James
Triffitt (born circa 1769 in Whixley, Yorkshire), son of William Triffitt
and Sarah Hingsby, was tried at the Beverley Quarter Sessions on 12th January
1789. He was charged with "...feloniously stealing and taking away one
cask containing a quantity of rum and one cork screw, from a certain building
commonly called the Grand Stand situated in a Common Pasture....."
James was sentenced
to transportation for seven years. He was transported to New South Wales
aboard the "Matilda" and in August 1791.was transferred to Norfolk
Island aboard the "Mary Ann".
On Norfolk Island
James formed a relationship with Mary Higgins (alias Mary Harrold/Herrald).
Mary had appeared
at the Middlesex Old Bailey sessions charged with stealing 37 yards of blue
silk lutestring which was found under her cloak when she left a shop in Cranbourn
Passage after purchasing several other items. She was held in Newgate gaol
until she and her young daughter, Ann, embarked on the "Lady Juliana"
on 14th March 1789. The "Lady Juliana" anchored in Sydney Cove on
6th June 1790. .
Ann, daughter of
Mary, was buried in Sydney on 18th July 1790.
Mary left Sydney
aboard the "Justinian" on 28th July 1790 to transfer to Norfolk
Island.
James Triffitt was
appointed a constable on Norfolk Island, and farmed 38 acres of land.
He and Mary Higgins
had two sons while they were on Norfolk Island, James jnr. born in 1794, and
Thomas born 1797.
James Mary and their
sons left Norfolk Island aboard the "City of Edinburgh"8th September
1808 and arrived in Hobart 2nd/5th October 1808.
James and his two
sons were granted land at Back River, near New Norfolk
James Triffitt snr.
married Mary Higgins on 23rd April 1812 at New Norfolk. By 1828 James had
moved to Emu Bottom, in the Ouse area.
James later formed
a relationship with Sophia Daniels and had another three children.
He and Sophia had
three children.
Mary Triffett, nee
Higgins, died in New Norfolk on 6th January 1834.Her age was given as
87.
James Triffett snr.
died 2nd April 1853, his death was recorded in New Norfolk