Robert Sidaway
| Robert Sideway | |
|---|---|
| Born | 14 January 1758 St. Leonards, Shoreditch, London |
| Died | 13 October 1809 Sydney, Australia |
| Residence | Field of Mars |
| Occupation | Watch case maker, baker, theatre owner |
| Partner(s) | Mary Marshall |
| Parent(s) | John & Elizabeth Sidaway |
Robert Sidaway (14 January 1758 – 13 October 1809), a convict of the First Fleet, was transported to Australia for stealing in 1788. Robert is known for being baker for the British Marines of Sydney and opening the first theatre in Sydney in 1796.
Born to John and Elizabeth Sidaway of Horse Shoe Alley, Robert was baptised 5 February at St Leonards, Shoreditch, London, England.
On 11 September 1782 Sidaway was indicted at the Old Bailey for stealing on the 22d of June last, a deal box, value 1s; a cloth coat, value 12s; a waistcoat value 5s; a pair of breeches, value 5s; a linen waistcoat, value 2s; one pair of silk stockings, value 2s; and one pair of shoes, value 3s; the goods of different persons. Sentence was brought down as transportation for seven years to America.
In 1782 at the age of 24, Sidaway was indicted for having been convicted of grand larceny at the last sessions, and ordered by the Court to be sent and transported to America for the term of seven years, was afterwards on the 18th day of September last found at large within this realm of Great Britain, without any lawful cause, before the expiration of the said term of seven years, for which he had been so transported, against the form of the statute. Sidaway was sentenced to Death, but like many sentences of death, death sentences were not carried out, and was instead transported to Australia for life.
Robert was transported in the First Fleet, on the transport ship Friendship, arriving in New South Wales 26 January 1788. On the Journey out to Australia Ralph Clark noted in his diary on two separate occasions that Sidaway was put in leg irons.
14 December 1787. Put Robt. Sidaway in a pair of Leg irons for being impertinent to Mr. Faddy
20 January 1788. Robt. Sidaway was put out of Irons this day
Sidaway received a conditional pardon on 29 November 1792, an absolute pardon on 27 September 1794, and was given a contract as baker for the troops. These pardons were issued by Francis Grose.
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