William Rhees

342

Maureen Withey on 3rd June 2020

—Another incorrigible youth, only 11 years, connected with gang, … one named William Rhees, was charged with stealing pair of trowsers, the property of Mr. J. Long, linen-draper, No. 1, Cleveland-place, Walcot. It appeared that three or four idle urchins were standing together near the shop, and that the prisoner left them, and went and stole the trowsers in question from from the door. Another lad. a more honest description, named Bowman, in the employ of Mr Beanies, grocer, in the neighbourhood, seeing the prisoner making off with the trowsers under somewhat suspicious circumstances, stopped him, and judging from his manner that he had not obtained them honestly, secured him, and gave him into custody. The prisoner was committed for trial. The magistrates highly eulogised Bowman's conduct. Bath Chronicle, 6 May 1841. Tasmanian Conduct Record. https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON33-1-25$init=CON33-1-25p176 6154. William Rhees. Age 13, Native of Bath. Can read. Tasmanian Indent: https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON14-1-16$init=CON14-1-16p65 https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON14-1-16$init=CON14-1-16p66 6154, William Rhees, Tried Somerset Bath City Q.S. 11 October 1841. Height 4ft 3 ½. Age 13, 10 year sentence, protestant, can read, Single. Offence: Stealing lb of butter prop. Mrs Ships of Wesson ? Flogged for trowsers – 12 lashes. Surgeon’s report, Bad, just lately better. Labourer. Native of Bath. F(father) Horatio Nelson Rees, M; Sarah, 1 B – Hy, ? Chas, S- Elizabeth, Sarah, Ellen, Jane. 5 Mas ? (5 Mos. on Hulk?) 1841 Census at Philip Street, Bath: Horatio Rhees, 35, Sarah, 40, Elizabeth, 15, Charles, 7, Ellen 5, and Jane, 3. His father, Horatio Nelson Rhees died 20 Feb 1847. Source: Find a grave Index. England 1851 census at Abbey Street, Bath, Somerset. Sarah Rhees, widow, age 52, laundress, daughters Ellen, age 15, and Jane age 11, all born in Bath. -------------------------------------------------- There is a biography of his father, and a little more about the family, on Find-a- grave, and William is air-brushed out of the story, .. "William went to Australia with a company."

221

D Wong on 3rd June 2020

Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette Somerset, England 6 May 1841: William Rhees, was charged wilh stealing pair of trowsers, the property of Mr. J. Long, linen-draper, No. 1, Cleveland-place, Walcot. Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette Somerset, England 14 Oct 1841: William Rhees, 11, was charged with stealing, on the 21st of July, 11b.of butter, the property of Wm. Ship. Guilty. The Recorder, in passing sentence, said that it appeared from what had come to his knowledge that the prisoner was an e3xceedingly bad boy, having only at the last Sessions been sentenced to be whipped for an offence. Mr. Pike, the gaoler, here said that on the day after his discharge, the prisonercame down to the gaol, and seeing the turnkey at the door, who had whipped him, he impudently said "he was ready for another dozen!" The Recorder then continued. There appeared to be no hope for his reformation in this country, and he should therefore certainly transport him. The sentence of the Court was that he be transported beyond the seas for the term of ten years. William Rhees was listed as 13 years old on arrival. Native Place: Bath, Somersetshire. William was 4'3½" tall, fair complexion, red hair, grey eyes, tattoos. 20/6/1848: TOL 12/3/1850: Date of death.

80

Ann Marie Gould on 2nd June 2020

transported age 11! Drowned in the Derwent