groom and Ploughman

[gbugden]

My ancestor was said to have the occupation of "groom and ploughman" when he arrived as a 24 year old convict in NSW in 1824. What did this mean exactly?

I'm very interested in discovering the socail history of his life in FARLEY, Wiltshire in this period.

Does it mean he had special training? Was he a landowner? Was the work seasonal? Might he have turned to crime in the "lean times" ? How old did a boy have to be to begin such work? etc etc!

Cheers Greg

[davierj]

Hi Greg
I found a definition for groom as one responsible for the horses on an estate, and ploughman as a farm worker with working horse and a plough.
There was a hierarchy, I imagine, as in other trades ie they'd work themselves up from apprentice, through the grades to Master Ploughman or Head Groom.   I imagine a ploughman could either be an emplyee of a farm or an independent tradesman with his own horse and plough.
A boy would start at an early age either in a formal apprenticeship with a master craftsman or, as was very common, in a less formal arrangement learning under the guidance of his father or other relative.
For detailed account of the apprenticeship system you could try http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/community/the_county/record_office/family_history_3/poor_relief/apprenticeship_records.htm
Who was your ancestor and have you info on his family.   If not I may be able to help
Cheers Dave

[gbugden]

This information is most useful for fleshing out my ancestor's background, Dave. I'd really like to bring to life his social environment, and not just collect names and dates, so thank you!

He was John Bugden born in Farley in 1803, though I have no particular address for the family. He was sentenced for burglary in 1823, arrived in NSW the next year. I believe he was married in 1820 to an Elizabeth Lockyear, but I have no documentation for this, and don't know if there were any children. He remarried in Australia in 1837. I think his parents could be a Joseph and Sarah and there may have been an older brother and some sisters.

It is difficult to do this research long distance, so your help is appreciated

Cheers Greg

[davierj]

Hi Greg
If you want information I'll be pleased to look it up.   I was looking at some Wiltshire Court and Prison Records for 1827 today.   They listed felons sentenced for transportation  as well as inmates of the prisons.   Let me know what you want.
You've probably seen this site but here goes............
http://www.communigate.co.uk/wilts/pittonfarleypc/index.phtml gives info on Farley.
One of my relations went to Australia - Jenefer (or Jane) Renfrey and family arrived Adelaide 13 Sep 1851 on the Reliance.   They founded a small dynasty and she died 1876 in Kapunda.   Take a look at my tree on the link at the left.
Cheers for now Dave

[gbugden]

thanks for your interest Dave 

Your website is great, did you create it from scratch or can one upload family tree details the site? My mother was adopted and we only recently discovered her family in Adelaide. She was a Dwiar and so with further investigation I might find a connection to your Aussie relatives!

 I guess there a three main areas of interest for me about my ancestor John Bugden.

1. Which hulk ( Leviathan, York, or Unnamed) in Plymouth was he on, before transportation in 1823
2. Did he leave behind a family?
3. Was the victim of his crime  for which he was tried on 8th march 1823 (a John Parsons) a local Farley man,  did John Bugden act alone; and where are the "Wiltshire Assizes"?

I certainly do not expect you to answer any of these questions Dave, but these are my current research projects.

Cheers Greg

[davierj]

I'll do what I can Greg and will be in touch next week
Cheers Dave

[gbugden]

Thanks Dave
Enjoy your Christmas, I hope you were unaffected by that toxic cloud!

Cheers Greg

[davierj]

Thanks Greg you too have a great Xmas.   Fortunately the smoke was pretty localised and didn't affect us here in sunny Wiltshire.
Cheers Dave

[davierj]

Found out quite a bit Greg, hope a lot of it's new.   I'll try and answer your questions...................

1. The website is free on Tribal Pages and I built it up over a period of time - always adding more!

2.  I could not find out which hulk he was on.   More info is available at http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/  I think he came to Australia on the Guildford (Aussie site)

3.  I found a baptism for a John Bugden in Pitton with Farley Parish,
11 Nov 1798 son of Joseph and Sarah, born 10th, Farley.

Joseph was a labourer and here are some more Bugdens all children of Joseph and Sarah all bap and born in Farley....
Sarah 18/4/ 1790, b. 17th         Mary 17/11/1793, b. 12th
Joseph 14/6/1801, b. 1st         Elisabeth 18/3/1804, b. 13th
Harriet 6/1/1809, b. 28/12/1808  buried 8/7/1809
Robert 8/11/1813, b. 31/10/1813
Mary Anne 13/6/1813, b. 21/12/1812

John Bugden married Elizabeth Lockyear 30/9/1820 in Pitton and Farley, witnesses were James White and Jane Harwood.

Lockyear baptisms, parents Joseph and Frances, all in Farley..........................
James 31/3/1799, b. 1797, buried 10/3/1826, age 29
Thomas 31/3/1799, b. 7th   ELIZABETH 7/6/1802, b 9/5
Jane 23/11/1810, b. 8/12/1804

I could not find any children in Farley for John and Elizabeth.

4.  Two references for John Bugden in the Quarter Sessions i.e. the lower court.
First the Devizes Sessions 14 Jan 1823, he was held in the County Prison, Fisherton Anger, Salisbury, held over for the Assizes on the following warrant.  "John Bugden, age 23, committed by E. Baker Esq. charged on the oaths of John Parsons and others on suspicion of having burglariously broken and entered the dwelling house of the said John Parsons and feloniously stealing therein a box containing £49/1/3d and other property therein , the property of a Friendly Society at Farley.   Warrant dated Nov 7, 1822"

The second also at County Prison, Salisbury Sessions April 8, 1823.   He was "Upon Orders" awaiting disposal after the trial at the Assizes (higher court, equivalent to our modern day County Courts).   It read "John Bugden, convicted Lent Assizes, 1823, of burglary, Sentance Death - Reprieved".    He was then presumably transported.

Assize records can only be accessed through the National Archives - e-address as before.

There was no record of any accomplice in the records I saw.

John Parsons was a local man either bap. 24/5/1802 or 2/4/1794.

Of interest, in the Marlborough Sessions 16/10/1827 in County Prison was a William Bugden committed by George Font Esq. 23/7/1827, for deer stealing, to 4 months hard labour.

Hope this helps, merry Xmas and happy New Year.   Let me know if I can help further.
Cheers Dave