Alexander Hewitt (abt. 1777)

Born about 1777 in Nantwich, Cheshire, England

Husband of Jane (Starkey) Franch — married 1 Jul 1797 (to before 1814) in Manchester, Lancashire, England

Descendants

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Convicts After the Third Fleet 1792-1868

Biography

Alexander Hewitt was born in Cheshire, England.

Alexander Hewitt was a convict after the Third Fleet.

Alexander HEWITT ^[1][2]

Alexander was born in 1777 in Cheshire, England. His Baptism was recorded in the St. Mary on the Hill Chester Parish Register of Baptisms & Burials, 1776-1812: 1777 May 28 Alexander, son of Alexander Hewett, weaver & Jane his wife.^[3][4]

He married Jane Starkey on 1st July 1797 in Manchester Lancashire England, at St Mary, St Denys and St George (Manchester Cathedral). Witness to marriage Henry ???. ^[5][6]

Marriage

In 1798 Alexander was charged and aquitted of stealing four pieces of fustian from a bleaching ground at Manchester, co-accussed was George Russel who was condemned to be executed from the crime.^[2]

On 13 January 1801 Alexander was convicted at Chester and sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing a quantity of salt from the works of Mr Naylor at Northwich. ^[7]After spending time on the prison hulk 'HMS Captivity' in Langston Harbour he was transported to New South Wales per "Glatton" arriving on March 11 1803, on the same ship as John Sherwood. ^[8]

When his wife Jane Hewitt nee Starkey (1776-1842) arrived in the colony in 1806 Alexander was assigned to a ‘P Hibbs’. ^[9] This is believed to be Peter Kenny Hibbs a first fleeter who in 1804 was granted 100 acres on the Hawkesbury River. Daughter Jane was born in the colony soon after in 1807.

After his 7 year sentence expired in 1808, Alexander was granted his Certificate of Freedom on 1 March 1811.^[10]

On Jan 16th 1810, Alexander Hewitt, Jane Hewitt his wife, John Brown, John day and Nicholas McCarthy were charged with stealing a copper, the property of the Crown. The court awarded that Alexander Hewitt and John Day should be committed to gaol to take their trial before a court of criminal jurisdiction. John Brown, Nicholas McCarthy and Jane Hewitt were discharged.

Alexander and Jane initially worked for Peter Hibbs at Richmond, but after their separation (not sure when??) Alexander moved to Sydney and is listed as a tin man.

In 1812, he appeared in a court of civil jurisdiction relating to a promisory note of Thirty two pounds, 6 shillings and threepence.

Believed to have separated from wife in about 1814 and was recorded in the 1814 Population Muster as a fisherman.

On 18 April 1816, Alexander married Sarah Elias at Castleraegh. Witnesses Robt and Mary Roe.^[11]Probably the wife of James Smith who arrived per "Friends" and was residing in the same household as Alexander in 1814, however this is unclear. Other theories are that she may be Sarah Adey who married John Elias of the 46th Regiment in Gloucestershire in 1802. To confuse matters further, Jane Hewitt nee Starkey was still recorded as the wife of Alex Hewitt in the 1816 Female Convict Muster. Also of interest is that Mary Roes maiden name is believed to be Smith.

On 27 Jan 1821 Alexander joined the Royal Navy as crew on HMS Dauntless and employed as the Armourer. Prior to this Alexander had deserted the Dauntless and a reward was offered for his apprehension.^[12] He was arrested and later discharged from Sydney Gaol on 4 May 1822.^[13] Alexander departed Sydney on HMS Satellite and he was transported back to the East Indies to rejoin the HMS Dauntless. He later transferred to HMS Liffey and HMS Madagascar on 5th March 1823.^[2] It is understood he travelled with the Madagascar to England and was 'paid off', returning to his homeland after 21 years.

The fate of Alexander is unknown.

Sources

1. ↑ John Chilstone, Michael Weston and Veronica Williams established this profile.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Alexander Hewitt, Convict, Sailor and Rapscallion; Research of S. Cribb, Aug 2019
3. ↑ Jane Starkey - Convict, Rebel and Pioneer, Research of S. Cribb, July 2018
4. ↑ St. Mary on the Hill Chester Parish Register of Baptisms & Burials, 1776-1812: 1777 May 28 Alexander, son of Alexander Hewett, weaver & Jane his wife.
5. ↑ Manchester, England, Marriages and Banns, 1754-1930 (Cathedral) (Provo, UT, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013), www.ancestry.com.au, Database online.
6. ↑ New South Wales, Australia, Settler and Convict Lists, 1787-1834 (Provo, UT, USA, Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007), www.ancestry.com.au, Database online.
7. ↑ Chester Chronicle, Friday 23rd Jan 1801.
8. ↑ Australian Convict Transportation Registers \u2013 Other Fleets & Ships, 1791-1868 (Provo, UT, USA, Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007), www.ancestry.com.au, Database online.
9. ↑ New South Wales and Tasmania, Australia Convict Musters, 1806
10. ↑ New South Wales, Certificates of Freedom 1810-1814.
11. ↑ Registers of Christ Church, Church of England, Castleraegh 1814-1914
12. ↑ New South Wales, Australia, Colonial Secretary Papers, 1788-1856, 10 Apr 1822.
13. ↑ New South Wales, Australia, Colonial Secretary Papers, 1788-1856, 4 May 1822.

• Genes United, Internet, Elaine Rogers, 2008.
• Genealogy reports, CRIBB Thomas - Descendant chart, Provided by Mick Willis, 2008.
• Australia Marriage Index, 1788-1950 (Provo, UT, USA, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010), www.ancestry.com.au, Database online.