Edward Stepney (1855–1892)
Edward Stepney, also known as Edward Stepley (1855- )
Birth: 5 July 1855, Adelaide, South Australia, son of Edward Stepley or Stepney, cook, and Elizabeth, née Steward. Never Married. Death: 20 August 1892 at Narrandera, New South Wales. Cause of death: phthisis.
- in October 1861, with another boy, is sent to the Destitute Asylum after being found guilty of stealing items from a foundry.
- was made a ward of the state in Victoria in ????
- in January 1871 was charged with assault and robbery in Melbourne.
- Stepney absconded, with another boy, from the Reformatory ship Sir Harry Smith on 15 October 1872 in Victoria, where he was serving a five-year sentence. He had been committed on 13 January 1871. He was described as being 5 feet 4 inches (162.6cms) tall, with a coloured complexion, and black eyes and hair. The boys took a ship's boat and landed at Fisherman's Bend. (Victoria Police Gazette, 22 October 1872, p 276)
- on 14 January 1875 Stepney was charged with absconding from the hired service of John McNiff, of Redesdale, on 11 January. He was described as being 20 years old, an 'African half-caste', 5 feet 6 inches (167.6 cms) tall, with black curly hair, no beard or whiskers, thin build and had an erect gait. (Victoria Police Gazette, 19 January 1875, p 10)
- in January 1880 he was committed for trial on charge of shooting at William Viant, who was abusing Stepney's stepsister; he was later acquitted of the charge. He gave his religion as 'Roman Catholic' and his occupation as 'bushman' on his arrest form.
- on 26 June 1883 he was sentenced to three months imprisonment at Hay gaol on charge of vagrancy. He was released on 25 September 1883.
- his occupation was given as labourer on his death certifiicate.
Additional Resources and Scholarship
- is sent to the Destitute Asylum after being arrested for stealing two cigars, South Australian Register, 28 October 1861, p 3
- is charged with sleeping in the open air, South Australian Advertiser, 16 December 1861, p 3
- is sent to the Destitute Asylum after stealing goods from a foundry, South Australian Register, 8 October 1861, p 3
- Stepney and two others are charged with stealing two cash boxes and 10 shillings from a shop, South Australian Weekly Chronicle, 11 January 1862, p 1
- the two other boys are remanded for trial, South Australian Advertiser, 14 January 1862, p 3
- is remanded on a charge of assault and robbery in Melbourne, Herald (Melbourne), 6 January 1871, p 3
- was part of a gang; is sentenced to five years on a reformatory ship, Herald (Melbourne), 13 January 1871, p 2
- notice from his brother Andrew asking him to get in touch, Argus (Melbourne), 10 November 1873, p 1, column 7
- notice from his brother Andrew asking him to get in touch, Australasian (Melbourne), 6 April 1878, p 1, column 1
- is committed for trial on charge of shooting at William Viant, Adelaide Observer, 31 January 1880, p 16
- is found not guilty, South Australian Chronicle, 28 February 1880, p 11
- is fined 40 shillings for breaking a square of glass in a man's premises, Evening Journal (Adelaide), 4 August 1880, p 2
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- Stepney, Elizabeth (mother)
- Stepney, Edward (father)
- Stepney, Andrew Stuart (brother)
Citation details
'Stepney, Edward (1855–1892)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/stepney-edward-32494/text40321, accessed 9 December 2024.
Life Summary [details]
Alternative Names
- Stepley, Edward
Birth
5 July,
1855
Adelaide,
South Australia,
Australia
Death
20 August,
1892
(aged 37)
Narrandera,
New South Wales,
Australia
Cause of Death
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.
Religious Influence
Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.