JOSEPH WATKINS of Gt Malvern COMPLETED

[Emjaybee]

Oh dear, no joy!

I have from another researcher Joseph Watkins marrying Hannah William in 1849, in Machen, Monmouthshire.  father William Watkins.

No dates for his birth yet but looking.

Heres another
JOSEPH WATKINS/ANN WILLIAMS    Marriage:  30 SEP 1829   Lingen,(Could be Linton) Hereford, England

[watway]

Hi, more info. on our Joseph Watkins. Born December 20 1822 . reg. at  The Church of St. James the Great Colwall (Colwall registers are online) also William Watkins (Joseph's Father) died April 26 1824 Colwall. Sarah Watkins (Jos. Mother ) remarried to William Hyde (Hide) 1826 Colwall. and had 3 more children. Joseph in on the 1851 Census in Wakefield Prison Yorkshire awaiting being sent to the Hulk ships. Look up Convict records of Western Australia online if you want to see for yourself his details. He came out on the 'Pyrenees' arriving May 1 1853.having been convicted Worcester 1.7.1850. convict number 1779  Has description of his height, features etc. Occ. Blacksmith striker. Worcester Berrows Journal 1850 has details of his trial, we read it at the Worcester Records Office. Joseph settled at York West. Australia. We have gone over the 1841 census for Jos. first wife, several possibilities but can not find any deaths of person before he married Harriet. I live in Western Australia. Mary Ann Watkins ( the Aussie version) is my Great Grandmother. Also we do not know Sarah Watkins maiden name if anyone has it or exactly where Wiliam Watkins came from. Thanks.

[Puffcat]

He would only have been 19 in 1841 - so is it likely he would be married ?
More likely an apprentice to a Blacksmith somewhere. He is down as a striker so perhaps he did not do an apprenticeship or finish one. A striked is someone who works the metal with a heavy hammer, often in twos beating the metal with alternate strikes until the smith has it the right shape  to make into a horse shoe or other wrought metal item. Are there any likely candidates in the households of smiths on the 1841 census in the area?

[Puffcat]

Does Sarah Hyde, formerly Watkins, give a place of birth on any of the censuses ?
 A William Watkins married a Sarah Cox in Hereford in 1820

[watway]

William Watkins (Jos.Father) was a Blacksmith at Colwall. There was also another blacksmith named Watkins there as well. A James also a blacksmith in 1813 (Colwall  reg.) On the 1841 Census there are several Jos. Watkins. there is an entry for a Jos 20 & Mary 20 at Lyonshall (is that too far away) Also have a marriage for Jos. & a Mary Powell in 1839  at Martley. I have a Mary Watkins died at Martley 1941 June Aug. Sept qtr but don't know much about that as its off BMD's. Sarah Watkins/Hyde is listed being born at 2 places on Censuses1861 Coddington and 1851 Leigh. Martley is up near Leigh . IGI has a Sarah b. at ActonBeauchamp 1789 and a Sarah  1790 at Colwall (LDS member) Also a Sarah Morgan at Leigh b 1794. Am I going around in circles here. I  am hoping I don't have to view every film copied...Barbara.

[Emjaybee]

Further information:

Joseph carried on with his criminal acts in Australia , where he was convicted of stealing horse tack, and later two horses.

This confirms our family story that he was a horse thief.

[watway]

Just to clarify Joseph Watkin's continued exploits in Western Australia.
 
On 27th April, 1863, charged with stealing a Harness off John Monger of York. The trial was on the 1st July, 1863, he pleaded not guilty and was found guilty and was sentenced to 12 Calender Months imprisonment with hard labour by the Supreme Court of Western Australia.

Report of Occurrence from the 23rd. Dec 1864 York Police Station. Western Australia. Dec 23, Constable Moye. Reports that the following articles have been handed over to Joseph Watkins by the order of the R.M.... 1 grubbing hoe, 2 axes, 1 hand saw, 1 shovel, 1 pair of hames, 2 collars, 1 cart saddle & breechen, 1 winter bridle, 1 back chain, 2 pair of trace chains, 3 small hammers, 2 gimblets, 1 pint measure, 1 fork. The above articles was (sic) seized by Sergeant Kelly on suspicion of being stole (sic) on a search warrant in April 1863 and put in to a cell and left since as they were not identified by any person as no record was of the articles.Watkins stated on his oath that they were his own property.

Report of occurence at York Police Station month of January 1876.
(condensed version)

 Joseph Watkins feloniously stole a riding Saddle, Collar and Hames from off a horse belonging to Mrs S. A. Smith. value of 2 pounds. Joseph went off and hid in the bush but was found and charged and sentenced to 6 months imprisonment.

Only the truth and nothing but the truth.