Sarah (Myers) Arnott (abt. 1803 - 1832)

Born about 1803 in London, England, United Kingdom

Wife of Thomas Arnott — married 5 Feb 1827 (to 27 Nov 1832) in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Descendants

Died 27 Nov 1832 at about age 29 in Kangaroo Point, Tasmania, Australia

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Biography

Sarah was born about 1803, and her native place on her convict records names Houndsditch, London, England.

After two previous charges for petty crimes she was sentenced to transportation to Van Dieman's Land in 1821.

The newspaper report of her death (Hobart Town Courier, Friday November 30 1832,) describing the objection by her husband to an autopsy is the first written reference to Jewish Custom in Australian history.

Sentenced Old Bailey December 1820. Transportation for Life. Tried with Emanuel Lyons (q.v.) for theft. Gaol report in England "very bad". Arrived Van Diemans Land on the "Providence in December 1821. She worked as an assigned servant in Hobart Town and was sent back to womens prison home on two ocassions 22 October 1823 & 10 July 1824 for neglect of duty and insolence. She was at large for two weeks in June 1826 and was located at Kangaroo Point (where Thomas Arnott lived) and punished by being returned to prison. Married Thomas Arnott 5th February 1827, Muster records 1835 show her as "wife of Thomas Arnott". She had two children, Hannah and Priscilla. Unaware that she had died, a Ticket Of Leave was granted to her on 25th February 1845 and as she failed to attend the muster, revoked on 25th October 1853, which was erroneously applied to her records instead of to another Sarah Myers who arrived in "Lloyd" in 1845.

Sources

SARAH MYERS, theft: pick pocketing, 17 Jun 1818. 1026. SARAH MYERS was indicted for stealing, on the 12th of May, one watch, value 1l.; one chain, value 1s., and two seals, value 1s., the goods of John Mulling, from his person. The prosecutor not appearing, the prisoner was ACQUITTED. First Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Recorder.

• Proceedings of the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey), London, England

(now available online: https://www.oldbaileyonline.org)

SARAH MYERS, EDITH WATERHOUSE, THEFT : PICK POCKETING, 28TH JUNE, 1820. The Proceedings of the Old Bailey Ref: t18200628-116

TRIAL SUMMARY: Crime(s): theft : pick pocketing, Punishment Type: imprisonment, (Punishment details may be provided at the end of the trial.) Verdict: Guilty, Guilty, Other trials on 28 Jun 1820 Name search for: SARAH MYERS, EDITH WATERHOUSE, Crime Location: Whitechapel church

ORIGINAL TEXT: 837. SARAH MYERS and EDITH WATERHOUSE were indicted for stealing, on the 8th of June, one necklace, value 20 s., the goods of Thomas Sharp , from the person of Thomas Sharp , the younger . EDWARD GINGER . I am servant to Thomas Sharp , and had the care of his son Thomas, who is fifteen months old. On the 8th of June I was opposite Whitechapel church with him in my arms. Coates came and said the girls had stolen the necklace off its neck, and pointed to the prisoners - they were secured - it has not been found.

See original SARAH COATES . I live in Grove-street. I was in Whitechapel-road, between four and five o'clock in the afternoon, and saw the prisoners close behind the child. Myers attempted to take the beads off its neck, but did not. Waterhouse then went up and took them off. They both went away together. I told the boy, and they were secured. MYERS'S Defence. I stopped to look at the mob and was taken. MYERS - GUILTY . Aged 17. WATERHOUSE - GUILTY . Aged 15. Confined Three Months . First Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Common Sergeant.

COURT TRANSCRIPT SIXTH SESSION EIGHTH DAY, Thursday, 6th July 1820 837. SARAH MYERS and EDITH WATERHOUSE were indicted for stealing on the 8th of June, one necklace, value 20s., the goods of Thomas Sharp, from the person of Thomas Sharp, the younger. EDWARD GINGER. I am servant to Thomas Sharp, and had care of his son Thomas, who is fifteen months old. On the 8th of June I was opposite Whitechapel church with him in my arms. Coates came and said the girls had stolen the necklace of its neck, and pointed to the prisoners - they were secured - it has not been found. SARAH COATES. I live in Grove Street, I was in Whitechapel Road, between four and five o'clock in the afternoon, and saw the prisoners close behind the child. Myers attempted to take the beads off its neck, but did not. Waterhouse then went up and took them off. They both went away together. I told the boy and they were secured. MYERS' Defence. I stopped to look at the mob and was taken. MYERS -- GUILTY. Aged 17 WATERHOUSE -- GUILTY. Aged 15 Confined Three Months.

• Proceedings of the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey), London, England

(now available online: https://www.oldbaileyonline.org)

First Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Common Sergeant. COURT TRANSCRIPT FIRST SESSION NINTH DAY, Friday, December 15th 1820 144. SARAH MEYERS and EMANUEL LYONS were indicted for stealing, on the 24th of November, from the person of William Benton, one tobacco box, value 10d. ; one pocket book, value 6d. ; the sum of 19s. 5d. in monies numbered, and two 1l. Bank notes, his property. WILLIAM BENTON. I live in Silk Street, Cripplegate. On the 24th of November, about seven o'clock in the evening, I was coming home, and met a young girl in Wentworth Street; she took me to a house in George Yard. I had two 1l. Banknotes in a pocket book, in my side pocket, and 20s. in silver. I went to a room on the first floor; I saw Meyers in a lower room. I gave the girl 1s. and she fetched some gin; a woman came up and asked what business I had in the room, and demanded 2s. I was going downstairs, when four or five women came to me, Myers was one, they threw me on the floor, held my hands, and began to rifle my pockets; I told the women I would give them 3s. if they would not ill treat me; they took away my pocket book, and left me in the room alone, my tobacco box was safe then. I was afraid to leave the room, but intended to call the first watchman I heard. in about ten minutes the prisoner Lyons, and four men came into the room, and were going to throw me down the stairs, Lyons brought back my pocket book and put it into my pocket without the money. They said, "Damn his eyes, throw him down the stairs." They again rifled my pocket, they took out my tobacco box, and 5d. in copper and then handed me downstairs. I opened my pocket book before them, they told me to make haste down or they would break my neck. I went and found Plunket in half an hour and took him there. we found the door shut, and a padlock on it - we found Myers in the house at about nine o'clock at night. The officer took Lyons about a week later. I am sure of him. Cross-examined by MR. BRODERICK. Q. Was it not a fortnight before you saw him - A. Only a week. I went to take a cup of tea, and not for improper purposes, I was sober. JOHN PARTRIDGE. I am an officer. The prosecutor came to me about nine o'clock, and said he had been robbed by five girls, and four or five men. He took me to the house. I found Myers there - her sister keeps the house. He said she was one. I found nothing on her. RICHARD PLUNKET. I am the night beadle. The prosecutor came to me between eight and nine o'clock, and took me to the house - he gave me the same account as he has here. I found the door padlocked. From his description of the man I knew it to be Lyons, and took him on the Friday following. the prosecutor saw him next day and said he was certain of him. MYERS -- GUILTY. Aged 17 LYONS -- GUILTY Aged 23 Transported for Life. Second Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Common Sergeant

• Proceedings of the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey), London, England

(now available online: https://www.oldbaileyonline.org)

NOTES FROM PROVIDENCE 11

(Sailed from England on 13th June 1821 arrived Van Diemens Land 18th December 1821 with 103 female convicts on board.) Police Number: 30, Transported for: "larceny from the person" Convicted at: Middlesex Gaol Delivery (Old Bailey), Conviction date and sentence: 6th December 1820. Life Gaol Report: Very Bad Description Native Place: Houndsditch (London) Literacy: Cannot write Height: 4'11 1/2" Age: 17 (1821) Hair: Brown Eyes: Hazel

THE HOBART COURIER 30th November 1832

"An inquest was held on Wednesday on the death of Sarah Arnett, (sic) a Jewess, the wife of a chairmaker at Kangaroo Point, who being subject to fits, was found dead in bed. Mr Row who attended was prevented from opening the body in order to give evidence as to the immediate cause of her death, until the coroner decided that it should be so".

Edited extracts from research by David Brown and Julie Collins & others for Hobart's bi-centennary, 2003; and published accordingly.