Derby Quarter Sessions 1815 - Joseph Lowe

[Jeff Thorne]

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. 

[sunflower]

Hi Jeff

Do you have any other information ?

What year was he born? & where?

Carol

[Jeff Thorne]

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

[Jeff Thorne]

Hi again Carol,

One other tiny piece of information, Joseph was apparently a coal miner.  I'm not sure that helps.

Jeff

[Derbysderek]

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.

[sunflower]

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

[mootoak]

the engine belonged to Ebenezer SMITH of Staveley

[Derbysderek]

Staveley is Chesterfield..ish............another Joseph Lowe baptised 07.08.1796 Chesterfield. son of Samuel and Martha......

Derek.

[spendlove]

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