William Hartlin

341

Maureen Withey on 31st March 2020

He was one of the first group of 29 convicts to go to Moreton Bay on the Amity which departed Sydney on the 1st September 1824, bound for Moreton Bay. Many of them had skills which would be useful in establishing a new settlement. They arrived at Redcliffe 12th September, and set up temporary huts and gardens to plant vegetables. They did not feel the site was very suitable, so by May 1825, the settlement was moved to Brisbane, a few miles upstream. Many of the convicts were volunteers who hoped to gain their ticket-of-leave as a reward for helping to establish the new penal colony.

341

Maureen Withey on 30th March 2020

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 30 March 2020), April 1821, trial of WILLIAM HARTLIN (t18210411-110). WILLIAM HARTLIN, Theft > grand larceny, 11th April 1821. 596. WILLIAM HARTLIN was indicted for stealing, on the 1st of March , one box, value 2 s., the goods of Francis Smith ; and one box, value 2 s., and twelve printed bound books, value 20 s. , the goods of Henry Colbourn and Simon Saunders . SIMON SAUNDERS . I am a bookseller , in partnership with Henry Colbourn . I only know the property. GEORGE LEDGER . I am a carrier, and live at West Horsley, Surry. I had two boxes of books in my cart, on the 1st of March. When I got to the corner of Air-street, Piccadilly , I went into a shop for some things, a man ran in, and said my cart had been robbed; I ran out, the prisoner was brought back, and Smith brought the trunk back. Two trunks were stolen from cart. JOHN SMITH . I am carman to Mr. Godfrey, of Piccadilly. I saw the prisoner take the trunk out of the cart. I followed and caught him about a hundred yards off, with it on his back. GEORGE AVIS . Smith gave me the trunk; I saw him take it off the prisoner's back. The prisoner ran away - I followed, and secured him. (Property produced and sworn to.) Prisoner's Defence. A man asked where he could get a porter. I said I wanted a job, he gave me the box to carry, then struck me, and charged me with stealing it. GUILTY . Aged 19. Transported for Seven Years . First Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Common Sergeant. ---------------------------------------------------- William Hartlin went to Moreton Bay as a volunteer, to work on the construction of the penal settlement. ------------------------------------------------- Moreton Bay Prisoner Register. William Hartlan, per Mary 2, tried at Middlesex 11 Apr 1821, 7years. Trade - Cooper. No details of any Colonial Conviction. Run 12 January 1826. Description: Hartlin Wm., native of London, age 23, 5 ft 5. dark comp, brown hair, grey eyes. -------------------------------------------------- Following his runing away with 6 other prisoners, he was mentioned in the Colonial Secretary's Correspondence Monthly return of convicts Received, Died, discharged or Run at Moreton Bay from 25 Dec 1825 to 24th Jan 1826 inclusively. Decrease. William Hartland – Mary 2. Letter re prisoner escapees from Moreton Bay dated 1826 02. 27 Lists six men, including William Hartland. Letter dated 1826 08.28. f rom Commandant of Port Macquarie to Governor. Indents of Crown Prisoners, Runaways from Moreton Bay apprehended at this Station and now forwarded to Head Quarters on board the Colonial Brig “Mary Elizabeth” in compliance with instructions dated 18th Inst. John Walsh/ “Minerva” 4 – mariner Charles Penny/ “Speke” – labourer William Hartland/ “Mary” Lewis Lazarus/ “Isabella” – labourer Letter dated 1826.11.27 3 of the escaped prisoners returned to Moreton Bay. Hartland in gaol, was volunteer at Moreton Bay – ordered to Hyde Park Barracks – letters to Sher iff and Princ. Supt. Of Convicts. --------------------------------------------------- Public Notice. THE undermentioned Persons have obtained Certificates of Freedom, during the last Week : viz. Mary (2) – William Hartlin. Sydney Gazette, 23 Apr 1828.