The Journey

    FRANCIS PIPER 1770 – 1844   and his brother EDWARD PIPER   were indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 17th of November, 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. They arrived in Port Jackson on 14 December 1801 on the Minorca, together with their wives and families. Francis had been married in England, Francis married Sarah Elizabeth Wood 1775-1841 on March 22 1797, at age 27 in St Andrews, Holborn, London, prior to his trial and sentencing. Francis and Sarah’s children, William Piper 1798–1859, Francis Piper was born on August 13 1803, in Sydney, Thomas Piper, Mary Ann Piper 1807–, Dulciebella Piper1810–1880, Jonathan Piper 1813–and Sarah Piper1815–.   The “ Minorca” had set sail from England on 21 June 1801 in convoy with Canada and Nile , a...

    William Spears 1771-1833 William Spears was born around July 1771 in Lye, Somerset, England, the son of William and Mary (Whyte) Spears. William a Colonial soldier who joined the 102nd Regiment, New South Wales Corps of Foot, on 4 January 1800 in London. The regiment left Portsmouth, England for New South Wales in 1801, traveling aboard the Convict Transport vessel the "Earl Cornwallis ", and arrived at Sydney Cove on 12 June 1801. Probably a common law relationship. William and Sarah Ann Robinson had both arrived aboard the 'Earl Cornwallis' . Sarah was assigned to William after her arrival on 12 Jun 1801. Whether the relationship began on board, or after arriving is unclear, but Sarah was assigned to William for work. A daughter, Mary, was born to Sarah and William on 6 June 1802. In 1802 William abandoned Sarah when he was posted to Norfolk Island William Spears per Earl Cornwallis 1801 , Mary How/e per Minerva 1800 and William Coleman per Minerva 1800 ,...