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Samuel Lyon ASHER arrived in Sydney on the ship 'James Pattison'on 25th October 1837

Samuel's parents were William and Elizabeth ASHER. Samuel was a Lacemaker in Nottingham until arrested at 19 years of age on 17 Mar 1837 and transported for 14 years at Nottingham Quarter Sessions. He was tried and charged with four other men and found guilty of stealing a coat valued at 2 shillings, a pair of gloves, a gimblet and a ball of twine from the Fishpond Gardens of Nottingham Castle. On a second indictment they were also found guilty of stealing a coat, a pair of gloves, a pair of shoes and a cap from a private garden. Evidence was provided by the Innkeeper of the 'Sign of the Huntsman', a Nightwatchman and owners of the stolen property. Although character references were accepted by the court, the Jury was advised that each defendant had a record of previous convictions. Samuel departed from Sheerness, at the mouth of the Thames River on 16th July 1837 on the ship "James Pattison". He arrived in Sydney on 25th October 1837. Trial Place was Surrey.

He was Granted a 'Ticket Of Leave' in 1844 and married Ann Bowden, then living at Dora Creek in NSW, on 6th February 1845 at Cooranbong, with the Governor's consent, since Samuel was still a convict at that time, and signed with his 'x' mark. He received a Conditional Pardon on 1 Nov 1848, as a result of his good conduct. However, he had not collected this Pardon nearly two years later when a notice appeared in The Sydney Morning Herald on 22 Jun 1850 advising of same.

Samuel was 5ft 3/4 inches tall, with a dark, ruddy and freckled complexion. His hair was dark brown and he had brown eyes.
During their ten year marriage, Ann and Samuel had six children. The first two being born at Newport (Dora Creek) and the remaining four were born when the family lived in Perkins Street, Newcastle (nearly opposite The Victoria Theatre),
Children :
i George Leyon ASHER, b. 24 Apr 1845 married Matilda RANDALL and resided in New Zealand.
ii Frank ASHER b. 18 Jul 1846 married twice (1) Alice Maria ROTHWELL and secondly to Rebecca OSBORNE.
iii Samuel William ASHER b. 17 Apr 1848, our direct ancestor married Mary WEBSTER.
iv Alfred ASHER b. 22 Jul 1850 married Sarah BIRKBY.
v Rosa Louisa ASHER b. 18 Aug 1852 married Christopher FAWCETT.
vi Catherine ASHER, b. 27 Mar 1855 in Perkins Street, Newcastle, NSW. She married Robert A CROPLEY.

Samuel died tragically in 1855 when he fell from his dray and dislocated his spine whilst taking a dray of goods to the racecourse. He lived for 12 hours though paralysed.
ASHER INQUEST Before J.E. STACY, Coroner on 26 Jul 1855 : Misadventure. Newcastle Mercury Newspaper 1 Aug 1855.

Samuel was most likely buried at the Cemetery of Christ Church Cathederal, where burials were carried out from 1802 to 1881, as Sandgate was not established until this time. Unfortunately these graves were desecrated and the headstones removed

Article Source: http://www.familyhistoryarticles.com

Soures : 1. Taylor & Ashdown Family Genealogy. 2. Newcastle Public Library Collection Parish Register (Reference :Mfm LH13)Official : Edward Rogers. District : Brisbane Waters. Parish : Gosford. County : Northumberland. 3. IGI Individual Record FamilySearch™ International Genealogical Index v5.0 British Isles (batch C044873 1813 - 1816 0504071 Film 0883656 Film) 4. Old Bailey Trial Records.

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