Researchers who have claimed this convict
There are currently 4 researchers who have claimed Henry Rochester
- Researcher (2034)
- Researcher (Leigh Deeks)
- Researcher (Peter Stevenson)
- Researcher (John Rochester)
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Biographies
Henry was a farm labourer from Rotherfield, Sussex, England
At about the age of twenty Henry and a William West were charged with theft, a copy of the charge sheet and the verdict where discovered at the Assizes office of Lewes, Sussex, they read as follows: -
THE CHARGES
Sussex the Jurors for our Lord the King upon their oath present that Labourer – Henry Rochester late of Rotherfield, in the county of Sussex. On the twenty second day of March in the thirty first year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the third now King of Great Britain with force of arms at the parish aforesaid in the county aforesaid in the dwelling house of John Bridger there situated in and upon one John Ridge in the peace of God and our said lord the King George and there being feloniously did make and assault and put him the said John Ridge in corporal fear and danger of his life in the dwelling house afore said feloniously did and one watch the inside case thereof and the outside case thereof both made of silver of the value of two pounds, one steel watch chain of the value of sixpence, one brass seal of the value of one penny, one brass watch key of the value of one penny, one piece of the silver coin of this realm called a half crown of the value of two shillings and sixpence one other piece of silver coin of this realm called a sixpence of the value of sixpence with six pieces of copper money called half pence to the value of three pence and one silk handkerchief of the value of four shillings of the goods and chattels and monies of the said John Ridge then and there violently and feloniously did steal, take and carry away against the peace of our said Lord the King his crown and dignity.
THE VERDICT
SUMMER ASSIZES
31st GEO 3rd 1791 Ass135/231/10
FELONY FILE
HENRY ROCHESTER committed 7 April 1791 by John Trayton Fuller
Esq. On suspicion of robbery John Ridge of Rotherfield, Sussex the delivery of the Goal of our Lord thur King of the county of Sussex holden at Lewes in and for the county aforesaid on Saturday the Thirteenth day of August in the Thirty First year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third now the King of Great Britain. Before the Honourable Sir Henry Gould Knight one of the Justice of our said Lord the King of his said Court of Common Pleas and others their fellows in Justices of our said Lord the King appointed to deliver the said goal of the prisoners therein being
William West Attainted of a Robbery
Henry Rochester in the Dwelling House of
John Bridger on John Ridge and taking from him Goods and Money value 2-7-11 pounds. Let them be severally hanged by the neck until they are dead.
I think that it is quite safe to assume that Henry had been given the option to either be hung or get transported to the colonies for 14 years. Henry (then about 21 years old) was shipped out of Portsmouth on the 21st May 1792 on board the “Royal Admiral” arriving at Port Jackson, Sydney on the 17th October 1792.
A chronological list of Henry`s activities compiled from the Muster records etc of the early 1800`s is as follows:-
1802 Muster: Cohabited with Margaret Hayes at the Hawkesbury. At that time he possed one gun.
1805 March: The conveyance of land was registered from George Pashely to Henry Rochester.
1806: Marsen`s Female Muster recorded Margaret Hayes as a concubine with one male and one female illegitimate children. She was free by servitude, a housekeeper with Henry Rochester and they held 4 acres of land at Baker`s Farm near Cornwallis Farm, growing wheat and barley, with goats, hogs and small quantity of wheat in hand. The family was of stores. Their children were James (1800) and Mary (1803).
1807: In July he purchased Dunnavan`s Farm, owned by John Carroll, for 120 pounds.
1808: He relinquished "all future claims" to Mr Baker`s Farm "save 4 acres".
Submitted by Researcher (John Rochester) on 14 June 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 11/1, p.188
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