William Bonnington

71

Robin Sharkey on 5th November 2015

William Bonnington was the only Bonnington to be transported for a crime to NSW. He stole a sheep, probably near his home town of Hucknall Torkard. He was 20 years of age, although some records say he was 18. ENGLISH FAMILY: His baptism is registered on 18 March 1804 at Hucknall Tokard Anglican Church to parents Elizabeth and John Bonnington. Theirs is probably the marriage of Elizabeth Tudbury and John Bonnington at nearby Linby, on 17 April 1803. There was a younger brother John baptised at Hucknall Tokard on 29 Sept 1805. This is most likely John and his family because his age and this baptism match exactly and there are no other Williams registered in baptisms for that year or close by. When he was aged 5, William's mother Elizabeth was buried at HT "age 41" on 20 August 1809. A Bonnington was first entered in the Hucknall Torkard Church register in 1644 (per "History of Hucknall Torkard" by J H Beardsmore, 1909. Other Bonnington families in HT in the late 1700's/early 1800's were: * George and Mary (nee Buck) married 29 Aug 1803 with children from 1803 to 1815 - Ann (1803), George, Sarah (died aged 1) and another Sarah also died aged 1, John (1813) and Martha (1815). The mother Mar was buried aged 42 on 19 June 1817. * George & Ann with children Hannah B 1785, Jeremiah B 1787, possibly a George born 1792, Nanny B 1794 (died 1795). George Bonnington was buried age 36 on 30 March 1796. In 1811, a John Bonningotn (possibly William's father) was reported as one of dozens of Hucknall Torkard men - Luddites -who went to Sutton-in-Ashfield and destroyed up to 70 frames. There were frequent attacks on frames and their owners in Hucknall Torkard in 1811, 1812, 1813 CRIME: William Bonnington stole a sheep. He himself was a stocking maker. (per ship indent). In NSW there was not much call for this trade and he was a laborer. Petition for him to be reprieved - he got death sentence, then life and 20 residents of HT wrote a collective petition seeking further clemency on William's behalf. The Letter petitioning was forwarded by Admiral Sothern Letter from Admiral Sothern. Grounds for clemency: 18 years of age. Was courting a young woman whom his father disapproved of and treated him badly and this led to the commission of the offence. First offence. Had a disturbed state of mind because of his father's treatment. Asks for sentence to be commuted to 7 years. Initial sentence: death commuted to transportation for life. (UK National Archives HO 17/67/101). To Ganny mede Hulk - Received from Nottingham Jail, 2nd June 1824 (Prison hulk register and letter books). recorded as "to NSW 2 July 1824" "Minerva" Indent: Bonnington, William, Stocking maker Tried Nottingham 12th march 1824. LIFE. aged 20 Native Place: Nottinghamshire, 5ft 7In; Eyes grey to brown; Hair: Dark brown Complexion: Fair, freckled. Well, “125” drawn inside a diamond. To whom Assigned: Mr ? (illegible) 1828 Census - does not appear 1832 Aged 27, Convict Application (through Rev hill) to Marry Ellen Booth aged 18. Refused on 19 March 1832 on grounds: “NOT ALLOWED. The engagement xxx by ? Rev? Cooper not being swift in its formal xxx Permission ot marry then granted on 21 April 1832 for Rev Hill to marry them NSWBDM Registration - 1833 as William "Borrington" in index to Ellen Booth. 11 March 1833 Ticket of leave for William Bonnington. Allowed to remain in District of Windsor. 1833 birth of son John J. (Death obituary in 1912 claimed john was born in King Street, Sydney. William may have been something of a lad: * Into trouble on New Year's Eve 1835: Gaol Entry Book - 31 December 1835 - Entered at Sydney for the Bech at Windsor. Forwarded thereto on 3 February 1836. * More trouble in 1837, Ellen may have been long-suffering: Sydney Monitor 3 Nov 1837 page 2 Tickets of Leave Cancelled - "Bonnington, William, 'Minerva' 5 for improper conduct" Written sideways on ticket of leave are the words: "Cancelled for (illegible) intercourse with a female servant in his master's house (illegible), letter on 37/858 dated 28 October 1837." 1840 Baptism of Thomas T Bonington [sic] to William and Ellen 1843 Baptism of Jenny Bonington [sic] to William and Helen, in the area of Bungonia, Goulburn, Goulburn Plains, Lake Bathurst, Marulan. end December 1844 - Death of William Bonnington in Sydney Hospital Convicts Death Register - William Bonnington BURIED 1 January 1845. Sydney Hospital. bond. After this what happened to Ellen and the three children? The elder son john Bonnington, became extremely successful, going to western NSW, and taking up property around Curban. This was more success than the stocking maker from rural Engand could have ever attained or hoped for. Obituary of son John Bonnington who died aged 79 in July 1812 Per Dubbo Liberal, 12 July 1912: " ... Early in life he displayed a predilection for the career which the rural districts afforded and where there was more scope for his big stores of energy and keen perceptive faculties. At various periods of his life he drove the plough, or blazed the track of agriculture or grazing in parts of the Penrith, Mudgee and Orange districts, and some years ago settled down in the Castlereagh country at Curban. There, too, with a stout heart he tackled and made a success of pioneering work. He was one of those whose memory will be cherished for demonstrating the resources of the Curban district, and for his many kindly acts towards those less fortunate than himself in the possession of worldly knowledge and goods. No man ever appealed in vain to John Bonnington in the sacred name of charity. He was a true type of the sturdy men who have made Australia. ..."