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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Derbyshire => England => Derbyshire Lookup Requests => Topic started by: Jeff Thorne on Monday 25 March 13 06:40 GMT (UK)
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Joseph was convicted at Derby Quarter Sessions on 04 April 1815 of "Feloniously cutting a rope at the front of an engine and for damaging the same." Sentence of 7 years. Description: 5'5" tall, dark brown hair, hazel eyes. He was transported to Australia, and arrived in Port Jackson (Sydney) on board the "Fanny" on 25 April 1816. We know all about his life and family in Australia however I was wondering if someone could get me some additional information on his Offence, Trial, and his family history in the UK before his transportation.
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Hi Jeff
Do you have any other information ?
What year was he born? & where?
Carol
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Hi Carol,
Thanks for your question.
The major problem is that we don't have any more information. According to his Convict Indentures he was 20 Years old when he arrived in Australia. I thought the Derby Court records may hold a clue as to where he came from. Any help we can get would be great.
Jeff
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Hi again Carol,
One other tiny piece of information, Joseph was apparently a coal miner. I'm not sure that helps.
Jeff
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Which date suggests he was born 1796........On the basis that he was probably born in Derbyshire............not at all certain!......looking at the IGI Baptisms in Derbys for Joseph Lowe.1790-1800........there appear to be only two possibilities.......after you take out all who appear on the 1841Census.........which you guy certainly does not...and take out Joseph Lowe 1796 Chesterfield..cos further research shows he died in 1796!
JOSEPH LOWE baptised 27.02,`793 St Werbergh's Derby son of Elizabeth Lowe
JOSEPH LOWE baptised 13.02.1800 at Spondon son of Joseph and Ellen....
To have been done at Derby Sessions he would have to have offended in Derbyshire..which does not mean he was born there or even that he was living there!!
Good luck!
Derek.
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I think you ought to get hold of his death / burial certificate. I know the Australian certificate's give a lot more information than the ones in the UK.
His age should be given so at least you can work out when he was born.
Did he marry in Australia? A copy of the marriage certificate may help
Carol
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the engine belonged to Ebenezer SMITH of Staveley
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Staveley is Chesterfield..ish............another Joseph Lowe baptised 07.08.1796 Chesterfield. son of Samuel and Martha......
Derek.
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Hi,
"Yesterdays Journey" by Michael Spencer has the following entry:-
http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~spire/Yesterday/transportation-beyond-the-sea.htm
Joseph Lowe of Staveley, Labourer cutting rope on engine at coal mine, damaging engine
belonging Ebenezer Smith of Staveley.
This is confirmation that he was living in Staveley at the time of the offence.
Cannot find a newspaper report, except the following:-
Derby Mercury 27th April 1815
John Holmes & Joseph Lowe two of the prisoners under sentence of transportation were on
Saturday last safely delivered on board "Justitia" Hulk at Woolwich.
Spendlove
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Hi Carol, Derek, Mootoak & Spendlove,
Thanks for all your hard work.
Since I read all the posts this morning, I've been wondering what to do with all the information.
I have his Death Certificate, Marriage Certificate and the Birth Certificate for his son.
After reading his Convict Indentures again I found his native place was Derby and he was a coal miner. So it looks like we are looking in the right place.
Were there coal mines in Staveley? Did Ebenezer Smith own one? Where would the court records be? Would there likely be any more information there? Was there a lot of "Machine Breaking" in the Derbyshire area. Thanks again for your help. My wife and I are planning a trip to the UK shortly so the Derby area is on our list.
Jeff Thorne
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Hi,
Yes there were Coal Mines at Staveley and some were owned by Ebenezer Smith, the
following gives some information read under the heading History:-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adelphi_Canal
It is important to say he came from Derbyshire not Derby the County Town, but this was at the
time of his trial he could have been born anywhere.
Ancestry.co.uk have information on prisoners, but you appear to have all this information.
You can get access on a free trial - but don't forget to cancel your payment details prior to
end of free term. Only suggest because you can actually print copies of the documents.
What was the names given to any sons born to him, this could give a clue to the name of his
father, then try searching Census in the area of Staveley to see if there were others with
the Surname Lowe born staveley.
Newspapers often detail trials, I have been unable to find any reports on this case, but others
may have more luck.
Should e-mail, Mike Spencer from the "Yesterday" site, giving the information he has posted
on Joseph Lowe - he may be able to give more information on the records held at County
Record Office, Matlock, Derbyshire.
Will keep looking in the newspapers.
Spendlove
Spendlove
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Hi again,
Reading again the Convict Indentures, as Native Place it lists Derby, not Derbyshire. I have checked all the other entries on the sheets. Some are towns and cities, others are Shires. All written in the same hand at the same time. Perhaps its an indicator, perhaps not.
I'll try sending an email to Michel Spencer about the records in the County Record Office. I definitely need to allocate some extra time to my trip to Derbyshire.
Thanks again
Jeff