Lancaster Assizes 24 March 1821 - Does anyone have access to court documents?

[GeoffTurner]

James Ryley was convicted of an offence and transported to Australia for life. He came to Australia on the Hindostan later that year. I would love to know the offence, if you have access to court documents or newspaper coverage. I haven’t been able to discover this from Australia. Any help gratefully accepted. Geoff

[CaroleW]

There is an entry for Lent 1821 but he was sentenced to death as was everybody else on the same page.  2 of the other death entries then show transportation for life.

Against Ryley's entry the offence is "being at large whilst under sentence of transportation"

[Drosybont]

There are also records in 1820 and 1819 showing convictions for larceny/burglary, same name, same court.

Drosybont

[GeoffTurner]

OK thanks. A lot of people had death sentences commuted to life, it seems. But “being at large while under sentence for transportation” suggests there was an earlier offence, I guess.

The convict records probably just refer to the most recent conviction so it might be harder to find the original appearance.

Thanks, Geoff

Ah, than you, just saw the rest! Brilliant.

[Dundee]

In 1820 he was sentenced to death for burglary, revoked to transportation for life.  He was on the prison hulk Justitia and noted as 'escaped 11 Nov 1820'.  Goodness me, he was lucky not to be executed.

19 August 1820 - Lancaster Gazette - Lancaster, Lancashire, England

......James Riley, 23, for a burglary, at Lydiate.

Debra 

[GeoffTurner]

Thanks Debra, James certainly was pushing his luck. In Australia he was better-behaved, married a widow with three children and died in 1856. His wife was the daughter of a Lancashire brewer, Thomas Rushton, who had been caught passing counterfeit money. His new father-in-law was tasked with running the government brewery at Parramatta and was quite a successful businessman in the colony.   

Geoff