A convict on the First Fleet Family
Robert Sidaway was christened at St. Leonards, Shoreditch on 5th February 1758, son of John Sidaway and Elizabeth (nee Cook). He had an older brother, John, an older sister, Elizabeth, two younger sisters Ann and Charlotte and a younger brother James.
Bad beginnings
He began a 3 year sentence of hard labour on a Thames Hulk for robbery in June 1778, a crime for which he insisted that he had been framed. The stolen goods had been considerable, and the keys to the house of the owner were found in Sidaway’s pocket. “They got the keys somewhere on purpose to get £40 by us” (A prisoner at a 1783 trial would accuse a witness with saying “he would serve me as one Sidaway was served”.)
Released in June 1781 Robert Sidaway was again indicted in his absence for a theft for which he was acquitted in April 1782. On 11th September 1782 he was sentenced to 7 years transportation for theft of a Deal box containing clothing from the York Coach at the Cross Keys in Wood Street. Robert Sidaway set off on the Mercury for Georgia in America on the 2nd April 1784 along with 179 other convicts. The convicts rose against the crew beyond the Scilly Islands, but were forced to turn back because of bad weather. The Mercury was found at Torbay, where 66 of the convicts were retaken. Altogether a total of 108 are known to have been recaptured, two of whom were hanged. Robert Sidaway did escape but had been badly wounded (possibly a shot in the arm by the Ship’s Doctor) in the mutiny and was recaptured, spent time in hospital and tried in Exeter on 24th May, 1784. He was remanded to his former orders of transportation.
Robert Sidaway was held on the Dunkirk Hulk moored in Portsmouth, conditions there were very bad. He was reported as behaving on the Hulk “remarkably well”.
Transportation to Australia
Robert Sidaway embarked on the Friendship 11th March 1787. This was part of the First Fleet of 11 ships sailing from Portsmouth to New South Wales to establish a penal colony, on board the ships were 1487 people, including some 780 convicts. Robert was put in irons for a month for what was designated as impudence to a Marine Officer, his reputation as a “daring Valinous fellow” following his early day at Port Jackson, (Sydney). The Fleet arrived at Port Jackson on 26th January 1788.
Robert Sidaway was listed as aged 28 and by trade a watchcase maker and born in Middlesex.
Life in Australia
From this point on Robert Sidaway seems to have redeemed him or been misjudged for earlier conduct. He was Baker for the commissary and shared a hut with John Ryan. In 1792 he was given a conditional pardon and in 1794 the pardon was made unconditional, “in consideration of his diligence, unremitting good conduct and strict integrity in his employment as the public baker of the settlement”.
In 1796 Robert Sidaway opened the colony’s first Theatre in Bell Row. Reported in the Saunders Newsletter 12 September 1797 (not entirely accurately) Sidaway is now. … in a state, comparatively of great respectability. He has a contract for serving the colony with bread he has a perpetual grant from the Government of several hundred of acres of land which he cultivates, keeps the best of house of public entertainment in the place and lastly has erected a theatre, of which he is the manager.” In 1897 he had a licence for the Chequers Tavern.
Partnership with Mary Marshall
During the whole time since landing at Port Jackson Robert Sidaway’s name is linked to Mary Marshall (1757 – 1849), they lived as husband and wife. Mary Marshall gave evidence at the trial in November 1789 of Ann Davis for stealing clothing and goods from the house of Robert Sidaway and is listed as a co-habitué with him. Ann Davis was the first women hanged in the colony for this offence.
In October 1806 The Sydney Gazette applauded Robert Sidaway and Mary Marshall for the care they had given to a 17 year old paralysed and mentally afflicted orphan, Elizabeth Mann. They were noted for their kindness and generosity.
Robert Sidaway died 15th October 1809, said aged 52. “A true philanthropist and a valuable member of society in which he was universally respected.”
Administration of his estate was granted to Mary Marshall, but her petition in January 1810 to be granted his lease in Sydney as his residuary legatee having lived with him for nearly 20 years was annotated by Governor Macquire as “inadmissible”.
Mary Marshall subsequently took a lease on a town lot on Pitt Street on 20th October 1809 from where she operated a public house.
Mary died on 29th April 1849, her age given as 93. She was buried in Sydney Burial Grounds, Elizabeth Street. Her will dated 1st July 1843 made her chief beneficiary Thomas Bray, her executor and his children to whom she left a house in Pitt Street, Sydney and 30 acres of land near Newtown, known as Siddaway Farm.
Some facts taken from Historical Records of Australia, series 1, vol 1; P. McGuire
See also Old Bailey website for transcripts of trials.