Robert Webb

342

Maureen Withey on 9th April 2026

NSW Convict Index. Robert Webb, per Royal Admiral, 1830, Certificate of Freedom, 30 July 1834. No 34/0955.

342

Maureen Withey on 9th April 2026

WORCESTER, July 31. CROWN SlDE {Before Mr. Justice Littledale.) Robert Webb and Thomas Bentam were indicted for burglariously breaking and entering the house of the Rev. James Beasley, rector of Feckenham … Globe, 2 Aug 1827.  Robert aged 19, shoemaker, who had rather a dandyish appearance, and Thomas Benton, 19, Blacksmith, were indicted for breaking into the dwelling of the Rev. James Beesley, of Feckenham, in the night of the 19th of February last, and stealing plated toast rack, vinaigrette, and other articles. Webb challenged one of the Jurors. It appeared that both the prisoners lodged near the prosecutor's house but no suspicion seems have attached to them at the time of the robbery. Some time afterwards, about the end of March, the prisoner Webb was seen stooping over ditch in lane, by blacksmith who lived near; and who, on searching, found the toast-rack and silk handkerchief, both of which bad been stolen from Mr. Beesley’s, concealed behind some rubbish. John Court, the constable of Feckenham, having some reason to suspect  the other prisoner, Benton, concealed himself, together with man named Shayler. In a wheat field, to watch him and a companion named Young. Happening to see Court, they both run away indifferent directions, and Shayler pursued and took Benton.—On examining the spot where he was taken, a muffineer and silver vinaigrette, the property of Mr. Beesley, were found. Webb, when called for his defence, said that he was at Birmingham, from the 17lh to the ? of February, and called Joseph Wright, needlemaker, Redditch, who deposed that he went to Birmingham  in company with Webb, on Saturday, February 17th; that they were at Hockley wake together, on the following day, and at the Theatre on the Monday evening ; that they slept together at public-house  the Rein Deer, in Edgbaston-street, every night, until Wednesday evening, when they parted. In reply this, the constable of Redditch deposed that he saw Webb, in that town, Wednesday morning, wearing smock frock, which he particularly noticed, as never seen him with one on before. When Webb’s lodgings were searched, a dark lantern and some skeleton keys were found. The Jury returned a verdict guilty, and they were sentenced to seven years’ transportation. Worcester Journal, 2 Aug 1827. … to Portsmouth.—The following were this day ...   from the County Gaol for seven years, … and Robert Webb and Thos. Benton, for robbing the house of the Rev. J. Beesley, of Feckenham. Worcester Journal, 20 Sept 1827. Portsmouth Hulk Records. (Either Laurel, Hardy or York hulks) HO-9-9_3 page 33/55. Received from Worcester, 21 Sept 1827 Robt Webb, age 19, House bkg, Tried Worcester 28 July 1827, 7 years, 6 Nov to Bermuda. Thos Benton, age 19, House bkg, Tried Worcester 28 July 1827, 7 years, 6 Nov to Bermuda. Leviathan Hulk Records. HO-9-8_6 page 13/54. Received from Bermuda, 25 May 1830. Robert Webb, age 22, Gd. Larceny, Tried 28 July 1827, Worcester, 7 years, To NSW 26 June 1830, R. Admiral. Robert and Thomas were sent to Bermuda, as a convicts, to labour on the public works there, the main work being the construction of the dockyard at the harbour. Around 9000 convicts were sent there to work, between 1823 and 1863. They were not allowed to settle in Bermuda after the termination of their sentence, but were returned to Britain, and often sent on the Australia. The death toll in Bermuda was very high, and the work very hard and physical, quarrying the limestone and building the dockyard and public building, while living on board convict hulk ships in the harbour. On his return from Bermuda, he was sent on to New South Wales to complete his sentence, on the ship Royal Admiral in 1830. I have not found any evidence that Thomas returned from Bermuda. There was no convict with his details in Australia. It is likely that he was one of the many convicts who died there.