Grimes Transported to the Colonies
Records are available from:
Greater London Record Office
Guildhall; London EC2P,2ET
also from
Public Records Office
Ruskin Ave
Kew, Surry, TW9,4DU;
EnglandGAOL DELIVERY BOOKS; 1639 THROUGH 1834
GAOL DELIVERY SESSOINS RECORDS 1549 THROUGH 1760
T53-TRANSPORTATION BONDS 1602 THROUGH 1760
SESSIONS OF THE PEACE BOOKS
(you may also request the T53 Money Books
and the T-1 Treasury Bond Papers)
In 1770, England began sending prisoners to America to fight as soldiers. This continued
through the Rev. War and the war of 1812; up until 1835. I have not managed to obtain the
names of all these prisoner sent as soldiers as yet, but many of them defected and became
citizens in the colonies.
Tthe seventeen that I have included below were sent as prisoners from the Gaols of
England for various assorted crimes; mostly treason for their parts in the political
upheavals in England during those times.
1. Alexander Grimes (Graham) was captured with 9,000 other Scots at the battle of Dunbar.
He was marched across country from Dunbar to Newgate, where he was sentenced to death by
Cromwell for treason for his part in the revolt against Cromwell. In 1651, he won a
reprieve and, with 64 others, was sent to work in the Sauget Ironworks at Lynn, Mass.
The sailed aboard the ship "Unity" in the late fall of 1651; arriving in Boston in the
spring of 1652.
2.Robert Grimes of Rutland; sentenced to death for treason 1681; Reprieved and sent to The
Colony of Virginia in 1683.
3.Robert Grimes of Lincolnshire; sentenced to death for treason. Reprieved and sent to Va.
in March, 1690.
4. Charles Grimes of Leicestershirewas executed for treason in 1698.His wife
Elizabeth Grimes and the minor children were reprieved and sent to Va. in Feb.1700.
5.Francis Grimes of Middlesex; sentenced to death for treason. Reprieved and sent to
Virginia in 1699.
6.Henry Grimes of Norwich in Norfolk; Sentenced to death for treason; Reprieved and
sent to Virginia in 1714.
7.Hannah D. Grimes of Middlesex; sent to Virginia in 1722 for seven years of indentured
servitude for the crime of dislaoyalty to the church of England.
8.John Grimes of Middlesex; (crime unknown?) Transported to Virginia for seven years
as an indentured servant. Arrived Virginia 1726.
9.Robert Grimes of Surrey, treason; sentenced to death May, 1736.Reprieved and
transported to Virginia in Dec. 1736 on the ship "Dorsetshire' Under Capt. Wm. Laney.
T53-38/458
10.Thomas Grimes of Kent; (crime unknown) transported to Virginia for seven years
indentured servitude in Jan. 1738 on the ship Dorsetshire under Capt. Whiting.
T53-39/182
11.Martha Grimes of London; crime of theft; Sentenced to 7 years indentured
servitude in Virgina in 1745.
12.George W. Grimes of Norwich of Norfolk, crime treason; sentenced to death;
Reprieved and sent to America in 1752.
13.John Grimes of Kent; Sent to Virginia for seven years as an indentured
servant; May 1752 on the ship "litdhfield" under Capt. Gerard.
T53-44/326 and T1- 348/8
14.Thomas Grimes of Yorkshire (crime unknown) sentenced 14 years of indentured
servitude in Virginia. Transported 1753.
15.Robert Grimes of Middlesex; crime of treason; sentenced to death in April, 1755.
Reprieved and sent to Virginia. Transported May, 1755 on the ship "Rose" under
Capt. Slade.
16.George W. Grimes of Warwickshire; crime treason; sentenced to death. Reprieved
and sent to Virginia in 1762.
17.Leonard Grimes of Nottinghamshire; crime unknown;sentenced to death in the
summer of 1757. Reprieved and sent to AMERICA in the spring of 1758.