Thomas Carpenter

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Beth Taylor on 24th October 2019

Thomas Carpenter (c1775-1837) reached Sydney on the ship “Fortune” (2) on 11 June 1813. He was convicted at the City of Coventry Gaol Delivery on 10 August 1812 [crime – receiving stolen goods – PRO] and sentenced to 14 years transportation. He was a native of Warwick, aged 38, a brewer, 5’7” tall, dark complexion with black hair & hazel eyes. Thomas Carpenter, per Fortune 1813, received a CP on 04/02/1818. His description was given as: native of Coventry, tried City of Coventry GD, 14 years, 5’6½” tall, dark ruddy complexion with black hair & hazel eyes. (Source: SRNSW Convict Pardons, 4/4430, Reel 774, p105) Thomas Carpenter, per Fortune 1813, received a Certificate of Freedom #36/331 on 09/05/1836. He was born 1775, listed as a gardener and brewer, a native of Coventry, tried Sydney Criminal Court on 15/06/1820 for “receiving”, 14 years, 5’7½” tall, ruddy complexion with brown mixed with grey hair & dark grey eyes. It was also noted that Thomas had “lost two upper front teeth” and had originally been tried at Warwick GD 10/08/1811 & had a 14 year term of transportation. (Source: SRNSW Convict Certificates of Freedom, 4/4342, Reel 996) 1825 - Martha Entwhistle (c1767-1828), TOL, married Thomas Carpenter, prisoner, at Port Macquarie on 21 March 1825, by Rev Thomas Hassall, with the consent of the Commandant. (Thomas Carpenter, Prisoner, arrived per Fortune 2, Signed; & Martha Entwistle, T of Leave, Signed; married 21 Mar 1825 Port Macquarie, registered St Thomas Church of England Port Macquarie by Banns, with consent of Commandant by Thomas Hassall; Witness: S Partridge, Signed; Witness: Sarah Partridge, Signed X; Editorial Remarks: Martha Entwistle signed her name "Martha Entwisle". Source: St Thomas' Church of England, Port Macquarie NSW: Church Register - Marriages (Clergy Returns); SRNSW ref: Reel 5016 Vol. 44 & V1825-3534-3B) Notes: “MARTHA CARPENTER D. 23 Feb 1828 Aged 47 when she was tried at the Lancaster Assizes, England on 21 March 1812, and sentenced to transportation for Life, arriving on the Broxbornebury on 28 July 1814, as Martha Entwhistle. By April she was employed as a Nurse at the Castle Hill Lunatic Asylum, requesting clothing because she had lost most of her goods on the Emu. 1824, she was in Port Macquarie. She married Thomas Carpenter on 21 March 1825 at Port Macquarie with permission of the Governor and by Banns, with Rev. Thomas Hassall officiating. Carpenter, also a convict, had arrived on the Fortune (2) on 11 June 1813. There were no children from the marriage, whether there were other marriages or children is not known. On 7 February 1826, The Colonial Secretary wrote to W. S. Parker, Superintendent of Agriculture and Commandant Captain Gillman: “I have the honour to inform you…..Colonial Brig Amity….Martha, the wife of Thomas Carpenter, a prisoner, to return by this opportunity….” Martha was buried on 23 February 1828, a few days after Rev. Cross’ arrival at Port Macquarie.” “THOMAS CARPENTER D. 21 Jan 1837 From Warwick, England, he was a Gardener and Brewer, and was tried at Warwick (City of Coventry Gaol Delivery) on 10 August 1812 and sentenced to 14 years transportation, arriving on the Fortune (2) on 11 June 1813. He was five feet seven and a half inches tall, with a dark complexion, black hair and hazel eyes. Tried in 1820 at the Court of Criminal Jurisdiction he was sent to Newcastle (Australia) to serve a further sentence under the name of John Carpenter. 15 September 1823 he arrived at Port Macquarie on the Mermaid, and married convict Martha Entwhistle on 21 March 1825, she died on 23 February 1828. After her death he married 44 year old Widow, Mary Ann Dunlevie, on 18 February 1831. She had arrived on the Mariner in 1825. Aged 60 at his death, he had received a Conditional and an Absolute Pardon and was buried by Rev. John Cross on 21 January 1837.” (Source: Port Macquarie, the Winding Sheet, by Griffen G. & Howell R, publ. Port Macquarie, 1996, 45 & 107) From the book “Journey to a New Life…” the story of the ships Emu & Broxbornebury by Elizabeth Hook (3rd ed. 2014). I am the author & can be contacted on hookey5609@yahoo.com.au for further info