Aaron Cock

Aaron was in a long term relationship with Sarah Chapman (Convict, Nile, 1801). They had four children between 1805 and 1810. They were however, never married. Sarah subsequently had two more children to two different fathers and then married Richard Francis (Convict, Larkins, 1817) and had three more children.

Tried and convicted at the Winchester Assizes, Hampshire on 6th April 1787, for stealing a bay mare from William Hatch in Eling, Hampshire, sentenced to death, but this was later commuted to 7 years transportation. Left England on 19th January 1790. Ship:- the 'Surprise' sailed with 256 male convicts on board of which 36 died during the voyage. Arrived on 26th June 1790. Hampshire Chronicle Mon 01 Jan 1787 p. 3 WINCHESTER, SATURDAY, DEC 30... This week committed to our county gaol, Aaron Cock, alias Peckham, charged with stealing several horses, in the New-Forrest. Hampshire Chronicle Mon 05 Mar 1787 p. 3 The following prisoners are to take their trials at the ensuing assizes for this county, which begin on Tuesday next, before Judge Buller and Mr. Justice Wilton, viz... John Amey and Aaron Cock, alias Peckham, for horse stealing;... Hampshire Chronicle Mon 12 Mar 1787 p. 3 WINCHESTER, SATURDAY, MARCH 10... Aaron Cock, alias Peckham, for stealing a bay mare, the property of Wm. Hatch, of Eling...Upon these seven, sentence of death was passed, but they were all reprieved this morning before the Judge left the city. Aaron was in a long term relationship with convict Sarah Chapman ('Nile' 1801). They had four children between 1805 and 1810. They were however, never married. Sarah subsequently had two more children to two different fathers and then married convict Richard Francis ('Larkins' 1817) and had three more children. 29th December 1810 Aaron Peckham was appointed a constable in Sydney; listed as Packenham. 24th June 1815 Dismissed as a constable in Sydney for improper conduct & gross neglect of duty. 7th October 1824 Granted Certificate of Freedom. Aaron was found dead on the 31st March 1825 at Sydney.

Aaron married Sarah (Chapman) at Sydney in 1803. Sarah & Aaron & Sarah had 4children:- 1.George (Peckham) was born in 1803 & died in 1804. 2.Mary Ann (Peckham) was born in 1805 & baptised at St Phillips Sydney in that year; she died in 1890 age86. 3.Louisa (Peckham) was born in 1807 & baptised at St Phillips Sydney in 1808 age9m; she died in 1891 age84. 4.Thomas (Peckham) was born in 1810 & baptised at St Phillips Sydney in that year. He is recirded at muster 1825 at Evan. Sarah (Chapman) has an entry on this Website.

National Archives. HO 47/6/80 1787 Mar 31 Certificate/memorial of John Wilson and Francis Buller on prisoners capitally convicted on the Western Circuit but 'some favourable Circumstances' appeared on/after their trial recommended to mercy on the conditions set against their name: Hampshire Assizes at Winchester, 6 March 1787 1. Aaron Cock alias Aaron Peckham, Philip Rumble and John Chambers, for horse stealing. 7 years transportation.

Family connections for Aaron (Cock) are: PECKHAM Aaron (Cock/Peckham) was born about 1754. He was tried for horse theft of William (Hitchin) of Eling New Forest at Winchester Assizes New Hampshire on 6 4 1787, sentenced to death reprieved to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 26 6 1790 after a voyage of 6months on Fleet ship SURPRISE; a voyage noted for extreme brutality of prisoners with a high death rate. He was Free by Servitude by 1803 & in a relationship with Sarah (Chapman her second (2of4) relationship). He was appointed constable at Sydney on 29 12 1810 & discharged on 24 6 1815 for improper conduct & neglect of duty. He was issued his Certificate of Freedom on 7 10 1824. He died (found dead, visitation of God) on 31 3 1825 age71 in Sydney & was buried, as (Peckham), at St James CofE Sydney. [Some details taken from this Website] Sarah (Chapman) was born in Yorkshire about 1781 & became a farmers servant. She was tried for stealing at York West Riding Assizes, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 14 12 1801 after a voyage of 6months on Fleet ship NILE. She apparantly had a first (1of4) relationship with John (Harris his 2nd (2of3) marriage?), but does not fit the calendar of John (Harris)s life, surgeons mate NSW Corps & produced a child. She was assigned to Aaron (Peckham) in 1803 & also living with Aaron (Cook aka Peckham) constable in 1806.>>> [Some details taken from this Website] .. Aaron (Peckham (sometimes (Heathcote)) & Sarah (Chapman) produced 4children: 1.George (Peckham) was born in 1803. He died on 2/22 1/2 1804 age about1 & was buried at St Phillips CofE Sydney. 2.Mary Ann (Peckham) was born on 3 9 1805 & baptised on 25 12 1805 at St St Phillips CofE Sydney in 1805. She married Christopher (Cross) on 14 4 1828 at St James CofE Pitt Town & produced at least 1child. She died on 27 2 1890 age84. ..Christopher (Cross) was born on 8 4 1802. It may be he who is recorded in 1828 as living with his family near his father at Wilberforce (although the 1828 recording shows this person as a farmer actually at Lower Pitt Town). In 1831 he was granted 50acres at Little Cattai Creek/'Wheeny' farm-his father & brother Edward also. He died on 20 6 1862 age60, 9days before his brother. ..Details of Christopher (Cross)s family are given in entry for Charles (Cross NEPTUNE 1790) on this Website. 3.Louisa (Peckham) was born on 27 8 1807 & baptised on 29 5 1808 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. She died on 4 12 1891 age84. 4.Thomas (Peckham) was born on 11 3 1810 & baptised on 24 6 1810 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. He is recorded in 1825 at Evan. .. [>>>Sarah (Chapman) had a third relationship (3of4) with George W (Dixon) & produced a child. She, as Sarah (Chapman/Maddison-maiden name?), married fourthly Richard (Francis) labourer on 1 12 1818 at St Phillips CofE Sydney & produced 3children. She is recorded at musters 1822 & 1823 housekeeper free by servitude. She made a desperate plea (unsuccessfuly?), after her husband apparantly left, for housing in 1824. She was issued her Ticket of Leave no.113/2122 on 22 4 1824; she was 4'11" pale freckled complexion brown hair grey eyes. She is recorded at musters 1824 & 1825 as housekeeper free by servitude. In 1827 she is at Launceston, in 1828 at Pitt Town & in 1835 at Launceston, giving rise again to thoughts of 2separate Sarah's as she is recorded mainly as wife Andrew (Peckham). She died in 1863 age82 mother of perhaps 9known children (she claimed to had 10) at St Albans McDonald River. References: Craig James Smee 'Births and Baptisms Marriages and Defacto Relationships Deaths and Burials New South Wales 1788-1830' ..a complete listing from church & other records in the early colony. Pamela Statham 'A Colonial Regiment-New Sources Relating to the New South Wales Corps-1789-1810' Clem Sargent 'Colonial Garrison 1817-1824-48th foot Northamptonshire Regiment in the colony of New South Wales'