Stephen Morris 1850 convict

[Jool]

Matthew, If I hadn't read the newspaper reports I wouldn't have been any the wiser, it does look like "brother".   

[rm91]

Thanks all It was the newspaper entry where I first discovered Stephen's misdeed and subsequent transportation.

The person (aside from the poor gamekeeper of course) I feel sorry for the most is his first wife, Maria.

Russell

[groom]

It must have happened a lot. Many of the people who were transported had been sentenced to death and had it changed to transportation, however to those left behind they might as well have been dead as they must have known they would never see them again. The dreadful thing was that they were often sentenced for things that seem very trivial to us.

A good story is you haven't read it is "Remember Me" by Lesley Pearse. It is based on the real life story of Mary Bryant from Cornwall who was sentenced to death for stealing a silk hat. That was changed to transportation and she sailed on the First Fleet. It tells her story and conditions on the ship and when they landed.

[rosball]

There is a will for Stephen MORRIS which you can download for free
http://prov.vic.gov.au/index_search?searchid=54

Ros

adding : probate notice http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article62348827

NOTICE is hereby given that, after the expiration of fourteen days from the
publication hereof, application will be made to the Supreme Court of Victoria, in its probate jurisdiction, that PROBATE of the WILL of STEPHEN MORRIS, late of The Netherlands, Sale, in Victoria,Gardener, deceased, may be GRANTED to CHARLES MORRIS, of 26 Creek-street,
Williamstown, in Victoria, Grain Storeman, being the Executor appointed by the said Will.
Dated this 1st day of August, 1914.

[rosball]

There is a list of newspaper items for
Morris family (descendants of Stephen Morris & Isabella Yarrow, m. 1858 Sale Victoria)

http://trove.nla.gov.au/list?id=6656

Ros

[rosball]

Sorry I should have also given you the Victorian BDM - free to search.
https://online.justice.vic.gov.au/bdm/indexsearch.doj

From this and the newspaper articles you should be able to put together the family tree

Ros

[rm91]

It must have happened a lot. Many of the people who were transported had been sentenced to death and had it changed to transportation, however to those left behind they might as well have been dead as they must have known they would never see them again. The dreadful thing was that they were often sentenced for things that seem very trivial to us.

A good story is you haven't read it is "Remember Me" by Lesley Pearse. It is based on the real life story of Mary Bryant from Cornwall who was sentenced to death for stealing a silk hat. That was changed to transportation and she sailed on the First Fleet. It tells her story and conditions on the ship and when they landed.

Yes, poor Maria was left with three children whilst her husband was shipped off to the other side of the world for good, for the sake of what, a few pheasants? Does seem trivial to me.

Thank you, I will check out that story.

[rm91]

Sorry I should have also given you the Victorian BDM - free to search.
https://online.justice.vic.gov.au/bdm/indexsearch.doj

From this and the newspaper articles you should be able to put together the family tree

Ros

Ros, thank you very much. Have downloaded the Will now, excellent. Thank you for this info.

Russell

[Jool]

Yes, poor Maria was left with three children whilst her husband was shipped off to the other side of the world for good, for the sake of what, a few pheasants? Does seem trivial to me.

But he wasn't shipped off for the sake of a few pheasants, he was shipped off because he/they killed a man in pursuit of a few pheasants.  It is sad that Maria and the children were then left alone to fend for themselves because of his actions.