John MILLS - Convict or Not?

[Eupham]

Hi All,

I have a John Mills who was born on 7 Oct 1794 in London, Middlesex, England to Richard Mills and Mary Challis. He married Mary Manning on 12 Jan 1824 in St Phillip's in Sydney and died on 4 Feb 1859 in Kurrajong, NSW. I have no idea when he came to Australia or if he was a convict or free. There were several John Mills who came to Australia between abt 1810 - 1824. Any help in deciphering which John Mills is mine would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.
Eupham 

[trish1120]

Hi Eupham,

There is a Family Tree having him arrive as a Convict on the ;
"Indefatiagble"19 October 1812
I am unable to confirm that but;

England and Wales Criminal Registers 1791-1892

John MILLS
Age, 18
( born c 1793)
Crime, Larceny from the Person
Trial, Old Bailey 5 December 1811
Sentence, Transportation for Life
Remarks, Old Thief

So looks like it was not the first time he had been tried for thievery

Trish

[trish1120]

Christening of John MILLS, extracted IGI;
16 November 1794, St Botolph Bishopsgate, London, London, England
Siblings;
MARY, 26 December 1788
LOUISA, 10 October 1790
SARAH, 08 Sept 1793
SUSANNAH, 20 August 1797
CHARLES, 26 January 1800
HENRY, 14 October 1806, Birth 22 June 1804
WILLIAM, 14 October 1806, Birth 31 July 1806
All with parents RICHARD and MARY

John MILLS married Mary CHALLIS
08 January 1787, Saint Botolph without Aldersgate, London, England
( Extracted Record IGI)

[trish1120]

 John Mills, one of 327 convicts transported on the Indefatigable and Minstrel, May 1812.

    * Details: Sentence details: Convicted at Middlesex Gaol Delivery for a term of life.
      Vessel: Indefatigable and Minstrel.
      Date of Departure: May 1812.
      Place of Arrival: New South Wales.
      Source: Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 87, Class and Piece Number HO11/2, Page Number 66

Trish
Source
http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/info/fh/convicts/about

[trish1120]

If he IS your John here is the Trial- HIGHWAY ROBBERY

http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/research_guides/convicts/instructions/old_bailey_online.html

Trish

[KableWalker]

It seems odd he was a notorious thief when he could also produce such a good signature on his Marriage document- and so did wife Mary Challis. Is there some fall from grace in his biological family preceding his crimes? I'm a descendant.

[sparrett]

Eupham has no been online in the forum for about 5 years.
Perhaps they will receive a notification of your post on this thread and make contact.

It seems odd he was a notorious thief when he could also produce such a good signature on his Marriage document- and so did wife Mary Challis. Is there some fall from grace in his biological family preceding his crimes? I'm a descendant.

I think there is some confusion here.

It was the father of John MILLS, Richard who married Mary CHALLIS.
John MILLS married Mary MANNING

Sue

[trish1120]

Ok this was a long time ago!

I made a mistake way back in 2010.
It was RICHARD Mills not John who married Mary CHALLIS 8 January 1787

I originally found it on F/S.Org IGI but I now see the image of the Marriage is on Anc.

Yes Richard Mills and Mary Challis both signed the register.