Barbara and Graham's Family Tree
William Sandlant
William Sandlant
William Sandlant was baptised 01 Sep 1771 in Ashby de la Zouch. The name in the parish records for his baptism was William Sandal.
When he was 66, on June 1838, William was arrested with a number of other people in connection with a number of thefts. He was described as the master spirit and presiding genius of a gang of rogues (Leicester Chronicle 16 June 1838). It was also stated that he was often called Billy Jersey, as he was originally a Jersey Comber (someone employed combing Jersey wool before spinning). He was charged with stealing various articles including wool fleeces, a cask of gin, sugar, tobacco, brushes and soap.
When he was arrested, he was found to be in possession of a number of skeleton keys. One of the gang, Thomas Pickering, turned queen’s evidence and testified against William, who continued to deny all charges.
William was found guilty and sentenced to transportation for life in Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania). (Leicester Mercury 7 July 1838) He was transported to Tasmania on the Augusta Jessie. It set sail on 14th August and after 114 days, arrived in Tasmania on 6th December 1838. He was described in the records as 65.5 inches tall with blue eyes and black to grey hair. He survived for 14 years and died on 15 Jan 1853 in the hospital at Impression Bay.
Report of trial in the
Leicester Mercury 
One of William's convict
records