George Blaker

71

Robin Sharkey on 5th October 2018

George Blaker's details: Indent on Arrival - Aged: 35 years Born: at Clapham in Surrey; (perCert of Freedom) Occupation: Smith, Height 5ft 7&1/2 inches; Complexion: Sallow; Hair: Brown; Eyes: Hazel. In 1830 his hair was recorded as "black to grey' He was recorded in 1818 as a government labourer. In 1821 he received a ticket of Leave, number 7/2405 dated 26 January 1821. 1822 - as a blacksmith at Parramatta, Grace his wife. 1825 - as a blacksmith and Grace as his wife. In 1823 - 5 April - he received a town allotment in Parramatta of just over 11 perches in size at Campbell Street, (See Col Sec papers, special bundles). By 1834, this property was in the possession of George Tribe (Sydney Gazette 4 Aug 1834, p.4) And in October 1823 he received an assigned convict servant of his own - Thomas Gill per 'Ocean' 1828 Census: Householders returns for Parramatta: George Blaker says he is aged 48, with a TL, arrived on'Morley in 1816 with 14 yr sentence, Protestant, Blacksmith residing at Parramatta. Grace, his wife, was recorded as "Mary", aged 34. George signed the householder page. He also recorded that he leased three separate properties: 1. He had his own property at parramatta, with 3 horses (acreage or size not stated) 2. He was tenant (?) of Charles Martin's farm of Wilberforce, with 4 horses. 3.He was tenant (?) of Mrs Blowers' farm at Prospect, with 2 horned cattle. 1830 - received his Certificate of Freedom after his fourteen years expired. In 1832, he'd left four head of cattle in a paddock where they should not have been at Richard Keaf's near Bong Bong (megong), who was demanding them . be removed and expenses pad or he would sell them in 21 days. In 1834 he was selling his Parramatta property (perhaps his business was starting to fail) which he had obtained as a grant from the Crown: Sydney Gazette, Sat 2 February 1836, p 4: (having previously been advertised for sale on 1 December 1835, it either was withdrawn, delayed or fell through) . From the advertisement for sale: It was located in Campbell Street, Parramatta on rising ground near the Parsonage, it had a "beautiful and extensive view of the town and surrounds" and was well known as the property of George Blaker where he had carried on business for many years. There was a cottage on it, and part was planted with choice fruit trees. and all well supplied with water. The grant part of the property was being divided into five lots, each with a 50 feet frontage on Campbell St, and 135 ft deep. Cottages could be built on these. The rest of the land was held under Crown lease and rented to Mrs Bedford with 18 months still to run. His Wife, recorded again as "MARY BLAKER" Died in 1837. From here George started appearing in the Parramatta Gaol records: 16 August 1838 - "A Debtor" and in gaol for two months - admitted by the Court of Requests (hearing actions for debt); discharged by order on 10 October 1842 - given 48 hours in the cells on 28 June DEATH 1847 "AGE 66" NSWBDM 591/1847 V1847591 32B

221

D Wong on 4th August 2015

Old Bailey: GEORGE BLAKER, Deception > forgery, 18th September 1816. Reference Number: t18160918-29 Offence: Deception > forgery Verdict: Guilty > pleaded guilty Punishment: Transportation 846. GEORGE BLAKER was indicted for having in his custody and possession a forged Bank of England note, knowing it to be forged . The prisoner pleaded GUILTY . Transported for Fourteen Years . George Blaker was the husband of Grace Blaker (Friendship 1818. 1/11/1830: COF 3/3/1832 Sydney Gazette: LEFT in Richard Keaf's Paddock, at Megong, on the 21st of April, 1831, FOUR HEAD of CATTLE, the property of George Blaker, Parramatta, of the following description :-.One poll Cow. white and brown neck and shoulder, brand not legible. One black Cow, with a white spot on the rump, four white legs, branded 1. C. One yellow Steer, with a white streak on the back, brand not legible. One brindle Heifer, with a white streak on the back, not branded. If the above Cattle are not taken away within 21 days, and the expenses paid, or a settlement made for the some with Robert Pitt, who has them in his possession, they will be impounded at Bong Bong, and sold, to defray the same. 19/2/1847 Sydney Morning Herald: PARRAMATTA INQUESTS.-Two inquests were holden in the course of Wednesday by the Coroner for the district, C. Bethel Lyons, Esq , and as it will be perceived, in both cases death was hastened, if not primarily induced, by long continued intemperance; the sudden deaths which occurred affording a most fearful instance of the effects of this desolating vice. The first inquest, which was held at the house of Mr. J. P. Fitzsimmons - the Cottage Inn, in O'Connell-street, was on view of the body of George Blaker, then lying dead in the house of Mr. Gower, in Hunter street, in this town. It appeared that the deceased, who was an aged man, being about seventy years of age, returned home about dusk on the previous evening in a state of intoxication, and was got to his bed. Shortly afterwards he appeared to be extremely unwell, but declined any medical gentleman being sent for by the parties whom ho was residing with, alleging that all he suffered arose merely from the effects of what he had been drinking, and that he should be well in the morning. He was, however sedulously attended until between two and three o'clock in the morning, when he appeared better, and as he was in the habit of being almost every night in a state of intoxication, credence was naturally given and belief entertained that he would be well on the ensuing day; but at about five o'clock, A M., he was found lying dead. Dr. R. C. Rutter having given evidence that there was not the slightest marks of violence about the body of the deceased, and that death had been induced by drunkenness, the Jury returned a verdict of natural death, accelerated by continued habits of intemperance.-The deceased was well known in Parramatta, where he was from a lengthened residence of about thirty years, a public character. He is stated at one time to have been possessed of considerable property, but through that vice which caused the melancholy termination of his existence, he became so reduced in circumstances that, during the later years of his life ho had to gain his subsistence as an itinerant lock and tinsmith, and scanty as were the means he thereby acquired, the greatest portion was spent in intoxicating liquors; and a statement reached the writer of this, that Blaker's wife, some time since deceased, also died from intemperance