Excerpt From "The Crimes of The First Fleet Convicts" author John Cobley

And this excerpt relates to our young forebear Ellen Wainwright alias Esther Eccles - why the alias I don't as yet know....

WAINWRIGHT, Ellen
alias ECCLES, Ellen
Place and Date of Trial: At Preston Quarter Sessions in January 1787
Crime and Sentence: "Ellen Wainwright alias Ester Eccles of Rishton, single-woman, stole one woollen cloak, 1 petticoat, 1 silk hat, property of William Standen"
Occupation: Age:
Appears in Council No.5 (Mainwright alias Esther Eccles), p26; Ross's Returns (Mainwright alias Wainwright), p.251.
Reference: (1) Lancashire Record Office, Quarter Sessions Papers.
Excerpt From "The Crimes of The First Fleet Convicts" author John Cobley page 278.
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I do wonder how this particular petticoat would have suited Mr William Standen? Although I would guess that these stolen articles of clothing probably belonged to the female members of his family, either his wife or daughter, and as such were assumed to be his sole property.

There is a family story floating around that maybe Mr. Standen suffered an unrequited affection for pretty, little and young Miss Wainwright and that this is how this upright man of the community exacted some small revenge upon her. Then again it could have a female member of his family acting out of spite or malice - maybe she was prettier than they and needed to sent away for a long trip overseas!