Walter Batley (c. 1760–?)
Walter Batley (c.1760- ), a bricklayer, was found guilty on 29 October 1783, at the Old Bailey, London, of stealing a large quantity of navy clothing from a shop.
Sentenced to 7 years transportation to America he was among the prisoners who mutinied on the convict transport Mercury in April 1784. Recaptured, he was sent to the Dunkirk hulk until he embarked for Sydney aboard the Friendship in March 1787. The ship arrived at Port Jackson in January 1788 as part of the First Fleet.
Batley married Martha Baker on 21 February 1788 at Sydney Cove. The couple were sent to Norfolk Island on the Supply in November 1789. By May 1790 Martha was living with Samuel Mobbs. Batley returned to Port Jackson on 7 February 1793 and settled on a grant of land at Liberty Plains where he worked as a bricklayer. He was robbed by an employee of some clothing in 1795. No later records have been found.
* information from Mollie Gillen, The Founders of Australia: A Biographical Dictionary of the First Fleet (1989), p 27
Additional Resources and Scholarship
- proceedings of trial, Old Bailey, London, 29 October 1783 (pdf)
Related Thematic Essay
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- Batley, Martha (wife)
Citation details
'Batley, Walter (c. 1760–?)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/batley-walter-30046/text37283, accessed 31 December 2024.
Life Summary [details]
Alternative Names
- Batley, Walton
- Rouse, Walton
- Rouse, John
- Rouse, Walter
- Rowse, Walton
- Rowse, John
- Rowse, Walter
- Rous, Walton
- Rous, John
- Rous, Walter
- Batly, Walter
Birth
Cultural Heritage
Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.