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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Lancashire => Topic started by: Westy11 on Wednesday 18 November 15 15:22 GMT (UK)

Title: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: Westy11 on Wednesday 18 November 15 15:22 GMT (UK)
Hoping for some assistance as I have reached a brick wall.

My 2 x great grandfather was charged on 5 February 1839 at the County General Sessions Salford  Manchester and subsequently convicted on 25 Feb 1839 at the Salford Intermediate Sessions Salford, Lancaster resulting in transportation to Australia for 10 years.

I have the records of his conviction and transportation and those records relevant to his life in Australia.  However at the time of his transportation he was a married man with 2 children, a boy and a girl. 

As far as I can see his family did not get passage with him.  He married for the 2nd time after he had served his 10 years, and I imagine bigamously.

He had a very common name, James Taylor.  I have no idea where he was from at the time of his arrest and so I am hoping there are records that sit behind the records I hold that just maybe give more information about him. 

I have an Ancestry subscription and have accessed the records I hold from there but wonder if there may have been other records and if so where I might find them?

I suppose as this is a brick wall I simply don't know where else to go now to locate his life in England before he was transported to Australia.

Any suggestions welcomed.

Westy

Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 18 November 15 15:25 GMT (UK)
You could try the newspapers here:

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper

Carol
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: Westy11 on Wednesday 18 November 15 15:38 GMT (UK)
Thanks Carol.  Will try it - one never knows what you find on Trove and what reporters thought newsworthy. 
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: Redroger on Wednesday 18 November 15 18:18 GMT (UK)
You can also try British newspapers for the area concerned. My Great grandfather's younger brother was convicted in Lincolnshire for Highway robbery in 1832; and left a wife, the sister of an accomplice who he married immediately after the robbery, but obviously before his capture. He was sentenced to death, commuted to life transportation, leaving her in England (Newark) where she raised a family with a partner, they never married though the children acknowledged him as their father. The baptismal records are illuminating i.e. "her husband was transported some time back"; this, 4 years after the event. He did not remarry in Australia; he was given a ticket of leave, as he was terminally ill and died a few weeks later. His possessions such as they were sold to pay for his funeral, not enough was raised so I suppose that I am still in debt to the Government of NSW from 1841. I am keeping quiet about that in case they charge compound interest on outstanding sums!
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: iluleah on Wednesday 18 November 15 18:26 GMT (UK)
Hoping for some assistance as I have reached a brick wall.

My 2 x great grandfather was charged on 5 February 1839 at the County General Sessions Salford  Manchester and subsequently convicted on 25 Feb 1839 at the Salford Intermediate Sessions Salford, Lancaster resulting in transportation to Australia for 10 years.

I have the records of his conviction and transportation and those records relevant to his life in Australia.  However at the time of his transportation he was a married man with 2 children, a boy and a girl. 

As far as I can see his family did not get passage with him.  He married for the 2nd time after he had served his 10 years, and I imagine bigamously.

He had a very common name, James Taylor.  I have no idea where he was from at the time of his arrest and so I am hoping there are records that sit behind the records I hold that just maybe give more information about him. 

I have an Ancestry subscription and have accessed the records I hold from there but wonder if there may have been other records and if so where I might find them?

I suppose as this is a brick wall I simply don't know where else to go now to locate his life in England before he was transported to Australia.

Any suggestions welcomed.

Westy

I think it was after 7 years it was treated as they were "divorced" many people who were transported, both the partner left at home and those who were convicted married again
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: davidft on Wednesday 18 November 15 18:28 GMT (UK)
It is always worth contacting the relevant archives when looking at convicts to see if they have any papers. It seems you may be in luck as Lancaster archives appear to have a convict database

http://www.lancastercastle.com/archives

which could well have details additional to what ancestry have. It may also be worth searching findmypast as their convict records have some differences to those of Ancestry.

Re the county archives when I contacted North Yorks Archives they produced information that was not on ancestry including the testimony of the wife of the person i was looking at
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: ScobieDrom on Wednesday 18 November 15 19:40 GMT (UK)
James Taylor, baker died 4 Nov 1880

James Taylor convicted Lancaster 25th Feb 1839, sailed aboard Parkfield 13 May 1839 for New South Wales. 
Parkfield arrived 1 September 1839 at New South Wales.

James Taylor aged 28 convicted 25 Feb 1839, sentence 10 years for Housebreaking

From Leeds Times, 9 June 1838

BURGLARY NEAR ROCHDALE, A man named James Taylor, who lives in a cellar in Frith Street, Chorlton-upon-Medlock, was brought up at the New Bailey, Manchester, on Tuesday, charged with burglary

The report goes on to describe how assistant constable Booth found a quantity of plate which was the property of Mr John Lords of Calliards near Rochdale, whose house had been broken into two weeks earlier.  James Taylor was committed for trial at the ensuing sessions.



Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: majm on Wednesday 18 November 15 20:24 GMT (UK)
Hi there,

.....
As far as I can see his family did not get passage with him.  He married for the 2nd time after he had served his 10 years, and I imagine bigamously.   .....

and

I think it was after 7 years it was treated as they were "divorced" many people who were transported, both the partner left at home and those who were convicted married again

   
1839 ...... Yes, that second marriage would not have been considered a bigamous marriage in the colony of Van Diemens Land.   The first marriage had effectively been terminated by the conviction to transport one party 'beyond the seas' for a period of seven years. 

The administration of the colony of New South Wales included the administration of Van Diemens Land until VDL became Tasmania (Queen Victoria in the 1850s), however from the 1820s until the 1850s its government was oversighted by its own Supreme Court.  Laws made in England had no effect unless those laws expressly stated they had effect in the colonies that they named.   So from at least July 1823 English laws were without affect.

Back in 1810 the then Governor of NSW (which included VDL at that time) had issued a general order regarding marriage for the convicts.   Civil registration of marriages commenced in VDL in 1839.   

May I offer a snippet from another thread which may have some further info that may be helpful.

;D

As a slight aside :

Here's the 1810 newspaper cutting for the General Order of the NSW Governor referring to co-habitation and "disgraceful connexions" ....  (the scandalous and pernicious Custom so generally and shamelessly  adopted throughout this Territory, of Persons of different Sexes COHABITING and living together, unsanctioned by the legal Ties of MATRIMONY;)
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/627934 24 Feb 1810 Sydney Gaz. 

Here's a Professor of Law's paper on Colonial Divorces .... explaining English laws too
http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/seminars/finlay.html


And quoting from another RChatter (thread linked below)

There is no requirement to have the spouse presumed legally dead to re-marry.
An ancient law - An Act to restrain all Persons from Marriage until their former Wives and former Husbands be dead [1604.]
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~framland/acts/1604.htm
allows a person to remarry without any presumption of death after a period of seven years separation.  In fact it goes as far as stating a remarriage is allowed if the spouse has been overseas for seven years. In which case it makes no difference whether he/she is known to be alive or not the remarriage is allowed.


http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=687489.0

 ;D  ;D   (So the space on the English parish marriage register was sufficient for just one word ... widow or spinster)

Cheers,  JM

I am aware that the Professor's paper is no longer available at that link, and I am sorry that I do not have a current link that goes back to that paper. 

Cheers,  JM
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: Westy11 on Wednesday 18 November 15 22:32 GMT (UK)
You can also try British newspapers for the area concerned. My Great grandfather's younger brother was convicted in Lincolnshire for Highway robbery in 1832; and left a wife, the sister of an accomplice who he married immediately after the robbery, but obviously before his capture. He was sentenced to death, commuted to life transportation, leaving her in England (Newark) where she raised a family with a partner, they never married though the children acknowledged him as their father. The baptismal records are illuminating i.e. "her husband was transported some time back"; this, 4 years after the event. He did not remarry in Australia; he was given a ticket of leave, as he was terminally ill and died a few weeks later. His possessions such as they were sold to pay for his funeral, not enough was raised so I suppose that I am still in debt to the Government of NSW from 1841. I am keeping quiet about that in case they charge compound interest on outstanding sums!

Now that I have a town/city I will be able to look for an article and a family.  Thanks for the story - it is fascinating and now after my post I think there is perhaps a chance of breaking  the brick wall....
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: Westy11 on Wednesday 18 November 15 22:35 GMT (UK)
Hello ScobieDrom, majm, iluleah & davidft

Thank you so much for the extra information....Rootschatters just keep on giving!  At long last some leads and some ideas!

Thanks so much.

Westy
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: davidft on Wednesday 18 November 15 22:37 GMT (UK)
Do you know the names and ages of the wife and children he left behind and have you looked for them on the 1841 census
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: Westy11 on Wednesday 18 November 15 22:41 GMT (UK)
Hello davidft

I don't know the ages nor names of his wife and children.  This is one of the reasons I was hoping to find some additional records related to his conviction that may have given me a clue.  As you can imagine with a name like James Taylor in a large place like Manchester is was like looking for a needed in a haystack without any knowledge as to who might be the correct person.

Thanks to ScobieDrom I now have a location/address so just maybe I will be able to locate his family in the 1841 census.

Westy
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: majm on Wednesday 18 November 15 22:46 GMT (UK)
 :)  I should explain that Tasmania still has its own Supreme Court, as does each of the five other former British Colonies that federated into one british colony back in 1901.  So the former colonies became states, and those six states became the Commonwealth of Australia.  The final legal separation between those former colonies did not occur until the 1980s, but English law had had no authority even in the 1820s unless it had specifically nominated the respective colony /colonies/ territories etc. 

Sorry for the off-topic diversion.

Great idea re 1841 searchings  .... Good Luck, hope you find the English family.  Remember if she re-married, she would likely be noted on that marriage as a widow.  You may also find that the word 'widow' had a broader meaning until after Queen Victoria's Prince Albert died.   I am fairly sure that the clergy (at least in NSW and VDL) used the word 'widow' to indicate a female person without a husband supporting her, but with children that she was supporting.   

Cheers,  JM
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: davidft on Wednesday 18 November 15 22:47 GMT (UK)
Ah OK

Yes then as you are doing looking at the newspapers and archives may come up trumps. If they don't work then the local workhouses close to where he lived might be worth a shot too.

BTW if you don't know there names or ages how do you know he was married and had a son and daughter if you don't mind me asking ?
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: majm on Wednesday 18 November 15 22:53 GMT (UK)
Westy,  what ship of arrival for James please ....  As his convict records are online, free to search  :)

https://linctas.ent.sirsidynix.net.au/client/en_AU/names/

OOPS,  He was sent to New South Wales, on the Parkfield.   :)  :)  :)

Cheers,  JM
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: ScobieDrom on Wednesday 18 November 15 23:03 GMT (UK)
From Wikipedia:

Convict Ships Parkfield arr New South Wales 1 September 1839 from Sheerness
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: ScobieDrom on Wednesday 18 November 15 23:11 GMT (UK)
More details for the ship 'Parkfield'.:

http://www.hawkesbury.net.au/claimaconvict/shipDetails.php?shipId=723
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: majm on Wednesday 18 November 15 23:14 GMT (UK)
NSW Convict Indents
39-914
143
James TAYLOR, aged 28, Read, Protestant, Married, 1 male child and 1 female child, Native of Manchester, Baker, burglary, Lancaster Quarter Session, 25 Feb 1839, Ten Years, none (no previous convictions), 5 ft 6 ½ “,  Dark sallow and pockpitted complexion,  Brown hair, Grey eyes, Lost a front tooth left side of upper jaw, JMI and woman on lower right arm, anchor, JHB on lower left arm, mark of a boil below inside of left knee.

Cheers,  JM
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: Westy11 on Wednesday 18 November 15 23:15 GMT (UK)
Hello davidft

I know he was married with a son and daughter as one of the convict records I located noted this information. Unfortunately the documents were stored on a USB that is now corrupted and I am hoping to get it repaired soon.

Good idea also re the workhouses; I will see if I can find one near where he was living at Frith Street, Chorlton-upon-Medlock as per ScobieDrom's post.

Westy

Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: ScobieDrom on Wednesday 18 November 15 23:18 GMT (UK)
Just another thought about James Taylor.  He was convicted in Manchester and sailed from Sheerness.  He most likely would have been held in Millbank Prison, London before transportation, and may have been held at Bedford Prison en route to Millbank.
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: wivenhoe on Wednesday 18 November 15 23:22 GMT (UK)

Can you please identify the second marriage, 10 years later   ( in NSW?).
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: Westy11 on Wednesday 18 November 15 23:36 GMT (UK)
Just another thought about James Taylor.  He was convicted in Manchester and sailed from Sheerness.  He most likely would have been held in Millbank Prison, London before transportation, and may have been held at Bedford Prison en route to Millbank.

Hello ScobieDrom

From what I understand, after his conviction he was  transferred to the Prison Hulk Justitia and from there to the Parkfield.

Westy
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: dobfarm on Wednesday 18 November 15 23:40 GMT (UK)
Hi Westy11

Contact Member Asilky by P M who lives in your country Aussy. She has traced a family with a few siblings in their  teens that were sent to NSW as convicts (Pennington)

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=91161

She have vast knowledge on convict records and where to find them in Australia and the UK

Dobby
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: ScobieDrom on Wednesday 18 November 15 23:49 GMT (UK)
Source:  Wikipedia

Justitia was in service 1812-1830 at Sheerness

Vice Admiral Richard Onslow seized the Zeeland, seized from the Dutch at Plymouth on 4 March 1796.  She was renamed Justitia in 1812 and broken up in 1830.

An image of the ship Justitia can be seen at:  http://portcities.org.uk/london/server/show/conMediaFile.679/Convicts-from-the-hulk-Justitia-at-work-in-Woolwich.html
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: ScobieDrom on Thursday 19 November 15 00:06 GMT (UK)

James Taylor age 28

received aboard Justitia moored at Woolwich  28 Mar 1839
Convicted at Salford 25 Feb 1839


That leaves over four weeks between conviction and arrival on the hulk.

Transportation of prisoners was not always rapid in the first half of the 19th century and there probably would have been stops at other prisons on the way to Woolwich.  Any stops would have been recorded.


Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: dobfarm on Thursday 19 November 15 00:21 GMT (UK)
Strong possible marriage-Try and find this Jane Taylor on 1841 census

James Taylor - Baker, Bachelor,  ofthis Parish m  Jane Dobson - Spinster, this Parish
11 Jul 1836 St Mary, Manchester, Lancashire
Witness: Lawrence Dobson- Thomas Clarke, Clerk
 (Marriages 1833 - 1837, Page 250, Entry 749)
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: Westy11 on Thursday 19 November 15 00:42 GMT (UK)
Thank you everyone - you are all seriously fantastic!

Am dashing out to the shops so just a quick reply.

Westy
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: Westy11 on Thursday 19 November 15 00:43 GMT (UK)
James Taylor age 28

received aboard Justitia moored at Woolwich  28 Mar 1839
Convicted at Salford 25 Feb 1839

That leaves over four weeks between conviction and arrival on the hulk.

Transportation of prisoners was not always rapid in the first half of the 19th century and there probably would have been stops at other prisons on the way to Woolwich.  Any stops would have been recorded.
Very good point ScobieDrom & thank you
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: dobfarm on Thursday 19 November 15 00:51 GMT (UK)
I've found another James Taylor occupation Baker his wife Mary Ann from Liverpool Lancashire in a baptism
 Flora McDonald Taylor daughter of of James & Mary Ann Taylor, baker of Key Street
bapt: 17 Apr 1836 St Peter, Liverpool, Lancashire
Baptisms 1835 - 1836, Page 380, Entry 3034
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: dobfarm on Thursday 19 November 15 02:04 GMT (UK)
St Mary Church Manchester

New Bailey st (Salford) continues as Bridge st after it crosses the river Irwell to Deansgate at St Mary's church on Mulberry st Manchester (about 1/4 mile apart)
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: Westy11 on Thursday 19 November 15 03:38 GMT (UK)
Dobfarm

To put it simply - you are a treasure!!! Thank you so much.  I have to go out again to pick up my grandson but will get back to the posts very soon....

Westy
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: ScobieDrom on Thursday 19 November 15 11:04 GMT (UK)
I've found another James Taylor occupation Baker his wife Mary Ann from Liverpool Lancashire in a baptism
 Flora McDonald Taylor daughter of of James & Mary Ann Taylor, baker of Key Street
bapt: 17 Apr 1836 St Peter, Liverpool, Lancashire
Baptisms 1835 - 1836, Page 380, Entry 3034


Looked for Flora in the 1841 census without success.  This could be the reason; from FreeBMD:

Deaths Sep 1839, Taylor Flora, Manchester District, Volume 20, Page 538.
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: dobfarm on Thursday 19 November 15 11:52 GMT (UK)
I've found another James Taylor occupation Baker his wife Mary Ann from Liverpool Lancashire in a baptism
 Flora McDonald Taylor daughter of of James & Mary Ann Taylor, baker of Key Street
bapt: 17 Apr 1836 St Peter, Liverpool, Lancashire
Baptisms 1835 - 1836, Page 380, Entry 3034


Looked for Flora in the 1841 census without success.  This could be the reason; from FreeBMD:

Deaths Sep 1839, Taylor Flora, Manchester District, Volume 20, Page 538.

(Speculation)  I'm wondering if Mary Ann Taylor (marriage date & maiden name unknown) died in child birth 1836 and then James remarried to Jane Dobson St Mary's Manchester

http://www.ukbmdsearch.org.uk/

 TAYLOR Flora 1839  Market Street Manchester , registers held at Manchester Central
Library Archives

Market st  (Manchester) is continued from St Mary's gate  (road/street) off Brackfriers bridge next river bridge down from New Bailey bridge (Deansgate)


There was a series of burglary's around Dec 1838 and Jan 1839  in Aston under Lyne, Oldham and Manchester area by 3 thieves, a James Taylor being one of them. Again speculation, but could James Taylor have been bailed on the Rochdale theft in June 1838  and this Aston under Lyne James Taylor was the same person. The Aston under Lyne burglar James Taylor was put down as a roamer saying his wife and children were staving, was the reason for him turning to thieving being his first offence.
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: Westy11 on Thursday 19 November 15 15:06 GMT (UK)
Hello Dobby

Could well be as I have seen a record that noted James had offended previously.  I have tried to locate the family in the 1841 census without success not that that means they aren't there but probably more to do with skills.... ;D

Westy
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: dobfarm on Thursday 19 November 15 15:36 GMT (UK)
James's marriage register/certificate in Australia may give his fathers name or both parents
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: Westy11 on Thursday 19 November 15 23:58 GMT (UK)
Morning Dobby

No unfortunately his parents weren't given nor on his death certificate.  :(

I haven't been able to find the family in the census records, [which isn't to say they aren't there] & will try for the workhouse today.

Westy
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: Redroger on Friday 20 November 15 11:33 GMT (UK)
I think it unlikely that any offender, specially from the so called "lower classes" would be bailed. Remember that Taylor is the 4th commonest surname in the English speaking world, which doesn't help researchers.
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: Westy11 on Friday 20 November 15 14:24 GMT (UK)
LoL :D

Wouldn't it be a painful Family Tree if you had ever one of the common names [Western that is].  Full of Brown's, Smith's, Taylor's & ??? and no one else.

Westy
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: dobfarm on Friday 20 November 15 18:15 GMT (UK)
 Unless the deceased was under 21- parents were not mentioned on a death certificate- true !

- but the actual James Taylor's (Convict 1839 ) known church marriage register/certificate of James in Australia may name at least one parent (father)
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: dobfarm on Friday 20 November 15 18:22 GMT (UK)
Hoping for some assistance as I have reached a brick wall.

My 2 x great grandfather was charged on 5 February 1839 at the County General Sessions Salford  Manchester and subsequently convicted on 25 Feb 1839 at the Salford Intermediate Sessions Salford, Lancaster resulting in transportation to Australia for 10 years.

I have the records of his conviction and transportation and those records relevant to his life in Australia.  However at the time of his transportation he was a married man with 2 children, a boy and a girl. 

As far as I can see his family did not get passage with him. He married for the 2nd time after he had served his 10 years, and I imagine bigamously.

He had a very common name, James Taylor.  I have no idea where he was from at the time of his arrest and so I am hoping there are records that sit behind the records I hold that just maybe give more information about him. 

I have an Ancestry subscription and have accessed the records I hold from there but wonder if there may have been other records and if so where I might find them?

I suppose as this is a brick wall I simply don't know where else to go now to locate his life in England before he was transported to Australia.

Any suggestions welcomed.

Westy

Church marriage in red above
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: Redroger on Saturday 21 November 15 15:44 GMT (UK)
LoL :D

Wouldn't it be a painful Family Tree if you had ever one of the common names [Western that is].  Full of Brown's, Smith's, Taylor's & ??? and no one else.

Westy

You would imagine that Luffman with 2000 living bearers of the surname across the English speaking world would be pretty easy. That's what I thought until I found 57 John Luffmans!!

A lovely biblical name Hephzibah sounds easy too until I found a similar number in my mother's tree.
My wife's tree includes the names Smith and Taylor, Smith married out and then in again from a different line.
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: Westy11 on Sunday 22 November 15 00:04 GMT (UK)
Had a bit of a chuckle over that one and yes how incredibly painful and not to be researched and incorporated into ones tree when tired.

Westy
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: Westy11 on Sunday 14 January 18 11:13 GMT (UK)
Strong possible marriage-Try and find this Jane Taylor on 1841 census

James Taylor - Baker, Bachelor,  ofthis Parish m  Jane Dobson - Spinster, this Parish
11 Jul 1836 St Mary, Manchester, Lancashire
Witness: Lawrence Dobson- Thomas Clarke, Clerk
 (Marriages 1833 - 1837, Page 250, Entry 749)

Still searching for James TAYLOR.

Your thoughts. 

The above marriage to Jane DOBSON isn't likely to be my James. 

When James was transported he was reported as being able to Read but not write. 

On a marriage for one of his daughters he signed as a witness with a cross supporting his lack of ability to write. 

On the marriage of James TAYLOR & Jane DOBSON both parties signed their names.

Westy
Title: Re: Convict records for those transported to Australia
Post by: Westy11 on Sunday 14 January 18 11:35 GMT (UK)
I've found another James Taylor occupation Baker his wife Mary Ann from Liverpool Lancashire in a baptism
 Flora McDonald Taylor daughter of of James & Mary Ann Taylor, baker of Key Street
bapt: 17 Apr 1836 St Peter, Liverpool, Lancashire
Baptisms 1835 - 1836, Page 380, Entry 3034


Looked for Flora in the 1841 census without success.  This could be the reason; from FreeBMD:

Deaths Sep 1839, Taylor Flora, Manchester District, Volume 20, Page 538.

(Speculation)  I'm wondering if Mary Ann Taylor (marriage date & maiden name unknown) died in child birth 1836 and then James remarried to Jane Dobson St Mary's Manchester

http://www.ukbmdsearch.org.uk/

 TAYLOR Flora 1839  Market Street Manchester , registers held at Manchester Central
Library Archives

Market st  (Manchester) is continued from St Mary's gate  (road/street) off Brackfriers bridge next river bridge down from New Bailey bridge (Deansgate)


There was a series of burglary's around Dec 1838 and Jan 1839  in Aston under Lyne, Oldham and Manchester area by 3 thieves, a James Taylor being one of them. Again speculation, but could James Taylor have been bailed on the Rochdale theft in June 1838  and this Aston under Lyne James Taylor was the same person. The Aston under Lyne burglar James Taylor was put down as a roamer saying his wife and children were staving, was the reason for him turning to thieving being his first offence.

James was arrested 9 Jun 1838 for burglary and seems to have remained incarcerated.  On 5 Feb 1839 at the County General Sessions Salford charged with  "Larceny from the person".

On the 28 Mar 1839 James was transferred to the Prison Hulk Justitia.

On the 04 May 1839 James was transferred from the Prison Hulk Justitia to the Parkfield.  On the 13 May 1839 Parkfield left Sheerness for New South Wales and arrived 1 Sept 1839.

The records indicate he could read but not write, was married with two children a boy and a girl and had been a soldier and baker.