Rogers gave some of the things to Perrot, and some to his wife—he threw them down on the bed in Perrot's room. WILLIAM JOSEPH CASELEY. I am assistant to Mr. Brown, pawnbroker, Cranbourne Street—I produce a couple of duplicates—I recollect Perrot coming to my master's shop on the 25th August—he pledged two pairs of trousers and a flannel shirt for 6s. CHARLOTTE MACKINLAY . I am a servant at Castle Street, Long Acre—Rogers and Rousinot lodged at the house—I saw Perrot there twice—Rogers and Rousinot had a latchkey—I recollect Friday morning, the 25th—I saw Rousinot carrying a large linen basket—it was a long round basket with a lid, and a red mark round it. Cross-examined by MR. BROOKE. Q. Had Rogers many visitors? A. Not very many—two or three came and saw him—I used to let them in—Rogers occupied a ground floor bedroom, Rousinot occupied a third floor front—Rousinot lived there about six or eight weeks before Rogers—I think Rousinot was there one night during the time Rogers was there. HENRY SELIM. I recognise all these things—these trousers are the property of my father, and marked with his name—I was examined at the police-court, and examined them there—two linen baskets were missed from the house, with sundry little things. Rogers's Statement before the Magistrate:—"I admit I committed the robbery—the things found in the rooms of Rousinot I gave, to disembarrass myself of them—those found at Perrot's I did not give them to him; I gave them to Mesnage." JURY to SERGEANT CHOWN. Q. Was the rope-ladder in the packet with some men's and women's clothes all together? A. No—it was found underneath the bed in a bag with some rags. JULIA KREMER (re-examined). I was present when the police searched the room—I saw the ladder found—it was in a bag with a small iron, a newspaper, and some rags. PERROT and ROUSINOT— GUILTY. Rogers was further charged with having been convicted on 20th January, 1866, of felony, at this court, in the name of Frederick Necker. To this he PLEADED NOT GUILTY. JAMES PEETE (Policeman X 118). I was present at this court when Frederick Necker was convicted, on his own confession—Frederick Necker is the prisoner Rogers—I am quite sure he is the man. CHARLES ALBERT. I was present at the Old Bailey at the trial of Frederick Necker for sacrilege—that is the person who now calls himself Rogers—I was interpreter in the case. ROGERS— GUILTY of previous conviction.— Ten Years' Penal Servitude. PERROT— Seven Years' Penal Servitude. A certificate was produced that Rousinot had escaped from the French convict prison at Cayenne, where he was undergoing a sentence of twenty years' travaux forces. The sentence on Rousinot was respited, that the French Government might be communicated with. --000--