William Smith

218

Dianne Jones on 29th May 2020

DATE OF BIRTH: Conflicting records - the ship's muster roll in 1820, for example, lists him as 66. Even though this is an error, he is the oldest prisoner on the "Dorothy" (see NSW Convict Ship Muster Rolls… 1790-1849). Two petitions by his family before his transportation in March 1820 give his age as 70 (see Penal Transportation database). Grounds for same include his position as a governor of the St Michaels Parish, Dublin City, and his health - he suffers from "apoplexy and failing eyesight". A petition after his arrival in New South Wales gives his age in August 1821 as 72 years. Another in 1822 lists him as 73 years old. NATIVE OF: Dublin, Ireland. ADDRESS: 8 Brennswick [Brunswick] Street, Dublin City (see Petition on Penal Transportation database). WIFE: Elizabeth Smith. CHILDREN: Margaret, Mary Ann, Isabella, William and Martin (see Petition on Penal Transportation database). TRADE: Butcher (see Petitions), but also listed as a merchant (see NSW Convict Indents, 1788-1842, Bound Indentures 1820-1821). CRIME: Church robbery (see NSW Convict Ship Muster Rolls… 1790-1849), but the Petition by his wife and children lists his crime as stealing a £1 note. The conviction was handed down in Dublin City, October 1819, and he was imprisoned at Newgate, Dublin (see NSW Convict Ship Muster Rolls… 1790-1849). DESCRIPTION: 5'7", florid complexion, grey hair, grey eyes (see Conditional Pardon, below). OTHER: 1821, 20 Aug: William Smith, 72, butcher, servant of quartermaster, Joshua Stubbs, of 48th Regiment, petitions for a free pardon (see NSW Colonial Secretary's Papers, 1788-1856, Petitions To The Governor From Convicts For Mitigations of Sentences). 1822, 7 Sep: Granted a Conditional Pardon by Governor Macquarie (see NSW Convict Registers of Conditional and Absolute Pardons, 1788-1870, Conditional 1822). 1822: Muster - Conditional Pardon, GS to Mr Joshua Stubbs, Sydney (Quarter Master to the 48th Regt) (see NSW and Tasmania, Australia Convict Musters, 1806-1849). 1822: Petition to Governor Brisbane for a free pardon. Notes that the previous Governor granted him a CP. He was voted a Church warden in Dublin, a member of the Masonic Order, a member of the Grand Lodge and an alderman of Skinnar’s Abbey. Has left a wife and five children in Dublin, is now in his 73rd year, in a very bad state of health, with his sight much impaired and is becoming every day weak and feeble; was always a loyal subject, was in the Yeomanry Corps and fought the rebels in the years 1798 and 1803 and received severe wounds… begs that he will be granted a free pardon and thereby be restored to his disconsolate family. Character referees include: Dr Douglas [Secretary to the Council], Brigade Major Ovens, Mr Murray, Mr Joshua Stubbs [Quarter Master to the 48th Regt], numerous officers on the 48th Regt, etc (see NSW Colonial Secretary's Papers, 1788-1856, Petitions To The Governor From Convicts For Mitigations of Sentences, p95). 1824, 20 Jan: He is an “object of charity”, to be victualled at the Benevolent Asylum, [backdated] from 17 Dec 1823 (see Colonial Secretary's Papers, 1788-1856, Copies of Letters Sent Within The Colony, 1814-1827). Note: The asylum was located at the entrance to Sydney, near the toll gate. Individuals and organisations tendered for the supply of bread, beef, etc, and its inmates were rationed or victualled at the expense of the Government. The Master in 1823 was Mr Dalton. The asylum provided for “the maintenance of the aged, blind, paralytic, and other afflicted poor”. By 1824, it had “90 Subjects of Commiseration… 80 of whom are entirely dependant Upon the Society, exclusive of those aged or afflicted Persons who receive weekly Assistance, Food and Clothing, at their own Habitations”. (see "The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser", 7 Apr 1825, p4).