Thomas Brett

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Robin Sharkey on 8th September 2025

Thomas Brett, Aged: 37 was a soldier in the English army who deserted; and whose Court Martial trial for desertion, was held on 5 September 1823 at Portman Street Barracks. Portman Street Barracks were near Marylebone in London. The Court Martial imposed a sentence of transportation for 14 years. He arrived as a convict on the convict ship “Countess of Harcourt” on 12 July 1824. Information from the ship’s indent was: Born at Brecknockshire, England, Employment: Soldier & Cabinetmaker; Height in feet & inches: 5 ft 8&1/2; Complexion: Pale; Hair: Red; Eyes: Hazel. Embarked from: England; ENG; Ship of arrival: Countess of Harcourt (3),; Arrival Status: Convict, at Sydney; As noted by other researcher above, his wife, Jane Brett, was transported to Australia in 1827 on the ship “Louisa” with three children. Brett was also a cabinet maker as well as having been in the army, was assigned as a skilled tradesperson, being a carpenter. Whether he was assigned straight away to John Mackaness, is unclear. But he was soon with Mackaness, who was the NSW Sheriff, and had arrived himself in July 1824 on the “Alfred’ to take up that position. John Mackaness and the Brickfield Hill In 1826 John Mackaness Esq got himself offside with Governor Darling for attending a meeting where he advocated a part-elected legislative council and trial by jury. He continued to associate with settlers and emancipists (ex-convicts) at various meetings and in late 1827 he was sacked from his office by Governor Darling. In 1828 he was on trial himself for physically attacking the Solicitor General, and, separately, the editor of the Monitor Newspaper. “He was a man easily excited and often misguided in his judgements”. [Australain Dictionary of Biogrpahy]. It was under Mackaness that Thomas Brett was punished several times over. In 1826 he was punished with 25 lashes for repeatedly absenting himself from service and being addicted to habits of drunkenness. A month later he was sentenced to work in irons for 6 months for stealing cedar boards. When his wife Jane Brett arrived in December 1827, she was assigned to Mrs Mary Leek of the Brickfield Hill. This was the wife of Jonathon Leek – or LEAK – who was a potter, arrived as a convict in 1819 but by 1826 at least had a successful pottery works at Brickfield Hill. Jane may have been requested by Mrs Leake through the arrangement of her husband, Thomas Brett, because it’s likely that Thomas was working for John Mackaness nearby. In an 1832 advertisement for sale of the land that Jonathan “Leake” rented for his premises and pottery, it was noted that the land was situate at the lower end of Elizabeth-street “and adjoining the Estate of John Mackaness, Esq.,”. [Sydney Gazette, 12 June 1832, p.3] Whether Thomas Brett was working at this place of John Mackaness’s when his wife arrived is not known. He may have been serving one of his sentences of punishment. But the fact of his and Janes’ employers being adjoining cannot be a coincidence. 1833: – Thomas Brett was in a road party at Cox’s River, near /Bathurst. From Bench of Magistrates cases, 1822-1836, NSW: Thomas Brett arrived per ship Countess of Harcourt : Employed on the No. 11 Road Party; Event Date: 1833 Aug 3. Accuser or Witness: William RIGBY, Principal Overseer, Coxs River. 1837, he resided at Bathurst aged 50, assigned to Daniel Roberts. (The muster of 1837 incorrectly records age of 60). 1839, 16 March – his term had expired and his Certificate of Freedom, with this same date, became available.

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Robin Sharkey on 7th September 2025

Thomas Brett, Aged: 37 was a soldier in the English army who deserted; and whose Court Martial trial for desertion, was held on 5 September 1823 at Portman Street Barracks. Portman Street Barracks were near Marylebone in London. The Court Martial imposed a sentence of transportation for 14 years. He arrived as a convict on the convict ship “Countess of Harcourt” on 12 July 1824. Information from the ship’s indent was: Born at Brecknockshire, England, Employment: Soldier & Cabinetmaker; Height in feet & inches: 5 ft 8&1/2; Complexion: Pale; Hair: Red; Eyes: Hazel. Embarked from: England; ENG; Ship of arrival: Countess of Harcourt (3),; Arrival Status: Convict, at Sydney; As noted by other researcher above, his wife, Jane Brett, was transported to Australia in 1827 on the ship “Louisa” with three children. 1824: Brett was also a cabinet maker as well as a soldier and in 1824 he was assigned to a free person wanting a skilled tradesman such as Brett. This person became overdue on their payments to Government for Brett. 1833: – Thomas Brett was in a road party at Cox’s River, near /Bathurst. From Bench of Magistrates cases, 1822-1836, NSW: Thomas Brett arrived per ship Countess of Harcourt : Employed on the No. 11 Road Party; Event Date: 1833 Aug 3. Accuser or Witness: William RIGBY, Principal Overseer, Coxs River. 1837, he resided at Bathurst aged 50, assigned to Daniel Roberts. (The muster of 1837 incorrectly records age of 60). 1839, 16 March – his term had expired and his Certificate of Freedom, with this same date, became available.

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Maggie Hope on 19th November 2024

Thomas was married to Jane. Jane Brett was transported to NSW Dec 1827 "Louisa". Larceny from Person. Surgeon's Journal states Jane had 3 children with her. Jane, her youngest child aged about 2, suffered whooping cough during the journey. Also states 'husband here as Thomas Brett per Countess Harcourt Source: NSW Convict Indentures Fiche 668 p.10. When Jane was sent to Newcastle her other Daughter, Sarah, Jane's daughter, attended the orphanage. Jane Brett/Britt burial 1830 August Newcastle Register book of Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle P. 11 - Age 40 Assigned to George Wyndham. Death is unknown of her husband Thomas Brett. Last known information - Certificate of Leave 39/398 16 Mar 1839

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Maggie Hope on 19th November 2024

Wife Jane Brett/Britt convict arrived "Louisa" arrived Dec 1837.