John Spilsbury convict sent to NSW

[Treelover]

Hi,

I’m not sure if there are any census records for 1841 and 1851 for Australia.  If so, could someone please check and see if they can find JOHN SPILSBURY (or PILSBURY) born 1817 in Staffordshire, England.  He was on the convict ship the Eden which sailed to New South Wales in 1840. He had been charged with Burglary.

He did have a wife Elizabeth, but she seems to vanish into thin air after giving birth to her son in Stafford Gaol in 1840. 

John was a shoemaker.  Any information would be most appreciated.

Thanks
Joan

[stonechat]

Not sure on the existence of censuses, I think they destroy them

You can check http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au for his death - there are some John Spilsbury's and the index gives the parents name so you should be able to find him

Bob

[Ruskie]

This might give you something to be going on with:

http://www.rootschat.com/links/040u/

Don't know how complete it is.

[Treelover]

Hi Bob & Ruskie,

Thank you for your help.  I'll search the information you have found for me.

Much obliged
Joan 

[Cazay]

Hi Joan

Some information on your John Spilsbury from Ancestry

Ship Eden arrived from England 10 November 1840, 270 male convicts on board
Master: H J Naylor
Surgeon, Superintendent: George Forman

JOHN SPILSBURY
Age: 23
Read: yes
Write: no
Religion: Protestant
Married with 1 male child
Native Place: Staffordshire
Trade or Calling: Shoemaker
Offence: Burglary
Where Tried: Stafford Assizes
When Tried: 10 March 1840
Indent No: 198
Sentence: Life
Former Conviction: 6 months
Height: 5ft 9 1/2 ins
Complexion: Ruddy & Freckled
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Grey

Remarks: Eyebrows partially meeting, slight scar on left jaw, mark of a scald on  centre of breast, mole inside upper left arm, scar on back of thumb and fore finger of left hand, scar on cap of left knee.

Cazay

[Treelover]

Hi Cazay,

Thank you.  I already have that information  .  My hubby descends from his son who was brought up by his grandparents.  John's wife Elizabeth gave birth to another baby boy whilst in Stafford Goal, sadly that child only lived one day.  Was hoping there may be information about John once he landed in New South Wales, but sadly I cannot seem to find anything.  I looked at the death records but I can't tie him up there either.  Unless of course he changed his name. 

Don't know what happened to his wife.  Seems to vanish off the face of the earth. Unless she was sent out on a later ship?

Thanks
Joan

[Cazay]

Do you know when John Spilsbury obtained his freedom?

It is possible that he may have returned to England or ended up in another Australian state.

[Treelover]

Hi

He was sentenced for life.  So I doubt he would have ever returned to England.

Joan

[Cazay]

The NSW State Records have no listing for your John Spilsbury but you will notice under Pardons that convicts who got a life sentence were generally granted Pardons.  Either a complete pardon or conditional pardon.

www.records.nsw.gov.au   

The index only covers up till 1847 so he was probably not granted his freedom until after this time. There doesn't seem to be any record of a Ticket of Leave (Aus Genealogists website) either.

The Colonial Secretary's information is available on fiche for the later years so I will have a look at them next week if I get to the library, hoping to anyway.

Many convicts, including Lifer's became land owners and prospered in business and raised families, becoming prominent, respected members of the community. 

Hope something can be found on John Spilsbury's life in Australia for you.

Cazay