Hockley Convict Records
Compiled by Darlene Heal
 
While searching the British Newspapers for the surname Hockley at Findmypast.com, I kept coming across individuals who were sentenced to transportation, and couldn't resist digging deeper.  The following is a list of Hockley's who were convicted of a crime in England and transported to Australia to serve their term.  The details below have been extracted from the original transport records, and newspaper articles about their convictions.  All the images were copied from the Findmypast.com website. 
 
Most of the departure dates (below) are from the Convict Records website.  This site has one other Hockley listed, James Hockley, March 16, 1842 on the Surrey.  However, further research indicted the name was either Stockley or Shockley.
 
The newspaper bits definitely add some valuable details about these individuals!  So tell me, with these new details are you able to claim one of these men for your branch of the Hockley tree? 
 
If you have corrections, notations, or details which you would like to add to our Hockley Convict page contact us!   
 
"Royal Admiral" 1792
 
SAMUEL HOCKLEY
Date Convicted:  July 14, 1791  
Where Convicted:  Cambridge (Town of) Session  
Crime:  Stealing a piece of hempen cloth.  
Sentence:  7 years  
Age:  20?     
Name of Ship:  Royal Admiral  
Convict Arrival Date:  October 7, 1792 Sidney, New South Wales  
Indentured to:    
Employment:  Butcher at George Street, Sidney
Date and Place of Birth:  About 1771 (Death index gives birth as 1766 - 93 years of age)     
Date of Death:  February 7, 1859
Parents:  
History: 
 
The British Newspaper Archive
"CAMBRIDGE July 15 . . . . . At our quarter sessions yesterday, Samuel Hockley, of Bumpstead Helion in Essex, was found guilty of stealing a piece of hempen cloth, the property of William Mason of this place: the officers of the parish to which he belonged declaring him to be a person of notorious bad character, and dangerous to be let loose upon the community, the court sentenced him to be transported for 7 years."
The National Archives, London, England
New South Wales and Tasmania: Settlers and Convicts 1787-1859
Dorothy Warwick wrote (May 7, 2015):  This document is from the 1828 Census. 
The National Archives, London, England
New South Wales and Tasmania: Settlers and Convicts 1787-1859
The National Archives, London, England
New South Wales and Tasmania: Settlers and Convicts 1787-1859
The National Archives, London, England
New South Wales and Tasmania: Settlers and Convicts 1787-1859
The National Archives, London, England
New South Wales and Tasmania: Settlers and Convicts 1787-1859
The National Archives, London, England
Convict Transportation Registers 1787-1870
 
The National Archives, London, England
New South Wales and Tasmania: Settlers and Convicts 1787-1859
 
New South Wales Will Books 1800-1952
State Records Authority of New South Wales, Australia)
Daughter - Sarah wife of John Smithe
Son - John Samuel Hockley (Died December 22, 1882)
Grandson - Joseph Smith

Thanks to Dorothy Warwick for the help in sorting out the young John Hockley who was listed in two of the convict  documents with Samuel!  John Samuel Hockley was born in Australia, and was not transported on the "Royal Admiral."

"Albion I" 1827
 
JAMES HOCKLEY (1800-     )
Date Convicted:   6th April 1826 
Where Convicted:  Middlesex G. B.   
Crime:  For stealing goods in dwelling-houses from the value of fifty pounds to forty shillings.  
Sentence:  Life  
Age:  26  
Name of Ship:  Albion (1)  
Departure Date:  September 21, 1826  (www.convictrecords.com.au)
Convict Arrival Date:  February 14, 1827  New South Wales 
Indentured to:  
Date and Place of Birth:  About 1800  
Parents:  
History: 
The Morning Post, April 14, 1826, Pg-3 , Col-1 (London, London, England)
"OLD BAILEY SESSIONS, THURSDAY, APRIL 13—SENTENCES.  The Sessions having concluded, the Recorder took his seat on the Bench at two o'clock, and proceeded to pass the awful sentence of the law on the following prisoners:— Death— . . . . . , for a robbery in a dwelling house; James Hockley, for a like offence;"
 
Bell's Life in London and Sporting Chronicle, April 16, 1826, Pg-2, Col-1 (London, London, England)
"OLD BAILEY. . . . . The whole of the prisoners having been tried, those who were convicted were on Thursday brought up before the Recorder to receive their sentences.  At the commencement of the Sessions, there were three hundred and eighty-nine prisoners for trial.  The following thirty-six persons, who were convicted of capital offences, received sentence of death, viz: . . . . . Jas. Hockley . . . for stealing goods in dwelling-houses from the value of fifty pounds to forty shillings.
 
The Sussex Advertiser, April 17, 1826, Pg-2, Col-4  (Lewes, East Sussex, England) 
"OLD BAILEY, Thursday, April 13.  The whole of the trials having been disposed of, the Recorder, at two o'clock, proceed to pass the awful sentence of death on the following 36 unhappy convicted individuals, viz.— . . . John Hockley, . . . for stealing in a dwelling house."
[After examining all the different newspaper articles about this event, it appears in this one, they recorded James as John, likely an error?]
 
Cambridge Chronicle and Journal, April 21, 1826. Pg4, Col-6  (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England)
"OLD BAILEY SESSIONS.  At the conclusion of the Old Bailey Sessions, on the 13th inst., the Recorder passed the awful sentence of death on the following 35 prisoners:— . . . . . , for a robbery in a dwelling-house; James Hockley, for a like offence;"
The Northampton Mercury, April 22, 1826, Pg-1, Col-2 (Northampton, Northamptonshire, England)
"Old Bailey Sessions, April 13—Sentences—The Sessions having concluded, the Recorder took his seat on the Bench at two o'clock and proceeded to pass the awful sentence of the law on the following prisoners:— Death— . . . . . , for a robbery in a dwelling house; James Hockley, for a like offence;"
 
Jackson's Oxford Journal, May 6, 1826, Pg2, Col-3  (Oxford, Oxfordshire, England)
"THE RECORDER'S REPORT.—At the Council held yesterday, the Recorder of London made his Report to the King, of the following prisoners under sentence of death in Newgate—namely, . . . . . James Hockley, 26;"
Berkshire Chronicle, May 06, 1826, Pg-2&3, Col-5  (Reading, Berkshire, England)
"THE RECORDER'S REPORT.—At the Council, held yesterday, the Recorder of London made his Report to the King of the prisoners under sentence of death in Newgate, as follows—namely, . . . . . James Hockley, 26;"
 
"THE RECORDER'S REPORT.—At the Council held yesterday, the Recorder made his report to the King, of the following prisoners under sentence of death in Newgate—namely, . . . . . James Hockley, 26;"
 
Transport 1
New South Wales and Tasmania:  Settlers and Convicts 1787-1859
The National Archives, London, England
Name:  James Hockley
Ship:  Albion (1)
Year of Arrival:  1827
Sentence:  Life
Transport 2
Convict Transportation Registers 1787-1870
The National Archives, London, England
Name:  James Hockley
Where Convicted:  Middlesex Gaol delivery 
When: 6th April 1826
Term:  Life 
Transport 3
New South Wales and Tasmania:  Settlers and Convicts 1787-1859
The National Archives, London, England
Convicts Name:  James Hockley
Ship Name:  Albion (1)
Arrival Year:  1827
Where Convicted:  Middlesex G.B.
When Convicted:  6 April 1826
Sentence:  Life
State: New South Wales
"Marquis of Hastings" 1828
 
JOHN HOCKLEY
Date Convicted:  April 17, 1828  
Where Convicted:  Southampton (Portsmouth Borough Quarter Session)  
Crime:  Stealing two sets of fire irons.  
Sentence:  7 years  
Age:  28  
Name of Ship:  Marquis of Hastings 
Departure Date:  June 27, 1828  (www.convictrecords.com.au)
Convict Arrival Date:  October 12, 1828  
Indentured to:  Arch. Bell, St Helliers, New South Wales (Segenhoe?) 
Employment:  Painter
Date and Place of Birth:  About 1800 
Parents:  
History:
 
"Portsmouth, Saturday, April 19, 1828. . . The General Quarter Sessions for this Borough were held on Thursday last, before Edw. Carter, Esq. Deputy Mayor (the mayor being absent from indisposition), Wm. Selwyn, Esq. Recorder, Daniel Howard, James Carter, and David Spicer, Esqrs. Justices, when the following prisoners were tried and sentenced:— Charles Briggs, for stealing a pelisse, the property of James Taylor, of Portsea;  John Hockley, for stealing two sets of fire irons, &e, the property of Thomas Patterson, of Portsea,—seven years transportation each. ." 
[This was a hard item to locate. . . back to the transport records . . . searched for Charles Briggs, who was sentenced the same date and place, and BINGO, there it was!!]
The following is also a John Hockley of Portsea, but two years earlier. . . Same John?  First strike, five months sentence, second strike, seven years transportation?  Maybe?:
Hampshire Chronicle, April 10, 1826, Pg-1, Col-5 
"Portsmouth Sessions . . . John Hockley, for stealing dishes and plates from Charles Crassweller, at Portsea—five months imp."
Transport1
The National Archives, London, England
New South Wales and Tasmania: Settlers and Convicts 1787-1859
Transport 2
The National Archives, London, England
New South Wales and Tasmania: Settlers and Convicts 1787-1859
Transport 3
The National Archives, London, England
Convict Transportation Registers 1787-1870
"Andromeda II" 1833
 
EPHRAIM HOCKLEY
Date Convicted:  March 10, 1832
Where Convicted:  Cambridge Assizes
Crime:  Breaking into a cellar and stealing beer. 
Sentence:  Death (Life)
Age:  19
Name of Ship:  Andromeda II
Departure Date:  November 13,1832  (www.convictrecords.com.au)
Convict Arrival Date:  March 11, 1833 
Indentured to:  Thomas Thompson , Pennant Hills, New South Wales, Australia
Date and Place of Birth:  Baptized July 26, 1812 in Grantchester, Cambridgeshire, England
Parents:  Thomas Hockley and Susannah Collis
History:  Lived out life in Australia. Married Isabella Lawson at Hunter's Hill, NSW in 1842; had six children.
 
Courtesy: Denis Hockley (March 2001)
 
Cambridgeshire Lent Assizes - EPHRAIM HOCKLEY
The British Newspaper Archive
Convict Transport Registers 1787-1870
The National Archives, London, England
 
New South Wales and Tasmania:  Settlers and Convicts 1787-1859
The National Archives, London, England
 
New South Wales and Tasmania:  Settlers and Convicts 1787-1859
The National Archives, London, England
 
 
 
"Lord Lyndock" 1833
 
JAMES HOCKLEY (1813-     )
Date Convicted:  July 15 or 16, 1832  
Where Convicted:  Buckingham Assizes - Quarter Session  
Crime:  Robbery (Picking the pockets of W. Hall)   
Sentence:  14 years  
Age:  19 (21 years on arrival)  
Name of Ship:  Lord Lyndock  
Departure Date:  May 30, 1833  (www.convictrecords.com.au)
Convict Arrival Date:  October 18, 1833 
Indentured to:  (Dr. McWellar Sr.?), St. Vincent, New South Wales 
Date and Place of Birth:  About 1811  
Parents:  
History:
 
"BUCKS MIDSUMMER ASSIZES. . . Edward Wears, aged 24, and James Hockley, aged 19, were charged with robbing W. Hall, a shoemaker, of Colnbroke, of 5s. 1d. in May last. . . . The Jury found both prisoners Guilty.  Sentence-14 years' transportation.
 
The Northampton Mercury, July 28, 1832, Pg-4, Col-4  (Northampton, Northamptonshire, England)
"Bucks Assizes – The business of the Norfolk Circuit commenced on Monday se'nnight at Buckingham, before Lord Chief Justice Tindale and Mr. Justice Gazelee, the former presiding in the Criminal and the latter in the Nisi Prius Court. . . . . . Edward Wears, 24 & James Hockley alias Parkins, 19, for stealing 5s. in silver from the person of W. Hale."
Transport 1
New South Wales and Tasmania:  Settlers and Convicts 1787-1859
The National Archives, London, England
Convicts Name:  James Hockley
Age:  21 
Name of Ship in which they arrived:  Lord Lyndock
Year of Arrival:  1832
Where Tried:  [BLANK]
Transport 2
Convict Transportation Registers 1787-1870
The National Archives, London, England
Name:  James Hockley
Ship:  Lord Lynedock
Date of Arrival:  May 30, 1833
Where Convicted:  Bucks Quarter Session
When: 16th July 1832
Term:  14 years
 
Transport 3 
New South Wales and Tasmania:  Settlers and Convicts 1787-1859
The National Archives, London, England
Convicts Name:  James Hockley
Ship Name:  Lord Lyndock
Arrival Year:  1833
Where Convicted:  Buckingham Ass.
When Convicted:  July 15, 1832
Sentence:  14 years
State: New South Wales
By minute of the Gov.
Transport 4
New South Wales and Tasmania:  Settlers and Convicts 1787-1859
The National Archives, London, England
Date of Arrival:  October 18, 1833
Name:  James Hockley
Ship:  Lord Lyndock
Sentence: Fourteen
How disposed of:  Dr. McWellas Sr., St. Vincent
 
"Lord Auckland" 1844
 
RICHARD HOCKLEY
Date Convicted:  March 20, 1844  
Where Convicted:  Cambridge Assize  
Crime:  Endeavouring to assist a prisoner to escape from custody of constables.   
Sentence:  7 years transportation  
Age:  18  
Name of Ship:  Lord Auckland  
Departure Date:  July 13, 1844  (www.convictrecords.com.au)
Convict Arrival Date:  November 15, 1844, New South Wales  
Indentured to:  
Remarks:  P. B. Hobart
Date and Place of Birth:  Possibly baptized May 25, 1825 at St. Andrews the Less, Cambridge  
Parents:  Possibly John and Sarah Hockley  
History:  Unknown.  Did Richard return to England after his seven year sentence? 
[Butcher - Died 1900 at 78 years. www.convictrecords.com.au]
The British Newspaper Archive
The Cambridge Independent Press, Saturday, March 30, 1844, Pg-4, Col-3
ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE—CAMBRIDGESHIRE
SATURDAY. (BEFORE LORD ABINGER.)
ATTEMPTING A RESCUE.—Richard Hockley (18), Elijah German (22), and Henry Saggers (21), charged with endeavouring to assist Charles Greenland to escape from the custody of the constables, who held him on a charge of felony.—Hockley pleaded Guilty, the other two prisoners Not Guilty.—Mr. O’MALLEY, for the prosecution, said it was a case of rather an uncommon occurrence.  It was an indictment under the statute 16, Geo.II.  At common law, if a man rescued a felon, he became an accessory.  The statute before mentioned enacted that if any one assisted a prisoner in custody under a warrant, in which he was charged with felony in attempting to escape, whether the prisoner was guilty of the charge or not, and though he was not actually rescued, the person so assisting such prisoner should be guilty of felony, and be transported for seven years.  The policeman, Simpson, Larkins, and Finch, of the Cambridge police force, had in their custody Charles Greenland, charged with stealing two fowls (whose case was reported last week and who was transported for life).  The policemen were taking him to the borough gaol under a warrant of commitment.  When they got near the University Arms, Greenland slipped his handcuffs, and ran down a lane on to Parker’s Place.  The prisoners were there.  The police recaptured Greenland.  Saggers said to Greenland, “Chinkey, don’t go; it’s a safe _ag; give it them; you are sure to be lagged (transported); Saggers tripped up the heels of policeman Finch, and attempted to rescue the prisoner.  German threw dirt at Simpson, and pulled Larkins off Greenland.  There was a great deal of disturbance, but they did not succeed to effecting the rescue.—The jury convicted the prisoners, and the learned JUDGE observed upon the lawless and violent conduct of the prisoners, and upon the necessity of upholding the laws of executing justice, and of preserving the peace.  He said the law left him no option, but directed him to pass a sentence of transportation for seven years, which he did not think a severe sentence, and he ordered them to be transported for seven years accordingly.  He intimated that an application would be made to the Queen to mitigate the sentence of Hockley.
 
The British Newspaper Archive
The Cambridge Chronicle and Journal, April 13, 1844, Pg-2, Col-4
REMOVAL OF CONVICTS.—Wm. Bishop and Charles Greenland, for life; Thomas Hard, for 15 years; Richard Wells and Jno. Smith, for 10 years; Henry Saggers and Elijah German, for 7 years, were removed from the borough gaol on Tuesday last and placed in the Millbank prison.  Richard Hockley, who was also sentenced to 7 years transportation at the late assizes, was not able to be removed in consequence of indisposition.
The National Archives, London, England
Convict Transportation Registers 1787-1870
 
The National Archives, London, England
New South Wales and Tasmania:  Settlers and Convicts 1787-1859
 
The National Archives, London, England
New South Wales and Tasmania:  Settlers and Convicts 1787-1859
 
"Lady Palmyra" 1846
 
GEORGE HOCKLEY
Date Convicted:  January 9, 1846  
Where Convicted:  Southampton, Portsmouth Boro' Quarter Sessions  
Crime:  Felony (Thief of two silver watches and gold chain from a pawnbroker's window display.)  
Sentence:  7 years  
Age:  
Name of Ship:  Lady Palmira [Palmyra]  
Departure Date:  March 4, 1846  (www.convictrecords.com.au)
Convict Arrival Date:  August 22, 1846 at Van Diemen's Land  
Indentured to:  
Date and Place of Birth:  
Parents:  
History:
The British Library Board
Hampshire Advertiser, December 27, 1845, Pg-6, Col-6
"DARING ROBBERY. - George Hockley . . . "
 
The National Archives, London, England
Convict Transportation Registers 1787-1870
 
 
"Eden" 1849
 
JOHN HOCKLEY
Date Convicted:  March 8, 1847     
Where Convicted:  Essex Lent Assize, Chelmsford, Essex, England  
Crime:  Highway robbery at Romford, Essex  
Sentence:  8 years transportation  
Age:  20  
Name of Ship:  Eden     
Departure Date:  September 30, 1848  (www.convictrecords.com.au)
Convict Arrival Date:  January 21, 1849 at Van Diemen's Land or Port Phillip   
Indentured to:  
Date and Place of Birth:  About 1827  
Parents:  
History:  Unknown.  Did John return to England after his eight year sentence?
 
The British Library Board
The Chelmsford Chronicle, January 29, 1847, Pg-2, Col-6 (Chelmsford, Essex England)
HIGHWAY ROBBERIES AT ROMFORD. . . . . Their names are John Hockley and James Joyce, well known characters in Brentwood.  They were examined before O. Mashiter, Esq. at the Romford Bench, on Wednesday, and fully committed for trial at the assizes."
 
The British Library Board
The Essex Standard, January 29, 1847, Pg-2, Col-3 (Colchester, Essex England)
"CHELMSFORD . . . . HIGHWAY ROBBERIES. . . . —On Tuesday a case of a similar, but still more aggravated, nature was brought before the same magistrate by Superintendent Coulson, in which William Joyce and John Hockley were charged with robbing two waggoners named William Dolby and William Harvey, upon the highway between Romford and Brentwood.  The prosecutors are both in the employ of Mr. Parke, of Buttsbury, and were on their way from London about 11 o'clock on Saturday night, when one of the prisoners seized and held his hand over Dolby's mouth, while the other took four or five shillings from his pocket, at the same time threatening that, if he made any noise, they would blow his brains out.  They then ran to the other  waggon, in which William Harvey was asleep, and, after attempting to force a handkerchief into his mouth, also robbed him of 12s.  The thieves, thinking he had the money for the hay he had carted to London, used violent threats to compel him to give it up; but, luckily, Mr. Parke, who had been that day in London, had taken charge of it himself. Superintendent Coulson, on receiving information, promptly took measures for discovering the robbers, and, on Monday, succeeded in apprehending them.  Both Harvey and Dolby being positive as to the identity of the prisoners, they were fully committed for trial."
 
The British Library Board
The Ipswich Journal, January 30, 1847, Pg-2, Col-7 (Ipswich, Suffolk, England)
[Another report of the highway robbery with subtle differences.]
 
The British Library Board
Trial of John Hockley and William Joyce.
 
The British Library Board
The Essex Standard, March 12, 1847, Pg-3, Col-5 (Colchester, Essex England)
Trial of John Hockley, a bit different from the one in The Chelmsford Chronicle, same date.
 
The British Library Board
The Essex Standard, March 19, 1847, Pg-4, Col-4 (Colchester, Essex England)
"ESSEX LENT ASSIZE . . . . . John Hockley, for highway robbery, at Romford, eight years transportation."
 
The British Library Board
The Essex Standard, April 02, 1847, Pg-2, Col-2 (Colchester, Essex England)
"CHELMSFORD . . . REMOVAL OF CONVICTS.—The following prisoners, sentenced at the last Assize for this county to the undermentioned terms of transportation, were on Monday last conveyed from Springfield Goal to Milbank Prison: . . . —Eight years: John Hockley. . . . . "
 
The British Library Board
"The following transports were on Monday last removed from the convict gaol, Springfield to Millbank Prison: . . . for eight years, John Hockley; . . . "
The National Archives, London, England
Convict Transportation Registers 1787-1870
 
Compiled by Darlene Heal
 
Hockley Family History Site
Posted:  May 1, 2015
Updated:  May 12, 2015
 
 

 

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