Person:Frederick Pointon (1)

1836 - Frederick was tried at Hertford on 17 October 1836, along with his brother Henry, and convicted of receiving 20 dozen pigeons which had been stolen by brother Henry Pointon, Charles Hill and Frederick Everett and was the property of William Irons Jnr, of Lilley, Yeoman. Their place of residence was shown as Offley. Frederick was sentenced to Life as he had at least one previous conviction. He and Henry were transported to Van Diemen's Land on "Sarah" (2). It departed from Spithead 22 December 1836 and, after a journey of 97 days, arrived 29 March 1837. There were 255 males who embarked, of whom 245 disembarked in Hobart. The Master was J. T. Whiteside and the Surgeon was James McTernan.

The information on Frederick indents includes: Trade: Able to look after horses. Height: 5' 7". Age: 21. Complexion: Fair. Head: Large. Hair: Light Brown. Whiskers: None. Visage: Broad(?). Forehead: High. Eyebrows: Light. Eyes: Blue. Nose: M Length. Mouth: M Width. Chin: Small. Remarks: Small cut on right hand, same on right arm(?), several warts on both hands. Native place appears to be listed as "Near Hitchin".

The following extracts come from "The Diary of a Village":

1834 April 1 - F. Pointon taken into custody at Hitchin market for stealing a coat at Potters Bar, the property of Walker. He was tried at Hertford Quarter Sessions and was sentenced to three weeks imprisonment and whipped; which time expired on April 28th. [Mention of this whipping is made in Victorian Lives in North Mymms, by Peter Kingsford, Chapter 7, Law and Order, where it states that people "who received the lash included Frederick Pointon for theft of a coat valued at 15s." (http://www.brookmans.com/history/kingsford4/ch7.shtml).]

1835 June 23 - Mr Parsons, who had hired the house of Mr T. Pointon, sent part of his furniture this day, being the day before Midsummer, which F. Pointon broke and behaved very disorderly. Swore Parsons should not come there. Knocked his father down. The constable was charged, whom he knocked down. Took his staff away. His brother Henry assisted him. Prepared the horse and cart for him and away they rode to Welwyn to have his hand dressed, which was cut in the affray. Here he was taken by the constables of Welwyn and Codicote, viz G. Brand of Welwyn and N. Smith of Codicote, and put into the cage, and from thence to St Albans Gaol till the ensuing Saturday to await his trial at the Sessions.

1835 July 6 - F. Pointon, at the St Albans Sessions held this day, was sentenced to seven months imprisonment.

1836 August 29 - At midnight or morning of the 30th, Frederick Pointon was taken by Batten and Spencer. and conveyed to Hitchin and examined before the magistrates, concerning the Cart which was discovered in Poolemore Lane a short time ago, strongly suspected to be laden with pigeons, intercepted on its way to Codicote by King and 3 keepers. He was remanded for further examination and on 13 September committed to Bedford Gaol, the supposed crime being committed in that County.

1836 September 29 - Henry Pointon, F. Evered and J. Phillips went through Codicote to Hertford Gaol and on Sunday, October 16th Frederick Pointon and Charles Hill were removed from Bedford Gaol to the above place for trial the following day. On October 18th Frederick Pointon and Frederick Evered were sentenced to transportation for life, and Henry Pointon and C. Hill for seven years, on the evidence of Phillips, for stealing pigeons in the Parish of Lilley in the County of Hertfordshire. The Marquis of Salisbury and Lord Dacre presided.

From the Tasmanian Convict CD, the following records relate to Frederick Pointon: Convict Number: 61936. Ship Name: Sarah. Departure Port: London. Departure Date: 22/12/1836. Arrival Date: 29/03/1837. Conduct Record: CON31/35. Description List: CON18/20. Muster Roll: CSO5/19/398. Appropriation List: MM33/6, CON27/7.

Disciplinary Record: Gaol Report: Character, very bad. Gaoled once before for stealing a coat-sentenced to 7 months. Hulk Report: Good. Surgeons report: Very Good. 19th May 1838 Insolence, admonished [Walker]. 3rd January, 1845 Misconduct, discharged [Walker]. 12th April, 1844: Class 3. 4th March 1845, Ticket of leave. 25th August 1846, recommended for conditional pardon. 23rd November 1847, Approved.

Frederick died at his daughter Ellen's home in Kindred, Tasmania.

1. ↑ Vital Records Index - British Isles - Second Edition.
2. ↑ Tas Death Reg. No. 1884/740.