Elizabeth Bird

c1783-1851

Elizabeth Sharp was born c1783, in Newbury, Berkshire.

Elizabeth married William Bird on the 13^th May 1810 at St Nicolas Church, Newbury (both were single)

(William was born c1780, possible baptism, St Nicolas Church, Newbury 20^th January 1780, son of William and Mary Bird)

Elizabeth and William had the following children baptised at St Nicolas Church, Newbury:

William born 17^th June 1810, baptised 26^th June 1810

John born 13^th November 1811, baptised 8^th December 1811

Henry baptised on the 6^th February 1814 (Dad a Labourer)

James baptised on the 10^th September 1815 (Dad a Labourer)

Sarah baptised on the 5^th March 1817 (Dad a Lobourer) (died aged 10, buried 19^th June 1827, at St Nicolas Newbury)

Maria baptised on the 5^th July 1818

Eliza baptised baptised on the 30^th January 1820 (Dad a Labourer)

Thomas baptised on the 15^th June 1823

Mary baptised on the 26^th December 1825 (died aged 4, buried 2^nd December 1829, at St Nicolas Newbury)

Charles baptised on the 6^th April 1828 (Dad a Labourer)

The 1815 census of Newbury records Elizabeth (31), living in Brunsdens Court, Northcroft Lane, on the west side of Northbrook Street, Newbury, with her husband William (35) (no occupation recorded) and their children, William (5), John (4) and Henry (1).

In 1835 two of William and Elizabeth’s sons were transported to New South Wales, Australia.

Their son William aged 24 and two others, David Herbert aged 23 and Robert Sprague aged 23, were found guilty of burglary and sentenced to death. 67 people from Newbury jointly petitioned for clemency on the grounds that it was David Herbert’s first offence. The sentences were commuted to Transportation for Life. UK Prison Hulk Registers and Letter Books 1802-1849 record David Herbert being received aboard the prison hulk “Leviathan” on the 5^th May 1835. David was transported to Australia on the ship “Recovery 3” leaving London on the 30^th October 1835, the ship arrived in New South Wales on the 25^th February 1836. William Bird and Robert Sprague were transported on the “England 3” which left Portsmouth on the 8^th June 1835, arriving in Australia on the 28^th September 1835, both had previous convictions.

Their son James, aged 20 and two others, John Smith and Samuel Hall, were found guilty of stealing four bushels of potatoes. John Smith and James Bird were sentenced to 7 years transportation. James was transported on the “Susan” leaving England on the 6^th October 1835, arriving in Australia on the 7^th February 1836.

On the 21^st April 1838 Elizabeth’s husband William was found guilty of stealing some potatoes, he was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment.

On the 13^th April 1839 William was found guilty of stealing a quantity of beans, he was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment.  He died aged 61 whilst serving this prison sentence and was buried on the 4^th January 1840 at St Laurence, Reading, Berkshire.

In 1841 Elizabeth (55) was working as a Nurse, she was living in Nutley’s Yard, off Bartholomew Street, Newbury, with her sons, John (30) and Thomas (15)

The 1851 census records Elizabeth (68) lodging with widower, Robert Parr (77) a Master Carpenter, in Marcha Yard, off Northbrook Street, Newbury.

Elizabeth died aged 68 in 1851, she was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 18^th August.

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