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ANN
"BROOKS" (circa 1762-1813)
Ann Brooks was tried for the burglary of a quantity of clothes from a room in Drury Lane in April 1787. She was described as living in a court off Parker Lane and supporting a small child by dealing in old clothes at the Rag Fair. The arresting constables took her to the court where she lived and allowed her to call out to some women who brought the child to her. She was released from custody the same night through humanity, she having a child. The jury found her not guilty and she was discharged. William,
son of William and Ann Brooks, was baptised at St. Mary's. Whitechapel
in July 1786.
On
12th December 1787 Ann Brooks was again before the court of the
Old Bailey. A shopkeeper of High Holborn said he had noticed Ann
and another woman acting suspiciously. When he pursued and caught
them they were carrying a pair of sheets that had been hanging on
the landing upstairs. Ann Brooks was found guilty of stealing and
sentenced to transportation for seven years.
Ann
spent fifteen months in Newgate gaol before she was discharged with
her son, William, to board the 'Lady Juliana" at Woolwich on
12th March 1789 to travel to New South Wales. Two months after their
arrival at Port Jackson Ann and William were transferred to Norfolk
Island aboard the "Surprize".
Ann
Brooks gave birth to a son, Richard,
25th April 1791. Richard later used the surname Larson/ Larsom/Larsome,
but was often recorded under the name of Lavender (as were the other
children of Ann Brooks), the reason has never been found, but it
is presumed to have come from somewhere in Ann's family, often appearing
as a second name in following generations.
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