I am trying to obtain information on a Margaret Catchpole who was transported from Suffolk, England for stealing a horse. She sailed on-board the vessel "Nile", departing Portsmouth in June 1801 and arriving Sydney Cove on the 15th December 1801.

I understand that she was buried in the graveyard of St. Peter's Church in Richmond on the 14th May 1819, but, strangely, with no headstone.

Are there any further details in the Church Burial Register?

Any information would be much appreciated!

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

Shotley

p.s. Merry Christmas!

I have all my files packed ready to move house but luckily I have previously responded to another person and have copied the same information I sent to them. Very interesting.

The great Margaret Catchpole indeed was buried at St. Peter's. The register is listed as:

13 May 1819 Catchpole Margaret 58 (Blank for grave site) Nile (1801) P (Note: it is supposed to be the 14th as far as I knew).

Unfortunately if I remember correctly she is not in a marked grave which I find quite disturbing considering what an important link to our heritage she was.

I have had a look in a book I have "St. Peters Richmond - The Early People And Burial" by Yvonne Browning (which is a the following is written:

"Henry Fulton became the minister of the Parish at the end of 1814 and was also the officiating minister at the burial of Margaret Catchpole".

Also in the same book ref to "Mr. P.W. Gledhill, in 1941 wrote the short history of St. Peters Church of Richmond, and gave a chapter in the book to "Gods Acre" in which he writes the following:

No 36. Margaret Catchpole, aged 58 years, came prisoner ship Nile, 1801. Died May 13th, buried May 14th, 1819, by me, Henry Fulton".

Also:

"Somewhere in the churchyard lay the remains of that remarkable woman Margaret Catchpole. Though her grave cannot be located with certainty, it is said to be near those of the Pitt family, which she latterly served".

Then to confuse the situation even more the following is later in the same book in John Dight's family section:

"The family, during their lifetime, had become great friends with Margaret Catchpole, the woman who saved the life of Hannah and her children during the 1806 flood, and whom they employed at different times. As a friend she was constantly in their home and it is thought that Margaret Catchpole was buried by the Dight's, and is in the grave the family all share. No one knows for sure where she is buried but many years ago her name was seen written on the plan of the cemetery of St. Peter's with the Dight family. Knowing how the Dight's felt about this woman, it makes as much sense to think she is buried there as anywhere else that has been suggested over the years".

Also in Richard Rouse family section the following:
"Thus the family spent almost a month on board the Nile before they actually set sail for the Colony, and were never again to return to England and their family. On board were the Tebbutt family and amongst the convicts, Margaret Catchpole, who was to become a friend and remain same for the rest of their lives. Their second child and first son, John Richard, was born on board the Nile, and was taken care of by Margaret, who was later to play a great part in the lives of the family".

I hope this helps out. There is a section of the St. Peter's book about Margaret Catchpole but it's about 5 pages long with a drawing and copy of a letter. If you would like to give me your email address I can scan it all and send it to you by personal email.

Are you related to her?

Warm Regards,

Historyhead