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= Charles Woodley Convict 469=https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Woodley-536

= Charles Woodley was born in the Parish of Ashdon, in the County of Essex in England in August 1819 His father was Thomas Woodley born 1791, died 1851, also in Essex. His mother was born Sarah Webb, born 1795 in the Castle Camps in Cambridgeshire in England, and she died 18th March 1861 in Ashdon, County Essex in England. Charles Woodley was one of 15 children born to the couple. = Charles Woodley married Sophia Chinnery Leonard on 9th January 1846 at All Saints Church in Ashdon, Essex. Sophia was born 11th March 1821. Her parents were James Leonard and Susan Bradman.

Charles and Sophia Woodley had three children:

Walter Leonard Woodley born first quarter of 1845 at Linton Union in Cambridgeshire. He appears in the 1851 Census with his mother Sophia and sister Ellen this time at at the

as an inmate. Walter married and had a family, and these connections are still being investigated by the author to establish a connection between the family that remained in England and the one that began in Australia.

Elijah Woodley was born 3rd January 1847 in Saffron Walden to Charles and Sophia Woodley. Sadly Elijah died age 2 years in February 1849.

Ellen Woodley was born 24th February 1851, also in Saffron Walden to Charles and Sophia Woodley. As in Elijah's case, Ellen died the following year 13th April 1852, aged 1 year.

Sophia at the age of 30 was living in a Workhouse with her sole remaining child Walter aged 6 years. Her younger two children had died and her husband Charles had committed fraud and been sentenced to transportation for that offence.

During his marriage to Sophia, Charles was convicted at Saffron Walden in Essex and sentenced to transportation to Western Australia.

In 1841, Sophia was listed as living with her family, her father being a Shoe Maker. By 1851, she was living alone with her son Walter at the Workhouse.

In 1861, Sophia was the House Keeper for the Cowell family, and she was listed as a widow as many whose spouses had been transported did.

In 1871, this resilient woman was now married to Cowell and had 2 sons to him.

Charles Woodley was charged with the theft of 2 ox tongues and a pewter salt cellar on 13th October 1848. While we do not know what his son Elijah died from, it could potentially have meant medical bills for the young couple and this may have been a crime of necessity. This being the view through the lens of 180 years after the event.

Again on 10th December 1848 he was charged with the theft by fraud of ₤1, 2 shillings and 3 pence. Charles was taken to the court to be seen by the Justices of the Peace on 11th December 1848, and this is quoted in the court transcript "This morning when I was bringing the Prisoner in custody we met his mother, father and brother. The mother said “what trouble you bring us” and he said “I have got nobody to blame for it only myself”.

On January 12th, 1849, at Saffron Walden, Charles Woodley was convicted to 7 years. It was only the next month that his son Elijah died.

Charles Woodley's physical description in transportation documents is very clear. He was 34 years old, stood 5'5" tall with dark brown hair, light brown eyes. He had a round face, with a dark complexion. He had a hairy chest and moles on the back of his neck. He is listed as being married and a Labourer.

His journey did not begin until 30th March 1851 on the ship The Pyrenees as Convict number 469.

Charles Woodley's Ticket of Leave was granted on 28th June 1851 and he was granted his Conditional Pardon on 23rd April 1853

The youngest child Ellen born on 24th February 1851 (baptised 1st April 1852) is unlikely to be Charles' daughter as he was already in Australia when she was baptised.

Charles Woodley arrived in Western Australia and was sent to the south west of the state to work as an Agricultural Labourer. Working on a number of farms around Australind predominantly. It was here that he met Emma Gardiner who had arrived in what was then a colony on The Trusty on 8th December 1842. Convict labour was needed for the expanding colony.

Charles and Emma had their first child Sarah Woodley in 1856 at Australind, followed by Charles Reuben Woodley on 7th August 1858 at Ditchingham Farm, Australind, Joseph William Woodley on 17th August 1860 at Rosamel Farm, Australind.

It was 30th April 1861 that the couple married in Bunbury, Western Australia (Registration 1625C/1861). The marriage certificate states that Charles' marital status is widowed and noted date unknown). This information is incorrect as Sophia his first wife died 12th January 1903 in England. The exact reason for this is unknown.

Charles and Emma went on to have Rose Ann Woodley on 31st May 1862, Amy Woodley, born 31st May 1864, George born 29th June 1866, died 13th July 1875, Selina born 18th September 1868, Lavinia born 25th August 1869 and Ada born 3rd May 1871.

George Woodley died age 9 on 13th July 1875 at Australind, Western Australia. He was buried at the Australind Cemetery in Grave number 38.

Charles Woodley died 31st July 1883 at Australind, Western Australia. He was buried at the Australind Cemetery in Grave number 33.

Emma Woodley (nee Gardiner) died 25th July 1909 at South Bunbury (home of Joseph White). She is buried at the Australind Cemetery in Grave number 39.