William Board

Level 72

Robin Sharkey on 12th July 2026

William and his wife Elizabeth were granted conditional pardons in January 1816. Before this he had been working as bricklayer and then an overseer on many “general buildings erected in the Town of Sydney during a period of ten years and upwards” – per his petition dated July 1822. William Board was clearly recognised as a competent and reliable bricklayer/ tradesman as he was used a couple of ties on committee to assess value of buildings or partial building work. 23 March 1815, Letter from Col Sec to “Messrs Lucas O’Hearn and Boards [sic], Architects and builders, Sydney. The governor wanted Board, Lucas and O’Hearn to form a committee of survey to assess and value certain houses near Fort Phillip (at Observatory Hill in the Rocks) “in the parts of Sydney which must be removed and taken down for the enlargement of the Glacis of the fort and opening new streets in line of communication in this part of The Rocks and in other parts of the town.” 1817 – the Blue Lion pub William Board was on the list of persons licensed as a publican – no 39, William Board, for the sign of the ‘Blue Lion’ (name of the pub). SRNSW - AO Reel 6038 This pub was in Kent Street. In 1819 Board transferred this licence to William Hodges, a conditionally pardoned convict transported on the Royal Admiral,1800. Boards’ daughter Harriet married Wm Hodges in 1825. On 1 July 1831 Board’s son Gregory took over the licence of ‘Blue Lion’ (Sydney Herald, 18 Apr 1831, p.4) when Hodges moved to the “Printer’s Arms” pub. He had been living with his sister and brother in law at the Kent St pub since at least 1828 (Census) learning the trade. Gregry Board would remain a publican, becoming very wealthy. He held the licence for the Blue Lion until 1849 although moved it to Sussex Street and later to the corner of Market & Clarence Streets. In 1840, Board also acquired the license to the Printer’s Arms. By 1841, he had erected a handsome stone building at the Patent Slip in Sussex Street. When he had married Dulcibella Piper (daughter of convicts) her father gave them property in Market Street where they lived for 20 years. He was elected as Councillor on the City of Sydney for Brisbane Ward from 1847- 1851. In 1849, he & wife retired to Napoleon Cottage on the corner of Goulburn and Brisbane Streets. At his death, Gregory Board left a substantial estate including 39 properties to be divided between his seven surviving children. [From the website of the City of Sydney, “Sydney’s Aldermen”] 1818 Nathanial Lucas was a well-recognised builder (ex convict) who in 1813 was superintendant of Gov Lumber Yard but after 1814 did much more private work. (see Austr Dict of Bio) He had a contract to build the Anglican church at Liverpool, and Samuel Terry and D. Bevan were sureties. Wm Board had worked with Lucas before, at least in 1815. Lucas died early in the project and before government would make final settlement with the sureties, the materials on the site and the building work so far were to be surveyed by a competent committee. The government nominated two members - Mr Moore Esq at Liverpool & Wm Stone, - and Samuel Terry recommended Tho's Richardson and Mr Board, (letter dated 31 July 1818) - who were accepted on the committee (circular letter of 31 July 1818). 1819, Oct 14 - Juror at inquest on James Haslam held at Sydney. He was a bricklayer and his fellow jurors were: 5 victuallers, carpenter, cooper, master surveyor, taylor, cutler, a baker. The body was in view in front of them. His son-in-law, Henry Austin, was one of the other jurors (the ‘taylor’, married daughter Elizabeth Board in 1817) 1821, Sept, He was a juror again on an inquest on the body of Stephen Parkinson. Allocated a convict ‘mechanic’ 1821- 1823 Govt order 22 Nov 1821. Board, Wm, Sydney, 1 convict Sums due 31 Mar 1823 for 1 x convict mechanic, plumber painter & glazier 8 Nov 1822, to get 1 x convict mechanic Undated asked for 1 x convict mechanic, plumber painter & glazier. (Col. Sec correspondence). 9 July 1822: William Board (address ‘George St Sydney) wrote to government asking that his son Gregory be received as an apprentice in the dockyards to “learn the art trade and avocation of shipwright”. He said Gregory was aged 14 yrs and had received a liberal colonial education, and that he was “a youth of docile temper and good morals”. William said of himself that he had been a resident of the colony “nearly 17 years” and also noted below his signature that he had “acted as overseer of the General Buildings erected in the Town of Sydney during a period of ten years and upwards”. The petition was recommended by the signature of John Piper J.P who by then was the Naval Officer for the Port of Sydney and a colonial elite. (Perhaps Wm Board had worked on Piper’s villa at now-Point Piper?) 7 Dec 1822: Reply that “it is not the present intention of government to receive any more youths as apprentices into the dockyard”.

Level 8

Lesley Hume on 21st March 2026

George Board : The Sydney Morning Herald Monday 29 April 1850 p 3 Family Notices At Napoleon Cottage, on Saturday Evening, the 27th instant, Mr. George Board, (late of Calcutta), in his 57th year, brother to Mr.Gregory Board, of Sydney. ------------------------------------------- The Sydney Morning Herald Monday 29 April 1850 p 3 Advertising THE Friends of Mr. Gregory Board,of Sydney, are requested to attend the funeral of his late brother, Mr. George Board. The procession to move from his residence, Napoleon Cottage, Brisbane-street, at four o'clock P M., Monday. ------------------------------------------- Family Notices - Bell's Life in Sydney and Sporting Reviewer Saturday 4 May 1850 - Page 3 At Napoleon Cottage, on the 27th ult., Mr. George Board, (late of Calcutta), in his fifty-seventh year, brother to Mr. Gregory Board, of Sydney. -------------------------------------------

Level 75

iain Frazier on 21st August 2025

Family connections for William (Board) are: BOARD William (Board) was born about 1772 & became a bricklayer. He married Elizabeth (???) in London. He was tried with his wife for coining (counterfeiting sixpences), on 20 1 1806, at Old Bailey, sentenced to death commuted to Life. held at Middlesex Gaol Delivery & arrived in NSW as a convict on 12 7 1806 after a voyage of 6months on FORTUNE. He is recorded in 1828 with Conditional Pardon bricklayer at George St Sydney with his family. He died on 1 3 1833 age61. [Some details taken from this Website] Elizabeth (???/Board sister/cousin John) was born about 1772. She was tried with her husband for coining (counterfeiting sixpences), on 20 1 1806, at Old Bailey, sentenced to death commuted to Life, held at Middlesex Gaol Delivery & arrived in NSW as a convict with her children on 11 4 1806 after a voyage of 9months on WILLIAM PITT. She is recorded in 1828 with Conditional Pardon with her family at George St Sydney. [Some details taken from this Website] William (Board) & Elizabeth (???) produced 5children. 1.Elizabeth (Board) was born in 1796. She may have arrived in NSW with her mother on 11 4 1806 after a voyage of 9months on WILLIAM PITT, but not mentioned in Smees recordings of arrivals. She married Henry (Austin) tailor on 1 9 1817 at St Phillips CofE Sydney & produced 1child. She is recorded in 1828 as Protestant with her family at George St Sydney ..Henry (Austin) was born about 1789 & became a tailor. He was tried at Dublin city Ireland, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 15 2 1806 after a voyage of 5.5months on TELLICHERRY; he was Protestant. He was issued his Ticket of Leave in 1811. He was a tailor in 1817. He was Free by Servitude by 1818. He is recorded as a juror on 4 10 1819 at Sydney & 22 9 1820 at Annandale Farm. In 1822-3 he employed convict mechanics at George St Sydney. in 1830-31 he was publican of Dove Inn George St Sydney. He is recorded with his family as Innkeeper George St Sydney. In 1834-5 he was publican & licencee of Ship Inn Parramatta Rd Sydney. He was living at Elizabeth St South, Sydney when he died on 15 7 1852 age63. ..[Some details taken from this Website] .. 2.George (Board) was born about 1795 (may have been later to fit the evidence) in London. He arrived in NSW on 11 4 1806 after a voyage of 9months on WILLIAM PITT. 3.Harriet (Board) was born in 1802. She arrived in NSW on 11 4 1806 after a voyage of 9months on WILLIAM PITT. She married William (Hodges his second marriage) dealer with Absolute Pardon on 20 1 1825 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. ..William (Hodges) was born about 1782. He was tried for stealing, on 16 4 1799, silk spencers etc of John (Wright) at Old Bailey on 8 5 1799 (quick justice), sentenced to Life, held at Middlesex Gaol Delivery & arrived in NSW on 20 11 1800 after a voyage of 8months on ROYAL ADMIRAL. He is recorded in 1806 as assigned to Mr (Arndell). He is recorded in 1814 as labourer off stores. He was Free by Servitude by 1818 & was a dealer when he married firstly Margaret (Rea) on 20 1 1819 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. He was still a dealer & had been issued his Absolute Pardon before 1825. In 1828 he took on brother in law Gregory (Board) as lodger at Kent St Sydney. He was still a dealer in 1826 & 1828. He died on 3 4 1838 age56 father of at least 3children. ..[Some details taken from this Website] .. 4.Gregory (Board) was born on 19 5 1809 & baptised on 15 6 1809 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. He is recorded in 1828 as lodger with brother in law William (Hodges) at Kent St Sydney. He was a carpenter when he married Dulcibella (Piper) on 12 12 1830 at St James CofE Sydney. He became wealthy landowner of most of Market St Sydney. He died on 24 2 1888 age78. ..Dulcibella (Piper) was born on 26 5 1810 & baptised on 27 5 1810 w/Mary Ann at St Phillips CofE Sydney. She is recorded in 1828 with her parents at Market St Sydney. She died on 28 11 1880 age70. ..Details of Dulcibella (Piper) are given iin entry for Edward Piper MINORCA 1801) on this Website. .. 5.Mary Ann (Board) was born on 14 2 1812 & baptised on 15 3 1812or19 7 1812 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. She married Joseph Samuel (Hanson) clerk on 7 6 1830 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. She died on 22 6 1897 age85. ..Joseph Samuel (Hanson) was born about 1810. He arrived in NSW free on 3 11 1828 after a voyage of 5months on ALBION. He was a clerk in 1830. ..[Noted there was a (Hampson) & a (Hassom) on this voyage] Reference: Craig James Smee 'Births and Baptisms Marriages and Defacto Relationships Deaths and Burials New South Wales 1788-1830' ..a complete listing from church & other records in the early colony.

Level 105

Denis Pember on 14th February 2016

Sainty & Johnson; 1828 Census of New South Wales: Page 53... [Ref B1472] Board, William, 56, conditional pardon, Fortune 1805 life, bricklayer, George Street Sydney [Ref B1473] Board, Elizth. 56 conditional pardon, Wm. Pitt, 1805, life [Ref B1474] Board, Mary A. 17 born in the colony. [Ref B1475] Board, Gregory, 19, born in the colony, lodger at Wm. Hodges, Kent Street Sydney. # There is no sign of the elder son George in the census returns. However, the two elder daughters do appear with their husbands and families: [Ref A0790] Elizabeth, married to Henry Austin (Convict, Tellicherry, 1806). [Ref H2006] Harriet, married to William Hodges (Convict, Royal Admiral, 1800).

Level 105

Denis Pember on 14th February 2016

The couple were both reprieved and Transported, William came on "Fortune" in 1806 and Elizabeth on "William Pitt" the same year. Their 2 daughters, Elizabeth 1796 and Harriet 1802 and the son, George C1795, also came to the colony at the same time. The couple then had a further 2 children in the colony, Gregory 1809 and Mary Ann 1812.

Level 105

Denis Pember on 14th February 2016

William and his wife Elizabeth were convicted at the Old Bailey, of 'coining charges' in that they had been making counterfeit Sixpences. #Note: Only a small part of the Old Bailey Transcript is attached, since the whole thing takes many pages. Old Bailey online transcript t18050220-79: WILLIAM BOARD and ELIZABETH BOARD were indicted for that they, not having the fear of God before their eyes, but being moved and seduced by the instigation of the devil, on the 20th of January, feloniously and traiterously did forge, counterfeit, and coin, a piece of base, false, and counterfeited coin, called a sixpence, made to the likeness of and for a good sixpence, in the similitude and likeness of good and legal current coin of this realm, made of metal, falsely and deceitfully did colour with materials producing the colour of silver. Second Count, For that they one other round piece of base, false, and counterfeited, coin, called a sixpence, did forge, counterfeit, and coin, and caused to be forged, counterfeited, and coined, made of metal, falsely and deceitfully did colour with materials to produce the colour of silver, against their allegiance to the King, and against the form of the statute. (There follows pages of what was discovered and exactly the process which was used to coat base metal with silver, this is quite an extensive discourse with a sound scientific basis). The prisoners left their defence to their Counsel. William Board, GUILTY, Death, aged 30. Elizabeth Board, GUILTY, Death, aged 30. The Jury recommended the woman prisoner to mercy, on account of her having acted under the influence of her husband. First Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Justice Heath.