Researchers who have claimed this convict
There are currently 2 researchers who have claimed Ann Town
- Researcher (Chris Nilsen)
- Researcher (Kylie Gray)
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Biographies
Ann Town was born c1822 in Greenwich, London.
She was tried at the Criminal Court on 10-5-1841 and charged with ‘Larceny from the Person’
ANN TOWN was indicted for stealing, on the 25th of April, 1 half-sovereign, 2 shillings, and 1 sixpence, the monies of Robert France, from his person.
GUILTY. Aged 18 — Transported for Ten Years.
There were previous offences for which she spent 2 months (assault) & 3 weeks (leaving the Union House) in the House of Correction. Prior to conviction she had spent 4 months ‘on the town’.
She arrived in Van Diemen’s Land on the 10th October 1841 aboard the ‘Garland Grove’.
Her convict record shows a number of offences:
25-7-1842 - Misconduct - 6 months hard labour at the House of Correction (this is most likely as a result of bearing an illegitimate child).
15-9-1844 – Absconding – 3 months hard labour at the House of Correction.
5-8-1845 – Ticket of Leave granted.
10-6-1848 – Out after hours – 10 days in the cells.
12-9-1848 – Out after hours – 2 months hard labour at femaile factory.
10-7-1849 – Stealing a watch, property of William Foote – Existing term extended 12 months – Kept on probation - 6 months – T.of L. revoked.
10-7-1849 – Calling convict Wicks a ‘bloody dog’ when leaving the P.O. after charge of larceny – period of probabtion extended another 6 months.
4-9-1849 – Ticket of Leave revoked.
23-10-1849 – Delivered of an illegitimate child.
26-9-1851 – Absent without leave – 7 months hard labour – to be hired in the Interior north of Hobart Town.
11-5-1852 – Free Certificate granted.
After serving her sentence in Van Diemen’s Land we find her living in Franklin on the Huon River. She is living with an ex-convict named George Reed. George was a sawyer and most likely worked in the timber industry around the Huon River. It is here she gave birth to Jane, her only child born to George Reed. Shortly after she returns with George & Jane to Hobart where George dies in Dec 1854. At the time they were living at the Old Wharf, Hobart.
On 15-8-1855 a convict named Bernard McPheeley is given permission to marry her. There is no record they ever married. A child was born to them in 1855 named William. Sadly William dies in Nov 1859. It seems as though Ann’s relationship with Bernard ends at this point.
In the 1860’s she lives with (though doesn’t marry) a fisherman named Robert Patterson. She bore him three girls all born in Hobart. Margaret (1862), Ellen (1864) & Agnes (1869). From this time onwards she goes by the name Ann Patterson.
Robert Patterson was a convict who arrived on the ‘Duchess of Northumberland’ in 1843. His convict record states that he was a shoemaker. But newspaper records from 1856 show him as a fisherman and fish hawker.
He died at the New Town Pauper Establishment on 21-2-1883.
Clearly they are not able to care for their family. We find the children do not have a home to live in.
From the City Police Court: 14-8-1874:
"Waif's.-Margaret Patterson, aged 12 years, and Ellen Patterson, her sister, aged 9 years, were sent to the Industrial School for two and four years respectively. The children had been found by Mr.Catling begging bread in the streets, and when questioned as to their parents, they replied that they had no home"
Margaret & Ellen were admitted to the Girls Industrial School on 14-8-1874. Their time in the school expired on 14-8-1876 & 14-8-1878 respectively.
Agnes also was admitted to the Girls Industrial School. Admitted 8-2-1879 for 4 years. Released 8-2-1883.
It seems as though she did very well there.
In July 1883 she appears in the papers with commendations for excellent reading, writing and dictation skills.
Between 1866 & 1895 Ann is frequently in trouble with the law.
There are at least twenty charges for being Drunk & Disorderly and Disturbing the Peace.
Ann Patterson died on 23-12-1908 at the New Town Charitable Institution a
Submitted by Researcher (Chris Nilsen) on 5 October 2018
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Disclaimer: The information has not been verified by Claim a Convict. As this information is contributed, it is the responsibility of those who use the data to verify its accuracy. Research notes
There are currently no research notes attached to this convict. Sources
- The National Archives (TNA) : HO 11/12, p.335
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