Robert Bolt

There has been much speculation over the years as to whether the Robert Bolt who was transported on the Dorsetshire in 1736 is the same person as Robert Bolt Sr. born in 1710. Until there is some conclusive proof to tie the two men together as one and the same, it will remain a mystery and the subject of speculation.

Robert Bolt was "indicted for stealing a Hat, value 2 s. 6d. the Goods of Thomas Stanthorp , Nov. 17 Guilty 10 d." and was sentenced to transportation.

History of the Dorsetshire

Port Rappahannock, 25 December 1736 to 25 March 1737
Shipping Inwards

9th February 1737, Dorsetshire, Owner: Jonathan Forward; Captain: William Loney. 250 tons. Built 1734, registered 28 January 1735 at London. European goods by 20 cockets [a cocket was a term used by the Customs for inventory - were the 160 convicts one of the cockets (?)]. Bond given, London, 23 December 1736.

HMS Dorsetshire was an 80-gun, 3rd Rate, Ship-of-the-Line, based at Portsmouth. She was commissioned on 29 December 1742 and thus appears on the list for 1 January 1742/3 - but with no Captain, as he had not then been appointed and received his commission. The four Lieutenants were Henry Page, Charles Davids, Robert Hay and John Bray.