The Convict Connection
My Convicts Ancestors
The following are some of my convict ancestors
Mary Turner (Wilks) Arrived on the First Fleet 1788
Ship “Lady Penrhyn”
David Batty Arrived on the Third Fleet 13/10/1794 on the "Albemarle"
Frances Piper arrived on 14/12/1801 on the “Minorca”
Richard Yardy arrived 31/10/1835 on the He was sent on the “Mary
Ann”
Others of interest
William Spears - Colonial soldier, enlisted in the 102nd Regiment, New South Wales Corps of Foot, on January 4, 1800, in London
Jonathan Piper Son of Francis Piper, Early Ship builder Known as the ‘father’ of the Brisbane Water shipbuilding industry on the Central coast NSW in the very early days of the Colony
Mary Turner / Wilks 1761-1808
Mary Turner alias Wilks was around 19 years of age when convicted
of stealing at Worcestershire on 5 March 1785 and sentenced to 7 years
transportation. She was sent on the ship “Lady Penrhyn” and in 1787 the ships
of the first fleet sailed to establish a penal colony in NSW. Mary was sent to
Norfolk Island in 1790 on "Sirius" and returned to Port Jackson in
1793 on "Kitty" it was believed she had one son on Norfolk Island
John who didn’t survive
She had a relationship with David BATTY (Third Fleet) in 1794 at
Sydney and they had 4 children, they were David 15/03/1794, Richard
28/8/1797-12/6/1799, Ann 2/2/1800, and Thomas 13/9/1802-17/10/1870
Mary was convicted under the name Mary Turner and buried as Mary
Wilks as the Old Sydney Burial Ground: Mary Wilks is recorded as buried in the
Old Sydney Burial Ground 21 Jan 1808 as is her infant son Richard Batty buried
12 June 1799 and her common law husband David Batty 3 Dec 1818 age 56.
David Batty 1758-1818
David was convicted and sentenced to 7
years transportation. He arrived in Sydney Cove on 13/10/1791 on
"Albemarle" David Batty and Mary Wilks they had 4 children, they were David
15/03/1794, Richard 28/8/1797-12/6/1799, Ann 2/2/1800, and Thomas
13/9/1802-17/10/1870
Francis Piper 1770-1844
Francis and his brother Edward Piper were indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 17th of November 1800 of eight hundred pounds (lbs) of flax, value 35l. the property of Hugh Atkins. Francis and his brother Edward were convicted of simple grand larceny at the Old Bailey on 3 December 1800 and each received a sentence of transportation for 7 years. arriving in Sydney on the Minorca on 31st January 1802, together with their wives and families
Richard Yardy 1815-1894
Richard Yardy was aged 20 when he was
convicted on the 7th January 1835 in Cambridge of stealing a jacket. And
sentenced to 7yrs transportation. He was
sent on the ship Mary Ann and arrived at New South Wales on the 31 Oct 1835. He
married Bridget Gorman on 7 May 1849 in West Maitland, NSW. They had five
children in 12 years. He died on 3 October 1894 having lived a long life of 79
years. He is buried at Bendolba Anglican Cemetery Bendolba, Dungog Shire, New
South Wales, Australia
William Spears born in July 1771
in Lye, Somerset, England, born to William and Mary (Whyte) Spears. William
served as a Colonial soldier and enlisted in the 102nd Regiment, New South
Wales Corps of Foot, on January 4, 1800, in London. The regiment set sail from
Portsmouth, England, on the Convict Transport vessel "Earl
Cornwallis" in 1801, arriving at Sydney Cove on June 12, 1801.
In what was likely a common-law relationship,
William Spears and Sarah Ann Robinson both arrived aboard the 'Earl
Cornwallis.' Sarah was assigned to William after reaching Sydney on June 12,
1801. The exact origin of their relationship remains unclear, but Sarah worked
under William's supervision. They had a daughter named Mary, born on June 6,
1802. However, William abandoned Sarah in 1802 when he was posted to Norfolk
Island.
William Spears, Mary How, and William Coleman, who
had all arrived on Norfolk Island from Sydney in May 1803 with the 102nd
Regiment aboard the ship “Buffalo,” reunited. Mary How and William Spears,
along with their child, left Norfolk Island for Sydney in February 1805. They
officially tied the knot on June 29, 1806, at St. Philips Church of England,
Sydney.
On March 25, 1810, William transitioned from being
a Private in the NSW Corps to the 73rd Regiment of Foot, 1st Battalion, at the
age of 37, with a service record of 10 years and 79 days. Four years later, on
March 25, 1814, he was discharged. In February 1815, William became a police
constable in Sydney. However, in June 1820, he faced suspension from duty as a
district constable due to neglect. In July 1820, William was discharged from
the 73rd Regiment of Foot, 1st Battalion.
By 1825, William was listed as a recipient of a
land grant by Governor Sir Thomas Brisbane. In November 1828, William, now
working as a sawyer and timber merchant, along with his wife Mary and their
children, resided in Clarence Street, Sydney. The 1828 Census indicated their
Protestant affiliation and ownership of 120 acres of land and 6 head of cattle.
William Spears passed away on June 29, 1833, in
Sydney, New South Wales, just a month before his 62nd birthday. His Death
Record stated his age at death as 62. He was laid to rest in the Old Devonshire
Street Cemetery in 1833, which was later resumed around 1900 to make way for
Central Railway Station in Sydney. The Re-internment Register recorded the
reburial of William Spears, Eliza Spears, Mary Spears, and John Spears at
Rookwood Cemetery.
JONATHAN PIPER (1813-1879): Son of Francis and Sarah Piper
Known as the ‘father’ of the Brisbane Water shipbuilding industry because many of the pioneer shipbuilders such as the Davis brothers learned their trade in his shipyard. Jonathan was born in Sydney in 1813 to Francis Piper and Sarah Wood. His father came out from England as a convict on the ‘Minorca’ in 1801. In 1835 Jonathan married Anne Bates at Pitt Town and they went on to have a large family of 14 children. By 1836 Jonathan and Ann had settled at Kincumber on land that had originally been granted to his brother-in-law, pioneer Joseph Spears (married to Jonathan’s sister). The Pipers cleared part of the land and built a home made of timber, which was located close to Spears’ home. From 1844 until his death, Jonathan built more than 20 ships at his shipyard in Kincumber. He died in 1879 and is buried St Paul’s Anglican Church Cemetery in Kincumber.
SHIPBUILDING HERITAGE Central Coast – New South
Wales
Shipbuilding Legacy - Broadwater, Kincumber, NSW
Situated along the picturesque Broadwater in
Kincumber, NSW, the Shipbuilders Memorial pays homage to the rich history of
shipbuilding in the broader Brisbane Water region. This memorial holds a
special significance, being located near the spot where Jonathan Piper, an
esteemed shipbuilder, crafted numerous vessels, culminating with the completion
of the last ship named after him – the Jonathan.
Jonathan Piper, a pioneering figure in New South
Wales shipbuilding, passed away in 1879 while constructing the
ketch, Jonathan. Over the years, he had built an impressive fleet of twenty-two
ships until his untimely demise. Piper's shipyard, situated on Lot 77, stood
near the convergence of Kincumber Creek and Cockle Creek, forming what is now
known as the Cockle Creek Broadwater. A mere 200 meters east of this historic
site lies the Broadwater Shipbuilders Memorial Walk, featuring a plaque commemorating
the collaborative efforts of Jonathan Piper and fellow shipbuilder William
James Woodward.
Following Jonathan Piper's passing, his son William
Brisbane Piper travelled from Forster to complete the vessel named Jonathan in
honour of his father. William Piper went on to become the most prolific
shipbuilder in the Great Lakes of NSW, constructing vessels at both Cape Hawke
and Port Stephens.
The wooden ketch Jonathan was officially launched on
October 4, 1879, and subsequently registered in Sydney on November 8, 1879,
under the details ON 75047. Its specifications were recorded as follows: Length
– 62.3 ft, Breadth – 17.8 ft, Depth – 6.8 ft, Tonnage – 42.73 tons.
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