Robert Wilson

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Robin Sharkey on 9th April 2018

Robert Wilson was tried at Trim in County Antrim on 2 April 1798 although convict records usually state the trial as being in March. The following newspaper report showed the nature of Robert Wilson's crime. Belfast Newsletter, Friday April 6th 1798 p.2 “County Antrim Assizes “Carrickfergus, April 2 – second day “The Court was opened this day at a quarter to 11 o’clock by the Hon. Justice Downes, when the following Jury was sworn: …[list of names set out] “John Hewitt, Robert Willson [sic] and Eleanor Morgan indicted for feloniously stealing goods, the property of Edward Quigly, at Glenavy, on the 25th September last. The jury brought in a verdict – Guilty. The prisoners having pleaded statute – ordered to be transported for 7 years.” Wilson's co-accused, John Hewitt was transported on the same ship, Minerva. Eleanor Morgan, although sentenced to transportation, did not arrive in NSW. In NSW in 1806 Robert Wilson was recorded as a government servant working for Mr [Henry] Fulton - an Anglican minister. He did not appear in the 1814 Muster and there is no death record but the 1817 and 1820 Musters recorded Robert Wilson per Minerva as 'dead'.