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Transported
On 8 April 1849, a burglary took place at Langdon Barton Farm in Wembury, then occupied by farmer Thomas Pope. John Russell, aged 36, and his son Charles, a boy of just 14, were accused of breaking into the dairy within the curtilage of the farmhouse and stealing a ham of pork and a bladder of lard valued at fifteen shillings. A second charge alleged that they also entered the milkhouse and stole a Macintosh coat and a pair of boots belonging to Henry Harris, one of Pope’s live-in servants.
When the case came before the Western Circuit at Exeter in July, Mr Wise appeared for the prosecution and Mr Byrd for the defence. Wise noted the painful nature of the charge, given that father and son stood side by side in the dock, and that the boy had likely been sent through a small opening that only a child could fit. The evidence against John Russell was considered conclusive. Against Charles, however, the case did not hold and he was acquitted.
John Russell’s record counted against him. It was shown that he had already been convicted at Bridgwater for stealing wheat, an offence that had earned him two months in prison. As a repeat offender, the punishment in 1849 was severe. This time he was sentenced to fourteen years’ transportation.
Thomas Pope appears in the 1851 census still at Langdon, employing labourers and keeping servants on the premises, which aligns with the testimony in court.
Verse 1
Eight of April, night was cold
Hunger’s bite, and hands too bold
Ham and lard, a foolish prize
Now I sail ‘neath stranger skies
Chorus
Fourteen years to a distant shore
Chains will rattle, I’ll see home no more
Wife and children left to pray
God keep them safe while I’m away
Verse 2
Son of mine stood at my side
Courtroom eyes cut deep and wide
Judge declared the fault was mine
Boy walked free, yet bears the sign
Chorus
Fourteen years to a distant shore
Chains will rattle, I’ll see home no more
Wife and children left to pray
God keep them safe while I’m away
Bridge
Bridgwater’s gaol behind me lies
Now they send me ‘neath foreign skies
For wheat and pork, my soul’s undone
What becomes of my only son?
Verse 3
Langdon’s fields I’ll see no more
No boots, no coat, just prison’s store
Australia calls with bitter tide
Family broken, hope denied
Final Chorus
Fourteen years to a distant shore
Chains will rattle, I’ll see home no more
Wife and children left to pray
God keep them safe while I’m away