SHONE FAMILY —THE CONVICTS

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown] SHONE FAMILY —THE CONVICTS

Three brothers, William Shone (1785-?) ; Thomas Shone (1789-1862); Robert Shone (1797-1831), were convicted and transported to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania Australia).

The information below has been researched by John Shone, New Zealand, a descendant of Robert Shone (1797-1831).

1817:
July - [Entry No.] 37 [ - ] William Shone, aged 31, born in the parish of Stanton [upon Hine Heath], a butcher - Condemned and Reprieved. Charged upon oath with feloniously stealing, on the 15th day of July, 1817, a black mare, the property of George Reynolds, from a field, in the parish of Harley: committed until the Assizes, the 18th day of July, 1817, by the Rev. M. P. Stephens, Clerk. (Ref: England/Shropshire Archives/Quarter Sessions/Calendar of Prisoners, 1817. Bundle 40/...?)

William was sentenced to 14 years, then sentence commuted to 7 years. He received a free pardon April 25, 1822.

1826:
Cheshire - The Jurors for our Lord the King upon their Oath present that William Shone late of the Parish of Audlem in the County of Chester Labourer and Richard Shone late of the same place Labourer on the Eighteenth day of October in the Sixth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Fourth by the grace of God King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Defender of the Faith with force and arms at the parish of Audlem aforesaid in the County aforesaid one Heifer of the price of Ten Pounds of the Goods and Chattels of The Right Honourable Francis Earl of Killmorey of that part of the United Kingdom called Ireland then and there being found then and there feloniously did steal take and drive away against the peace of our said Lord the King his Crown and Dignity. Both plead not guilty Jury - Both Guilty Judgment Death. (Ref: England/The National Archives/Palatine Court of Chester, Indictment/Class: CHES 24/1)

There is a full write-up on the trial in several newspapers including: (Ref: The Chester, Cheshire, and North Wales Advertiser, April 5, 1826/www.findmypast.co.uk)

Stanton, Audlem, Harley - Yes, William did get about the place! But it's him alright - no doubting. And then to Van Diemen's Land!!

1837:
June - SUPREME COURT - CRIMINAL SIDE. Before His Honor (sic) Mr. Justice Montagu and a Military Jury. THURSDAY, JUNE 1.
His Honor attended at the Court-house this morning at 10 o'clock. The Court was opened and immediately adjourned, and all the parties having business at the present sessions ordered to give their attendance at the Police-office, to which place the Court then removed. William Shone and James Price were placed at the bar, charged with stealing one bullock, the property of Samuel Guy, of New Norfolk; another count charged them with feloniously receiving the beast knowing it to have been stolen. Mr. Horne appeared for the prisoner Shone, whose defence was that two men, whose names he did not know, brought the bullock to his house, and he bought it of him (sic). His Honor considered there was no case against Price, he was therefore acquitted. Shone was found guilty and sentenced to be transported for life. His Honor stating, that it was the intention of the Government to send all prisoners convicted of cattle stealing either to Port Arthur or Norfolk Island. (Ref: The Colonial Times, June 6, 1837/www.trove.nla.gov.au)

William served some time at Port Arthur! (Seems misbehaviour was his thing!)

July - [Stamp] RECEIVED POLICE OFFICE July 3, 1837.
Back River
1st July 1837
Sir,
My brother William Shone of the Back River who has just been sentenced to transportation for life, for cattle stealing, was before the time of his conviction indebted to me as follows - For two years rent of a Farm at £25 p[er] Ann[um] 50..0..0 Balance due on the price of a Grey Horse Sold to him by me at £30 £20..0..0 Balance due on a Bill for £26 accepted by me in favor (sic) of Mr Chas. Baker for a horse Sold by him to my Brother £10..0..0
[Total] £80..0..0
My brother previous to his late conviction held a Ticket of Leave and was set up on the farm where he lived, and might have done well altogether at my expence (sic) - When he was taken up he owed about £70 besides my claim and I proposed to Mr. Arthur and Capt. Gardiner the Magistrates by whom he was committed for trial to pay all his debts if I might be allowed to make the best of his property - but this was refused
[Page 177] and the whole sold at a great sacrifice before he was put on his trial [underlined in pencil]- I was [underlined in pencil] informed that his debts would be paid as far as the property would attend.
I now understand that there is not Sufficient property to pay the Debts tho' I have not a doubt I could have made more than enough had I sold it to the best advantage and Capt. Gardiner informs me that the whole must be handed over to Government -
I therefore take the liberty of stating my case to you, and requesting that directions may be given for Payment of my Brother's just Debts. And if his property is more than sufficient for that purpose I hope I shall be allowed the value of a Bullock (worth £15) which I gave him about two years ago, which has been sold with the rest of his effects.
I have the honor (sic) to be
Sir,
Your most humble obedient Servant
[Signed] Thomas Shone

I request the Police Magistrate will be so good as to report fully upon this case for the information of the government - Mr Arthur had better see Mr Shone and explain to him where he is in error in his letter as marked in pencil, and also to acquaint him that he has no claim whatever legally to any portion of this money.
The P[olice] Magistrate
New Norfolk
[Signed]
3rd July 1837

1848:

September - FROM THE HOBART TOWN GAZETTE, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1848.
CONVICT DEPARTMENT. September 23, 1848.
It is hereby notified, that His Excellency has received a despatch from the right honourable the secretary of state, conveying her Majesty's approval of pardons being granted to the undermentioned persons, upon condition that they shall not return to or be found within the countries in which they were severally convicted, or the united Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland during the remaining term of their transportation: - ...; William Shone, [Ship] Woodford; ...
(Ref: The Launceston Examiner, September 30, 1848/www.trove.nla.gov.au)

1850:

June - MISCELLANEOUS SHIPPING. The following testimonial has been presented to the captain and officers of the Wigeon, by the passengers:
Sydney, 16th of May, 1850.
Dear Sir, - We, the undersigned, passengers in your vessel to California, consider it a duty which we owe to ourselves to say, that during the hurricane which we encountered on the 27th of April, of a character so dreadful that the stoutest among us trembled for the awful fate that was before us, you faced the danger like a true British sailor; and the example you and your officers set us, and with God's blessing, we have arrived safely into a friendly port. We therefore tender our best wishes for future prosperity, and sincere thanks for the kindness and attention to us and our families, at all times, since we have been on board of your ship.
[Signed] ..., Johnson Dean ...T. A. Shone[,] William Shone, ...
To the Captain and Officers of the brig Wigeon.
(Ref: The Colonial Times, June 14, 1850/www.trove.nla.gov.au)

May - The brig 'Wigeon' left Hobart Town on the 26th ultimo, bound for San Francisco, with a general cargo and passengers. On the 27th, when off Cape Pillar, the wind blowing very hard from south-west, the vessel running under close-reefed maintopsails, broached to the wind, and was thrown on her beam ends; the mainmast was then cut away just in time, as the vessel was fast settling down. After much exertion they succeeded in getting her before the wind. She is now in Sydney, and it is supposed she will be obliged to discharge her cargo and undergo repairs. They had to throw upwards of fifty tons of cargo overboard; and the drift of the sea drowned two horses and twelve sheep, as well as all the live stock they had on board. - Ibid.
(Ref: The Cornwall Chronicle, May 29, 1850/www.trove.nla.gov.au)

June - NEWCASTLE SHIPPING. DEPARTURE. June 17. The barque Sacramento, 368 (sic) tons, Capt. Morey Tucker, for San Francisco. Steerage Passengers - ..., Thomas Shone, W. Shone, ...
(Ref: The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser, June 19, 1850/www.trove.nla.gov.au)

1851:
January - Census Schedule. Schedule I. - Free Inhabitants in on the Middle F[or]k. of American River in the County of Eldorado State of California enumerated by me, on the 31st day of Jan. 185Ø1 ["0" is crossed out]. C. L. Coffinberry. Ass't Census Agent Marshall.
Dwelling-houses numbered in the order of visitation: 14
Families numbered in the order of visitation: 14
The Name of every person whose usual place of abode on the 1st day of June, 1850, was in this family:
Wm Shone
Age: 64
Sex: Male
Color: [blank]
Profession, occupation, trade of each male person over 15 years of age: Miner Value of Real Estate owned: [blank]
Place of Birth naming the State, Territory, or Country: England
Married within the year: [blank]
Attended school within the year: [blank]
Persons over 20 years of age who cannot read or write: [blank]
Whether a Pauper, Convict, Deaf or Dumb: [blank]
Average value of each miners daily product: $ 4.00
Page # 482/963
Entry # 34
(Ref: United States. Census Office. 7th Census, 1850. NARA Series 2491/Roll No. 34, California, El Dorado County. Page 962/www.familysearch.org)

And this is where the trail goes cold as to the ultimate fate/whereabouts of William Shone. His brother Thomas returned to Tasmania; but as for William?? I suspect William lived out his last days in and about California as, under the 'laws' pertaining to convict transportees - pardoned or otherwise - he would not have been legally entitled to return to England - nor would there have been reason to after so long an absence from the land of his birth. There is no evidence William returned to Australia. And likely his wife (in Wolverhampton) was long since dead by this date. His only (known) child, Richard, a butcher, (never married) had long since been pardoned and was resident in Wolverhampton where he died in 1865.

Postscript:

Re: Richard Shone (son of William)

1826:
April - [Page:] 303. Joseph Moulton et al. Pardon. George R.
Whereas the following Persons were at the last Great Sessions holden for the County of Chester, tried and Convicted of the Crimes hereafter mentioned, and had Judgement of Death recorded against them for the same Vizt. Joseph Moulton of Lamb Stealing, Richard Shone of Cow Stealing, Samuel Boothby of shooting at one Thomas Hancock with intent [Page:] 304
to do him some grevious bodily harm... We in consideration of some Circumstances humbly represented unto Us are Graciously pleased to extend Our Grace and Mercy unto them, and to Grant them Our Pardon for their said Crimes on Condition that the said Joseph Moulton, Richard Shone... be imprisoned and Kept (sic) to hard labour in the House of Correction for the said County, the said Richard Shone for Two Years, and the said Joseph Moulton... for Six Calendar Months each... Our Will and Pleasure therefore is that you do give the necessary directions accordingly. - And for so doing &c, 29 April 1826.

To Our Trusty and Welbeloved (sic) Our Justices of Gaol Delivery for the Chester Circuit, The High Sheriff of the County of Chester, and all others &c.
By H.M. Command
Robt. Peel
(Ref: England and Wales/Crimes, Prisons & Punishment, 1770-1935/Prison Registers/Correspondence and Warrants/Home Office, Class: HO13/Piece 46/303-304/www.findmypast.co.uk)