AUS-PT-JACKSON-CONVICTS-L Archives

From: "Richard Dyball" <>
Subject: [PJ] William Goslett. 1825.
Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2003 17:50:29 +1000

Gday All , Here is my forth convict, and my 3 great grandfather,
1806

William was born, 1806 - in or around the village of Sherston, in the county of Wiltshire, England

He was Baptised on the 2 Feb 1806 at the local Village church, Sherston Magna. He was the forth child born to Charles and Sarah. Their first born child was also named William; he died some time before 1806. So when their second son was born in 1806, they again turned to the name William.



1825

William was trailed at the Wiltshire Assizes on the 5 March 1825 for Burglary. He was found guilty and sentenced to Death. As was the normal proceedings at this time, the court could grant leniency, and change the sentence, to transportation. Though this must have happen, as William arrived in Australia, under a Life sentence - no record of his court appearance and eventual reprieve and sentence to Transportation for life, has yet to be found.



This was not the first time for William to go before the courts, in Jan of the same year 1825; he was imprisoned for 15 days for Larceny, but was discharged when found not guilty.



William Goslett was committed for trial on 11th January 1825 by order of The Court of Sessions, held at Devizes, for a FELONY committed in 6 January 1825. He was found Not Guilty, on 13th Jan 1825.



There is some suggestion, of another earlier appearance. I have yet to verify.







PPO, REEL 2772. Criminal Registers Series 2 , 1825 Norfolk - York, 1826 , A --- Gloucester HO 27/30 , HO 27/31

Name When Tried Crimes Death Transportation Imprisonment Acquittals .

Goslett William Jan Sessions Larceny -------- -------------------- 15 (days?) Not Guilty

Goslet William Lent Assizes Burglary Death -------------------- ------------- -----------------

The first record is on Page 252 of County of Wilts and the second is on page 254.





He then appears on a list, Titled "Upon Orders - County" Salisbury Sessions - 12 Apr 1825!

Showing his Death Sentence was reprieved. (The reference of which is unknown)





UPON ORDERS - County (Salisbury Sessions - 12 Apr 1825.)



Name When Convicted Crime Sentence .

William Goslet alias Gooslet Lent Assizes Burglary DEATH Reprieved



At his trial, William occupation was noted as a Hawker! The Occupational Term Hawker:

HAWKER [1] Street seller who cried his wares in town,

[2] Often applied to country peddlers as a term of abuse,

[3] Itinerant dealer who carried his wares on his back.



On the 22 August 1825, William Goslett left England for the first and last time. He left on the convict transport Marques of Hasting, departing from Portsmouth. William Oslter was the Master and Geoffrey Rutherford was the ship Surgeon. The ship had a cargo of Spirits and General Merchandise, as well as a 152 male convict.









Richard

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• [PJ] William Goslett. 1825. by "Richard Dyball" <>