Summary
Personal Information
Transportation
Thomas Rolling was transported on the Nile, departing 18th Sep 1857 and arriving 1st Jan 1858 with 271 passengers.
Nile (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 93, Class and Piece Number HO11/18, Page Number 249 (126). Western Australia, Australia, Convict Records, 1846-1930; Convict Department, Registers; Convicts Transported Per Nile (R32). https://fremantleprison.com.au/ |
| 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
FOOTNOTE: Newspaper reporting of the trial: "... CROWN COURT, Monday, July 21. [Before Mr. Baron Bramwell.] Rape at Bradford. — Thomas Rolling, 37, was charged with having, on the 27th of June, at Bradford, feloniously assaulted Charlotte Dudley. The prosecution was conducted by Mr. Dearsley; and the defence by Mr. Seymour. The prisoner is a biscuit baker in Bradford, and the husband of the prosecutrix is a pork butcher in that town. On the 27th ult the prisoner hired the latter to go to Halifax fair to sell some confectionery for him. Knowing that he [Mr Dudley] would be from home all night, the prisoner went to see his [Dudley's] wife in the evening, and, as it turned out, secreted himself during her temporary absence under the bed, though, according to her evidence, she expected he had left the house altogether. After she had retired to rest the prisoner crept from under the bed, and placing his hand over her mouth he threatened to take her life if she called out. After this intimidation she did not scream, but she struggled with the prisoner as much as she could, (she being then considerably advanced in pregnancy.) The imputed offence was then afterwards perpetrated, and the prisoner having remained three or four hours with the prosecutrix, during which he offered to go with her to Australia, went away. About seven o'clock in the morning the prosecutrix made a statement of what had taken place. The prosecutrix was very unwell for some days after the outrage, and Mr. Gordon, surgeon, expressed Ms surprise that a miscarriage had not resulted. On being apprehended the prisoner made a statement to the effect that the prosecutrix asked him to visit her, and an elaboration of this plea constituted the defence to-day.—Guilty. A previous conviction for manslaughter was proved against the prisoner, who was sentenced to be Transported for Life." (Leeds Times, 26 July 1856, p3 at https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/) --0--
IN WA: From his Fremantle jail record: ROLLING, Thomas; #4639, arrived 1 Jan 1858 per Nile Date of Birth: 1818 Date of Death: 4 Aug 1873 Place of Death: Perth, hospital Marital Status: Married 2 children Occupation: Baker Literacy: Semiliterate Sentence Place: York, Yorkshire, England Crime: Rape Sentence Period: Life Previous Convictions: Yes Ticket of Leave Date: 1 Aug 1863 Conditional Pardon Date: 23 Feb 1867 (https://fremantleprison.com.au/).
16 July, 1857: He was admitted to Chatham prison, prisoner #1183, to await transportation to WA on the Nile. His behaviour at Chatham was "very bad" (Western Australia, Australia, Convict Records, 1846-1930; Convict Department, Registers; Convicts Transported Per Nile (R32)). --00--
JAILS: Following his conviction, he served 9 months 21 days in separate confinement at Wakefield. His behaviour during this stint was described as "indifferent". --0--
TRIAL: 9 July, 1856: Thomas Rolling was tried at the Assizes held at the Castle of York; he was found guilty of rape after a previous conviction for felony and sentenced to transportation for life (England & Wales, Criminal Registers, 1791-1892; England; Yorkshire - North Riding; 1856). --0--
COMMITTAL: 5 July, 1856: Thomas Rolling/s, 37, was admitted to Wakefield Gaol (also called Wakefield House of Correction, Wakefield County Gaol, Wakefield Prison and HMP Wakefield) having been committed for trial by W Murgatroyd Esq on a charge of committing rape at Bradford. He was listed as prisoner #4730, 5'7½" tall with brown hair and grey eyes. He was born at Bradford -- although another record says it was Barnsley -- and lived at Hull. A baker and confectioner, married with two children, he could read and write imperfectly. Religion: CoE. He had a previous conviction, in 1847, for manslaughter and was sentenced to 12 calendar months' jail (UK, Prison Commission Records, 1770-1951; Wakefield Gaol; Registers of Prisoners; Undated). 9 July, 1856: His Wakefield Gaol record says he was "removed to York Castle" on this day. --0--