Matilda (Trevillian) Burt (bef. 1831)

Biography

Matilda (Trevillian) Burt was a convict after the Third Fleet transported to Van Diemen's Land

Matilda Trevillian, daughter of Job Trevillian and Ann Turner, was born about 1829 at Poole in Dorset, England. She was baptised on September 18, 1831 at Langton-Matravers.^[1] Matilda had one sibling, Edward and 6 half siblings from her fathers first marriage.

Matilda's mother Ann died in 1835 and her father ,Job, was in prison more often than he was out so for these reasons Matilda and her brother where raised by a half sister, Elizabeth, aged 19, who also had an illegitimate baby of her own to raise.^[2]

On June 30, 1843 Matilda, aged 11 was sent to Dorchester Prison for trespassing in a garden and stealing for which she was to serve 3 calendar months with hard labour. In the prison admission book Matilda was described as 4ft tall, fair skin with brown hair and grey eyes.^[3]

Matilda landed back in Dorchester Prison again on February 23, 1844. This time charged with vagrancy and a disorderly manner. She was to serve one month in prison, although the discharge book shows she was released to the care of the refuge of destitute on May 6, 1844.^[4]

Matilda was arrested for the theft of a jacket and remanded in Dorchester Prison, for the third time, on August 28 1847.^[5] She was convicted at Dorset, Dorchester Quarter Sessions for a term of 7 years transportation on October 19, 1847.^[6]

Life as a Convict

From Matilda's conduct report I have been able to ascertain the facts shown in the timeline.^[9]

What Happened to Matilda

I can find no further records for Matilda, although the research continues.

Unanswered Questions

1. Did she have any children.
2. Date of death
3. Cause of death
4. Place of burial.

Sources

1. ↑ "England, Dorset, Parish Registers, 1538-1936," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KZMZ-KVS : accessed 18 Mar 2014), Matilda Trevlyon, 18 Sep 1831; Christening, citing Langton-Matravers, Langton-Matravers, Dorset, England, Record Office, Dorchester; FHL microfilm 2427434.
2. ↑ Ancestry.com. 1841 England Census [database on-line]. Original data: Census Returns of England and Wales, 1841. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives of the UK (TNA): Public Record Office (PRO), 1841. Citation: Class: HO107; Piece: 295; Book: 16; Civil Parish: Melcombe Regis; County: Dorset; Enumeration District: 4; Folio: 5; Page: 5; Line: 19; GSU roll: 241344. Matilda Trevillian, Melcombe Regis, Weymouth, Dorset.
3. ↑ Ancestry.com. England & Wales, Criminal Registers, 1791-1892 [database on-line]. Original data; Home Office: Criminal Registers, Middlesex and Home Office: Criminal Registers, England and Wales; Records created or inherited by the Home Office, Ministry of Home Security, and related bodies, Series HO 26 and HO 27; Citation: Class: HO 27; Piece: 81; Page: 238.
4. ↑ Ancestry.com. Dorset, England, Dorchester Prison Admission and Discharge Registers, 1782-1901 [database on-line]. Original data: Dorchester Prison. NG/PR 1. Dorchester, Dorset, United Kingdom: Dorset History Centre. Prisoner Register 1843-1847. Ref No. NG PR1 D2 4. Matilda Trevelyan age 13.
5. ↑ Ancestry.com. Dorset, England, Dorchester Prison Admission and Discharge Registers, 1782-1901 [database on-line]. Original data: Dorchester Prison. NG/PR 1. Dorchester, Dorset, United Kingdom: Dorset History Centre. Ref No NG PR1 D2 4.
6. ↑ Ancestry.com England & Wales, Criminal Registers, 1791-1892 [database on-line]. Original data: Home Office: Criminal Registers, Middlesex and Home Office: Criminal Registers, England and Wales; Records created or inherited by the Home Office, Ministry of Home Security, and related bodies, Series HO 26 and HO 27. Citation: Class: HO 27; Piece: 81; Page: 246.
7. ↑ Ancestry.com. Australian Convict Transportation Registers – Other Fleets & Ships, 1791-1868 [database on-line]. Original data: Home Office: Convict Transportation Registers; (The National Archives Microfilm Publication HO11); The National Archives of the UK (TNA), Kew, Surrey, England. Convicts transported; Class: HO 11; Piece: 15.
8. ↑ Ancestry.com. New South Wales and Tasmania, Australia Convict Musters, 1806-1849 [database on-line]. Original data: Home Office: Settlers and Convicts, New South Wales and Tasmania. Citation: Class: HO 10; Piece: 41.
9. ↑ Convict Conduct Report. Tasmanian Archives Online; CON/41/1/18; Trevalian Matilda; Convict No: 71449.