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There is currently one researcher who has claimed Robert Tomlinson
Biographies
Robert Tomlinson was born in 1769 in Disley, in East Cheshire, just on the edge of the Peak District. Robert knew little of his father James as he died about the time Robert was born. Robert's mother Phoebe (nee Hardey) lived and died in Disley and died some 24 years after her son was transported to New South Wales. At sometime not recorded Robert heads to London with the skills of a 'file cutter' - making the abrasive tools called files. Robert was aged 27 when sentenced.
On 31 May 1796 Robert was indicted for "feloniously stealing" a silver watch, value 40 shillings, the property of William Thompson, in the dwelling-house of a John Harris of London. On 22 June 1796 Robert is tried for the theft of the watch in the Middlesex Recorder's Courts (2nd Jury) and convicted and sentenced to seven years transportation. It appears he was held in a prison and/or hulk before being earmarked for transport aboard the 'Canada' - on her first voyage as a prisoner transport in 1801.
The Canada departed Spithead (off Portsmouth, England) on 21 June 1801 and sailing via Rio de Janerio, arrived at Port Jackson on 14 December 1801 (a voyage of 176 days). The Canada's master on her first prisoner transport voyage was recorded as William Wilkinson and the vessel's surgeon days John Kelly did a reasonable job because only three of the 104 prisoner who embarked in England died en route to Australia. The Canada carried only male prisoners although she did carry females and children as a manifest, along with a small contingent of soldiers. The Canada departed England as a convoy of three prisoner transports - other vessels were the Nile and the Minorca.
The 403 ton Canada was built in Newcastle, England in 1801 and owned by F & T. Hurry. She carried 10 guns and a crew of 32 men. The Canada brought convicts to Australia in 1801, 1810, 1815, 1817 and 1819.
On arriving in New South Wales Robert seems to have been put to work as a file cutter and other smithy tasks. He seems to eventually settle in the Parramatta area and most contemporary records mention that as his domicile. In 1818 he granted/leased 50 acres of land in the Parramatta area. Robert had married another transported convict Sarah Lester in 1805 and the land grant record makes mention of Robert's family in the colony. Sarah and Robert had two daughters Ann (born 1806) and Phoebe (1809). Interestingly both daughters would eventually marry sons of transported convicts (the Mobbs brothers) - all from the Parramatta area.
Robert would continue in his trade and eventually took on an apprentice in his trade as a Blacksmith. He eventually died on 19 January 1845 in Parramatta, he was buried in St John's church Parramatta. Sarah predeceased Robert, dying in 1837.
Their daughters went on to produce many children bearing the Mobbs surname.
Submitted by Researcher (4393) on 2 July 2015
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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
Sentencing record - Proceedings of the Old Bailey, 22nd June 1796, page 55.
England & Wales, Criminal Registers, 1791-1892, UK PRO Record Class: HO 26; Piece: 5; Page: 81.
Submitted by Researcher (4393) on 3 July 2015
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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. |
