Thomas Westlake

221

D Wong on 22nd March 2018

9/4/1843 Bell's New Weekly Messenger London, England: THE ASSIZES, WESTERN CIRCUIT Exeter Thomas Westlake, Samuel Houghton, and Mary Evans, were indicted for assaulting and robbing Samuel Barnes, and beating him with bludgeons. Mr. Barnes is a surgeon of the greatest eminence in Exeter. On Monday, the 15th of August last, about 11 o'clock at night, Mr. Barnes was sent for to attend a patient in the neigbourhood of Exeter. As he was proceeding along a road which had been made across a field, the female prisoner accosted him, asking him to take a walk with her. Mr. Barnes made no reply, but walked on, the woman following him. He had to go round a corner, and he then observed the two other prisoners, who followed him, and he immediately felt a heavy blow on his face, wich felled him to the ground. Westlake then covered Mr. Barnes's face with his hands, and the prisoners amoung them took from his person a gold watch and a quantity of gold and silver. Mr. Barnes was very much beaten with heavy sticks. He cried out, "Don't beat me, but take my money." He had may had blows about his head. Soon after this Mr. Barnes found himself alone, and hurried towards the city, and gave an alarm. He was bleeding much from the nose and mouth. He has lost the use of one nostril, and his jaw is much shaken. On the 19th of August he was shown into a room where there were 10 or 12 prisoners. He instantly fixed on Westlake. He then went to another room, where there were four prisoners, and he though one of them was on of the ment. He went out of the room and was afterwards called in again, and Houghton was then present with several ogther persons, and he then fixed on Houghton. He then saw the female prisoner, and they recognized each other. The jury returned a verdict of guilty against all the prisoners, and Westlake and Houghton were sentenced to transportation for life, and the woman to 15 years' transportation. Samuel Houghton arrived per 'Maitland' 1843, to NSW and Norfolk Island - Mary Evans arrived on the 'Emma Eugenia 1844' to VDL. Thomas Westlake was tried in 1843 but did not arrive until 12/11/1848, so spent time in prison or on the Hulks before he was transported. Thomas was listed as 26 years old on arrival and born C1821 - he was born at Crediton, Devonshire. Previous convictions: For anbdkerchiefs - discharged. Thomas was 5'3½" tall, fresh complexion, dark brown hair, black whiskers, brown eyes, nail of left thumb split, small pock mark on right cheek.literate, single. Occupation: Labourer and groom. TOL on arrival. 26/2/1850: Permission to marry Ann Sophia Jones (Tory) - no registration found. 7/1/1853: Married Elizabeth Kenny, aged 22 - Thomas was 29 - married at Campbell Town. TOL revoked on 30/9/1854 and 17/10/1854 23/9/1856: TOL Nov 1857: Absconded - seized 1/12/1857 29/12/1857: TOL revoked 26/1/1858: TOL 15/6/1858: CP 1856: Elizabeth Kenny/Westlake was still alive - no date of death found for her. C1858: Tginas firned a de facto relationship with Mary Ann Young. 7/5/1859: Virtuous Westlake, born Campbell Town, Father was Thomas a blacksmith / Mother Mary Anne Young. 20/2/1863: Thomas Murett Westlake born - registered at Launceston - father Thomas Westlake, Mother, Mary Ann Young. (Thomas listed as a Blacksmith). __ 30/7/1879 Thomas Jnr, 19 married Maria Trinder 21, at Launceston. 21/2/1867: Martha Westlake born Launceston to Thomas and Mary Ann Young - Thomas a woodcarter. 13/6/1869: James Westlake born at Launceston to Thomas and Mary Ann Young - Thomas listed as a Carter. There were 5 children in all. 5/1/1871: Mary Ann Westlake died at Launceston, aged 30, she died of Phthisis (TB) - Contractor's wife. 25/4/1895: Thomas died at Launceston in the Hospital, aged 75, died of Pneumonia, a labourer