John Chilvers, the son of Thomas Chilvers and Sarah Browne, was born 21st Jun 1798, baptised on 17th Jul 1803 and married Sarah Pearl(Purl) on 16th October 1823. All at Dickleburgh. They had 7 children between 1834 and 1837.

In 1841, Sarah is receiving Parish Relief and is listed as a pauper, her situation improves over the years and she dies in 1876. John disappears around the birth of the youngest child.
Norfolk court records show his possible appearance as there is a John Chilvers, on 3 Jan 1838, resulting in transportation for 7 years.

Enquiries at this end show a John Chilvers being one of 240 convicts transported on the Portsea, 24 July 1838. Great Britain. Home Office.; State Library of Queensland.Criminal : Convict transportation registers [HO 11] (I am following this up).

I would really appreciate it if someone could find out the details of the Norfolk Court trial which resulted in the 7 year sentence.

And the big question, did he get back to England? He certainly does not appear to have rejoined the family, who seem to have remained in or near Dickleburgh.

Sandra whose spectacled aura isn't quite sure about being connected to a convicted felon