The Farthing Family
THOMAS WRIGHT, WILLIAM FARTHING, THEFT: PICK POCKETING, 15 SEP 1813.
THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE OLD BAILEY REF: T18130915-92
TRIAL SUMMARY:
917. THOMAS WRIGHT and WILLIAM FARTHING was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 24th of July, a silk handkerchief, value 3 s. the property of Benjamin Parkes, from his person.
BENJAMIN PARKES. On the evening of the 24th of July, about half past nine, I was in the Strand, between the New Church and Clement's-lane. I felt some one behind me at my pocket. I turned round and observed the prisoner's (Farthing's) hand in my pocket. I had a silk handkerchief in my pocket at that time.
Q. At that time did you see the other prisoner - A. I did, he was on the left of Farthing, and in order to let them pass I looked into a shop; they passed me and proceeded forward two or three doors; I had a full view of the prisoners; I am certain they are the same men that was behind me when I felt Farthing's hand in my pocket. I then passed them. They followed me. I did not observe that until a little time afterwards, when I felt some one behind me again. I looked round; the prisoner, Farthing, was on my right hand, and Wright on his left hand, the same as before. Soon afterwards I felt a hand in my pocket; my handkerchief was there then, and when I felt two doors further my handkerchief was gone. I immediately turned round when my handkerchief was gone, and the prisoners were gone. I then went back to Temple-bar; I saw two officers; I told them the circumstance, and that I could swear to my handkerchief. They went after the prisoners. I saw them searched; my handkerchief was found upon Wright.
Q. They were together when you found them - A. They were.
JOHN THOMAS. On this evening I was in company with Alverando; we apprehended the prisoners between the New Church and St. Clement's church. They were together. We searched them; in Wright's hat there was found two cotton handkerchiefs, and in his pocket three silk handkerchiefs. This is the handkerchief the prosecutor claimed.
Prosecutor. This is my handkerchief.
- ALVERANDO. I am an officer. I was with Thomas. I can only corroborate what he has said.
Wright's Defence. I leave myself to the mercy of the court.
Farthing's Defence. What Mr. Parkes says is very wrong. Wright and I were not together.
WRIGHT, GUILTY, aged 21.
FARTHING, GUILTY, aged 19.
Transported for Life.
Second Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Justice Dampier.
William Farthing, born c.1794, arrived as a convict on the “Somersetshire” 16-10-1814. He married Mary Ann Wilkinson 20-2-1820 at Castlereagh, N.S.W. She was born 4-4-1803, the daughter of Sarah Coleman, a convict who arrived 18-7-1798 on the “Britannia”, and George Wilkinson, a member of the crew (married 16-4-1799 in Parramatta). Sarah Coleman later married Thomas Salmon, a convict who arrived 16-2-1813 on the “Archduke Charles”. William received a colonial conviction and served his sentence at Port MacQuarie. He died 13-10-1841 in Greta N.S.W.
Issue:-
Mary Ann formed a relationship with James Smith, born 15-8-1771 Manchester England, a convict who arrived on the “Speke” 18-5-1821.
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The elder James later formed a relationship with Mary Ann Hall, the sister of Sarah's husband, John.
Sarah Farthing, born 4-9-1824 married John Hall 25-5-1840 at Wollombi.
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Singleton Argus 27-1-1916.
During the past few days the hand of death has fallen rather heavily upon the district - no fewer than four persons having passed away. Two of the deceased being of ripe old ages and two children of tender years. No doubt the extreme hot weather is, in some measure, accountable for the passing away of those far advanced on life's journey, and those entering it.
On Tuesday morning Mr. John Hall, aged 74, died of heart trouble in Dangar Cottage Hospital, to which institution he was admitted on Thursday last. Deceased, who was a brother of Mr. William Hall of Hunter Street, Singleton, was born at Branxton and was unmarried. In the early days he was engaged as a teamster at Broke and 35 years ago he left for Queensland, where he followed various occupations. During the past 17 years he had lived at Scone, being in the employ of Bakewell Bros. Of St. Albans. Failing health caused him to be an inmate of Scone Hospital for 12 months and eight weeks ago he came here on a visit to his brother when again he had to enter hospital. The interment took place yesterday at the Church of England Cemetery.
John Hall remarried 18-7-1855 to Margaret McLeod, born 1835 Snizort, Skye, arrived 5-12-1852 on the “Ontario”.
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