Relationship to me in tree
- Arthur William Hicks (grandfather) –>
- Mother Minnie Plant (great grandmother) –>
- Mother Dinah Skinner (gr gr grandmother)–>
- Mother Mary Ashwell b 1817 (gr gr gr grandmother)–>
- Father James Ashwell B 1796
James was born in Langford, Bedfordshire, and in 1823. He was married to Mary Crowther, they had two children James (1816) and Mary (1817).
As I am living in Bedfordshire I thought I maybe able to access some local knowledge. This has not been the case, all the knowledge has been from the internet, although I did wander around the graveyards of the local churches.
In 1824 he was arrested for stealing pickled pig, as reported in this newspaper article:
This lead to him being transported for life, and was sent to Van Dieman’s Land (Tasmania), here are the details from the records published by Bedfordshire archives:
Commital Year: 1823
Reference Doc: BLARS QGV10/1
ID in Reference Doc: 86
Age: 27
Gender: Male
Height: 5 feet 5 inches
Hair Colour: Light Brown
Complexion: Fresh
Identifying Features: This man was a notorious character and a terror to the neighbourhood he lived.
Residence(town/village): Langford
Residence(county): Bedfordshire
Offence: Stealing Pork
Committed By: Rev.J.Webster
When Committed: 30/12/1823
Trial Type: Lent Assizes 1824
Type of Gaol: Bedford County Gaol
Sentence: Death Transported for Life
How Disposed: Removed to the Justitia Hulk at Woolwich
Discharge Date: 24/04/1824
General Remarks: A bad fellow
There are records on Founders and survivors
Place Of Birth Langford/Bedford
Conviction sentence Life
Place Of Sentencing Bedford
Tried Date 10/Mar/1824
Voyage Date: 3 Jul 1824
Sailed Days 123
Sailed From Downs
Sailed Route Rio
Ship Master Jos. Blyth
Ship Name Princess Charlotte
Ship Surgeon Jn. Dobie
Arrived 1824-11-09
To Colony Van Dieman’s Land – VDL (Tasmania)
Gaol Report Attempted to escape
Body Marks Natural Mark outer Corner left eye
Eyes Grey
Family Wife & 3 Ch at Biggleswade
Trade Farmers Ploughman/labourer
On 12 Oct 1836 the record states he was given a conditional pardon, but as yet I don’t know what happened to him in Tasmania.
His wife moved to Lincolnshire with her 2 children and appears with another man, stating to be his wife, and the family tree continues in England. Her child Mary married Samuel Skinner.
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