Thomas Edwards

75

iain Frazier on 19th May 2025

Family connections for Thomas Eacott (Edwards) are: EDWARDS Thomas Eacott (Edwards), known as TEE, son of Thomas (Edwards) was born about 1793 at Bradford on Avon Wiltshire & became clothier with his parents in 'Edwards-Clothiers Dealers Chapmen' wool cloth manufacturing business Bradford on Avon Wiltshire, which became bankrupt about 1817. He was tried for stealing cloth from the bankrupted company at Somerset Assizes Quarter Sessions on 9 8 1817, sentenced to Life & arrived in NSW as a convict in 1818 after a voyage of 6months on LADY CASTLEREAGH [Noted most of these convicts were taken on to Van Diemens Land (Tasmania); he was put to work as clerk of courts. In about 1821 he was sent to Port Macquarie penal settlement as overseer of civil works. On 17 5 1824 he was appointed crier of Supreme Court Sydney. He was an emancipist & a crier of Supreme Court when he married firstly with permission Elizabeth (Reynolds her fourth marriage) on 9 9 1826 at St James CofE Sydney & produced 2children.>>> [Some details taken from this Website] Elizabeth (Reynolds) was born on 6 7 1801 & baptised on 31 8 1806 age5 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. She is recorded in 1805 with her parents at Richmond. She apparantly had a first relationship (1of4) at age16 with Edward (Ellison). She had a second (2of4) relationship with Michael (Farrell his first relationship) & produced 1child. She had a second (2of4) relationship with Michael (Farrell his first relationship) & produced 1child. She is recorded in 1825 with her father at Richmond. She died on 17 9 1827 age26 at Phillip St Sydney mother of perhaps 5children & buried, as (Edwards) at St James CofE Sydney. Details of Elizabeth (Reynolds)s family are given in entry for William (Reynolds MATILDA 1791) on this Website. Thomas Eacott (Edwards), known as TEE, son of Thomas (Edwards) was born about 1793 at Bradford on Avon Wiltshire & became clothier with his parents in 'Edwards-Clothiers Dealers Chapmen' wool cloth manufacturing business Bradford on Avon Wiltshire, which became bankrupt about 1817. He was tried for stealing cloth from the bankrupted company at Somerset Assizes Quarter Sessions on 9 8 1817, sentenced to Life & arrived in NSW as a convict in 1818 after a voyage of 6months on LADY CASTLEREAGH [Noted most of these convicts were taken on to Van Diemens Land (Tasmania); he was put to work as clerk of courts. In about 1821 he was sent to Port Macquarie penal settlement as overseer of civil works. On 17 5 1824 he was appointed crier of Supreme Court Sydney. He was still a crier in 1829. He married secondly Eliza (Winna/icott) on 1 1 1828 at Scots Kirk Sydney. He was a clerk in 1830. By 1830 he was in debtors prison at Sydney Gaol, tried for bankruptcy, discharged on 13 July 1830 as bankrupt; he was still Crier of the Supreme Court living at 11 Phillips St Sydney & agent for sale of a portable grain mill, but lost a farm & interest in property gained from Will of T (Colledge) Esq (convict NEPTUNE 1791) & payment of a 1,000pound bond. He was in debtors prison at Sydney Gaol again from about 1833 to November 1834 when he was placed on a Hulk then schooner ANN to Port Macquarie. From 5 6 1835 he was in charge of male convicts at Port Macquarie & Watch-house Keeper. He was issued his Ticket of Leave for Port Macquarie in November 1839. He was issued his Conditional Pardon on 10 6 1850. He died on 9 7 1852 age65 father of 6children. [Some details taken from this Website] Thomas Eacott (Edwards) & Elizabeth (Reynolds) produced 2children: however, (Reynolds) died in 1827. 1.??? (Edwards) was born about 1826. He/she was probably cared for by Eliza (Winnicott). He/she may have died early. see just below 2.??? Edwards) was born about 1826 also (twin?). He/she was probably cared for by Eliza (Winnicott). He/she may have died early. see just below Smees records show: 1.Thomas Eacott (Edwards) was born on 3 2 1829 & baptised on 23 2 1829 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. see just below 2.Sarah Ann (Edwards) was born on 7 6 1830 & baptised on 19 9 1830 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. .. >>>Thomas (Edwards) was still a crier in 1829. He married secondly Eliza (Winna/icott) on 1 1 1828 at Scots Kirk Sydney. He was a clerk in 1830. By 1830 he was in debtors prison at Sydney Gaol, tried for bankruptcy, discharged on 13 July 1830 as bankrupt; he was still Crier of the Supreme Court living at 11 Phillips St Sydney & agent for sale of a portable grain mill, but lost a farm & interest in property gained from Will of T (Colledge) Esq (convict NEPTUNE 1791) & payment of a 1,000pound bond. He was in debtors prison at Sydney Gaol again from about 1833 to November 1834 when he was placed on a Hulk then schooner ANN to Port Macquarie. From 5 6 1835 he was in charge of male convicts at Port Macquarie & Watch-house Keeper. He was issued his Ticket of Leave for Port Macquarie in November 1839. He was issued his Conditional Pardon on 10 6 1850. He died on 9 7 1852 age65 father of 6children. Eliza (Winnicott) was born about 1804. She arrived in Australia free as nursemaid to the family of Magistrate John (Stephen). She may have been matron at Female Factory Port Macquarie in 1820s. She evidently followed her husband as from 5 6 1835 she was in charge of female convicts at Port Macquarie. She died on 1 1 1828 age24 SMEE TO CHECK Thomas (Edwards) & Eliza (Winnicott) produced 4children: mostly boys 1.Thomas Eacott (Edwards) was born on 3 2 1829 & baptised on 23 2 1829 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. {He is recorded by Smee as son of Elizabeth (Reynolds) 2.Sarah Ann (Edwards) was born on 7 6 1830 & baptised on 19 9 1830 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. {She is recorded by Smee as daughter of Elizabeth (Reynolds)] She died on 22 9 1833 age3. 3.George (Edwards) was born about 1832. 4.William Manuel (Edwards) was born on 12 12 1833. 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.

4

Michele Jurlina on 2nd November 2017

Extract from a profile of my fourth great grandfather: '''Thomas Eacot Edwards''' (b.1792 at Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire). Thos. the Younger was a cloth manufacturer by trade when he was charged 9 August 1817, tried and convicted at Somerset QS and transported to Australia for life for larceny of two ends of cloth from a warehouse after his business in Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, went bankrupt. Thomas and his father (Thomas the Elder) were known as Clothiers Dealers Chapmen, and this was a time when the new mills put most Clothiers into bankruptcy. Departed England on ''Lady Castlereagh'' 22 December 1817 arriving in Port Jackson 30/4/1818 under Captain Weltden. Surgeon Superintendent Dr. Craig RN. With 300 male prisoners all in excellent health under a military guard consisting of a detachment of 34th, 46th and 48 regts under orders of Lieut. Brotheridge of the 48th and Ensign Lax of 34th. He was made clerk of courts and is listed as clerk to Judge Barron Field, Magistrate of the Supreme Court, and TEE is on list of staff victualled from HM magazines 8 Sep 1821. 1822, TEE sent a memorial on behalf of Ecter O'Neill, to the Colonial Secretary. 17 May 1824 TEE is made Crier of the Supreme Court. 1826 applied for permission to marry his first wife, a natural-born Australian, Elizabeth Reynolds, only daughter of William Reynolds and Ann Willis who were convicts in Sydney. Elizabeth and TEE apparently had twins before their marriage. Permission was granted 14 August 1826 and they married 9 September 1826 by Richard Hill at St James Church, Sydney. Elizabeth died 1827. 1 Jan 1828 the widower was married by Banns (Rev John Dunmore Lang presided) to Eliza Winnicott (arrived free as nursemaid to the family of Magistrate John Stephen) in Sydney. By the birth of their second child, Sarah Ann (b. 7 June 1830 d. 22 September 1833), it appears TEE is in debtors prison at Sydney Gaol, and he was brought to court for a hearing of bankruptcy. Discharged 13 July 1830 after signing over his assets to the Registrar of Bankruptcy. TEE was living at No.11 Phillips St Sydney and an agent for the sale of a portable grain mill. He was still Crier of the Supreme Court (Australia News 21 Nov 1827) and in the statement of his affairs, there are two items of special interest: "A farm now in the occupation of Thomas Markwell, sold to James Slade for 150 pounds, due 120 pounds. Interest in property as per will of the late T Colledge Esq, after payment of a bond for 1,000 pounds to executors of the late E Riley Esq, 400 pounds. Again, in late 1833 after the birth of his son George, TEE is in debtors prison at Sydney Gaol until he is transferred back to the Crown in early November 1834. He was incarcerated during both the death of his daughter Sarah Ann and the birth of son William Manuel (12 Dec 1833). There is some oral history in the family to the effect that TEE was a drinking buddy of Justice Barron Field, and shared his political views. No doubt, Like Justice Field, he was part of the faction opposed to Governor Darling, who campaigned to eradicate the "Special" convict class that TEE belonged to. There is evidence of many cases of Darling's prejudice and punishment of those who opposed him and the "Special" convicts. Having a good education and a certain level of "breeding", TEE was able to mix in the Magistrate's circles comfortably, and this is no doubt how he was able to meet, and marry, Magistrate Stephen's child's nurse. 17 Nov 1834, corro from the Colonial Secretary's office states that TEE "presently confined to Sydney Gaol will be immediately placed aboard the hulk for removal to Port Macquarie... you will have the goodness to inform Edwards in reply to application for him to be retained in Sydney, that his request cannot be complied with" and later corro instructs that TEE "be immediately shipped from the Hulk to the Schooner "Ann" for conveyance to Port Macquarie. From the returns of the Police establishment at Port Macquarie, we are told that Thomas and Eliza were in charge of male and female convicts at Port Macquarie from 5 June 1835. TEE was Watch-house Keeper at 1/- a day, rations and slops (clothing), while Eliza was Matron at the Port Macquarie Female Factory (1/3, no rations) and they were given quarters to live in. TEE applied for his ticket of leave April 1839, granted that November conditional to his remaining in Port Macquarie. A conditional pardon was granted to TEE 10 Jun 1850 (published in "The Sydney Morning Herald" of Tuesday 30 July 1850: "CONDITIONAL PARDONS-His Excellency the Governor has directed it to be notified, that Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to authorise the issue of pardons to the undermentioned persons, on condition that during the remainder of the term of their respective sentences, they do not return to the countries or colonies from which they were severally transported, as hereun der more particularly specified -Dated 10th June 1850 -Pardons available everywhere, save in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland- ... Thomas Edwards, Lady Castlereagh" and also in "The Maitland & Hunter River General Advertiser" of Wednesday 31 July 1850: "CONDITIONAL PARDONS. Pardons available everywhere save in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Dated 10th June, 1850... Edwards,Thomas, Lady Castlereagh".)

FIRSTLY - ERRATA - 39 OF TEH CONVICTS ON THIS VOYAGE OF THE "LADY CASTLEREAGH" DISEMBARKED AT PORT JACKSON (SYDNEY) WITH ONLY THE BALANCE OF 261 CONVICTS CONTINUING TO HOBART. THOMAS EACOT EDWARDS DID NOT GO TO HOBART. Also, FYI, some information below on my fourth great grandfather: ''Thomas Eacot Edwards''' (b.1792 at Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire). Thos. the Younger was tried and convicted at Somerset QS and transported to Australia for life for stealing an end of cloth after his parents wool cloth manufacturing business in Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, went bankrupt. Departed England on ''Lady Castlereagh'' 22 December 1817 under Captain Weltden. Surgeon Superintendent Dr. Craig RN. With 300 male prisoners all in excellent health under a military guard consisting of a detachment of 34th, 46th and 48 regts under orders of Lieut. Brotheridge of the 48th and Ensign Lax of 34th. Almost immediately on arriving in Port Jackson 30/4/1818, he was made clerk of courts and is listed as clerk to Judge Barron Field and on list of staff victualled from HM magazines 8 Sep 1821. He was sent to Port Macquarie to supervise many of the civic works, including construction of St Thomas Anglican Church. Port Macquarie is one of the oldest towns in the state and was established in 1821 as a self-sufficient penal settlement. Convicts chosen for their skills and good behaviour maintained the fledgling town, doing everything from farming, boatbuilding and blacksmithing to teaching, baking and clerical duties. His second wife, Eliza (nee Winnicott) was Matron of the Female Factory at Port Macquarie. He first married a natural-born Australian, Elizabeth Reynolds, daughter of William and Ann Reynolds, convicts. They apparently had twins before their marriage in 1826 in Sydney. 1 Jan 1828 Thomas, a widower, was married to Eliza Winnicott (arrived free as nursemaid to the family of Magistrate John Stephen) in Sydney. His conditional pardon was granted 10 Jun 1850 and he died 9 July 1852.