James Wilbow

75

iain Frazier on 26th May 2026

Family connections for James (Wilbow) are: This replaces my Contribution of Jun 2024 WILBOW James (Wilbo/w) was born about 1768. He was tried for breaking entering & theft, on 6 1 1787, of waistcoats of John (Edwards) at Old Bailey on 10 1 1787, sentenced to 7years for the theft, held probably at London or Middlesex Gaol Delivery & hulk in Portsmouth harbour & arrived in NSW as a convict on 9 7 1791 after a voyage of 6months on Fleet ship SALAMANDER. On 3 11 1794 he had land at Mulgrave Place Hawkesbury River. He may have started a first relationship with Mary (Martin her second relationship) about 1792, whom he later married. In 1796 he shot bushranger Black Caesar. He was Free by Servitude by 1798. On 1 10 1802 he, as James (Wimbow), is recorded with 30acres & 3family off stores. In 1806 he is recorded as a settler at Hawkesbury w/2children & Mary (Martin) whom he married on 29 3 1807 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. He was appointed constable at Sydney in 1812. In 1814 he was recorded as constable with Mary (Martin) & 1child on stores.>>> [Some details taken from this Website] Mary (Martin) was born on 10 6 1773. She was tried for shop lifting, on 30 7 1789, a shawl etc of Samuel (Francis) at Old Bailey, sentenced to 7years, held at Middlesex Gaol Delivery & arrived in NSW as a convict on 26 6 1790 after a voyage of 6months on Fleet ship NEPTUNE; a voyage noted for extreme brutality of prisoners with a high death rate. She married firstly Thomas (Smith) on 4 3 1792 at St Johns CofE Parramatta. She was Free by Servitude by 1798. She is recorded with her husband & 2children in 1802 off stores & in 1806 as housekeeper to James (Wilbrow) at Hawkesbury. In 1814 she was recorded with her husband & 1child on stores. In 1828 she was recorded back with James (Wilbow) at Pitt Town. She died on 17 9 1847 age72/4 mother of perhaps 3children at Pitt Town. [Some details taken from this Website] .. Mary (Martin) & Thomas (Smith) produced 2children: this may not be so, see under. 1.Catherine (Smith) was born on 17 6 1793 & baptised on 21 7 1793 at St Phillips CofE Sydney-this birth is shown in Smees records. She was given the name (Wilbow) about 1807 when her mother married. Her stepbrother James was apparantly sent to live with her; recorded with her in 1828. 2.James (Smith) was born in 1796-he is not shown in Smees records. He is stated to have died about 1797-also not shown in Smees records. .. [Noted that a Mary (Martin) & Thomas (Masters) are recorded as producing a child:] [1.Elizabeth (Masters) was born on 30 10 1797 & baptised on 21 1 1798 at St Johns CofE Parramatta.] [Noted also that Amelia Wait (???) is recorded as born to a Mary (Martin) in 1827 & baptised on 27 6 1830 at St Phillips CofE Sydney-no father given] [However, this information would more likely apply to Mary (Martin PITT 1792) see EVANS ABOVE.] .. .. James (Wilbow) & Mary (Martin) produced 2children: however Catherine seems to have been fathered by Thomas (Smith) see just above. 1.Cathe/arine (Wilbow), sometimes named Caroline, was born in 1793-see just above-the birth is shown again in Smees records, possibly as an adoption?. On 1 10 1802 it may be she who is recorded with James (Wimbrow) off stores & in 1806 at Hawkesbury. She had a relationship with Mathew (Elkins his second relationship) & produced 5children: they married on 23 3 1818 at St Matthews CofE Windsor. She died on 20 1 1872 age about78. ..Matthew Andrew (Elkin/s) was born on 26 1 1780 & became a shoemaker. He was tried for stealing money from Squire (Clark) at Chester Great Sessions on 17 4 1797, sentenced to death commuted to 7years, held on a hulk & arrived in NSW on 14 8 1802 after a voyage of 7months on PERSEUS. He married firstly Mary (Moss) on 4 2 1805 at St Johns CofE Parramatta. He was recorded in 1806 as Free by Servitude as a shoemaker at Parramatta & was known to have bee a shoemaker at Portland Head about 1816. HE IS RECORDED IN 1822 AS SHOEMAKER. He died on 5 2 1834 age53/4 father of 6children & was buried at (St Matthews CofE?) Windsor. ..[Some details taken from this Website] ..Details of Matthew Andrew (Elkin/s)s family are given in entry for Matthew Andrew (Elkins PERSEUS 1802) on this Website. .. 2.James (Wilbow) was born in 1798. On 1 10 1802 it may be he who is recorded with James (Wimbrow) off stores & in 1806 at Hawkesbury. In 1814 it may be he who was recorded with his parents? on stores. As James (Wilbrow), when living at Pitt Town, he married Elizabeth (Mitchell her first marriage) of Pitt Town on 26 3 1822 at St Matthews CofE Windsor or on 26 3 1822 at St Matthews CofE Windsor. He was recorded in 1806 as a farmer. He died on 20 3 1839 age about40. ..Elizabeth (Mitchell) was born about 1803/9. She arrived in NSW with her parents on 20 1 1820 after a voyage of 8months on LORD WELLINGTON. She was recorded at Pitt Town in 1822. She married secondly Alexander (Morrison) in 1841 at Wilberforce. She produced at least 4children in her lifetime. ..Details of Elizabeth (Mitchell)s family are given in entry for Elizabeth (Mitchell LORD WELLINGTON 1820) on this Website. .. ..James (Wilbrow) & Elizabeth (Mitchell) produced at least 4children: ..1.Thomas (Wilbrow) was born on 23 5 1825 at Pitt Town & baptised on 19 8 1836 age11 w/William, Elizabeth at St James CofE Pitt Town. ..2.William (Wilbrow) was born in 17 6 1827 at Pitt Town & baptised on 19 8 1836 age9 w/Thomas, Elizabeth at St James CofE Pitt Town. ..3.Margaret (Wilbrow) was born in 1828. ..4.Elizabeth (Wilbrow) was born on 10 6 1830 at Pitt Town & baptised on 19 8 1836 age6 w/Thomas, William at St James CofE Pitt Town. .. .. >>>James (Wilbow) had a second relationship with Elizabeth (Shipp/Shipley). He was Free by Servitude by 1817. He became Town constable in May 1820 & District constable on 17 11 1820. He is recorded as constable in 1821 w/Elizabeth (Shipp) & 1child. In 1822 he had 70acres & in 1824 sought more land; he was also recorded in 1824 as yeoman at Pitt Town. On 31 8 1827 he resigned from the Police. In 1828 he was recorded with Mary (Martin) at Pitt Town. He died on 18 3 1840 age72 father of maybe 6children at Wilberforce & was buried at St Matthews CofE Windsor. Elizabeth (Shipp) was born about 1772. She was tried for stealing money of Mr (Trundle) at Norfolk Assizes on 9 8 1814, sentenced to 7years, held at Norwich Castle & arrived in NSW as a convict on 18 6 1815 after a voyage of 6months on NORTHAMPTON. She is recorded in 1821 with James (Wilbow) & 1child. She was Free by Servitude by 1822. She was apparantly not with James (Wilbow) in 1828 as she is recorded as laundress at Cumberland St Sydney. She died on 5 6 1831 age59 at Sydney after falling into a fire while alone. [Some details taken from this Website] James (Wilbow) & Elizabeth (Ship/p) produced 4children: 1.William (Wilbow) was born on 1 4 1817 & baptised on 21 4 1817 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. He died on 28/9 4 1817 age4w & was buried at St Phillips CofE Sydney. 2.Margaret Jane (Wilbow) was born on 2 9 1818 & baptised on 25 3 1819 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. She is recorded in 1821 with her parents. She may have been sent to be a lodger with Edward (Cattlen) in Cambridge Sydney, where a 9yo girl is recorded in 1828. 3.Jane (Wilbow) was born on 8 6 1822 & baptised on 30 3 1823 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. She died on 3 4 1823 age10-m & was buried at St Phillips CofE Sydney. 4.James (Wilbow) was born on 26 8 1823 & baptised on 20 6 1825 age21m at St Phillips CofE Sydney. He was apparantly sent to live with his stepsister Elizabeth; recorded with her in 1828. Reference: Craig James Smee 'Births and Baptisms Marriages and Defacto Relationships Deaths and Burials New South Wales 1788-1830' ..a complete listing from church & other records in the early colony.

54

Phil Hands on 25th November 2017

In January 1787, under the name of James Wilbo, he was tried and convicted in the Old Bailey, London of breaking and entering a dwelling and stealing 4 waistcoats. He was sentenced to 7 years transportation, and spent four of those years on the hulks in Portsmouth. Left England on 27th March 1791. ship:- the 'Salamander' sailed with 160 male convicts on board of which 5 died during the voyage. Arrived on 21st August 1791. On expiry of his sentence, James was granted land at Mulgrave Place by the Hawkesbury River on 3rd November 1794. He became infamous in the Colony when in 1796 he apprehended and shot the notorious bushranger Black Caesar. He was granted additional acreage on 1st October 1802. He reared sheep, goats and hogs and grew wheat and barley. James married convict Mary Martin ('Neptune' 1790) on 29th March 1807 at St Phillip's, Church of England, Sydney NSW. Mary already had 2 children, Catherine and James, who were both given the surname of Wilbow. On 1st February 1812 James was appointed as a Police Constable at Sydney, and later he became a District Constable. James moved to Sydney and began a relationship with ex-convict Elizabeth Shipp (also Shipley) who had arrived on the 'Northampton' in 1815. They had 4 children between 1817 and 1823, two surviving childhood: Margaret and another James. By May 1820 he had been appointed a Town Constable and promoted to District Constable on 17th November 1820. Two days later he apprehended two escaping convicts. On 8th September 1821 he was listed as a Constable victualled from H.M. Magazines receiving 1½ rations. His wife (Elizabeth Shipp) was receiving ½ rations, and his daughter Mary (Margaret) was receiving ¼ rations. In the reports of 1822, James had 10 acres of wheat, 16 of maize, potatoes, 30 acres cultivated and 30 acres held. He had 1 horse and 40 hogs. In 1822 Matthew Newport, a government servant assigned to James Wilbow, was sentenced to 50 lashes for committing a robbery and was sent away to Port Macquarie. In September 1824 District Constable Wilbow, supported by four Sydney Justices of the Peace petitioned Governor Brisbane for an extra grant of land, on the grounds of his lengthy years of Police service. James is listed on an 1824 jurors list as being a yeoman of Pitt Town. James resigned from the Police on 31st August 1827. According to the November 1828 NSW Census, James Wilbow resided on property at Pitt Town with his wife Mary, having returned to his wife after leaving his partner Elizabeth Shipp (who died later in 1831). James died at Wilberforce on 18th March 1840 aged 72 and was buried at St Matthew's Church of England Cemetery, Windsor. Mary died in 1847 at Pitt Town age 72. Old Bailey Trial Transcription. Reference Number: t17870110-38 197. JAMES WILBO was indicted for burglariously and feloniously breaking and entering the dwelling house of John Edwards , about the hour of five in the night, on the 6th of January , and burglariously stealing therein, four waistcoats, value 10 s. 6 d. his property . JOHN EDWARDS sworn. I keep a sale shop in Barbican, No. 22 ; on Saturday last, between five and six I put my window to rights, and I put four waistcoats in the farther compass pane; and the window at that time was whole; from thence I went to the other side of the shop to set the other window to rights; I had not been there above three or four minutes before John Newman , our patrol, brought in a man, and said he was a thief: I immediately asked him what was the matter; I had not heard or seen any thing; the patrol laid down a white waistcoat; I looked at it, and turned up the pocket flap, says I, this is mine: I immediately ran to the window where I had put them, and the window was broke, and the waistcoats were gone; the window was safe when I put them in, and in about five or six minutes the prisoner was brought in with the waistcoat. How much of the window was broke? - The window had been broke several times and the piece was fastened in with lead; I heard no noise, and there was no noise in the street; the street was as quiet as the Court is now; I only found that one waistcoat; I am sure it is mine; it was one of these four that were in the window; there is my mark upon it; the prisoner is the man that Newman brought in; he has been in custody ever since. JOHN NEWMAN sworn. On Saturday last, about half past five, just as I came to the corner of Barbican, I saw the prisoner and another coming running by me very quick; they crossed over to Redcross-street; I then turned back again, and went down Redcross-street, and they ran down Redcross-street about twenty yards, and crossed over the way to the alley, called Paul's-alley, and the other got to the corner of the highway; I pursued this prisoner up the alley, and the other ran away directly, and never went up the alley; I overtook the prisoner in the alley; he appeared to have something under his jacket; he had a jacket on; I asked him what he had got; and as I laid hold of him this fell from the side of him directly. Did you see it fall from him? - No, I did not; it was down between him and me in a minute. Had it been there before? - No, I am positive sure it was not there before: it was dirty, and fell down between his shoes and mine; it is a waistcoat. Can you undertake to say with certainty that that fell from him? - I cannot say any further than as we were both together this lay between us, and I observed something under his jacket when I caught him by the collar; there was nobody else in the alley as I could see. When you first saw these two lads how near were they to the prosecutor's shop? - About six or seven doors; about twenty four or twenty-five yards. You saw nothing of them before what you have mentioned? - Nothing else; I searched the prisoner, nothing else was found upon him. No keys nor any thing of that sort? - No. Any knife? - No. Any chissel? - No. No instrument found upon him with which he could have taken out this piece of glass? - No. What o'clock was it? - Half past five. Was daylight entirely gone? - Yes. Prisoner. I have no further to say, than this: on Saturday evening, I came from the house where I lived, I was going to the Nag's-head, in Aldersgate-street, to call for some money, and running to make the best of my way there, this gentleman laid hold of my collar; says he, what have you there? I said, nothing my good man; my waistcoat flew open as he laid hold of me; I had a white waistcoat under my red one. The prisoner called four witnesses, who gave him a good character. GUILTY, But not of the burglary . Transported for seven years . Tried by the London Jury before Mr. RECORDER.

105

Denis Pember on 26th March 2016

James and Elizabeth do NOT show up on the 1828 Census. They must have been elsewhere at the time. Perhaps as part of his duties as a constable. However, their daughter Margaret, born 1819 does show. Page 400... [Ref W2160] Wilbow, Margaret, 9, BC a lodger with Ed Cattlen, Cambridge Street, Sydney.

105

Denis Pember on 26th March 2016

Muster records show James and his family: 1802... [BD304] Salamander, James Wimbow, Grant 30 acres. 3 family members off stores. 1806... [A4574] James Wilbow, Salamander, Settler, Hawkesbury. [B0452] James Wilbow, self, wife and 2 children off stores. [A3207] Mary Martin, Neptune, FBS Housekeeper to James Wilbow. 1814... [4909] James Wilbow, Salamander, On Stores. Constable. [6793] Mary Martin, Neptune, On Stores 1 child on stores. Wife to James Wilbow. ## Clearly there were children to the realtionship!

105

Denis Pember on 26th March 2016

In the colony, he married Mary Martin (Convict, Neptune, 1790) on March 29th 1807 at Sydney. The couple did not have any family and sometime after 1814, they drifted apart and James was living with Elizabeth Shipp (Convict, Northampton, 1814) by 1817. They had 4 children born between 1817 and 1823.

105

Denis Pember on 26th March 2016

Old Bailey Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org) Transcript t17871010-38 10 Jan 1787: JAMES WILBO was indicted for burglariously and feloniously breaking and entering the dwelling house of John Edwards, about the hour of five in the night, on the 6th of January, and burglariously stealing therein, four waistcoats, value 10 s. 6 d. his property. .......... Found Guilty of theft but not of burglary. Transported for 7 years.

20

Joanne Parsons on 4th March 2013

Arrived Salamander21.08.1791. He had spent 3 years on a Prison Hulk at Portsmouth before being sent here. Old Bailey ref: t17870110-38.