Joseph Johnson

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Maureen Withey on 17th February 2023

Tasmanian Records. https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON22-1-1_0554 Per Calcutta, Joseph Johnson, tried at Derbyshire G.D., 13 March 1802, Life. (Added later) C.P. N. 5. 15 June 1810.

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D Wong on 7th March 2020

Staffordshire Advertiser Staffordshire, England 20 Mar 1802: At Derby assizes Thomas Dawkins, and Joseph Johnson, for horse stealing. Thomas Dawkins was also on board. The following information comes from WikiTree and the research of Josephine Colahan: Joseph was born about 1774 in Derbyshire. On 27 February 1802, Joseph stole a brown mare, reported in the ‘Derby Mercury’ (11 March 1802, p. 4) as the property of Thomas Wain of Hartington. Joseph departed aboard ‘Calcutta’ and was among the first settlers to Sullivans Cove with Collins in Van Diemens Land in 1804. Joseph was 30 years old when he arrived in VDL in 1804. 16/6/1810: CP Joseph was in possession of 30 acres at Glenorchy (Lot 19) at least by 1819 and by 1823 he owed quit rents to the government for land in the Districts of Drummond as well. This was probably the Tea Tree Brush where he built a stockyard. He was aged 40 years when he married Elizabeth Smith on 6 November 1815. There was no issue from this marriage. At ‘Tissington’, Green Ponds After his initial grant of 30 acres at Glenorchy on 20 September 1813 Joseph exchanged this grant with David Dunstan for 60 acres at Drummond by 1824. This would probably be the property at Tea Tree Brush. By May 1826 at the time of the Land Commissioners visit Joseph had 360 acres and was living at ‘Tissington’, Green Ponds. When the Quaker missionaries, Backhouse and Walker, visited in 1834, Edmund Johnson was still living at ‘Tissington’, and perhaps were also the elder boys of the William Johnson family. e Joseph then owned 5000 acres. On 13 February 1834 James Backhouse (Oats 1981, p. 191) wrote: "We crossed several deep gullies in our descent, and in five hours and a half from leaving Jerusalem, emerged from among the hills, close to the house of an elderly man, whom we much wished to see, and by whom we were courteously received. This person was formerly a prisoner, and came out with Governor Collins. Being industrious, and of more sober habits than many of his contemporaries, he has prospered greatly since he became free: he is now possessed of five thousand acres of land, capable of maintaining two thousand sheep, and some horned cattle. He has taught himself to read and write, and his bible has the appearance of being well read. His wife, who was also formerly a prisoner, prepared tea for us, and waited on us very kindly. They both seemed grateful for our visit; and for the religious instruction conveyed to their family." Joseph's wife Elizabeth Smith died 30 April 1846 aged 60. Joseph was now entering his dotage and made some wild decisions in his personal life which he was soon to regret. Two weeks after Elizabeth’s death he married Jane Baird, a washerwoman from Green Ponds who had been doing some work for Elizabeth. After two years of new married bliss, in 1848 Uncle Joseph signed a deed of gift of ‘Tissington’ and all his property to his new wife. Jane Baird left Joseph soon after, by 28 September 1848, and was living in Green Ponds at ‘Cadzow Cottage’. Her Hadden family were arriving; some of whom had emigrated from Scotland in 1845. Jane’s husband, William Hadden, when he arrived, lived with his son James, at Joseph's house - to be renamed ‘The Grange’. Joseph was ousted from ‘Tissington’. Joseph died on 19 December 1852 while living with his nephew William Johnson at 'Green Valley'.