Stephen Huggett

Level 45

Margaret Weston on 2nd July 2021

Stephen Huggett born in Pembury, Kent to parents Thomas Huggett and Sarah. He was christened 30th July 1815 at Pembury Kent. The first we see of Stephen is 12th March 1838 at Kent when he is brought up before the Maidstone court for larceny (stealing a pair of half boots), found guilty and sentenced to 7 years transportation. He is taken from Maidstone and put on board the hulk “Fortitude” at Chatham on 30th March 1838. Stephen was given a pardon and was released on 3rd September 1842. His legal representatives sent an appeal to the Millbank Prison: In 1843 he was in Register No. Pent: Ward & Cell 781 1.D.11 he was single, a labourer, convicted: 17th October 1843 Felony for stealing a lead pump valued at £7 sentenced to 15 years convicted at Maidstone Gaol. Once before committed for stealing a saw and sentenced to 7 years transportation was discharged from the hulk at Chatham in September 1842. Temper and disposition quiet and artful, conduct in gaol quiet. Father respectable. Brother has been in this gaol for poaching. On 9th March 1844 Convict Ship “Blundell” a large number of convicts under sentence of transportation were removed from the Millbank prison and placed on board the Blundell and London, recently commissioned as transport ships, lying off the Royal Arsenal, at Woolwich. The prisoners were conveyed down the river in steam-boats belonging to the Waterman's Company, under guard of a detachment of the 58th Regiment appointed to proceed with them to their destination. The London (a fine vessel of 700 tons burden) with 250 of the lighter class of offenders, is bound to Hobart Town. The Blundell carries 210 of the worst class, her destination being the penal settlement of Norfolk Island. The Blundell departed the Downs on 20th March 1844 and was reported to be the first convict ship to sail from England directly to Norfolk Island. On the 6th May the Blundell spoke the British Empire, from London, bound to Madras, out 50 days. A new system recently introduced on prison ships was used on the Blundell - this entailed each prisoner occupying his own berth, which was about twenty inches wide, and sufficiently long. This allowed the prisoners to leave their bed without disturbing other men. The prisoners remained healthy with no deaths occurring amongst them, however a member of the Guard, Private Ingham died of consumption. He had been considered in a decline at the time they embarked. The Blundell had a favourable passage of 102 days to Norfolk Island, arriving there on the 5th or 6th July 1844. On 20th May 1845 at the Criminal Court of Norfolk Island at the trial of Thomas Stacy and John Johnson charged with the robbery of a mill, armed and the others, accessories before the fact included Stephen Huggett-Blundell. The information read to the jury “no evidence offered against Henry Elgar, Stephen Huggett and James Jessep – Verdict “Not Guilty” for these three prisoners. At this point in time Stephen gave his trade as a Professional Cook. April 2, 1844 Norfolk Island declared no longer a dependency of New South Wales, . October 1, 1844 - Government of Norfolk Island passed from New South Wales to Tasmania. The Pestonjee Bomanjee was then chartered to convey to Van Diemen's Land all those men on Norfolk Island sent out from England under probation thereby removing them from influence of the hardened criminals on the Island. The number of convicts at Norfolk Island was to be immediately reduced to about five hundred and the establishment was to be reduced to about one hundred and fifty soldiers and a few civilians. Stephen along with the other Prisoners from the Blundell boarded the Pestonjee Bomanjee on 8th April 1847 on its voyage to Hobarttown. Unfortunately the Pesonjee Bomanjee had an accident and ran foul of the barge Recherche in Frederick Henry Bay and was injured so much that she was obliged to return to the Mines in a leaky state and cannot proceed to Hobart Town until she has been repaired. She finally arrived in Hobart Town 21st May 1847. His convict details have him listed as working in 1849 • Launceston, Tasmania, Australia for a Mrs Lackey of Bagdad and Hugh Cassidy of Richmond and in 1850 Employed by Henry Dawson on Kangaroo Point. 20th February 1860 Stephen marries Catherine Lindsey a Widow wife of Walter Lindsey soldier of the 21st Foot Regiment guard on board the Heroine 1833, at Launceston, Stephen’s occupation is listed as a “shoemaker”. Sadly Catherine passes away at Launceston on 18th September 1873 with inflammation of the bowels, Both Catherine and Stephen were illiterate. On 3rd August 1875 Stephen now aged 55 still a “shoemaker” marries again to Jane Murry aged 23 Domestic Servant and they go on to have four children: William b: 1874; Stephen b: 1876; John William 1879 and Susan Ann 1883. 1887 Stephen is listed in the Australian City Directories living at Victoria Street West where his occupation is “Bootmaker”. 17th April 1888 at Launceston Stephen is brought before a Petty Session for neglecting his child who is between 7 and 13 years, named John Huggett, neglecting to cause such child to attend school on 30 ult. Stephen receives an admonishment. Sadly Stephen passes away 17th February 1890 of Senility at Launceston, and Jane passes away 17th January 1890 at New Norfolk Tasmania. 20Employed by Mrs Lackey of Bagdad and Hugh Cassidy of Richmond 849 • Launceston, Tasmania, Australia