John Trapp

Wilts Lent Assizes John Trapp was convicted of assaulting Luke Ball, on the 1st December, near Warminster Common, and robbing him of some silver, which he had in his pocket. The prosecutor had gone into a public house, called the Organ, in Warminster, and foolishly shewed what money he had in his pocket to the servant. He had four £1 notes, which he had the precaution to put into his pocket. He had to pass by Warminster Common, where the prisoner lived, who insisted upon seeing him a little further on the road, keeping on his right hand all the way. When they had got a quarter of a mile beyond the common, the prisoner gave him a violent blow on the head, which knocked him against the bank; the prosecutor said “Shame, don’t rob me;” prisoner then got his hands in his pockets, and prosecutor called out Murder. - He then began beating him, and at last felled him to the ground, and ran off. The prosecutor followed him, crying out Murder! But he got out of his reach. While doing so, he met two persons, a man and a woman, to whom he related the story. The evidence of the prosecutor was confirmed by the two witnesses, and the Jury returned a verdict of Guilty. – Transportation for life. Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette, 12 March 1829

Salisbury. The following prisoners, sentenced to transportation for life, were on Wednesday removed from Fisherton Gaol on board the York hulk, Gosport, viz. Alford Bridges, John Walborne, John Moody, John Trapp, Elijah Daniels, R.O. Golway, Wm. Saunders, Geo. Phillimore, Jonas Buckland, Wm. Sheppard, Wm. Baverstock, Geo. Fry, Wm. Curtis, Joseph Curtis, and Solomon Somers. - Samuel Freestone, sentenced to 14 years transportation, at the last Wilts quarter sessions, was also removed to the York hulk the same time. Salisbury Journal, 19 May 1828 Hulk Report, National Archives, HO 9-9-3. P 39. Jno. Trapp alias Jno. Iles, age 20, convicted of burglary at New Sarum, 8 Mar 1828, sentenced to Life. Left hulk for NSW 9 Mar 1829.