John Pattern was born c.1792 in Upwell, Norfolk, the son of Michael Pattern and Mary (née Payne).
born:
- c.1792 — Upwell, Norfolk
baptism:
- 17 September 1792 — Upwell, Norfolk
parents:
- Michael Pattern (c.1768-1828)
- Mary Payne (c.1770-1828)
siblings:
- Thomas Pattern (c.1790-?)
- Michael Pattern (c.1794-1810)
- Edward Pattern (c.1796-1869)
- Jane Pattern (c.1798-1880)
- Robert Pattern (1802-1856)
- Susanna Pattern (c.1804-1877)
- Sarah Pattern (1809-1890)
- Michael Pattern (1811-1896)
more:
- explore the surname Pattern
- view this record on Ancestry
“An Old Offender”
John Pattern (aged 31) was sentenced in March 1824 to 12 months for stealing hens from William Hunter of West Winch. In January 1826, he was charged with stealing hens from Mary Jewson of Terrington St Clement — this time he was sentenced to be transported to Australia for seven years and arrived at Tasmania aboard the Woodford on 22 November 1826.1 Records available on the Libraries Tasmania website confirm that the convict was born at Upwell.2 John’s older brother Thomas was transported for life the following year for stealing a sheep.
Curiously, a letter was sent in 1827 which claimed that John’s wife Elizabeth and their six children wished to emigrate to live in Tasmania:3
North Lynn Norfolk [..?] 1827
Sir
I am requested by Elizth Pattern (whose husband she informs me is in your service) to say, that she is very desirous to join him with her family, if it can be so arranged. There are six fine healthy children, this is to say — a boy 15 years of age, do. 13, do. 10, do. 8, and two girls, one 8, and the other 2 years old.
Elizth Pattern is clearly in the reason[?] of good character, about 40 years of age, and has conducted herself very properly since her husband has left her — she is well acquainted with the management of a dairy.
…however, there are no obvious genealogical records which support the marriage of a John Pattern (or variant spellings) to an Elizabeth (born c1887), nor could I find any baptismal records for sons born c1812/1814/1817/1819 or daughters born c1819/1825. It’s unclear from the available records if this Elizabeth and her children did join John.
Having completed his sentence (pardoned on 2 December 1834), it seems he then married Jane Brown (aged 44) on 15 September 1847 at Launceston, Tasmania, as a widower.
It’s highly likely that he is the John Pattern (aged 60) who sailed from the Australian state of Victoria to Launceston in 1852 aboard the Mariposa.
There’s also no obvious death record for John, either in Tasmania or England.
Articles
John Pattern, charged with larceny, was remanded by direction of the Court; the prisoner stating he was unprepared to take his trial, having been taught to expect it would not take place till the ensuing Assizes, which fact Mr. Amond Johnson confirmed.
Norfolk Chronicle (13 Mar 1824) — Norfolk Adjourned Sessions
Wm. Simons, aged 21, for stealing sheep skins, the property of Charles Cook; and John Pattern, aged 31, for stealing 9 hens, the property of Wm. Hunter, of West Winch, were severally sentenced to 12 calendar months’ imprisonment.
Bury and Norwich Post (31 Mar 1824) — Norfolk Assizes
John Pattern, for stealing hens from Mr. Hunter, of Lynn; guilty — 12 months’ imprisonment at Wymondham.
Norwich Mercury (3 Apr 1824) — Norfolk Lent Assizes
At the Adjourned Quarter Sessions for this county, held here on the 17th inst. before Thos. Hoseason, Esq. Chairman, Sir W. J. B. Folkes, Bart. J. Thurlow Dering, Esq. and other Magistrates, the following prisoners were tried :— John Pattern, an old offender, charged with stealing a quantity of fowls, the property of Mary Jewson, of Terrington; Henry Howes and James Howes, old offenders, charged with stealing eight pigs the property of Mr. Robert Muskett, of Boxwell; John Beales, an old offender, charged with stealing a gun, the property of Geo. Hudson, of Rougham ; James Nailor, an old offender, charged with stealing a vice, the property of Charles Wright, of Great Massingham, also with having a quantity of base money in his possession; and John Dey, charged with stealing a considerable quantity of wool, the property of Mr. Hall, of Hardwicke, were sentenced to seven years’ transportation; James Plaice and Joseph Plant, charged with being accomplices with John Dey, were acquitted.
Norfolk Chronicle (28 Jan 1826) — Norfolk Adjourned Sessions
On Friday were removed from the Castle, John Doy, John Beales, James Nailer, Daniel Husains, John Pattern, and Henry Howes, to the Hulks, at Portsmouth, each seven years.
Norfolk Chronicle (11 Feb 1826)