Benjamin Shadbolt

341

Maureen Withey on 11th February 2026

Tasmanian Records. Indent: https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON17-1-2/CON17-1-2P178 and https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON17-1-2/CON17-1-2P179 See Indent records for full details of the relationships between all four prisoners, and details of their families.

341

Maureen Withey on 11th February 2026

HOME CIRCUIT. HERTFORD, July 12. Crown Court.— … Solomon Shadbolt, 47, George Shadbolt, 25, Benjamin Shadbolt, 20, and Jonathan Shadbolt, 26, all described as labourers, were indicted for burglary of very daring character in the dwelling-house of Priscilla Blindell, in the parish Little Wymondley. Mr. Ryland prosecuted ; Mr. Lydekker defended  Solomon Shadbolt; and Mr. Hawkins and Mr. T Chambers appeared for the prosecution. This case came on Friday, and, from the voluminous nature of the evidence, occupied the court until late, in the prosecutrix deposed that she kept general shop in the above village, and on the night of the 3d of February she went to bed leaving her house properly secured. In the course the night she was awoke hearing the footsteps of men over her head in an up-stairs room, and very soon afterwards she saw the handle of her bedroom door turned twice, but no further attempt was made to gain admittance. She was too much frightened to give any alarm, and the next morning, on her going down stairs, she discovered that the house had been ransacked and large quantity of property, consisting of wearing apparel, flannel, calico, tea, &c., removed. The officers here  produced several large bundles, containing articles found in the possession of the prisoners and several things were identified by the prosecutrix. Two inspectors of the Herts constabulary, named Good and Bankes, were then …. it appeared that in the beginning of April they searched the cottages of the prisoners Solomon, Benjamin, and George, at Burnham green, about eight miles from the residence of the prosecutrix, and they there found all the articles they had produced, together with a chisel and centre-bit that corresponded in size with the marks upon the door of the prosecutrix’s house. The other prisoner Jonathan was apprehended in London, and at his lodging some more of the stolen property was discovered. It also was proved that while the prisoners Benjamin and George were in the custody of the police one of them said to the other, I suppose we shall be transported for this to which the reply was, “I suppose we shall, but if we had not been at home that night they should have bad job to catch us.” The prosecutrix, .. course, from the nature of the articles stolen, was unable identify them positively, but it was rather singular that the prisoners having carelessly thrown about the tickets with the prices that had been attached to many of them, she was enabled identify them positively, from their having her handwriting upon them. The jury found all the prisoners Guilty, Evidence was then given that Solomon had been before convicted of felony, and the constables stated that they had every reason believe that the whole of the prisoners were connected with daring gang of depredators. The stolen property was, in the first instance, sent to London, where it was divided, Jonathan retaining bis portion, and disposing of it, and the remainder was then sent back to the other prisoners’ cottages, where it was found as stated by the police. Mr. Justice Coleridge sentenced Solomon Shadbolt to be transported for 20 and the others for 15 years.  Evening Mail, 14 July 1845.

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Kate Ritchie on 13th June 2015

I have read the Hertford Assizes document online and it clearly states that Benjamin Shadbolt was convicted of burglary along with his relatives Solomon, George and Jonathon.

Benjamin was married, in England, to Caroline Charles and had a daughter. He was found guilty of stealing and given a 15 yr sentence in 1845. He went to Norfolk Island and then van Diemens Land (Tasmania). He met Elizabeth Perham in Tasmania when he was a 'Ticket of Leave' convict on her family's farm. He was in trouble with the law several times and they went to New Zealand where they married, in Christchurch, in 1866. They had many children. He became a successful farmer, Inn Keeper, Race Horse owner and local politician. He was a very colourful character. There are numerous descendants in both Australia and New Zealand. He died in Christchurch, NZ, aged 57 yrs. His parents were Benjamin Shadbolt or Shotbolt and Catherine Towers of Hertfordshire, England.