John Wood

Level 221

D Wong on 21st December 2015

Old Bailey: JOHN WOOD, Theft > pocketpicking, 2nd December 1812. Offence: Theft > pocketpicking Verdict: Guilty Punishment: Transportation JOHN WOOD was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 18th of November, a watch, value 1 l. the property of Richard Andrews, from his person . RICHARD ANDREWS. I am an undertaker , in Compton-street. Q. Did you lose a watch on the 18th of November - A. Yes; I lost it for about a minute. It was near one in the day. It was a silver hunting watch. The watch was in my fob at the time I was in Church-lane, St. Giles's. It so happened, on the day stated in the indictment, we had an order for two coffins. My man took the big coffin, and I took the child's coffin, and where it happened was opposite where the man lay dead. It became me to guide the man in with the coffin. I was giving a Mr. M'Carty the little coffin until I came down stairs again. I felt the watch leave my pocket. No person was near me but the prisoner within five or six yards. I immediately turned round, and saw the prisoner with the watch in his left hand behind him. No person was standing near him but my man with the coffin. I seized hold of the watch and got it away from him. He parted with it rather reluctantly. I then guided the man up with the coffin, and when I came down again the prisoner was in the custody of eight or nine people. I am fully positive he is the man. I never saw him before to my knowledge. Q. What was the value of your watch - A. I value it at one pound it cost me five pounds. CHARLES M'CARTY. I took in the child's coffin of Mr. Andrews; (I keep a potatoe warehouse); and on my turning round I saw Mr. Andrews take the watch from his hand. The prisoner said he found the watch among the potatoes. ISAAC BOWYER . I am a journeyman to Mr. Andrews. I saw the prisoner standing next door to Mr. M'Carty's house. Mr. Andrews was putting the coffin in M'Carty's window. He came and took Mr. Andrews's watch out. Mr. Andrews said, come give me that watch. What watch, he said. Prisoner's Defence. They all swear so hard against me, it is of no use for me to say anything. GUILTY , aged 23. Transported for Life. John Wood’s occupation was a ‘Jeweller/Tinker’ but was listed as a ‘shopman’ on his records. John spent 6 months in goal, and on hulks before departing in 1813 for NSW. C1806: Married Elizabeth Toms (12/2/1791-9/5/1857 at Woolloomooloo). They had 3 children, all listed as Leach, John C1820, Eliza Jane C1822, Esther Emma 10/6/1822-22/7/1914, all born in Sydney. Colonial Secretary Papers: WOOD, John. Per "Earl Spencer", 1813; shopman 1813 Oct 14: On list of convicts disembarked from "Earl Spencer" & forwarded to William Cox at Windsor for distribution (Reel 6002; 4/3491 p.560) 1822 Census: Elizabeth Leach is listed as ‘came free to per ‘Kangaroo’ in 1814. Two children also listed, John Leach born colony aged 11/2 and Jane Leach born colony aged 2 months. John was 5’1” tall, dark sallow complexion, dark brown hair, black eyes. According to a petition Elizabeth wrote to Governor Bourke John Wood received a ticket of Leave in 1813? (actual date 19.12.1814). Then employed for 11 years by Mr McQueen a merchant in Sydney. 1825: TOL Sydney 1830: TOL Sydney 28/7/1831: Sydney – convicted of stealing – sent to Moreton Bay for 1 year – arrived 22/8/1831 per ‘Eleanor’ and was returned to Sydney 4/2/1833. 1833: Was then assigned to Richard Page, settler at Portland Head, on the Hawkesbury River. 1831: TOL cancelled 1837: TOL Windsor 1841: TOL Windsor 1846: Recommended for a CP 10/4/1847: Conditional Pardon. C1820: One of his children drowned. He was from then on frequently intoxicated. 14/4/1831: Spent three days on the treadmill for drunkenness. No definite date of death found.