Stanton Collins, Alfriston Smuggler

[Pete]

Reputed to be leader of the Alfriston Smugglers gang Stanton was sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing barley at his trial on the 10th December 1831. He departed Portsmouth April 28 1832 (some records show different dates in May) on the Lord Wiilliam Bentinck and arrived in Hobart, Van Dieman’s Land on 27th of August 1832 along with 185 other convicts including 51 “lifers”. He left a wife, Catherine, and 2 children in England. His records show him to been well behaved and only one offence recorded against him-that of being in a public place after hours on April 3rd 1835. He was released in 1841. He is said to have returned to England but I have not found any records to prove or disprove this, however US Census for 1850 shows a Stanton Collins(54 yrs) Cathy Collins (48 years) and Stanton Jr  (24 years )-all English born at Syracuse NY State. His trade is illegible. His son was baptized 18bSeptember 1826 at Alfriston and father's trade is give as butcher although the wife is named as Keturah.US immigration records show the family of 4 arriving on The Victoria in 1844, the fourth member being Keturah Jnr aged 20

[Pete]

TNA has this:
HO 17/64/27
Description:   
Prisoner name: Stanton Collins.

Prisoner age: 35.

Prisoner occupation: Butcher from Alfriston.

Court and date of trial: Sussex Winter Assizes at Lewes on 12 December 1831.

Crime: Stealing barley from Thomas Jenner of Litlington [Sussex].

Initial sentence: Seven years transportation.

Gaoler's report: Character bad; in Van Diemen's Land.

Annotated (Outcome): Nil.

Petitioner(s): J R Kemp MP. James Collins and Mary Collins, prisoner's parents and John Collins, Caleb Collins, Mark Collins, brothers and Elizabeth Waters and Catherine Collins, sisters and John Waters undersigned by 56 people from the Alfriston neighbourhood.

Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): Previous good character; good conduct in prison; good conduct since transported to Hobart Town where master places great trust in him; before committed offence had started drinking and led astray by bad company.

Other papers: Extracts of letters sent from prisoner 1832-1833 in Hobart Town to parents saying how well he is doing in the colony. Certificate confirming good conduct from Thomas Ancell, keeper of House of Correction at Lewes. Letter from Kell and Son forwarding family petition. Letter from Mr Billingham to Mr Davey. Letter from Mr Gage against mitigation of sentence because prisoner is part of a gang of smugglers.

Additional Information: The convict worked for Edward Mannington, miller and dealer in Hobart Town.