Researchers who have claimed this convict
There are currently 5 researchers who have claimed William Stevenson
- Researcher (1398)
- Researcher (Janis Smith)
- Researcher (John Simos)
- Researcher (Mylee Mann)
- Researcher (Sue McGuire)
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Biographies
A CONVICTS TALE- THE STORY OF WILLIAM STEPHENSON
Born 1 July 1788 in Howden, Yorkshire, England, and died 5 March 1876 in Goulburn, NSW (He married MARY LANDRE 23 November 1818 in Castlereagh Creek Sydney, daughter of ANTOINE L'ANDRE and ANN POULTER. She was born 1 February 1803 in Parramatta, NSW and died 9 April 1888 in Crookwell, NSW. Burial: Warn Family Vault, Crookwell, NSW
William is said to be the first cousin to George Stephenson, the inventor. However, this family story has not been verified. We know little of his life in England, before he was transported to Australia, other than he was in the Royal Artillery. What information we have starts in 1814 when he was arrested for stealing.
An extract from "Essex Herald" dated 15 March 1814 states that William Stephenson and William Huggerd, two privates in the Royal Artillery were indicted for stealing.
"William Huggerd and William Stevenson (sic) two privates in the Royal Artillery were indicted on the oaths of James Digby Fowell and others with having feloniously stolen at Waltham Holy Cross, in this county five shirts, four handkerchiefs, a waistcoat and other articles, the property of the said Mr Fowell and Mr Patridge, his wife's son, by a former husband. It appeared in evidence that Mr Fowell is a respectable Solicitor and has a country house at Waltham Holy Cross, where his wife sent the clothes in question on Tuesday, 23 November, from her town house, for the purpose of having them washed. Her servant, who was an elderly woman, had the charge of these clothes, and used to have the prisoner, Huggerd, to keep her company, he put out the clothes lines for her, and she having taken the clothes in on the Wednesday evening put them into the parlour in a dish and a basket, the next morning, on going into the room she found the clothes in much confusion, and some of them missing. The prisoner came to her soon after, she told him, but he said he knew nothing of the matter. She took no more notice, but on the Saturday morning, all the clothes were gone. She went to the house where the prisoner was quartered and again told him of her loss, and that she was ruined, for her master would know somebody must have taken them, and he was the only person who could possibly have done it. The prisoner was offended and left her. Her master came down on the Monday morning, and she told him of the whole affair, in consequence of which, he had hand bills put up in the neighbourhood offering a reward for the apprehension of the thieves. Huggerd had sent the clothes to a woman to be washed. Stevenson (sic) was seen in St George's Fields; he had procured a person to offer the goods, which were then in his possession, to pawn, which person was stopped and Stevenson was taken into custody. The jury therefore, under his Lordship's direction, found the verdict of guilty against Huggerd and acquitted Stevenson. The Judge, after expatiating upon the enormity of the prisoner's crime, in having abused the trust reposed in him, sentenced him to be transported for seven years."
Sussex Herald 22 March 1814: William Stephenson indicted again on a new charge at the same assizes for received the stolen goods from William Huggerd, he was found guilty and sentenced to fourteen years transportation.It is interesting to note that Huggerd only received seven years transportation for stealing, while William Stephenson received fourteen years for receiving stolen goods. William was 26. He was described as a labourer, 5' 8 1/2", dark ruddy complexion with black hair and hazel eyes.
William arrived in Sydney Cove on 27 January 1815 on the "Marquis of Wellington", which was built in Calcutta in 1801, sailed from England on 1 September 1814, and, like all convict ships, carried guns in case of attack by pirates.
William went on to be a publican prior to moving to Crookwell NSW and is reputed to give the town its name
Submitted by Researcher (John Simos) on 7 June 2019
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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 11/2, p.166
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