Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
William Cooke was transported on the Bussorah Merchant, departing 24th Mar 1828 and arriving 26th Jul 1828 with 170 passengers.
The Bussorah Merchant was built at Calcutta in 1818, 531 tons. The ship transported convicts from England in 1828 to New South Wales, from Ireland in 1829/30 to Hobart, Van Diemen's Land and in 1831 another voyage to Sydney, New South Wales. (The ship also made voyages to Australia, in 1837, 1839 & 1845 with free immigrants.)
Bussorah Merchant (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 89, Class and Piece Number HO11/6, Page Number 360 |
| Source Description | This record is one of the entries in the British convict transportation registers 1787-1867 database compiled by State Library of Queensland from British Home Office (HO) records which are available on microfilm as part of the Australian Joint Copying Pro |
| Original Source | Great Britain. Home Office |
| Compiled By | State Library of Queensland |
| Database Source | British convict transportation registers 1787-1867 database |
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Convict Notes
William Cooke was charged with embezzlement at the Old Bailey, London, on 13 September 1827 - Excerpt from the trial - "JOHN SMITH . I deal with the prosecutor. On the 14th of April I paid the prisoner two sovereigns on their on account; he wrote a receipt on the bill, which I have here - I frequently paid him money on their account. CHARLES SMITH . I am in partnership with Edward Trimnell ; we are gold-lace makers - the prisoner was in our employ, and received money for us; it was his duty to bring it directly to me or my partner; he did not. On the 14th of April he did not pay us any money whatever for Mr. John Smith - I am certain we never received this amount. Prisoner's Defence. I acknowledge my offence; it was through pride and folly that I did it - I thought I should be able to replace it. GUILTY . Aged 20. Transported for Fourteen Years . There were three other indictments against the prisoner." William received his Certificate of Freedom in Yass, NSW, on 26 Mar 1844. The Melbourne Age of 3 Mar 1863 reported - William Cook pleaded guilty to stealing two geese from Robert Hasted, and was sentenced to six months' hard labor. The Victoria Police Gazette of 2 Feb 1864 recorded William Cook (alias Thomas Griffiths) who arrived on the "Clyde"(sic) in 1828, stonemason, was discharged from Melbourne prison Feb 1864. It noted he was 5' 2", sallow complexion, hazel eyes, grey hair, and with tattoos of sailor with bottle and glass, and Britannia on his right forearm. At the time he had 2 daughters living at Beechworth. [This is certainly our William Cook but he could not have arrived on the "Clyde" in 1828 since its first trip to Australia was in 1830. Either the date or the ship name is incorrect. It is unlikely that there would be a delay of 2 years in transporting him and the William Cooke who arrived in NSW on the "Bussorah Merchant" 24 Nov 1828 meets the place of conviction and length of sentence. William was a porter/clerk when he was working in England but apparently became a stonemason in Australia. His daughter's marriage registration noted that he was a mason.]