Eliza Thompson

341

Maureen Withey on 18th March 2026

The London Housebreakers. — On Friday the 1st inst. Adam Simpson, John Jones, and their two female companions, who were committed by the Liverpool magistrates for trial at the Kirkdale Sessions. Charged with being concerned in the robberies perpetrated some weeks ago in Liverpool and Manchester, applied to the Court of King's Bench for a writ of certiorari, to remove their trial to Lancaster. They alleged that they could not have a fair trial in Liverpool, the magistrates having expressed satisfaction at their being taken and also that, if convicted, they would probably receive a vindictive sentence. The Court granted the certiorari, and the four prisoners have therefore been sent to Lancaster, to be tried at the Lent Assizes. Lancaster Gazette, 9 Feb 1828. NORTHERN ClRCUlT— Lancaster, March 13, Adam Simpson, aged 27, John Jones, 25, Ann Lee, 20, and Eliza Thompson, 25, were convicted, the two former of having feloniously broken and entered a certain shop iv Manchester, and stealing therefrom fifty seals . fifty brooches, fifty gold rings, and a large quantity of other jewellery, the property of Edward Nightingale; and the two latter of receiving the same, knowing it to be stolen. Mr. Justice Bayley sentenced the male prisoners to be transported for life, and the two female prisoners to 14 years' transportation. There were other charges against the prisoners, who were said to be London practitioners and to have been very successful in their adventures in the country. London Evening Standard, 17 March 1828.

48

Naomi Parsons on 2nd March 2026

Along with Ann Lee and their husbands, they were part of a sophisticated operation where the men burgled and stole from a jewellery shop at Manchester, stealing over £400 of jewellery, the women moved the stolen goods to lodgings in Liverpool and then transported them to London. Eliza and Ann both sailed on the Competitor with their husbands both sailing on the Albion. Eliza was from Dundee in Scotland. She was 'married' to John Jones, and could read and write. She was described as being 5' 3 1/2 inches tall, with a fair to ruddy complexion, dark brown hair and brown eyes. Eliza and her husband were both initially assigned to Edward Joseph Keith with Eliza as a housemaid on arrival in Pitt Street but this arrangement didn't last long. Eliza had numerous sentences between 1819 and 1835 which usually ended in a visit to the female factory in all classes for insolence, improper conduct and drunkenness. In 1836, she was returned to her master F. Watson after having been on the run. In 1837 she absconded from her next master J Tyre and was reported to be using the alias Jane Jones. Eliza received her certificate of freedom in March 1844 at which point she was now 42. Her husband John was given a conditional pardon at the same time. Her description was similar to her arrival one with the addition of her calling as 'house maid' and some additional physical features- she had a dark spot on her right eye which caused her to be nearly blind in that eye. She had two scars around her lips. There is a possible death record for Eliza Jones in November 1852, aged 49 at Camperdown cemetery but it is by no means certain that this is the same Eliza.

116

Tony Beale on 3rd November 2020

New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents, 1788-1842 Bound Indentures From Dundee, Angus, Scotland. Married protestant who could read and write 5' 3 1/2" fair to ruddy complexion dark brown hair and brown eyes. Assigned to C J Keith. cert no 44/322 New South Wales, Australia, Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930 for Eliza Thomson 8/9/1829 drunkeness and insolence 3rd class factory 1 month 26/2/1830 Drunkeness 2nd class factory 1 month 18/8/1830 improper conduct 3rd class factory 3 months 6/10/1831 3rd class factory 1 month 26/8/1833 3rd class factory 14 days 28/7/1835 1st class factory New South Wales, Australia, Certificates of Freedom, 2/3/1844 cert 44/322 Wife of John Jones per ship Albion (2)