William Barker

Level 72

Robin Sharkey on 22nd July 2026

William Barker was a 43 yr old labourer who worked at the estate of Thomas Kinnersley, Esq of Clough Hall, in Staffordshire, when he embezzled some of Mr Kinnersley’s property. This was probably money. His son, also named William Barker, also worked at Clough Hall and was also involved in “embezzling money the property of his employer, Thomas Kinnersley, Esq of Clough Hall.” Both were found guilty. The son was sentenced “to be whipped, and kept to hard labour eighteen months”. The father was sentenced to transportation for fourteen years. (per Northampton Mercury, Saturday August 9, 1817) William Barker, the father, was 5ft 7 inches tall, silvery grey hair, hazel eyes and fair ruddy complexion. He was tried 24 July 1817 at Stafford. When he received a Ticket of Leave he was described with the same details, except complexion ‘fair’. He served his whole 14 years in the Parramatta area, and got his freedom in August 1831. But sadly, he died in September 1832 in the Liverpool Hospital. It appears he was never re-united with his family, who he had applied for, in February 1832, to join him in NSW, with free passage on a government ship. He stated in his application that his wife was Hannah Barker, of Hixen Pasture, Shirleywick near Stafford. He had two children (one would have been William Jun.). On arrival in NSW he was on the list of convicts disembarked from the "Morley" and forwarded to Parramatta for distribution. (Note there was also a man on this ship named William BAKER who had been tried at Kent, given 7 years. The two should not be confused). In 1822, Sept Muster – he was assigned as a Gov Servant to S. James of parramatta. (This was probably Samuel James who’d arrived 1798 on ‘Perseus’ as a 13 y.o convict with 7 years). In 1822, Mr James was aged about 37. 1824 Ticket of Leave number 24/0534 dated 16 December 1824. It was now seven years since his trial 1825 Muster - Free by Servitude; Labourer, at Parramatta. He was not in fact free, he had Ticket f leave and 6 years remaining on his sentence. In the 1828 Census he was recorded as aged 50 (but on 1818 ship Indent he was “43” so his age at the 1828 Census was actually 53. Ticket of Leave; 14 yr sentence, Labourer with the Household of Charles Jackson, residing at Parramatta. Protestant. 1831 Certificate of Freedom. Dated 10 August 1831, number 31/0936. Born at Staffordshire; Employment: Labourer; Age: 56 years; Licence date: 9 Sep 1831; Trial crime embezzlement, tried at Stafford Assizes date 24 July 1817. 1832 DIED Liverpool Hospital, age 57. Buried: 30 Sep 1832, Arrived per ship Morley; Clergyman at Burial: Robert Cartwright; Burial Register number: 315;

Level 338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 19th April 2021

1832 - Sydney, Australia, Anglican Parish Registers, Liverpool St Luke No; 315 Name; William Barker Abode; Liverpool Hospital When Buried; 1832, 30 Sept Age; 57 [1775] Ships Name; Morley Quality or profession; No details By whom the Ceremony was performed; Robert Cartwright 1828 - Census. No; 319. William Barker. Age; 50. Ship; Morley - 1818. 14 years. Labourer to Charles Jacksons 1824 - 16 Dec. Ticket of Leave. Year of Birth; 1775. Native Place; Derbyshire. Hair; Grey. District; Parramatta

Level 338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 19th April 2021

1818 - New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents. Name; William Barker Age; 43. [1774] Trade or calling; Labourer Trial where & Date; Stafford - 24 July 1817 Sentence; 14 years Height; 5 ft. 7 1/2 in Eyes; Hazel Completion; Fair Ruddy Remarks; 1469