-------------Forwarded Message----------------- From: Howell C. Sasser, To: INTERNET:woodham@leo.infi.net, INTERNET:woodham@leo.infi.net Date: 19/08/98 08:11 PM RE: Sasser, John [Essex Co.] Dear Cousin, Here is what I have found so far in the Essex records: With the reference to John Sasser in P.W. Coldham's book, Bonded Passengers to America, vol 4: Home Counties, 1655-1755, as a starting point, the trail led to the British government Treasury records which are held in the Public Records Office in London (Money Warrants), which were issued to those who organized the shipping and transportation of prisoners, usually listing the names of individual convicts up to the year 1744. From that source it was learned that John Sasser was one of 100 prisoners transported on the shop Justitia, seven of whom were from Essex. Treasury Money Book, 25 May 1742 to 26 June 1745 Public Record Office ref: T53 41 fol 228: List of Transports from the Home Circuit after Lent Assizes 1742 from Essex: John Sasser (and six others listed) Records show that John Sasser was sent to Gravesend, Kent to be put aboard the Justitia under the command of Captain Barnet Bond. Essex Assize Sessions, 28 July 1742 (Midsummer) at Chelmsford Public Record Office ref: ASSI 94 689 List of Persons now in His Majesty's goal at Chelmford: John Sasser: committed 26 April 1742 by Chas Smith, Wm Kingsman and Wm Dawtrey Esqs. and charged upon oath of Thomas Howlett on suspicion of stealing a mare the property of William Royse." John Sasser was tried on 28 July 1742 and found guilty of the crime. "Above prisoner, John Sasser, attained at the last Assizes by virtue of the late Act of Parliament and pursuant to HM's pleasure signified by the Lord Carteret, one of his principal secretaries of state, is ordered by the Court to be transported to some of HM's colonies and plantations in America for the term of 14 years." In evidence given, John Sasser was decribed as a labourer of the parish of Rawreth in the south of Essex. A check of the records of the parish or Rawreth revealed no information about any Sasser. An examination was undertaken of the registers of parishes adjoining or close to Rawreth and some information on Sassers was discovered in the parish of Rayleigh, which adjoins Rawreth on the south-east. However, these Sassers records (baptisms, marriages) were in the mid 1700's A check of the parish of Great Burstead, which lies about 7 miles west of Rawreth was more productive. Great Burstead, Essex Baptisms: 10 Feb 1693 Thomas son of John and Hannah Sassa 5 Nov 1696 John son of John and Hannah Sassa 23 Jul 1712 John son of Bernard and Mary Sasser 15 Apr 1714 Bernard son of Bernard Sasser 20 Apr 1714 Bernard son of Bernard and Mary Sasser (there are more Sasser Baptisms, but later in the 1700,s) Marriages 25 Oct 1711 Bernard Sasser and Mary Lewin, both single person of this parish Burials: 25 Apr 1694 Mrs Sassa (?) nurses child 24 Apr 1706 William Sasser 24 Mar 1709 Hannah Sasser wife of John Sasser (there are more burials but most later in the 1700's) It is interesting to note that the name Sasser suddenly appears in the register of the parish of Great Burstead in the late 17th century, with no records before about 1685. It is as if they were suddenly there, which may indicate that they may have move to Great Burstead from some other area of Essex. One good indicator of this is the fact that IGI records reveal information about a Sasser in the north of Essex in the late 16th century. On 30 June 1594 Parnell son of Thomas Saser was baptised at Mistley, in the far north-east corner of Essex, a considerble distance from Rawreth. Is it possible that the Sassers originated in the north of Essex and moved south in the late 17th century? Is it also possible that some of these Essex Sassers took passage to the colonies during the same time period (mid to late 17th century). That is my next project: to search the records of ships leaving ports on the east and south coast of England to try to identify Sasser names if they exist. If they were in America they had to come over by ship and with a bit of luck we can find the ship. I am also undertaking research to try to trace the movements of Sassers within Essex. I'll keep you posted. My research on this matter in in hard copy. If you would like the complete record (the above is only the highlights) let me know and I can mail a copy to you. Regards from Howell Sasser of Porto