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Edward Whitton First Fleeter
Edward1
WHITTON was born
in Greenwich, Kent, England about c.1757.
Edward died on or about
July 6th 1802 at Windsor NSW, Australia.
He was tried in criminal
court at Maidenstone in Kent Lent Assizes, England, March 10th
1783. before Sir William Henry Ashurst Knt, and Jerome Knapp, Esq,
Justices.
“Tried on Friday
afternoon,
March 14th 1783.”
“Crime and Sentence:
William Holmes, Richard Buxton and Edward Whittan (sic), each
late of the parish of
Greenwich in the county of
Kent .... on October 11th 1782 ... with force and
arms in the parish aforesaid .... in the King's Highway there in and upon
Joseph Knowles .... feloniously did make an assault and .... one
watch with the inside and outside case made of silver and capped with gold
of the value of 6 pounds one steel watch chain of the value of 6d, one
stone seal set in gold of the value of 10 shillings, one other stone seal
set in base metal of the value of 6d and 6d and twenty pieces of the gold
coin of this realm called Guineas of the value of 21 pounds of the goods
chattels and monies of the said Joseph Knowles then and
there feloniously and violently did steal take and carry away”
The total value was 551
shillings.
His occupation was listed
as labourer. And he was 26 years old.
“GUILTY no chattels.
Sentenced to be HANGED”.
On Oct 26th 1783
Reprieved, conditional of serving LIFE in the Army at James Fort on the
River Gambia West Africa
(Other spellings of name
noted: Whittan, Whetton,
Witten.
) (Ref PRO Assises 35/223, no 28.) Court reports appears in; Order in
Council No.2 (Whetton), p.19: Ross's Returns (Witten),
p. 241: Richard's Returns, p. 266.
Edward
is ordered to the hulk “ Censor” on the River Thames, on Oct 26th
1784, while awaiting transportation to
Gambia.
The initial
attempt to establish a penal settlement in Gambia, on the west coast of
Africa was in 1775, however an appalling climate, tropical diseases and
finally starvation resulted in the death or desertion of 80%, some 586
convicts of the 746 convicts sent. In the face of hostile public opinion
the Government finally abandoned the West Africa option, and another
destination had to be found.
The HULK system was a
stopgap, as England could no longer, as it had done for much of the 18th
century, transport its surplus criminals to the American Colonies, where
they were sold by shipping contractors into virtual slavery on the
plantations at up to 25 pounds per head.
This option was permanently
closed with the outbreak of the War of Independence, which ended in 1783
in victory for the rebel colonists.
As England with the passage
of time was facing a very serious explosion in the prison population, and
very overcrowded prisons, the HULKS seemed a temporary but expedient
solution, that in fact lasted nearly 100 years. The HULKS were old
warships and merchantmen moored in the Thames River and later at
Portsmouth and Plymouth used as prisons. However conditions soon
deteriorated and became worse than conventional prisons, with disease
spreading more rapidly among the inmates because of the damp, cold, and
foggy conditions on the rivers.
It was announced in the
British Parliament on January 23rd 1787 that Lord Sydney had
agreed to send prisoners to the new Colony in New South Wales
On Feb 24th
1787, after two and a half years on the hulks, he is ordered to Portsmouth
to join the “Scarborough”, which is part of the ships of the
First Fleet Edward is now aged 30 years.
After a voyage of some
15,000miles taking some 250 days or 8 months, with 68 days in Ports on
route,
Capt Arthur Phillip on
board HMS SUPPLY arrived in
Botany Bay
on January 18th 1788, with the second part of the Fleet
arriving some 24 hours later on Jan 20th 1788, and the
rest appeared the following day. The Fleet all safely anchor in Botany
Bay.
Phillip is not taken with
Botany Bay so six days later he orders that the Fleet to up anchor
and sails them a further nine miles north to Port Jackson,where he
describes it as ”…one of the finest harbours in the world, in which a
thousand sail of the line might ride in perfect security “ By
nightfall on January 26th 1788 Phillip’s convey is safely at
anchor in a quiet cove with a freah water supply he called Sydney Cove-
so named in honour of Lord Sydney.
Edward
has arrived in his ‘new home”
On the Second day Sunday 27th
January 1788, Arthur Bowes Smyth (1760-1790) Surgeon on “Lady Penrhyn”
noted some progress” This morning by day light a Long Boat full of
Convicts from the “Scarborough” were set on Shore to assist in cutting
down trees and clearing ground.
The Thermometer at 74
degrees. Many tents were pitched this day on Shore. Upon our entering the
Harbour mouth, we met many Natives on top of the high rocks, but none of
them have appeared since we anchor’d. No boats suffer’d to go out of the
Cove nor Sailors to
be on shore after sunset”
Probably Edward’s
first day in his “new” home.
November 27th
1788 Edward
Whitton, convict
#319, fed from Government stores.
Sometime in 1792, Edward
begins living with Anne SLATOR. Edward is now 35 years old
Their first child, a girl,
Jane Whitton is born on March 23rd 1794. Unfortunately she died
at birth, and is buried at St Phillips Sydney “Infant child of convict
Whitton buried”
3rd December
1794 - noted as a "Settler" at Mulgrave Place -Grant.
December 3rd
1794, from Governor Grose of 30 acres fronting the Hawkesbury River
known as" Whitton Farm" for an annual rent of one shilling and rent not to
commence for 10 years. The property was at Mullgrave Place on
the western bank of the river. Land Grant No 326 (in 1794 Book 1A) (
Fische 3267,9/2731,p40)
Research: Index to the
paper of the NSW Colonial Secretary 1788-1825 (Archives Authority of NSW
Guide No 20)
The Settlement was known as
Green Hills by 1798.The Windsor Bridge now occupies part of the original
allocation, now known as Lot 69 at Windsor Bridge.
Their second child, Mary
Ann2,
is born c1796 at Mulgrave Place. Edward is now 39 years old
A son, William, is born
June 8th 1799, at Mulgrave Place. He is baptised on Sept 21st
1799 by Rev Samuel Marsden at St Johns Parramatta
Granted Conditional Pardon
on the June 4th 1800 by Gov. Hunter.
(From University of
Wollongong website First Fleet :Edward WHITTON/WHITTEN )
(Reel774,Item 4/4430.p012)
DATE of settlement Dec 3rd
1798, NAME Edward Whitton, No of hogs 9, WHEAT sown 17 acres,
MAIZE to be planted 5 acres, STORES 1 M off 1 Female off 2 Children
on. SITUATED
Mulgrave
Place.
Acquired by Grant
SETTLERS' MUSTER BOOK 1800;
(Land and stock held by
free settlers and emancipated or expired convicts REF AA419),
In 1801 Edward
joined with other people in the area in signing a document requesting
freedom from civil action until they recovered from the recent devastating
floods.
KING'S LISTS (List 7)
1801(List of convicts who have received conditional emancipations in his
Majesty's Territory of NSW to remain in the colony during the term for
which they were sentenced) REF BG 159 ,
NAME Edward Whitton
, PARDONED by Hunter, REMAINING in Colony & Employment Settler Port
Jackson.
SETTLERS' MUSTER BOOK 1802;
Anne Slater was named as owner. Edward was dead by July 1802 where
his executrix Anne Slater (Queen 1791) was granted administration
of his estate.
Edward
lived with SLATER, Anne, from about 1792. and she was
probably his common law wife.
There is no record of
marriage between Anne and Edward.
On March 23rd
1794 Jane Witton, infant child of a convict was buried. (Registered at St
Phillips, Sydney)
There are no birth records
for Mary Ann2
their daughter born c 1796
On June 8th 1799
William Slater, parent Edward Wither, was baptised on August
21st at St John's, Parramatta
Edward
died mid 1802(possibly July 6th 1802 )
It is believed that
Edward’s body was buried in the Green Hills Burial Ground, South
Creek, Bridge St in Windsor
Anne1
SLATER was born in Dublin, Ireland c 1758.
After Edward died in
1802,she married John NORMAN in , St Phillips Church of England
Sydney Aug 28th 1803.
Anne
died aged 48 years in about 1806 in Windsor, NSW, Australia.
It is believed that she was
buried in the Green Hills burial Ground, South Creek, Bridge St, in
Windsor NSW, where Edward is buried
Convicted in 1788 in
Dublin, and sentenced to 7 years, she was 30 years old.
Anne
joined “The Queen” in April 1791:,one of only 22 female convicts, with 132
male convicts, which was part of the 3rd Fleet, and the first
ship with Irish convicts, directly from Ireland. It arrived September 26th
1791,Anne was aged 33 years
The ”Queen” arrived on Sept
26th 1791, with 7 males dying during the voyage.
The 3rd Fleet
consisted of 12 ships, with 2459 convicts (2229 males & 230 females ) and
arrived in Sydney between July 9th 1791 & February 14th
1792.Some 218 convicts died during the voyage
Historical Note
regarding the Queen. The first Irish convicts sent directly from Ireland
arrived on the Queen on September 26th 1791, which sailed from
Cork carrying one hundred and thirty three male convicts and twenty two
female convicts. The youngest was David Fay of Dublin, aged eleven years
and the oldest was Patrick Fitzgerald, aged sixty-four. The youngest
female convict was Mary Whelan aged eighteen years, and the oldest,
Margaret Stephenson was fifty years. The Queen also carried four children
of the female convicts and one free woman, Mrs Ann Jamison wife of
Sergeant John Jamison of the New South Wales Corps.
Copy of papers concerning
Edward’s Will and Ann's application for Letters of
Administration.
“Know all men by these
present that the Anne Slater (named in the last will and testament
of Edward Whitton declared as Executrix thereto) Samuel Foster and
John Redmond of Sydney are revere held and firmly bound to Richard Aitkins
Esquire His Majesty Judge Advocate for this territory as follows that is
to say the said Anne Slater in the sum of two hundred pounds sterling and
the said Samuel Foster and John Redmond each in the sum of one hundred
pounds sterling to be paid to the said Richard Aitkins Esquire his heirs
or successor for which several payments well and truly to be made We
severally bind ourselves firmly by these presents stated with our seals
unjustly Dated the twenty seventh day of July in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and two.
Where as the above
bounden Anne Slater hath applied for letters of
Administration to be granted to her as the Executrix of the late Edward
Whitton deceased of the Goods Chattels and Effects of the said
Edward Whitton deceased and Letters of Administration has been
accordingly granted to her upon the Usual Condition of Her entering into a
bond with two sureties for the true performance of the said Trust
AND WHEREAS the above bound Samuel Foster and John Redmond has to agree to
become sureties for the said Anne Slater
NOW THE CONDITION of the
above written Obligations is such that if the above bounden Anne Slater as
Administratrix of all and singular such Goods Chattels and Effects of the
said Edward Whitton Deceased of this Territory do tender or cause
to be tendered a just full true and perfect Inventory of all and singular
such Goods Chattels and Effects which shall or may come into the Hands
Custody Possession or Knowledge of her the said Anne Slater or of any
other person or persons for her and that such Inventory She will well and
truly exhibit or cause to be exhibited into the Judge Advocate for the
time being or unto the Court of Civil Jurisdiction. Where as she shall be
called upon or required so to do and that she will well and truly
administer according to Law and do all such things as by the Statute in
that Care are made and required of persons taking out Letters of
Administration THEN this Obligation to be void and of nones Effect
or else to be and remain in full force. Sealed and delivered in the
presence of M. Robinson Anne Slater X Her Mark Samuel
Foster
" New South Wales I
Anne Slater Do Solemnly Swear that I will well and truly Administer
all the Goods Chattels and Effects of Edward Whitton deceased which
may cross to my Hands on his Account or be due or owing to his Estate and
received by me as Administratrix as aforesaid AND that I will pay all the
debts of the deceased Edward Whitton contracted and owing in this
Territory as far as his said Goods Chattels and Effects will go and extend
and tender a just account of my Administration to the Judge Advocate of
this Territory or to the Civil Court Whenever called upon or required so
to do.
SO HELP ME GOD ………X
Anne Slater her mark
Sworn and subscribed
before me on the July 27th 1802 Richard Atkins JA
WHITTON Farm was divided
between Mary Ann and William. The Will named Samuel Foster and John
Redman and gave both the sum of 100 pounds each. Anne received 200
pounds.
Particulars of arms in
possession of 1802 Apr 10 WHITTER, Mrs. Widow; of Hawkesbury
District
(From Colonial Secretary's
Index State Records Reel 6041; 4/1719 p.93)
MUSTER 1802-Anne Slater-
“Whittons Grant , 25 acres cleared, 16 acres sown in Wheat, 1 acres
in Barley, 10 acres ready for Maize. 10 hogs, OFF Stores 1 Woman, 2
Children 2 Female Servants.
On Hand 50 bushels of
Wheat, 60 bushels of Maize
WHITTON,
Edward1
and SLATER, Anne1
had the following children:
i.
WHITTON Jane was born in Sydney on 23rd Mar 1794
She died the same day. and was interred in St Phillips Church, Sydney,
NSW, Australia. (Infant)
ii.
WHITTON, Mary Ann2
was born c 1796in
Mulgrave Place
iii.
WHITTON, William S was born in Mulgrave Place, NSW, Australia June
8th 1799.
(BDM as William Witter -father Edward. )
He was christened in St John's, Parramatta, NSW, Australia, Sept 21st
1799.
Baptised by Rev Samuel Marsden Also called William Slater Witter.
William died about 1840, place “Unknown”
Notes: According to the Index to the Paper of the NSW Colonial Secretary
1788-1825
(Archives Authority of NSW Guide No 30)
10-9-1818 of Windsor, on list of persons to receive grants of land in 1818
(Fiche 3266 p.45 )
31-7-1824 Of Wilberforce. Memorial of William Whitton (Fiche 3116 p.241-2
)
29-10-1824 Of Minto removed from Windsor, on list of persons liable to
serve as jurors in
the District of Liverpool (Reel 6060 p.180 (iii) )
22-11-1824 Of Windsor on list of persons liable to serve as jurors in the
District of
Windsor. (Reel 6060 p.188 (iv)
In 1822 Muster - William Whitten - Landholder of Windsor.
In 1828 Census - William Whitten - herdsman for Captain Brookes - Lake
George, G Plains.
*Note: William is shown as age 20 years, where as he would be around 29
years
Sources:
1)Thanks to Raelene Treis ,
& Pauline Newell for sharing their invaluable information on Edward & Anne
2)To Ray Lane for his great
Whitton descendants web site
3)To the NSW State Archives
4) To the various Archives
& Court Records in the United Kingdom
5)1st Fleet web
sites
Descendants:
John Boyd,
bhoid48@bigpond.net.au
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