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Edward Hughes (c. 1806–1866)

Edward Hughes (c.1806-1866), shoemaker & cow boy, was found guilty of highway robbery on 24 March 1820 at the Warwick Assizes. His death sentence was commuted to 14 years transportation. Hughes arrived at Sydney aboard the Ocean in September 1823 after being incarcerated in Warwick Prison. The gaoler's comment regarding his behaviour was the word 'bad'. According to convict records 5 feet 3 inches tall, with a florid complexion, flaxen hair, and grey eyes.

Hughes was sent to Hyde Park Barracks where he was employed to make shoes for the government. In 1832 he was assigned to James Walker to work on Walker's property at South Creek. On 4th April 1833 he married Mary Deering at Parramatta. The couple moved to James Walker's property Wallerawang at Lidsdale, where Hughes continued his occupation as a shoemaker. He was granted his freedom on 22 May 1840. He later bought his own farming property.

Edward Hughes died on 2 July 1866 at Black Springs, New South Wales. His age was given as 65 and cause of death as influenza.

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Citation details

'Hughes, Edward (c. 1806–1866)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/hughes-edward-33848/text42396, accessed 19 September 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

c. 1806
Staffordshire, England

Death

2 July, 1866 (aged ~ 60)
Black Springs, New South Wales, Australia

Cause of Death

influenza

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.

Passenger Ship
Occupation
Key Places
Convict Record

Crime: highway robbery
Sentence: death
Commuted To: 14 years
Court: Warwickshire
Trial Date: 24 March 1820
(1820)

Pre-transportation

Occupation: shoe/boot maker

Post-transportation

Children: Yes (14)