Colgraves near Evandale

Francis Colgreave appears in the 1858 Assessment Roll for Morven as the owner of a house at Evandale.  He is also listed in the 1867 Directory of Tasmania as a farmer at Evandale.  From 1871 until 1890 Francis Colgrave Senior is listed as the owner of 12 acres and house at Evandale.

In 1881, Francis Colgrave Junior owned 90 acres at Blessington.  In 1891 Francis senior disappears from the rolls due to his death and the names of Samuel, William and Henry Colgrave appear together with Francis Junior.

The 1899-1900 polling list for Evandale also has the names of:

  • Francis J. Colgrave – owner of land at Blessington
  • Samuel Colgrave of Evandale – owns land at Blessington
  • Henry of Evandale – owns a house in Evandale
  • Francis Junior of Blessington – owns land at Kings Meadows
  • James of Evandale was an employee of C. Harvey.

Francis Colgrave’s death was noticed in the Examiner 27 October 1890 – he died on the 25 at his residence, Evandale aged 85.  His widow Isabella died on 3 November 1890 aged 67 Examiner 4 November 1890.

Francis and Samuel Colgrave

His indictment papers say the following:

ASSI 94/2140

Francis Colegrave (labourer) late of the parish of Godmanchester in the county of Huntingdon and John Fletcher alias John Edwards on the 22 November in the 2nd year of William 4th did steal 240lb weight of tea valued at 60 pounds, 40lb weight of sugar valued at 30 shillings and 3 tea chests valued 3 shillings being the goods and chattels of John North.

Witnesses were: John North, William Reeves, William Plant, Thomas Cunnington, John Bruce, Christopher Payne, Robert James, Thomas Mayle, William Mayle, Robert Colbert and Thomas Hanger.

ASSI 33/12/p51

Previous conviction on 18 November last at Buckden for stealing one cap valued 4 shillings, one gown valued 6 shillings, one stopfrocks? valued 18 shillings, 3 towels valued 6 shillings and one apron valued 2 shillings off Godfrey Watson.

Prison Records in Bedfordshire show Francis at age 21 accused of housebreaking and assault on 3 June 1828 with two others. He was given 6 months house of correction. Discharged 28 Dec 1828 and behaviour had been very bad. At age 24, charged with want of sureties on 1 Nov 1831 and discharged on 5 Nov 1831.

His brother Samuel Colgrave had been caught 4 times:

    Stealing ferrets 24 November 1827 and again 4 December 1830

    Stealing geese  1 April 1828

    Assault  14 November 1829

Finally he was transported for life and was on the hulk Justilia at Woolwich on 2 July 1831