Sarah Wells (c. 1786–1829)
Sarah Longhurst (c.1786-1868), a servant, was found guilty on 16 September 1812 at the Old Bailey, London, of stealing four shirts valued at 20 shillings. She was described in court proceedings as 'Mrs. Longhurst'. Sentenced to 7 years transportation, she arrived at Sydney aboard the Wanstead in January 1814, the same ship as her future step daughter-in-law Catherine Lattimore. She was on the list of convicts sent to the Female Factory at Parramatta.
As Sarah Longest she married Robert Wells on 6 June 1814 at St John's, Parramatta; both signed their names with an 'x'. They seem to have separated by 1825 when Sarah applied for permission, as Sarah Longust, to marry John Bevan (Atlas). In 1828 she worked as a washerwoman in Thomas Garritty's household.
Sarah Wells was buried on 24 September 1829 at Parramatta; her age was given as 38.
* information from Biographical Database of Australia — https://www.bda-online.org.au
Additional Resources
- proceedings of trial, Old Bailey, London, 16 September 1812 (pdf)
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- Wells, Robert (husband)
Citation details
'Wells, Sarah (c. 1786–1829)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/wells-sarah-31128/text38515, accessed 1 September 2024.
Life Summary [details]
Alternative Names
- Longhurst, Sarah
- Longust, Sarah
- Longest, Sarah
Birth
c. 1786
Death
23 September,
1829
(aged ~ 43)
Parramatta, Sydney,
New South Wales,
Australia
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.