Robert Westaway

71

Robin Sharkey on 21st February 2017

Robert's older brother John had some sad things happen to him: First in 1846, John was charged with manslaughter when he was doing some rock blasting as part of his work and a passerby was hit by a flying rock and killed. Western Times April 18 1846 "TORQUAY "Coroner’s INQUEST - On Friday an inquest was held at Torquay before Gribble, J, Esq of Ashburton, on the body of a man named Tucker, who met his death under the following circumstances. It appears that a labourer named Westaway was engaged in blasting a piece of rock situate close to one of the streets of the town, and having fired without giving notice, Tucker, who was passing by at the moment, was struck on the head with a piece of the rock, and expired a few hours after the injury. The jury brought in a verdict of manslaughter against Westaway." THen John, shockingly died of starvation on the docks at Plymouth when he finally got a day’s work in December 1868. He was aged 46 and left a wife and 2 very young children, also half starved. They lived in abject poverty and destitution, in an unfurnished room. Robert Westaways brother, William, had migrated to the USA where he married and had a large family starting with the first child born in 1867.

71

Robin Sharkey on 21st February 2017

Western Times Sat 7 April 1849 Petty Sessions Thursday Robert Westaway was summoned by Eliza Wilcocks of Torquay to shew cause why he should not contribute towards the maintenance of her bastard child, of which he was the father, The case was dismissed, sufficient proof of the paternity not having been produced; the applicant (female) to pay the costs. Robert had two brothers: John Born 1832 William Born 1836. They were all born at South Tawton, however their father moved them and their mother, Lydia nee Webber, to Torquay presumably to look for work. In 1851, the mother had died, and the father Robert snr, a widower, was a lodger, age 48, in a lodging house run by Jane Towaker. It appears that he married the lodging house keeper – as jane FOURAKER – at Torquay in 1852. Robert himself, a few months before his crime, was only aged 18 or 19 and in the 1851 Census, a few months before his crime: lived at 10 Cory Parade, Torquay. Servant (said to be aged 18) born South Tawton. Appears to be either boarding or working in a household, the head being a 51 y.o. dairyman, then Lucy Helbridge servant 24, Elizabeth Howard , servant 36, ___________________________________________________

71

Robin Sharkey on 21st February 2017

Robert Westaway (Junior) was convicted at Exeter in October 1851 of larceny and was transported on convict ship “Dudbrook” arriving in Western Australia on 7 Febraruy 1853. The family of this name originates in the towns of South Tawton and Courtenay Sampford in Devon on the north side of Dartmoor. Robert’s branch of the family, back to his grandfather, lived in South Tawton and environs, as did dozens and dozens of other Westaway families. Convict family connections. Robert Westaway’s father was also named Robert. Robert Senior was the grandson of Benjamin Westaway and Mary (nee Garland) of South Tawton. William Searle Westaway was the first cousin of Robert snr. The husband of Mrs Mary Westaway, convict to Tasmania, was James Westaway, who was yet another first cousin William Searle and Robert snr. Their relationships looked like this: Gen 1: Benjamin Westaway MRRD Mary Garland CHILDREN: Gen 2: Benjamin Jnr Susannah: William Gen 3: William Searle W. Robert W, James W MRRD Mary, convict Gen 4: Robert Jnr Convict to W.A. CRIME: Western Times Sat 18 Oct 1851, page 7 "TORQUAY "TOWN HALL Saturday – Robert Westaway was charged before J Hack Esq, magistrate, with stealing a coat, handkerchief, book, and pair of gloves, from James Berry, an agricultural labourer. Prosecutor, a servant in the employ of Mr Nickels, farmer of Rocombe, Stokeinteignhead, on Friday afternoon, left the stolen articles in the hedge, near a gate in the field which he was ploughing. He observed the prisoner lurking about in the next field. On going for his clothes, found it was missing, and whilst giving information to the police at Torquay, of the robbery the prisoner came down the road with the things bundled under his arm. Prisoner made no defence, and was committed for trial." Western Times Sat 25 Oct 1851, page 6 "DEVON ASSIZES "SENTENCES of the PRISONERS "Ten years’ transportation ROBERT WESTAWAY (17), stealing at Stokeinteighhead, on the 10th October, a coat, pocket handkerchief, pair of gloves and a book, the property of James Berry." Robert Junior, Convicted Exeter October 1851. Larceny. Sent on “Dudbrook” arrived 7 February 1853, Western Australia Ticket of Leave: 20 June 1854 Cond Pardon: 1856 _________________________________________________________________