Thanks to Robert Mote (Canberra) for the information below.

He appeared on Wednesday, 29 November 1797 at Lent Assizes, Essex, England, where Samuel James the Younger - Committed Nov. 29th 1797 by T Abdy Abdy (sic) Clerk charged on the Oath of Samuel Miller with having broken his Bereau (sic) and stolen thereout Six Shillings his property and a Note of the Bank of England of the Value of Ten Pounds.

The Indictment read as follows:
"the Jurors for our Lord the King upon their Oath present that Samuel James the Younger late of the Parish of Theydon Garnon in the County of Essex Labourer on the twenty sixth day of November in the thirty eighth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the third King of Great Britain with force and arms at the parish aforesaid in the County aforesaid in the dwelling house of Samuel Miller feloniously did steal, take and carry away one piece of Silver Coin of this realm called an half Crown of the value of Two Shillings and sixpence three pieces of Silver Coin of this realm called Shillings of the value of three shillings and one piece of Silver Coin of this realm called a sixpence of the value of sixpence of the Monies of Samuel Miller and one Bank Note for the payment of Ten Pounds and of the value of Ten Pounds the said note at the time of committing the felony aforesaid being the property of the said Samuel Miller and the sum of Ten Pounds payable and secured thereby being then due and unsatisfied against the form of Statute in such Case made and provided and against the peace of our said Lord the King his Crown and dignity."2 He was tried at Lent Assizes, Chelmsford, Essex, England, Monday, 5 March 1798 at the age of 18. He pleaded guilty to the charge and had no goods to return. He was originally sentenced "to be hanged by the neck until he be dead" but this was later commuted to transportation for seven years. He was a convict aboard The Ship Perseus which sailed from Spithead, England, on Friday, 12 February 1802 and arrived in Sydney on 4 August 1802. The Master was John Davidson. Samuel James received his Ticket of Leave No. 41/215 on Saturday, 9 June 1810 at Sydney, NSW. He appeared on the census of 1828 at New South Wales. The entry shows -

• Aged 44 years
• Free Settler
• Arrived in the colony on the ship Perseus
• Had been sentenced to 7 years imprisonment
• Religion - Protestant
• Occupation - Constable
• Resident at Baulkham Hills
• Had 80 acres of land and 4 cattle.

The following is sourced mainly from http://www.firstfamilies2001.net.au/firstfamily.cfm?id=JAMES10821614810

Samuel JAMES arrived as a convict aboard the "Perseus" on August 4, 1802. He received his certificate of Freedom in 1810. After marrying Ann BEAN (The wedding ceremony was performed by James Milcham J.P. and the witnesses were Benjamin Jacobs and Ann Briant. Samuel James was buried on 8 March 1855 at St John's Church, Parramatta, NSW) Samuel JAMES received land at Baulkum Hills, Sydney (near where the Shire Council Chambers now stand).

1818 Census: Samuel JAMES had 80 acres of land and four (4) cattle.

1828 Census: Samuel JAMES aged 44 - Free - Police Constable at Baulkum Hills - Protestant . Rosetta JAMES - Protestant - aged 15 years a servant employed by George Bowman of Richmond.