Researchers who have claimed this convict
There are currently 2 researchers who have claimed Adam Rhodes
- Researcher (Pamela Heather)
- Researcher (6622)
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Biographies
Adam Rhodes
Adam Rhodes was my second great grandfather. He was born about 1804 in Staffordshire, England. In 1820 he was brought to trial in the Stafford Assizes, charged with larceny, but was found not guilty. Six years later, on 9th March 1826 he again appeared in the Stafford Assizes, charged with sheep stealing. On this occasion he was found guilty and sentenced to death. The sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment and transportation.
The ship Albion 2 brought Adam to NSW, arriving on 14th February 1827. He was recorded as being 23 years of age, able to read, a protestant and
single with no family. His occupation was listed as “farmers man and dairymanâ€, height 5ft 5¾ ins, complexion ruddy / fair, hair brown and eyes dark hazel. He had a cut across the forefinger of his thumb and left hand.
In the 1828 Census Adam Rhodes is recorded on Norfolk Island. He received his Ticket of Leave on 30th July 1841 and was to stay in the district of Windsor.
It would have been at Windsor that Adam met Margaret Silk, the daughter of Thomas and Sarah Silk, granddaughter of the transported Irish rebel William Silk and of the First Fleet convict William Roberts and Second Fleet convict Kezia Brown. Adam, then 40, and Margaret, then 19, applied for permission to marry. The application was granted on 27th May 1843 and they were married on 7th June 1843 at the Presbyterian Church at Richmond. Thomas Silk, Henrietta Carlisles and Richard Rhodes were the witnesses named.
Three girls were born of this union: Sarah Ann Rhodes (1843—1921) who married William Hardy Bellden in 1866, (my great grandparents); Mary Rhodes (1845—1854) and Elizabeth Rhodes (1851—1863).
Adam Rhodes applied for a conditional pardon in 1846. This was granted on 30th September 1847 by Charles Augustus Fitzroy, Captain General and Governor in Chief of NSW.
Shipping Departures in the Sydney Morning Herald of 16 May 1851 show Messers Adam Rhodes and William Silk departing on the Duchess of Northumberland for Calcutta. This W Silk was most likely the William Silk, son of Patrick Silk, the cousin of Adam’s wife Margaret.
An Adam Rhodes, born 1802, died in Fort William, Bengal, India on 27th July 1851. The birth year matches that of Adam and as no further children were born to Adam and Sarah after 1851 it is possible that this is a reference to my Adam’s death. No further references to Adam Rhodes have been found for the next 30+ years.
In 1885 articles appeared in newspapers both in England and New Zealand which raise many questions. These reported that a legacy of £800,000 had been bequeathed to Edward Hampson, a coachsmith of Wednesbury, by his uncle Mr Adam Rhodes who had recently died in New Zealand. It was also reported that Rhodes had for some years been a butcher in Wednesbury but fifty years ago had left the town. Some time afterwards he commenced business as a cattle dealer and very speedily amassed a large fortune. At the funeral it was ascertained that he had bequeathed his extensive estates and properties to his kinsman.
Edward Hampson was a nephew of Adam Rhodes. He was the son of Adam’s younger sister Sarah who was baptised on 28th April 1805 at St Bartholmew Wednesbury and married on 22nd October 1821 at All Saints, West Bromwich, to Amos Hamsom/Hampson. Edward was the fourth child of Sarah and Amos and was baptised 4th September 1831 at St Bartholomew Wednesbury. I have been unable to find any record of a will or probate document for Edward Hampson, both of which would surely have been in existence if Edward had inherited such a fortune. Family contacts have told me that there was no money in the family and that they all worked till the dropped. The story of Adam’s wealth seems to be a total fabrication. I have been unable to find any other records of the death of Adam Rhodes either in Australia or New Zealand.
Submitted by Researcher (Pamela Heather) on 4 August 2014
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Son of William and Sarah Rhodes of Wednesbury,Staffordshire.
Father William was sentenced to 7 years transportation in 1810
Brothers William Jnr, Richard and George Francis also transported in later years. Ticket to Leave granted in 1841. Married Margaret Silk in 1843
Granted a conditional pardon in 1847
Died 1885 New Zealand. Left a legacy of £8oo,ooo to nephew Edward Hampson of Wednesbury
Submitted by Researcher (6622) on 5 August 2016
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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 11/6, p.82
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