Ann (Downes) Wilkinson - Foulcher, Convict "Northampton" 1815

CRIME FOR WHICH TRANSPORTED: Lancaster Gazette - Saturday 03 September 1814 Three were 57 prisoners committed for trial, their names and offences are as follows: Ann Downs, having paid to J. Pearson, at Liverpool, several forged ban notes. (Ann Paul, and rachel Sladen also on “Northampton” were tried at the same sittings also for passing forged notes.. Ann paul passed then to the same victim as Downs)

1814, 17 November - wrote from Deptfod on board “Northampton’ before departure, petitioning Bank of England for financial support. Joint letter with Ann Paul who was in Lancaster Castle with her. Each woman received £5. [M5/314%E2%80%9315: 23 Mar., 23 Sept., 22 Nov. 1814].

The letter stated that Ann Downs left four children behind in England.

NSW MARRIAGES Ann, despite her domestic position back in England, quickly married in NSW. She realised due to her age and the nature of NSW, she needed protection.

JOHN WILKINSON John Wilkinson had arrived in 1800 on “Royal Admiral”, then aged 30. He was tried in 1799 at Salford in Lancaster (10 April 1799) , and so had the same regional background as Ann Downs. 7 year sentence. In 1810 he had a child with Sarah a son named John Wilkinson also.

When John Wilkinson died in March 1818, Ann Downs/Wilkinson wasted no time in marrying again. She also quickly ditched her step-son, John Wilkinson Junior, aged only 8 - 9years, into the orphanage.

She remarried to Robert foulcher exactly four mnths later. She sent young John Jnr off to the male orphan school on 1 January, 9 months after his father’s death. The boy was still therein 1825 at teh age of 14 before being apprenticed out.

This then left the Foulchers to play happy famiiies. James in the 1820s became a publican, of the “Native’s Companion” in Parrramatta (note “Native’ then meant the white people born in NSW ) and had a young wife and child. Husband Robert was ablacksmith, but had lad and assigned convict servants.

Ann Downs died in 1833, being recorded as aged 67, which was consistent with her age given n arrival, nit the understated 1828 Census.

Robert Foulcher died in 1838 “age 77”

John Wilkinson Jnr went on to do very well in life, farming at Molles Main and heading further south into NSW as the land opened up.