Jane Williams

342

Maureen Withey on 9th August 2025

Wife Beating. …. Another Case.—Jane Blackham v. Joseph Blackham.—This also occurred opposite the foundry, near the Sandhill. The information was not laid by the wife, nor did she appear as a witness. It was heard at the Police-office yesterday, before the Police Magistrate, Major Welman, and Mr. Weedon. Thomas Innocent, who laid the information, was the first witness sworn, and proved that on Monday last he saw the defendant run to John Smith's door, where he caught hold of his wife by the hair of the head; she had a baby in her arms, and Mrs. Smith interfered and took it away, when he seized her again by the hair and struck her five or six times with his fist, as hard as ever he could. She called for assistance, but no one went; she then ran towards Mr. Sherwin's house, when her husband followed and gave her in charge to some constables. Witness did not know what had occurred before defendant struck his wife at Smith's door. Mr. Miller, who conducted the defence, cross-examined Innocent;— I never had a quarrel with defendant about my sister. I was standing opposite Mr. Carter's when I saw the woman first. I did not see her come out of Carter's; she appeared to me to be sober. I do not know her to be a notorious drunkard; I have never seen her incapable of taking care of herself, they were having no row before defendant struck his wife. John Smith was called, and a John Smith appeared, but it was stated that he was not the right John Smith, he had nevertheless been summoned ; a constable pointed out another John Smith in court, but neither was he the particular John Smith required, however, the John Smith summoned had been present at the time the woman was assaulted. He was sworn,—he saw the defendant fetch his wife out of a house opposite the foundry on Monday last, he wanted her to go home, but she refused, he tried to take the child from her, but she would not give it up. She struck at him, and he put up his hand, and pushed her away ; he begged of her to go home, and she screamed, and kept scrambling with him, and wouldn't go; he only saw him push her away when she struck at him ; he didn't strike her ; he saw the last witness there, who asked if he had seen it, he said he had. By Mr. Miller.— I saw the last witness in the public-house this morning ; he spoke to me about the case, and asked what I was going to say, I said I would speak the truth ; he said he wanted to have Blackham bound over to keep the peace, that he might have him under his thumb, and thus have his revenge ; Blackham's wife is a notorious drunkard ; I saw her drunk last night, and this morning she wanted me to go into Fiddyment's with her; I refused to go. The magistrates retired for a short time, and fined Blackham 2d., and costs. The Cornwall Chronicle, Launceston, 11 Oct 1856. 3 offences are listed on her conduct record after she received her Certificate of Freedom: 29/11/1860, Idle & Disorderly, one month impr. & hard labor. 4 Dec 1862. Drunk & incapable, one month hard labor. 10 Nov 1865, Stealing a purse of money, 3 mos hd labor.

342

Maureen Withey on 9th August 2025

Tasmanian Records. Convict conduct Record: https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON41-1-11/CON41-1-11P167 No 709. Jane Williams, proper name, Kelly. Tried Salford Sessions, 25 May 1846, 7 years. Catholic, can read. Transported for Felony. Gaol report: lived nearly 4 years by shoplifting. Stated this offence: Stealing a dress piece and 2 handkerchiefs, for a dress, 3 mos; has lived 3-4 years by thieving, single. Surgeon’s Report: Generally well behaved, silly. Native place, Manchester. Age 14. Nurse girl. See record for full details. Eventually got her Free Cert, 9 June 1853. In prison soon afterwards. Indent: https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON15-1-4/CON15-1-4P42 and https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON15-1-4/CON15-1-4P43 Jane Williams, proper name Kelly, age 14, 4 ft 7½. Nurse girl, Tried at Salford Sessions, 25 May 1846, 7 years, native place, Manchester, Catholic. Can neither read nor write. Relations, F, Martin, M, Rose; B, Michael, Joseph; S, Ann, Maria. Offence, Stealing a dress piece & 2 handkerchiefs. For dress piece 3 months; …. 3 or 4 years by thieving.

2

Lachlan Williams on 6th August 2025

The conduct record states that she lived 4 years by shoplifting, not prostitution: https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON41-1-11/CON41-1-11p167

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 3rd September 2024

Place of origin: Manchester, Lancashire No; 709. Proper name; Kane Kelly Aged; 14 years old Remarks on conduct record; Lived nearly 4 years by prostitution 1853. MARRRIAGE PERMISSIONS Blackham, Joseph, Ship/free: Isabella Marriage to: Williams, Jane. Ship/free: Free Permission date: 27 Jul 1853 1853 - MARRIAGE. Blackham, Joseph. Aged; 37 year old. Trade; Brickmaker William, Jane. Aged; 19 years old 1854 - 23 Dec. Birth of daughter; Elizabeth Father; Joseph Blackham. Brickmaker & Mother Jane Williams 1856 - 2 Jun. Birth of daughter; Emily. Father; Joseph Blackhem ** Brickmaker & Mother; Jane Williams 1863 - Queen's Orphan School. Application for admission Applications made by Charles Favell - 23 July 1863 CHILD; Blackham, Emma. aged 7 years old FATHER; Joseph Blackham - DEAD. MOTHER; Jane Williams. Ship; Elizabeth & Henry. No; 709. Free by servitude. Certificate; 25 May 1853. Under sentence in Goal at Launceston FRIENDS OF THE ORPHAN SCHOOLS Orphan Number: 351 Orphan: Emma BLACKHAM Mother: WILLIAMS, Jane Father: BLACKHAM, Joseph Mother's ship: Elizabeth & Henry Father's ship: Age when admitted: 7yrs Date admitted: Jul 1863 Date discharged: 3 Aug 1870, 16 Jun 1873 Institution(s): Queens Orphan School Discharged to: William Cuthbert, Hobart, William Yule, Richmond Remarks: father dead, mother a prisoner at Launceston References: SWD26/6, 27, 32/1, 53, HAP1871/63 https://www.orphanschool.org.au/showorphan.php?orphan_ID=351 1853 - MARRIAGE. Blackham, Joseph. Aged; 37 year old. Trade; Brickmaker William, Jane. Aged; 19 years old