Deported for Theft

William Atterberry (now spelling his name “berry” instead of “bury” as his father did) was a laborer in the parish of St. James in Liberty, Westminister, Middlesex (the western end of present day London), England.

During the reign of King George II on January 31, 1732, at the age of 22 he found himself in trouble with the law – perhaps on purpose (according to family tradition) knowing that the probable punishment was deportation to America and that paying for ships passage to that land of new opportunity was far beyond his means.

According to the court records “He [William Atterberry] was committed by Ol. Lambert Esquire, on oath of Frederick Humble for stealing out of the shop of George Cole som stuff, five yards of Linsey Woolsey, worth 3 shillings.”

As his punishment William was deported to America from Newgate Prison on the ship Patapscoe Merchant captained by Darby Lux on April 17, 1733, along with a total of 76 other crew and passengers. The ship (probably) landed in the Maryland colony.

2011-03-14 13:10:07 Baxter

See additional information on the Individual Data Info Page for William Atterberry, III.