Janet (Angus) Schofield (abt. 1802 - 1848)

Born about 1802 in Perth, Perthshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Wife of James Schofield — married 1828 in St Aubin's Station, Scone New South Wales, Australia

Descendants

Died 30 Nov 1848 at about age 46 in Bolwarra, New South Wales, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Susan Scarcella [send private message]

Biography

Janet (Angus) Schofield was a convict after the Third Fleet.

http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/GENANZ/1998-12/0914990020

http://www.convictrecords.com.au/convicts/angus/janet/111693 Janet Angus

Janet Angus, one of 109 convicts transported on the Midas, 22 July 1825

Name, Aliases & Gender

Name: Janet Angus Aliases: none Gender: f Birth, Occupation & Death

Date of Birth: 19th September, 1802 Occupation: - Date of Death: 30th November, 1848 Age: 46 years Conviction & Transportation Sentenced to Life Crime: Theft Convicted at: Perth Court of Justiciary Sentence term: Life Ship: Midas Departure date: 22nd July, 1825 Arrival date: 17th December, 1825 Place of arrival New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land Passenger manifest Travelled with 108 other convicts References: Primary source: Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 88, Class and Piece Number HO11/5, Page Number 283 (143) Source description: This record is one of the entries in the British convict transportation registers 1787-1867 database compiled by State Library of Queensland from British Home Office (HO) records which are available on microfilm as part of the Australian Joint Copying Project.

Sue Scarcella on 4th October, 2013 wrote:

Janet Angus (1802-1848) 1. Susan Margaret Scarcella 2. Barbara Florence Trenerry 3. Rita Irene Florence Alterator 4. Margaret Schofield (3) b 1876 Scone NSW Aust d 1965 Sydney Aust m John William Alterator 1895 Scone NSW Aust. 5. James Glendenning Schofield 1875 Scone NSW Aust. m Euphemia Tole(4) b 1854 Wollombi NSW Aust d 1903 Scone NSW Aust. 6. William Schofield b 1829 Gammon Plains NSW d 5th September 1901 Quirindi NSW m Margaret Spencer(3.3) 1850 Maitland NSW d 21st May 1904 Quirindi 7. James Schofield b 1796 Ipswich SFK UK arr 1821 “Earl St Vincent” CONVICT m Janet Angus(3.4) b Perth SCT b 09 Sep 1802 bapt 28 Nov 1802 arr 1825 “Midas 3” CONVICT d November 30th 1848 East Maitland NSW AUS 8. Andrew Angus bap 19 Dec 1773 Forgandenny PER SCT (son of David/Angus Angus m Isabel Ruthven ) m Catherine Menzies b 23Jan 1771 Perth SCT bap 24 Jan 1771 Perth, PERTH SCT d aft 1825) 9. James Menzies m Janet McGregor 04 Dec 1767 Perth,Perth,Scotland Janet Angus was the daughter of Andrew Angus and Catherine Menzies who married on 18th December 1793 in Kinnoul Parish, Perth SCT. The baptisms of two children have been located but there many have been others. They are: 1. James born 17th January 1800 Forgandenny Parish Co Perth to Andrew Angus Labourer at Prossie’s North-Gate and Catherine Menzies, his wife. Baptised 19th January 1800 by Rev. Mr Dunbar. 2. Janet, born 19th September 1802 Perth Parish Co. Perth to Andrew Angus, late servant to William Sandeman and Company of Lunkarty and Katharine Menzies his wife. Baptised 28th November 1802 by Rev. Duncan McFarlane of the Gaelic Chapel of Perth. This entry may indicate that Janet’s father had died. Certainly, there is no mention of him throughout her trial and he seems to have been absent during her childhood. Janet, known as Jess, attracted the attention of Judge Forbes at the age of seven. Judge Forbes, in a letter to her last trial judge, described her as a habitual criminal, “Training up for the gallows”. Janet, had, at first, engaged in petty theft, then risen (?) to prostitution. “Poor Jess”, as he writes, was in and out of Perth gaol, spending time in New Lanark and Millbank Penitentiaries (the latter being the newest of the British gaols, and a “model” for those to come. It proved, however, to be a dismal failure.) In 1818, Janet was sentenced to fourteen years transportation, but this was commuted because of her age. She spent two years in Millbank before being released “thoroughly reformed.” In 1824, however, she was again in court, for the theft of “an imitation cotton shawl, a red figured poplin skirt and body of a gown, a printed cotton gown and a pair of white cotton stockings.” For this, she received a life sentence, to be served in New South Wales. Janet was one of the small number of Scots transported to the colonies. Generally, the Scottish courts did not do so, unless the criminal was hardened or habitual. Rarely was a first offender transported, as was the case in England, for the Scottish courts were much more understanding. A thief usually received light sentences for the first three offences. Only after that would the courts become harsh. Moreover, Scottish criminals could plead mitigating circumstances and have their sentences reduced as a result. The treatment of our ancestress, Janet Angus, shows clearly this enlightened spirit. In his letter, Judge Forbes explains the many attempts to reform “Poor Jess” who, in his words was “one of those unhappy beings who seem never to have acquired a distinct notion of the difference between mine and thine.” On her shipping documents, much personal information is given: she was a native of Perth, where she was brought to trial in April 1824, and sentenced in July. She was said to be a housemaid aged 21 in 1825, 4’11 ¾”, tall with brown, freckled skin, blue eyes and dark brown hair. She was disposed of to J.Blaxland, but appears to have later gone to work for Bell too. Bell had many properties, including Windsor, Bathurst and St Aubins, Scone. It appears that the two were at the St Aubins property in 1828. A child, Louisa Angus was born to Janet at Hunter River (probably Scone or environs). Later in that year James Schofield obtained permission to marry and the banns were read at Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle. The marriage took place at St Aubins. Louisa was re-registered as a Schofield. One interesting point is that Janet was formerly engaged to James Waters in 1826. There is even a record of them having married, but, if so, what happened to Waters? Did they really marry? We know they were due to marry at St John’s Parramatta. I could not find a record of Waters death, but the possibility is that he might have died. Janet is wrongly registered as Mary Agnes in the 1828 census. Moreover, several children are later registered to James and Louisa Schofield. It may be, as is strongly suggested, that Louisa was her middle name, but the answer to this question may be simpler. On the day that these children were all registered, Louisa, the eldest, was married at the age of twelve. The children of James and Janet Schofield were 1. Louisa b 14th August 1828 St Aubins (also registered as Angis, Louisa) m 1) William Fennell 12/10/1841, Maitland and 2) Thomas Chilton 14/08/1854. 2. William b 20th October 1829 Gammon Plains m Margaret Spencer 31st December 1850 d 05/09/1901, Quirindi 3. Mary Ann b 5th September 1831 Halls Ck m John Thomas Whyben 24th May 1847 West Maitland d 10/03/1891 Maitland. 4. James b 1833 m Mary Warren S.A. 1859 d 31/01/1878 Quirindi

James and Janet obtained a licence to open an inn at Hall’s Creek, Gungal. It was named “The Highland Laddie”. The land cost twelve pounds, ten shillings and had a rent of one peppercorn a year. The request for permission to open the inn was signed by Bell and Lt Ogilvie, the founder of Merton, precursor to the village of Denman. The Schofields sold the inn to Mr Peberdy (after whom Peberdy’s Creek is named). What happened to it is unclear, but the remains lie in a field just out of Gungal. Several children were born along the Clarence River, indicating that this was where they went after Gungal, but finally the family returned to Maitland. The judge was correct that transporting Janet would transform her, but she was a creature of habit. Stealing was something she just couldn’t entirely stop. We see this in the records of the Parramatta Female Factory contain the following entry in relation to Janet Angus:- Angus, Janet 2nd Class, July 9, 1827 - 20 hrs. punishment for concealing shingles. And it wasn’t the last time in her life the old devil would rear its ugly head. Newspaper Maitland & Hunter River gen Adv. Jan 1845 CHARGE OF STEALING FROM A DWELLING-HOUSE. Janet Schofield was indicted for stealing 5 dozen buttons and one pair of scissors, the property of Letitia Harding, at Maitland, on the 28th September, 1844. (found not guilty, brief of case). It appears that she was smart enough to shake the buttons she stole down her dress to the ground, so that she could not be charged with actually possessing them….but it also appears she and her husband celebrated a bit too hard the night of the acquittal for their own good. Newspaper Maitland & Hunter River gen Adv. Jan 1845 James Schofield and Janet Schofield were brought before the bench, charged wti being drunk in the streets the previous evening. Both pleaded guilty, and were fined 5s. each and costs, or 4 hours each in the stocks. Janet died aged forty-nine on 1st December 1848. Her grave is in the ruined cemetery of St Peter’s Maitland, its inscription almost entirely worn away, leaving only her name. Fortunately, it was copied before it became illegible. It reads: “Sacred to the memory of Genet Schofield Who departed this life November 30th 1848, aged 43 years. She was a (sic) affectionate wife, a good mother, a good Christly and a sincere friend. She died in the firm hope of a joyful resurrection. She as (sic) left a husband and eight children to lament their loss.”

(Photo of gravestone) (Photo courtesy of Darrel Woodhouse, descendant of Mary Ann Schofield m Whybin) http://www.convictrecords.com.au/convicts/angus/janet/111693

Roma Keown on 30th March, 2012 wrote:

Janet Angus married James Schofield in 1829. He was then, "free by servitude" and Janet had a ticket of leave.They had a son William in 1829. William (?Hunter) Schofield, see also Scoffield. William married Margaret Spencer in1850. They had a daughter Elizabeth in 1869 and in 1889 Elizabeth married George Robinson and they had 9 children, one of whom, Robert Mathias Robinson married Violet Frances Moorhouse in 1928, they were my parents.My sister, Barbara Nees and I would love to know of the lives of Janet and James prior to their transportation.

Linda Scofield on 18th August, 2012 wrote:

Janet Angus was born the 19 September 1802 in Perthshire Scotland to Andrew and Catherine Angus. Jannet married James Schofield(Scofield) on the 20 Nov 1828 at Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle. They had 8chn Louisa 1828, William 1829, Mary Ann 1831, James1833, George 1835, Robert 1837, Jennett 1839, Charlotte 1845. Jannet is buried at the Glebe Cemetery Maitland.

Convict Records Janet Angas:

Research Notes

Hello Jennifer,

Thanks for your very kind offer to look up headstone inscriptions in St. Peter's Old burial ground, East Maitland.

As a historian, are you aware of anyone who may be compiling histories of those people buried in St Peters Old Burial Ground.?

Sorry if this response is a little long, but your offer presents a most interesting theme. We are hoping that many on the list together with their personal contacts may wish to meet the challenge of compiling a history of those interred in St Peter's Church Cemetery.. Those interred there represent many of the real pioneers of the Hunter Valley and most will have faced the task of turning the first soils of our country, under extremely harsh conditions.

My wife's 3 x g grandmother, Janet (Jennette) SCHOFIELD nee ANGUS is buried in this cemetery. We have a copy of her headstone transcript, which reads:

" Sacred to the Memory of Genet Scofield who departed this life Nov 30th 1848 aged 43 years. She was an affectionate wife a kind mother a good Christly and sincere Friend. She died in the firm hope of a Joyful Resurrection. She has left a husband and eight children to lament their loss."

There are anomalies of surname spelling, "Scofield", and incorrect age of "43 years" whereas she was 46 years of age). (The original name appears to have been spelt as "SCHOFIELD" but for at least two generations in N.S.W. the name was spelt SCOFIELD, most families then reverted to SCHOFIELD, however one family that moved to northern N.S.W. retained the SCOFIELD spelling.) Perhaps they were endeavouring to cover their Convict Ancestry, which was not uncommon in later years. Certainly none of these stories were handed down in this family.

Finally we have the record of James Schofield's passing in 1855, which was recorded in the parish register as follows: -

Entry 931; Name: James Schofield; Abode: Bolwarra; When Died: Mch 23; When Buried: 25 Mch; Age 59; Quality or Profession: Farmer; By whom the ceremony was performed: G. K. Rusden. (Bolwarra, his last place of residence was a farming area at Maitland).

The chaplain who presided over the funeral services for both James and Janet was the Rev. George Keylock Rusden (M.A. Cantab.), who was first appointed in 1843 as chaplain to Maitland. The first Church of St Peter was consecrated on 29th June, 1843.

A brief history of the above is as follows:-

Both were former convicts, Janet from Perthshire, Scotland, and James from Suffolk, England. We are aware of their parentage and of the circumstances relating to their trials and transportation. James became an overseer for John Oxley in the early years and later was closely associated with Archibald Bell, Police Magistrate at Windsor in 1825. On the marriage of James and Janet, Archibald Bell (Jnr) was a witness to their marriage.

The family finally returned to the Maitland locality where they both spent their final days. Their eldest son Willam, then moved on to Quirindi (Quipolly) where he became a wheat farmer. William and his sons George and John are buried in St Chad's Anglican Churchyard at Quipolly. George was the maternal grandfather of Norma Slack, nee Ryman, who is the mother of my wife, Janice Bird.

1822. James was referred to, in the Colonial Secretary's notes as an overseer for John Oxley. The Colonial Secretary's correspondence contains a letter, addressed to James Schofield, which reads:-

Colonial Secretary's Office 24 May 1822

Jas. Schofield In reply to your letter of the 22nd inst., I have to inform you that you are entitled to an equal share of any extras your gang may obtain for their exertions. I am Obed. Servant F Goulburn Col Secy.

Jas. Schofield, Overseer clearing party on Mr.Oxley's Estate.

Janet Angus- There is little is recorded of Janet after her arrival in N.S.W. Her first name was recorded in a number of different forms ranging from Janet, Jennet, and Gennet. Likewise her surname was also written as Angis.

1825 - December - We are told that Janet was first assigned to J. Blaxland, a Colonial Land Owner.

1826 - This year, Janet made an application to marry and Marriage Banns were announced. She was described as 22 years of age, having been transported on the "Midas" and classified as "Bond". The groom to be, James Waters, was 16 years her senior. He had been transported on the "Mary". The marriage did not proceed. Due to the lack of employment for females in the Colony, it was a policy of Governor Macquarie to encourage them to marry soon after their arrival in New South Wales. He considered it important that families should develop for the survival of the Colony.

1827 - The records of the Parramatta Female Factory contain the following entry in relation to Janet Angus:-

Angus, Janet 2nd Class, July 9, 1827 - 20 hrs. punishment for concealing shingles. (Ref.NSWArchives Reel 2278 2/8211)

1828 - Janet gave birth to a daughter on the 14th August 1828. She was baptised Louise, at Maitland, on the 9th November, 1828. Her parents were recorded as James Schofied and Janet Angus. This same Year Marriage Banns were announced for Janet and James Schofield.

Marriage James Schofield and Janet Angus were given permission, by the Governor, to marry on the 19th. November 1828, as contained in the following record :-

Entry 610; Name: James Schofield; Age: 29; Date: 1828 November 19; Ship: Earl St. Vincent (2); Sentence: Seven years; Condition: Free; Revd. Wilkinson, Newcastle. Entry 610; Name: Jennet Angus; Age: 24; Date: 1828, November 19; Ship: Midas (1); Sentence: Life; Condition: Bond; Revd. Wilkinson, Newcastle. .The Marriage Banns for the couple contain similar information to the above, with the additional detail that James was Free by Servitude. A copy of the Banns is contained on Micro Film Reel, reference A.O. 2191, page 14. The Parish Register contains the record of the Marriage in the Parish of Christ Church in the County of Northumberland, N.S.W., 1828. Entry number 37 read as follows:-

"James Schofield, Bachelor of St. Helier and Jennet Angis Spinster of same place were married by Banns with consent of Gov. this Twentieth day of November in the year 1828. By me T.H. Scott, Archdeacon. This marriage was solemnized between us James Schofield - Jenet Angis. In the presence of Rick Sadlier Commissariat. District - A. Bell Junr of St. Helier."

The entry was completed in the one hand, presumably that of the Archdeacon. The consent of the Governor was required for this marriage, as Janet had been transported for life and was still under bond. Thomas Hobbs Scott, the Archdeacon, who conducted the ceremony, came to the Colony in 1825, which was the same year Janet Schofield was transported to Sydney.

The Family of James and Janet :

Louisa, their first child was born 14 August 1928, at St Helliers, Scone, which was just prior to her parent's marriage. While James Schofield and Janet Angus were employed as servants of Archibald J. Bell (Jnr), at St. Helliers, Louise was baptised by the Rev. F. Wilkinson on 9 Nov 1828. William, the second child, was born 28 October 1929. The family then lived at Gammon Plains, where James was employed as an overseer to A.J. Bell Esq. William was baptised by Rev. Charles P.N. Wilton on 1 Aug 1831. The next five children were born at Hall's Creek. Mary Anne Schofield on 5 September 1831, James 8 July 1833, George 28 June 1835, Robert 8 Jul 1837, and Jennet born 29 July 1839. All five children were baptised on 12 October 1841, by the Rev. John Morse A.M, Chaplain of Scone. Charlotte, the last of their childen was born 23 August 1845 at Mid Lorn Estate, Hunter River near Bulwarra. James was then described in the Parish Register as a Tenant at Mid Lorn. Charlotte was Baptised by the Rev. W. Stack on 12 September 1845. This birth entry was not taken up by the N.S.W. Registrar at the time of preparing the Government Register in 1856.

Both Mrs. Jean Hearne and we have made independent researches into this family. In her notes she made the following interesting comment:

"1834 James had applied for a land grant of 50 acres at Halls Creek, near Gungal, west of Muswellbrook, to build an Inn. He thought that it was well placed to catch the traffic between the Hunter district and the Krui River. (gold fields). He was granted the land for a peppercorn rent on condition that he built an inn worth 200 pounds. Purchase price was 12 pounds 10 shillings.

1835 James was issued a licence to retail wines and spirits at the "Highland Laddie" Inn, signed by William Ogilvie, Gregory Blaxland, and Alexander Busby at Merton (now Denman)."

There will be many descendants of this couple whom we would like to contact. Already there is an interesting history emerging on Janet and James SCHOFIELD. So if anyone out there feels they are related to these pioneers, please give us a call.

Wishing all A Happy & Prosperous NewYear

Alan & Janice Bird Brisbane Qld

Sources

• Free Settler or Felon Convict and Colonial History Accessed 2 Maty 2024. Midas voyage to New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1825 with 109 passengers

• Personal research of Susan Scarcella ( A Band of Gypsies- unpublished work) and that of Alan Bird