Researchers who have claimed this convict
There is currently one researcher who has claimed Robert Gregory
- Researcher (Phil Gregory)
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Biographies
Robert Gregory was born 1831 in Whitechapel, London, England to parents John and Cecilia Gregory (nee Phillips)
Robert was originally a sailor having joined either the Royal Navy or possibly the Merchant Marines in his early teens. It appears that he did not like life at sea and left, (not on good terms), after his first overseas trip.
In 1848, Robert was charged with theft from his parents home. He was found guilty of stealing a silver watch and a parrot (yes, a parrot) from his father John Gregory
Robert must have been a troublesome lad, because in the court transcripts quote Robert's father, John Gregory as stating that he had turned his son away from the home three times because he had been stealing from him.
In an interesting twist, his father John Gregory was employed as a bailiff in the Whitechapel court that his son's trial was being held.
The transcript from Robert Gregory’s trial begins with a statement from his father John Gregory. “I live at number 4 Lucas Place, Commercial Rd Stepney, London. I am one of the bailiffs in Whitechapel Court and the prisoner is my son, 17-year-old Robert Gregory.” Tough love indeed.
According to the trial records, Robert had been to sea and traveled to India. On returning to England he refused to go back to sea and took to stealing to survive. He broke into his parents’ home stole the parrot and watch, then pawned the watch and the parrot before being caught by the police. A witness in the trial stated that; “he saw Robert Gregory with the parrot stuffed down the bosom of his shirt”.
Robert was found guilty and initially sentenced to death. However this was eventually changed to transportation to Australia for 7 years as a convict
About 12 months later, Robert's younger brother George Gregory was also transported to Australia for pick-pocketing. Robert and George would eventually establish themselves in Melbourne after gaining their freedom. They would start their own successful businesses and be accepted as good citizens within the Melbourne business community. In time, their siblings Henry, Amelia, and Maria also traveled to Australia as free settlers to join them.
Robert would go onto marry Bridget O'Keefe in 1868 in Victoria. They had just the one child together a son, also named Robert who sadly died either during or not long after birth.
Robert died young at 44 on the 6th of September 1875, 6 months (to the day) after his son died. His death record states that he died of paralysis and had been suffering from it for 5 years prior to his death.
Roberts wife Bridget (O'Keefe) lived until 1921 (94yo). It appears that Robert owned a number of houses at the time of his death because Bridget's income for the rest of her life was from receiving rent for houses around Richmond that she owned.
Robert is buried in Melbourne General Cemetery. MGC-COE-Comp-DD-No-681.
Submitted by Researcher (Phil Gregory) on 22 June 2022
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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 11/16, p.240
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