Welcome to this weeks Scavenger Hunt and it's a 'corker'. I'm sure you'll have a fun time doing this.
Good Luck and Good Hunting
Barbara
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I am looking for the origins of my 4th Great Grandfather, James Butler, aka James Mostyn, born London approx 1791. Here is James' story as I know it...
James was tried and convicted (with William Marsden) at the Old Bailey on 16 January 1807 and sentenced to death. This was commuted to trasportation for Life as James was only about 15. He was kept on board various prison hulks then finally transported to Sydney on board the Admiral Gambier, arriving 20 Dec 1808.
He was pardoned in 1815, and married Mary Francis (daughter of convicts Thomas Francis & Honora Collins) in 1816. They had 14 children and he lived to the ripe old age of 89, dying in May 1880.
The problem I have is that somewhere along the line James started going by the name James Charles Mostyn (Moston) - this is what he and his wife were buried as, and all of the children also went by this name. He was married as James Morson, although on the 1828 census he was listed again as Butler.
His death certificate has his parents as William Mostyn, Hatter and Phoebe Frame.
All of his trial, prison, transport records etc are under the name James Butler. His middle name was Charles.
I have found an entry in The Times from his trial which said he was a footboy to a Gentleman of Lincoln's Inn and that he had run away.
Apart from this and his trial, prison & transportation records I can find no trace of his existence before this time. Was he Butler, was he Mostyn? Was he actually born in London? Or did he just make the whole thing up?!?!
Hoping the scavenger hunt can help.