Researchers who have claimed this convict
There are currently 16 researchers who have claimed Keziah Brown
- Researcher (1957)
- Researcher (2140)
- Researcher (Vicki Court)
- Researcher (Pamela Heather)
- Researcher (Sally Chapman)
- Researcher (3872)
- Researcher (Noni Primrose)
- Researcher (Rod Ewings)
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- Researcher (Kristen Bennett)
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- Researcher (Marilyn Guy)
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Biographies
Kezia Brown 1771 – 1854
Kezia Brown was my fourth great grandmother. She was born in Severn Stock, Worcestershire , in 1771, the daughter of Aaron & Mary Brown (nee Farley). On 10th March 1771 Kezia was baptised at St Denys Severn Stoke. She was one of nine children and left home when eighteen after gaining a small inheritance from her grandfather . Kezia found work as a labourer in the garden of Mr James Wheeler of Gloucester City in 1789 but early in July of that year she contracted smallpox. She was allowed to stay in Mr Wheeler’s house for six weeks then, on 20th August, early in the morning, she ran away & took with her some articles of clothing allegedly belonging to her employer. When the loss was discovered the son Edward Wheeler caught up with her at Norton four miles away. She was tried in Gloucester on 9th October 1789 and although initially pleading not guilty she later admitted to taking the things. She was found “Guilty to the value of one penny” and ordered to be transported for seven years.
Kezia was brought to New South Wales aboard the Neptune, the horror ship of the Second Fleet. During the five month trip on this ship 158 convicts died of starvation & ill treatment and many others died shortly after landing. The convicts had been chained together & confined to the lower decks, at times up to their waists in water. The reason for this harsh treatment was that the English Government had hired contractors to transport the Second Fleet convicts and had paid them, in advance, per head for the food and transport. It mattered not to Captain Trail, the man responsible, whether the convicts arrived dead or alive. As there was a great shortage of food in the Colony he kept as much as he was able in order to sell it on arrival. Kezia arrived at Sydney Cove on 28th June, 1790.
Soon afterwards Kezia formed an association with William Roberts who had been transported on the First Fleet. The first of their ten children, William, was baptised in September 1791 and a daughter Mary was born in June 1793. William & Kezia were married in August 1793 at St Phillips Church Sydney.
By 1800 the couple had moved out of Sydney & were farming in the Hawkesbury area with thirty acres. A further 100 acres were granted in 1804. By 1814 the landholdings were substantial and supporting a family of ten children.
William Roberts died on 14th February 1820 but Kezia survived him by 34 years. William’s will stated “ to my youngest son Edward I give and bequeath all that farm and premises on which I reside called Hobby Farm to be held and enjoyed by him and his heirs forever never to be disposed of directly or indirectly by him or them or any of them or enjoyed by any person out of his or their lawful family and until my said son Edward shall arrive at the age of 21 years the whole of the said farm and premises shall be held and enjoyed by my beloved wife Kezia “ At the time of William’s death Edward would have been only six years old. Probate was granted to Kezia & John Jones of Windsor on 14th July 1821.
The 1828 Census lists Kezia as a householder at Cornwallis. She had a total of 150 acres of which 100 were cleared and 50 under cultivation. She was the owner of fifty head of cattle and had in her employ a convict James Magrath who had recently arrived in the colony.
Kezia Roberts died on 26th June 1854 at Richmond and was said to be 83 years of age. Kezia was buried with her husband in St Matthews Churchyard in the family vault.
Submitted by Researcher (Pamela Heather) on 28 July 2014
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Kezia Brown was tried and convicted 9 October 1789 at Gloucestershire for stealing clothes and sentenced to 7 years transportation. She arrived 28 June 1790 at Port Jackson NSW per 'Neptune'. She was born about 1771 at Severn Stock Worcestershire England daughter of Aaron Brown & Mary Farley. She married 11 August 1793 at St Phillips Sydney to William Roberts (c1755-1820) Convict per 'Scarborough' 1788. They had 10 children between 1791-1813. Kezia died 22 June 1854 reportedly aged 83 years.
Submitted by Researcher (1957) on 29 November 2014
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