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Research in Other Countries => Australia => Topic started by: BAC3 on Thursday 22 November 18 17:02 GMT (UK)
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Hello,
This post consists of a request for information, if available, for a mother and three sons transported both to VDL and Victoria........there is confusion as to the surname between BAYCROFT and BEACROFT, but the former seems the acceptable version. However, I should add that my specific interest lies in the three sons. The bare details are:
(1): Mother: Mary BAYCROFT, born 1806, Stockport, Cheshire and in 1848 a Widow. Tried
Chester 06/01/1848. Transported for 7 years aboard “Tory”, arrived Hobart
06/08/1848. Her VDL convict documentation is very sparse and not enlightening.
(2): Son: Luke BAYCROFT born 1831, Stockport, Cheshire. Sentenced Chester 27/11/1843 to
7 years transportation. Eventually sailed aboard “Racliffe (2)”, arrived Hobart
12/11/1848. Again, the convict documentation is sparse and unenlightening, but The
Cornwall Chronicle on 04/01/1851 confirmed his sentence had expired.
(3): Son: Charles BAYCROFT, born 1829, Stockport, Cheshire. Sentenced Chester
10/01/1844 to 7 years transportation. Eventually sailed as an “Exile” aboard “Joseph
Somes”, arrived Port Phillip (Geelong) 24/09/1847. Refused to take reasonable wages –
and sent onshore to find own way.
(4): Son: John BAYCROFT, born 1833, Stockport, Cheshire. Sentenced Chester 12/11/1842 to
7 years transportation. Eventually sailed aboard “Lord Auckland”, arrived Hobart
15/11/1844. gained Certificate of Freedom 24/11/1849. His first Station of Gang was
Point Puer and thus not regarded as an adult convict initially.
I would be delighted if SKS could offer any help in determining what happened to these four people.......TROVE has been researched but no effective details.
For the moment,
BAC3
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Permission to marry - Mary Beacroft (Tory) and Henry Pearce (free)
https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON52-1-3p128j2k
Marriage 1849
https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD37-1-8p98j2k
M
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Thank you matthewj64,
I wonder if the three sons ever got to know their Stepfather? An interesting diversion!!
BAC3
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They are on 1841 census in Stockport
Mother Mary BEACROFT
Joseph age 14
Luke 12 "Duke "on Ancestry
Charles 10
John aged 8
James 5
Eliza 3
All born Stockport
Wonder what happened to the younger ones
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They are on 1841 census in Stockport
Mother Mary BEACROFT
Joseph age 14
Luke 12 "Duke "on Ancestry
Charles 10
John aged 8
James 5
Eliza 3
All born Stockport
Wonder what happened to the younger ones
To give fuller details from the 1841.
Living at Stockport.
Household
Charles HITCHENS,Aged 70. Tailor
Charles HITCHENS. Aged 50. Tailor
Mary BEACROFT. Aged 35. Housekeeper
Joseph BEACROFT. Aged 14. Cotton duffer
Charles BEACROFT. Aged 12. Dittto
Luke BEACROFT. Aged 10 –
John BEACROFT.Aged 8-
James BEACROFT. Aged 5-
Elizabeth BEACROFT. Aged 3-
All born in county
The birth of Elizabeth
BECROFT, Elizabeth
Mother's maiden surname HITCHENS
1839 March Quarter
STOCKPORT 19 /278
Having the birth name for Mary can help in some searches.
Sue
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No help with OP's query, but of possible interest--
In 1851 Elizabeth is living in Thornthwaite with Padside, Yorkshire.
TENNANT, James. Aged 69 . A farmer. 17 acres. Born Township of Ingleton
TENNANT, Mary. Wife. Aged ? Born T Low Bishop side
BECROFT Elizabeth. Aged 13. Servant. Born Stockport
Sue
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I also found young Luke getting into trouble aged 11
before his transportion crime
# in oct 1841 He was punished for larceny 14 days custody
In November he committed larceny again punishment by 2 months custody and a whipping
There is a death of a Luke Bearcroft in 1938 in Stockport. ..was this their father.
Ps apologies for getting Luke and Charles ages mixed up in 1841 census
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Possible death?
Vic bdm 1880 # 8149 Jno BEECROFT
Father's name: Philip
Mother's name: Mary (Unknown)
Place of birth: CHESHIRE
Spouse: Mary Ann FARRELL
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According to the quarater session records
Luke BAncroft was with 3 others ..I don't know if they were also children and it's hard to read their names ...Catherine H..y
James Holden and James N .d
They were all to have 14 days solitary confinement.
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Possible death?
Vic bdm 1880 # 8149 Jno BEECROFT
Father's name: Philip
Mother's name: Mary (Unknown)
Place of birth: CHESHIRE
Spouse: Mary Ann FARRELL
Article says age 64 so not your chap https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/90138810
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I'm fascinated by this family now
Did you see the record of Luke B
15 year old convict being ill at sea treated maybe with port? Illegible ...and cured after a fortnight .
Do we know if the 3 convict boys s stayed in Australia or as cupoflife may have found returned to GB
What about the eldest brother Joseph and the youngest Jame...did they manage to stay out of trouble ? I'm off to have another trawl of criminal records
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Joseph did appear in courts age 14 with a short imprisonment and a whipping
But John is the most shocking ...
Aged 7 larceny 2 months and a whipping 1841
Later that year 3 months
And finally aged 8 sentenced to 7 years transportation ..I've not seen quarter session reports .
I do think that could be same man in article cupoflife found ..sorry I thought it was in UK but I realise it's not ..
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Good Morning Everyone,
Thank you for all your inputs, but, sadly, it may be forlorn research as the link below, which another correspondent kindly sent me, will probably testify. It is a monograph written by Cheryl Griffin which can be downloaded as a PDF:
Getting rid of problem families: Mary Baycroft and her three sons
https://www.femaleconvicts.org.au/docs/seminars/Beacroft_CherylGriffin.pdf
It seems the research becomes a pending tray case, unless someone can prove otherwise ::) ???
For now,
BAC3
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I can't download or open this file can someone summarise please ?
Would be interested in knowing the end of the story ....including the children left behind in UK
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The Female Convicts Research Centre database has noted that Mary was at the New Town pauper establishment in 1875-6 and 1878 under the name of Mary Moore.
Tas Police Gazette - Return of paupers discharged from invalid depots
Moore, Mary or Beecroft, Tory
https://stors.tas.gov.au/POL709-1-15 pg177
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Thanks mathew I was able to open your link
But I don't understand why that means it's the end of the story .
I wonder if once all the Australian research has been exhausted it would be worth transferring this topic to the England cheshire sub board so more could be found out about their origins and Mary's other children .
BAC you said your interest is in the 3 boys ..may I ask if you are related. ?
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Possibly Mary died in the year following her discharge from the New Town institution.
Mary MORE
Birth Year abt 1800
Aged 79
Death Date 12 Sep 1879
Year 1879
Registration Place Brighton, Tasmania
Registration 24
Sue
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Hello,
"brigidmac" raised the question of my relationship to the BAYCROFT family.
My interest is PhD research of Parkhurst Prison 1838-1864 as a reformatory for the 4,088 juvenile offenders, three of whom were the BAYCROFT brothers, who were inmates over that period and assessing after eventual discharge the outcomes through biography......this also involves contact with descendants wherever possible and confirming my findings.
Sadly, there appears no solid evidence that they were reformed, except the counterfactual, and very doubtful, approach of arguing that as no other criminal activity has been reported or uncovered then they must have reformed ??? ???
However, my files always remain open.
BAC3
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Luke's sentence expired in December 1850
In January 1851, a Luke Beecroft is listed as crew for a whaling voyage on the Sussex
https://stors.tas.gov.au/CUS36-1-496 img3
This voyage returns in November 1851
The Sussex had previously engaged whaling apprentices
1849 'Advertising', Colonial Times (Hobart, Tas. : 1828 - 1857), 27 February, p. 3. , viewed 25 Nov 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8764497
(bottom of page column 5)
Given the timing and his name not being a common one, there's a good chance this is him
See also Luke Becroft listed as a seaman on the Elizabeth Thompson departing for London January 1852. His ship to colony is a Sussex.
https://stors.tas.gov.au/POL220-1-1 pg515
M
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matthewj64,
Thank you for forcing me to revisit these references.
I had uncovered them, and his possible return to the UK, earlier in my research but dismissed them on the basis of the comment Ship to Colony "Sussex". Of course there was no convict ship "Sussex" to VDL::) so these references MUST HAVE REFERRED to the whaling ship "Sussex" returning to port?? I believe they are genuinely Luke BAYCROFT.
Sadly, however, I can find no later mention of him in England!!
BAC3
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That's exciting ...
I wonder if he would know where his brothers in England were ..
I suppose Luke could have died at sea if you've found no deaths in Australia or UK
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Another record to consider -
Luke Beacroft
Baltic Medal
1845-1855
Crimean War
Ship - Blenheim
Rating - AB
Number on ship's book - 541
When delivered or sent - blank (other non-blank entries are dated 1857)
I couldn't see any other navy records for this Luke Beacroft, maybe someone with experience in naval records can find something.
Its a bit of a long shot, but worth checking as name and timing-wise it fits with the possible voyage back to England.
Crimean war was 1853-6
Refs from Ancestry:
- UK, Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972
- Admiralty, and Ministry of Defence, Navy Department: Medal Rolls. The National Archives microfilm publication ADM 171, 202 rolls
- Class: ADM 171; Piece: 19
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The vessel ELIZABETH THOMPSON was registered in the port of liverpool UK. According to Lloyds register she did make a voyage in late 1851 London UK to the port of Launceston (I suggest Tasmania) SUSSEX official number 32123, was registered in the port of Hobart Town. Perhaps your man transhipped via Hobart to join ELIZABETH THOMPSON in Launceton.
The first 1852 Crew Agreement of ELIZABETH THOMPSON should be deposited in the British National Archive in piece BT98/2995 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4067362
This should tell you if your man was onboard and if he died at sea.
You cannot view the document online. I assume you are domicialed in Australia. If So. Then it's a case of finding a kindly soul to do a look up for you or pay a researcher.
I don't know if this is relevent. http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_dss=range&_ro=any&_q=%22luke+baycroft%22
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Hello seaweed,
Thank you for your excellent research.........I am extremely grateful.
I live in the UK, and my PhD research is via Southampton University, but, nevertheless, visiting TNA is impractical (age and infirmity!!!) and I assume from your comments that I, too, would either have to ask TNA for a retrieval quotation or employ a professional researcher.
"Luke BAYCROFT" was a transportee and, if he eventually returned to the UK which seems highly likely, then he has the distinction of being one of the very few who actually did and, consequently, quite a unique case study for my research.
Once again, my thanks,
BAC3
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matthewj64,
I think Luke BAYCROFT may have been one of those unusual convicts who returned to the UK after completion of servitude. And, now, with the help of "seaweed" extending your research parameters there seems every possibility I may be able to trace him.
However, as an interim measure I have posted on RootsChat Armed Forces in the hope someone will kindly provide the absolute answer.
For the moment,
BAC3
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Good Evening seaweed,
"MaxD" on the RootsChat Armed Forces Board has commented as follows:His Ticket Number is 432850 which I know Seaweed will be able to advise what to do with. ::)
This refers to an entry for Luke BAYCROFT of Stockport, Cheshire, on TNA's Britain, Merchant Seamen, 1835-1857, Series BT114, Piece Number 4, 1845-1857. It is quite exciting in that the details fit the hypothesis of "matthewL64" that Luke BAYCROFT returned to the UK after his servitude had been completed. Hopefully, you will be able to conclusively confirm that he is correct.
For the moment,
BAC3
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I am afraid not. The record from Find my Past is from the series BT114 only gives his ticket number which fits in the timeframe What may have been of help is his record from BT113.Which would a least give the port number of the vessel but no name. My guess is it has maybe been lost or destroyed.
So back to the Crew Agreement in BT98.
The record in ADM171 as outlined by matthewj64. If you do not have access to "Ancestry" It can be downloaded for free from TNA.
Again it gives no information of any help in your quest.
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Ah yn dda, seaweed, dim byd mentro dim enillwyd.
At least we seem to have tried every avenue, but I am very certain now we have traced Luke BAYCROFT back to England. Was he lost at sea? Possibly I shall never know. And the final question in my quest "What happened to John and Charles BAYCROFT?"
Nos ac yn dda diolch I chi,
BAC3
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If he did return to Britain might he be found with elder.brother Joseph or younger brother James.
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Does anyone have time or inclination to research what happened to them after their mothers and brothers were transported to Australia
Looking forward to.next episode ..fantastic research btw..
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Yes. Nothing ventured nothing gained!
If you can wait a few weeks. I will be visiting TNA sometime in January in connection with another matter.
No promise's, but if I get time I will endevour to look at the first 1852 Crew Agreement of ELIZABETH THOMPSON. Just PM me around 17/01/2019 to give me a nudge.
byth yn rhoi'r gorau iddi
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Hello seaweed,
That is an offer I couldn't possibly refuse and now diarised.......thank you.
Nadolig llawen a blwyddyn newydd dda
BAC3
PS: Does "seaweed" and "laver (bread) cooked with fatty bacon have any connection" ???
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As promised, I visited TNA today and looked at the first 1852 Crew List and Crew Agreement of the Liverpool registered vessel ELIZABETH THOMPSON.
Both documents were faded and difficult to read but here go's----------------
Luke Beecropht? age 22, Place of birth Cheshire joined the vessel as an able seaman. 6/Jan/1852 in Hobart. He could not write and signed the Crew List with an X. Someone else, probably the mate, made the entry. Hence, I suspect, the dodgy spelling!
He did not have a seamans "Ticket"
He gave his previous ship as LOUISA on the Crew List but I cannot make out a ships name on the Crew Agreement. S-------?
The ship, ELIZABETH THOMPSON arrived in London via San Francisco and Luke was discharged on the 6/June 1852.
He was paid £5 per month.
So I think it's certain he did return to the UK. What happened next? Over to you BAC3!
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Hello seaweed,
I am absolutely delighted with this information and will be eternally grateful.
My PhD research on Parkhurst Prison 1838-1864 analyses the reformatory regime the prison operated over that period for juvenile offenders. The one area that is of particular interest is those cases that were transported and eventually returned to the UK.....a very small number, indeed.....and then to study their subsequent behaviour. Re-offend or not to re-offend, that is the question ??? Luke BAYCROFT now offers that challenge ::)
Thank you again and please take care,
Tony
PS: If I can reciprocate at any time in the future you need only ask.
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No worries,
This is what rootschat is all about.
regards
SW