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Robert Jenkins (c. 1731–1798)

Robert Jenkins (c.1731-1798) a labourer, was found guilty (as George Brown) on 13 March 1786 at Maidstone, Kent, of stealing three linen sheets, five petticoats and two bedgowns. Sentenced to 7 years transportation, he was sent to the Ceres hulk on 13 June 1786 and was discharged to the Alexander in January 1787. He arrived at Sydney in January 1788 as part of the First Fleet.

Jenkins received a grant of 30 acres of land in the Parramatta district in May 1797. He was speared by Aborigines raiding fields of ripening maize. His burial was recorded at St John's, Parramatta on 27 February 1798.

* information from Mollie Gillen, The Founders of Australia: A Biographical Dictionary of the First Fleet (1989), p 192

Citation details

'Jenkins, Robert (c. 1731–1798)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/jenkins-robert-31363/text38812, accessed 11 October 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Alternative Names
  • Brown, Robert
  • Jinkins, Robert
Birth

c. 1731
Bromley, Kent, England

Death

26 February, 1798 (aged ~ 67)
Parramatta, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Cause of Death

spear wounds

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 Events
Key Places
Convict Record

Crime: theft
Sentence: 7 years
Court: Kent
Trial Date: 13 March 1786
(1786)

Pre-transportation

Occupation: labourer