Convicts 1664-1775 from mid-Devon

Between 1664 and 1775 at least 1300 criminals from Devon were transported to North America and the West Indies. Most had been sentenced to death and then been reprieved, on condition of agreeing to be being transported overseas as a convict, usually for a period of seven years.

Most went to Virginia, Maryland or Barbados, to work on tobacco or sugar plantations.

Few of the records show a "native place", however below are listed the names of convicts from mid-Devon, all of whom were sent to Barbados.

Bampfield Joan, singlewoman of Sandford 1673

Basse Michael, husbandman of Crediton July 1667

Benham William, of Crediton 1677

Bright Richard alias John, of Bow or Nuntracy July 1698

Coles William of Crediton, July 1681

Colway alias Colwell David, shoemaker of Morchard Bishop Feb 1699

Crocker Benjamin, of Crediton February 1697

Elstone Robert, of Crediton July 1683

Howard Richard, of Crediton July 1684

Kennick William alias Lamprey Thomas, of Crediton March 1695

Leach Robert, weaver of Crediton July 1667

Luxton Richard, of Cheriton Fitzpaine March 1691

Osmond Edward, blacksmith of Crediton July 1672

Piddesley Mathew, worsted comber of Shobrooke 1673

Popham alias Rowsall Henry, husbandman of Morchard Bishop Sep 1665

Stone alias Richards William, of Sandford July 1678

Woodley John, husbandman of Crediton February 1668

Information taken from "Bonded Passengers to America Vol 5" by Peter Wilson Coldham.

In addition there are records of a Prudence Fursman (15) of Sandford transported to America in 1763 for setting fire to John Hugo's house in Crediton. John Lendon of Colebrooke was convicted in 1768 of stealing 20 yards of White Serge val 14s the goods of John Welsford, a Mary Reed of Crediton who was convicted of stealing 7s 6d from Mary Palmer in 1772 and a George Smith of Stockleigh Pomeroy, found guilty of obtaining 5s from William Passmore by false pretences in 1772. All were transported for 7 years to Virginia in America.