John Shering (alias Sherring), born circa 1809, was first charged at the East Kent Sessions on 13th January 1835 with stealing at Saltwood, Kent one gun, the property of William LOUD. He was sentenced to one month in the House of Correction and hard labour.
John Sherring was next convicted at the Kent County Session, Maidstone on 8th April 1836 of sheep stealing and sentenced to life. Prior to transportation John was held in St Augustine's goal, Cantebury, Kent.
On 3rd may 1836 John was received aboard the hulk 'Fortitude' moored at Chatham, pending transportation. John was placed aboard the convict transport ship the 'John', on its fourth voyages to Australia, that departed, Sheerness England on 30th September 1836 and arrived at Sydney on 7th February 1837. There were 260 convicts loaded and five died on the voyage. The Master was Adam Dixon and the Surgeon was ??.
John was originally assigned to George Hely at Brisbane Water.
John was granted a Ticket of Leave on 7th April 1845. This allowed him to find employment within the district of Windsor, NSW.
John was granted permission to marry Mary Edith BLOWES on 23rd May 1846. The were subsequently married at St Mary Magdelene, Church of England, Clydesdael, (shown as 'Cydesael') South Creek (now St Mary), NSW - the marriage reference No is 286/1846 - Mary is shown as 'Edith BLOWS'.
It appears Mary, if that in fact was her first name, was known as Edith. Edith arrived in Sydney on 27th August 1844 with her parents and siblings, she is shown as being born in Cambridgeshire and 13 years old. There is a death for Edith E SHEARING at Cowra, NSW in 1915 No 18409.
The couple had a son John born on 12th march 1847 (Reg No 1285 Vol 32A Clydesdael, under the name 'SHEARING') and baptised on 30th May 1847 - the child died aged 13 months on 7th April 1848. (Reg No Clydesdael)
A second child, also named John, was born on 14th December 1848 (Reg No 1664 Vol 34A Clydesdael ,also under the name 'SHEARING') and baptised on 28th January 1849.
A third child Mary Ann under the name 'SHEARING' on 5th June 1850 (Reg No 533 Vol 35 Clydesdael) and baptised on 30th June 1850.
A fourth child William was born on 30th January 1852 (Reg No 1378 Vol 38A Clydesdael, also under the name 'SHEARING') and baptised on 9th April 1852. William died aged 3 years on 31st January 1855 (Reg No 1374 Clydesdael).
A fifth child Thomas was born under the name 'SHEARING' in 1853 (Reg No 2235 Windsor).
A sixth child Emily J was born under the name 'SHEARING' in 1858 (Reg No 13262 Windsor).
A seventh child James J was born under the name 'SHEERING' in 1863 (Reg No 14660 Windsor).
A eight child Betsy was born under the name 'SHEERING' in 1864 (Reg No 16283 Windsor).
A ninth child David Samuel was born under the name 'SHEERING' in 1863 (Reg No 6342 Windsor and died on 20th May 1863 (Reg No ).
A tenthth child David was born under the name 'SHEERING' in 1867 (Reg No 17765 Windsor).
John's occupation on the various certificates is shown as a Labourer.
John was granted a Conditional Pardon No 49/1591 on 24th December 1849. A restriction in the Conditional Pardon prevented convicts from returning home to England.
