Josiah George Swift Perks

M, #681, b. 22 January 1808, d. 1 May 1871

 
Josiah George Perks
Photograph provided by Peter Cribbin

Father*Richard Millington Perks b. 1769, d. 13 Oct 1842
Mother*Ann Snape b. 1770, d. 25 Apr 1839
Josiah George Swift Perks|b. 22 Jan 1808\nd. 1 May 1871|p681.htm|Richard Millington Perks|b. 1769\nd. 13 Oct 1842|p14442.htm|Ann Snape|b. 1770\nd. 25 Apr 1839|p14443.htm|||||||||||||

ChartsPedigree Chart for Robert Mote
Descendant Chart - Richard Millington Perks
Relationship3rd great-grandfather of Robert Mote.

Birth*Josiah George Swift Perks was born on Friday, 22 January 1808 at Cannon Street Meeting House - baptist, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England.1 
He was the son of Richard Millington Perks and Ann Snape. 
BaptismJosiah George Swift Perks was baptized in 1808 at Cannon Street Baptists, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England.2 
Nickname Josiah George Swift Perks was often called George. 
Description* Josiah George Swift Perks was described as five feet five and a half inches tall, had a pale complexion, sandy hair and dark hazel eyes. 
Name Variation Josiah George Swift Perks was also known as George Swift Perks as mentioned in the newspaper account of his trial and some of his convict records. 
Criminal*He was tried and sentenced, at the age of 18, to life imprisonment at the Warwick Assizes for larceny in a dwelling house. He had two previous convictions. 
Newspaper*He was mentioned in an article in the Warwick Advertiser, England, on Saturday, 29 July 1826 as follows: George Swift Perks, Isaac Swift and William Yendell were convicted of entering the dwelling house of Elizabeth Hanson in the daytime and stealing therefrom.3 
(Convict) VoyageHe was a convict aboard The Ship Marquis of Hastings which sailed from Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, on Wednesday, 18 April 1827 and arrived in Sydney Cove, NSW on 31 July 1827 with 168 male convicts. The Master was John Jeffrey and the Surgeon was Gilbert King. 
Education*The "Principal Superintendent of Convicts' Printed Indents" states that George had no religion and could neither read nor write. The muster aboard the Marquis of Hastings (2) of 1st August 1827 by the Colonial Secretary states that he was Protestant and could read and write. 
Occupation*Josiah George Swift Perks was assigned to Reverand Thomas Hassall in 1828 at Macquarie Grove, NSW, Australia, as a Blacksmith as he had been a steel toymaker in England. 
OccupationJosiah George Swift Perks was employed by Reverand Thomas Hassall as a Blacksmith in 1829 at "Denbigh", Cobbitty, NSW, Australia.
Residence*Josiah George Swift Perks and Isabella Ann Shelbourne are believed to have moved circa 1832 to James Hassall's property, Pudman Creek, NSW, Australia. 
Marriage*Josiah George Swift Perks married Isabella Ann Shelbourne, daughter of John Shelburne and Ann Killroy, on Monday, 12 March 1832 at Place of Worship, Bathurst, NSW, Australia, by John Espy Kearne, Chaplain, Church of England. They had to make a formal application to the Government for permission to marry by banns. The ceremony was conducted by John Espey Keane, Chaplain of the Church of England, Bathurst. At the time of their marriage George had been in the colony for five years and was 24 years of age. Isabella had been in the colony for two years and was 28 years old. 
Freedom*Josiah George Swift Perks received his certificate of freedom on 31 May 1835 after serving nine years of his Life Sentence. He was required to remain in the District of Bathurst. 
Information*George Perks was paid £7-10-0 on 7 December 1859 and £2-14-6 (cheque No. 18) on 24 April 1861 by James Gorham. These payments appear in the Cash Book maintained by James Gorham of Gunnary Creek.4 
Death*He died on Monday, 1 May 1871 at Burrowa, NSW, Australia, at age 63. His death was registered at Burrowa on 29 May 1871.5,6 
Burial*He was buried by the undertaker, William Keating on 2 May 1871 at Langs Creek, NSW, Australia.6 
InformationThe 1885 Parliamentary Index of Landholders in NSW records that Josiah George Perks owned 470 acres of land near Young. 

Family

Isabella Ann Shelbourne b. 1805, d. 7 Dec 1870
Children

Citations:

  1. [S46] International Genealogical Index (IGI).
  2. [S693] Christopher Perks, "The Perks Family," e-mail to Robert Mote, October 2007.
  3. [S219] Pauline E Sullivan, "Trial of George Swift Perks," e-mail to Robert Mote, March 2001.
  4. [S57] Desmond C Gorham, The Gorham Family on Gunnary Creek.
  5. [S2] Index of BDM records, NSW BDM, Place of Registration: Burrowa, Registration Year: 1871, Registration Number: 2941 - It is registered in the NSW BDM Index under George Perkinson but appears as George Perks in the Register.
  6. [S6] Marilyn Rowan, "Transcription of B, D or M," transcription to Robert Mote, Ref No: 1871/2941.