ROCKETT (ROCHOTZ/ROCHATZ/ROCKETS), Moses
Moses ROCHOTZ was born about 1789 in Poland.
He was tried on 6th July 1814 at London Gaol Delivery for the offence of “larceny”, sentenced to transportation for life to New South Wales and conveyed on the convict ship “Baring”. The “Baring” departed England on 20th April 1815 and called at Madeira and Rio de Janeiro on the way.
On Thursday 7th September 1815 the “Baring” arrived in Sydney Cove with 298 prisoners, two having died on the passage out. Twenty of the prisoners were under the age of sixteen. Upon his arrival in Sydney Moses was assigned to William COX (Jnr) at Richmond.
JOACHIM BOAS, MOSES ROCHATZ, Theft > grand larceny, 6th July 1814
JOACHIM BOAS and MOSES ROCHATZ were indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 14th of June, twelve yards of muslin, value 30 l. the property of John Simpson.
FREDERICK WHISTLER. I am in the service of Mr. Simpson; he is a Manchester warehouseman , in Bow church-yard. On Tuesday the 14th of June, the two prisoners came to Mr. Simpson’s warehouse, about a quarter past six in the evening; they told me they wanted cambrics.
Did they speak English – A. I do not think they can speak English at all. I took them into the cambric warehouse, and shewed them fine French cambrics; they looked at several pieces. I opened three or four papers for them, each paper containing twenty-five pieces. After five or ten minutes, they looked at the same pieces again, putting the goods behind them, and slipping over packs; they laid them behind them. I then thought they were after thieving them. I waited a little while. I saw Boas attempt to put a piece under his coat. Boas had got part of a piece off the counter; he then saw I was looking at him; he put it back. A short time after that, Rochatz got further from me, took his place, and while I was talking with Boas, I heard five pieces fall off the counter; I then said, you will spoil all the goods. They both appeared very much agitated. My brother was with me; I told him I thought they were after thieving, and desired him to watch. I began to talk with Rochatz; he took out of his pocket a paper. I thought he wanted to take the numbers and prices. I told the porter to fetch him a pencil. While he was gone, Boas came near me; the other took his place. I was in a narrow place. Boas opened a piece of muslin, held it up before me, began talking about the width, saying six quarters; he held it five minutes up; that made me suspect the other man was secreting something; it was impossible for me to see without rising upon my toe. I looked over the muslin, and saw part of a piece of muslin under Rochatz’s coat. I immediately thrusted by Boas, and as I got to Rochatz, he turned round; I got hold of him, and pulled the piece of muslin from under his coat; I pulled it out, and threw it on the counter. I hallooed to my brother, and the porter to fetch Mr. Simpson Mr . Simpson and my brother came I gave them both in charge. I did not mark the piece directly.
I believe you are not able to say which piece it was – A. I am not. I can swear it was the one the constable has, or this. I should have no doubt only in their putting the muslin back, they put it out of fold. I afterwards found another piece rumpled. I cannot be sure whether it might not be the other. They are both muslin.
GEORGE WHISTLER. I am brother to the last witness. My brother desired me to watch the prisoners while Boas was holding up the muslin. I went to the side of the counter. I saw Rochatz endeavouring to conceal a piece of muslin under his coat; when I perceived that, I ran for Mr. Simpson.
HENRY MACKRAEL. I am a constable. The prisoner was given into my charge, and this piece of muslin likewise.
Frederick Whistler. These two pieces I can swear they are both Mr. Simpson’s property. I have examined them; one of them has my own mark; the other has the mark of the same parcels. They are the same goods I was shewing to them.
Boas’s Defence. I came to England on the 27th of May; I did not come to rob this country, or to settle.
Rochatz’s Defence. The same.
BOAS, GUILTY, aged 28.
ROCHATZ, GUILTY, age 25.
London jury, before Mr. Recorder.
Source: https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?id=t18140706-25-defend230&div=t18140706-25#highlight
JOACHIM BOAS, MOSES ROCHATZ, Theft > grand larceny, 6th July 1814
JOACHIM BOAS and MOSES ROCHATZ were indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 14th of June , seven pieces of cambric, value 15 l. the property of Thomas Ainsworth and Richard Ainsworth .
SECOND COUNT, for like offence, stating it to be in the dwelling-house of Richard Ainsworth.
RICHARD AINSWORTH. My christian name is Richard; my partner’s name is Thomas; I have no other partner; me and my father are manufacturers of cambric muslin ; our manufactory is in the country; our warehouse is No. 1, Fetter-lane, in the parish of St. Peter, Westcheap, in the ward of Farringdon within ; the warehouse is the ground floor of the dwelling-house. I live there occasionally; my father does not. The servants of the firm sleep there; the rent is paid for out of the profits of the business. On the 14th of June, the two prisoners came to our warehouse about half past four in the afternoon, they wanted to look at cambric muslins; I could not understand them. I and my clerk, Mr. Barber, shewed them a great many; they wanted to look at more; we could not find anything fine enough for them.
Q. How many pieces were taken down for them – A. A great many scores. They went away without buying, said, they would return with a broker. They seemed hurt that I could not understand what they said.
Q. How soon after they were gone, did you miss anything – A. I went away immediately. I thought their manner old; but I did not see them take anything.
THOMAS BARKER. I am clerk to Messrs. Ainsworths. I assisted in shewing the goods to the prisoners; during the time they were there, I did not see them take any of the goods. After they were gone, I assisted in putting up the goods again; I missed seven pieces of cambric muslin, of two different qualities.
Q. Were they part of what you had opened to shew the prisoners – A. They were.
Q. Between the time of their leaving you, and the time of making this discovery, had any other persons been there – A. No, there had not. In consequence of what I heard the next day, I went to Guildhall, and found them in custody, and then I went to Mr. Roberts, the Golden Fleece, Wine-court.
Q. Did you receive of Mr. Roberts any pieces of cambric – A. No; the officer did. I found there seven pieces that I had lost.
ROBERT ROBERTS. I keep the Golden Fleece, Wine-court, Fleet-street.
Q. Do you know the two prisoners – A. I have seen them a few times; they came for refreshment, and occasionally left goods with me.
Q. On the afternoon of the 14th of June, did they come to your house – A. On the 14th of June, they left a parcel with me; what time of day, I cannot tell. I afterwards shewed that parcel to Mr. Barker. They were together when they left it; they asked me to take care of the parcel until they called for it.
CHARLES MATTHEWS. I am a constable. I received of Mr. Roberts seven pieces of muslin on the 17th of June; they have been in my custody ever since. I produce them.
Q. to Barker. Look at these seven pieces – A. They are the property of Messrs. Ainsworths; I know them by the marks that are on them; I am positive to them all. That is precisely the number of pieces I lost; there are three six quarters wide, and four two-eighths yard wide. I am sure they are them that I shewed them.
Mr. Ainsworth. They are my goods, I am perfectly sure of it.
Boas’s Defence. We met a person when we were out, we bought them; we into this public-house, and left them there.
Rochatz’s Defence. The same.
BOAS, GUILTY – DEATH, aged 28.
ROCHATZ, GUILTY – DEATH, aged 25.
London jury, before Mr. Recorder.
Source: https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?id=t18140706-26-defend241&div=t18140706-26#highlight
Moses ROCHATZ was transferred from “Newgate Prison” to the convict hulk “Perseus” on the 10th October 1814.
In 1819 Moses applied for his “Ticket of Leave”. His employer, William COX (Jnr) stated that “while Moses was in his service he always conducted himself faithfully and honestly”.
Moses ROCHOTZ received his “Ticket of Leave” on 4th September 1827.
Moses ROCHOTZ and Eleanor GRENVILLE were given “Permission to Marry” on 25th January 1827. Eleanor was “born in the colony” about 1802.
Moses ROCHOTZ and Eleanor GRENVILLE applied for “Publication of Banns” at Windsor on 6th July 1829. It was noted “that the parties had the Governor’s permission to marry in February 1827, but they did not avail themselves of this”. Permission was granted on 13th July 1829.
Moses ROCHOTZ and Rachael BRYANT applied for “Publication of Marriage Banns” on 27th February 1830. Rachael arrived on the convict ship “Competitor” on 19th October 1828. She was charged with larceny at the “Somerset Assizes” on 18th August 1827, found guilty, and transported to New South Wales for life. Rachael was moved from Ilchester Gaol to the convict ship “Competitor” on 3rd June 1828. In 1829 Rachael was given up be her employer and sent to the “Female Factory” for 6 weeks due to “insolence and disobedience”. She also had a number of previous convicts, mainly for stealing money. For one of these offences she was found “not guilty”.
Rachael ROCHOTZ (nee BRYANT) was buried at Windsor on 28th September 1831, aged 27 years.
Moses ROCHOTZ and Ann WARR applied to be married on 24th September 1833 and permission was granted on 30th September 1833.
Ann WARR was convicted at Dorset Assizes on 12th March 1830 for “picking pockets” and sentenced to 14 years transportation to New South Wales. She was admitted to Dorchester Prison 10th March 1830 and discharged on 23rd June 1830 and transferred to a hulk at Woolwich. This was not her only conviction as Ann committed a number of other crimes, namely, vagrancy and stealing. For these offences she received gaol sentences of 3 and 6 months in Dorchester Prison. Ann arrived on the convict ship “Kains” which departed London on 8th July 1830 and arrived in Sydney on 11th March 1831.
Ann ROCHOTZ (nee WARR) died in 16th November 1840 at Windsor, aged 39 years.
Moses ROCHOTZ received his “Conditional Pardon” in 1834.
Sources: ancestry.com.au, findmypast.co.uk, National Library of Australia – Trove, State Records of NSW, NSW Registry of BDM’s