Elizabeth Thomas

75

iain Frazier on 8th April 2026

Family connections for Elizabeth (Thomas) are: THOMAS Elizabeth/Beth (Thomas), daughter of Robert (Thomas) & Jane (???) sister John, Robert & Mary, was born on 30 7 1769 at Llanddoget Denbighshire Wales & grew up in parish Balla Wales. She became housemaid for Hon. Richard (Jones) Esq. at Llay near Gresford Wales from about August 1785 to August 1786, when she moved to Chipping Lancashire. In 1786 she was tried for stealing a white apron etc of Ann (Freeman) of Aughton Ormskirk Lancashire at Wigan October Quarter Sessions on 11 1 1787 (she had also recently stolen a woollen cloak from Ann (Freeman) of Ormskirk), sentenced to 3months hard labour and a whipping at the Rogues Post in the House of Corrections at Preston. She was gaoled 3times for theft & was tried for stealing a printed cotton gown, on 25 12 1786, of Jennifer (Sturzacker) of Chipping Lancashire, on 24 8 1796, at Borough of Wigan (perhaps Preston) Lancaster Quarter Sessions, sentenced to 7years, held at Lancaster Castle Gaol near Preston then Portsmouth Hampshire (in a hulk?) & arrived in Botany Bay NSW as a convict on 22 1 1788 after a voyage of 9months on First Fleet ship PRINCE OF WALES. She married firstly (1of3) William (Connelly) on 19 10 1788 at St Phillips CofE Sydney Cove & produced 3children. She & her husband were sent to Norfolk Island on 6 3 1790 on HMS SIRIUS, arriving on 13 3 1790 (the date of its sinking on reef near Kingston Pier Slaughter Bay). On 5 2 1791 she received 5 2month old pigs from Government Stores, as did her husband. On 26 10 1791 she was issued more pigs. She associated with Elizabeth (Thomas her third relationship), produced 5children & later married later married. [Some details taken from this Website; where there are 2entries with slightly different information-viz: her birth in 1766/7-being tried at Preston-a marriage in 1812-producing 5children-her death in 1766/7 age65] William (Connelly) was born about 1760. He was tried for a felony at Bristol Gloucestershire Assizes on 3 2 1785, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 22 1 1788 after a voyage of 12months on Fleet ship ALEXANDER (ship SCARBOROUGH-same Fleet- shown in Ref:'People...'). He arrived on Norfolk Island in August 1791; although this Website shows him arriving with his wife on 6 3 1790 on SIRIUS, arriving on 13 3 1790 (the date of its sinking on reef near Kingston Pier Slaughter Bay). In 1791 he was assigned as night watch at Middle Bay. On the 5 2 1791 he received 5 2month old pigs from government stores, as did his wife. By July 1791 he had cleared 1acre of timbered land. On 16 2 1792 he sold 3bushells of Indian corn & 1sow; & in January 1793 he sold 15bushells of Maize-he was now Free & had money. He left Norfolk Island on 26 10 1793 on SURPRISE. He was issued a Pardon; & left NSW to Bengal India on SUGAR CANE, possibly returning to England. [Some details taken from this Website] .. >>>Elizabeth/Beth (Thomas) continued to work her land after her husband left. She had a second relationship (2of3) with Thomas (Hill) & produced 2children. She was Free by Servitude by 1796. She is recorded in February 1805 as sentence expired on stores on Norfolk Island.>>> ++ SEARCHING FOR THOMAS (HILL): TIS ALL TO GO TO A & C ALSO There are many Thomas (Hill)s on this Website, including 6 that are relevant: A.Thomas (Hill) arrived in NSW as a convict from Somerset on 26 6 1790 after a voyage of 7months on Fleet NEPTUNE SCARBOROUGH SURPRISE. Notes in this entry mention a relationship with Elizabeth (Thomas) - but also as dying on the voyage-or maybe not. .. B.Thomas (Hills) arrived in NSW as a convict from Surrey on 9 7 1791 after a voyage of 6months on Fleet ship ADMIRAL BARRINGTON. A note in this entry mentions him dying. .. C.Thomas (Hill) arrived in NSW as a convict from Surrey on 21 9 1791 after a voyage of 8months on HMS GORGON. Notes in this entry show him with Elizabeth (Thomas) - but also as dying on the voyage-or maybe not. .. D.Thomas (Hill) arrived in NSW as a convict from Dorset on 21 1 1788 after a voyage of 8months on First Fleet ship FRIENDSHIP. .. E.Thomas (Hills) arrived in NSW as a convict from Sussex on 26 7 1799 after a voyage of 10months on HILSBOROUGH. .. F.Noted also: a Thomas (Hill) DONE is recorded as tried at Limerick Ireland in 1799 & sentenced to 7years. He was recorded as off stores on 2 10 1818 at Hobart town in Ref:'Forgotten...'. He does not have an entry onthis Website. .. AND Smees records show, in records of children born, that Thoomas (Hill) arrived as a convict on 9 7 1791 after a voyage of 6months on Fleet ship WILLIAM AND ANN-a companion ship in the same Fleet as ADMIRAL BARRINGTON. This is probably the person we are looking for as it is noted that sometimes information for this Fleet seems to have benn accumulated on ADMIRAL BARRINGTON. IN ADDITION, the information from Ref:'People...' that we rely on that shows Thomas (Hill) arriving on Norfolk Island on 4 11 1791 on NEPTUNE could indicate that he was transferred to NEPTUNE for this part of the voyage-as seems to be the case with other entries in this book. This NEPTUNE finally left NSW in October 1791 & may have sailed via NI. ++ This Thomas (Hil), seemingly, was tried at Southwark Borough Quarter Sessions Surrey on 18 2 1789, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 9 7 1791 after a voyage of 6months on Fleet ship WILLIAM AND ANN. He was sent to Norfolk Island on NEPTUNE (the ATLANTIC-same Fleet as WILLIAM & ANN-is also mentioned) arriving on 4 11 1791. He left Norfolk Island on 9 2 1796, perhaps on RELIANCE. [Some details taken from 3entries for Thomas (Hill) & 2entries for Elizabeth (Thomas) on this Website] .. >>>Elizabeth/Beth (Thomas) left Norfolk Island with 5of her children as part of the first evacuation on 15 5 1808 on ESTRAMINA (her spouse James (Waterson) was also on the ship), arriving at Derwent Tasmania on 5 6 1808; to a grant equalling her entitlement of 41.5acres at Clarence Plains. She married James (Waterson) on 30 4 1812 at St Davids CofE Hobart. She is recorded as off stores on 2 10 1818 at Hobart Town. She died on 28 7 1835 age65/8 at Hollow Tree mother of perhaps 12children mostly boys & was buried at St Matthews church Rokeby. CCONVICTdone James (Waterson) was born about 1767. He was tried at Norfolk Assizes at Norwich, sentenced to death reprieved to +Life & arrived in NSW as a convict on 9 7 1791 after a voyage of 6months on Fleet ship ALBERMARLE. He arrived on Norfolk Island on 23/4 4 1792. He is recorded in February 1805 as convict sawyer on stores on Norfolk Island. He left Norfolk Island separately from his family (who were on the same ship) as part of the first evacuation (for which volunteers apparantly had been called with appropriate compensation offerred & for which he may have tried to decline as some successful farmers were asked to stay) on 15 5 1808 on ESTRAMINA, arriving at Derwent Tasmania on 5 6 1808. [Some details taken from this Website] Noted an Elizabeth (Thomas) is recorded as producing 2more children: 1.Elizabeth (???) was born on 28 2 1815 & baptised on 27 3 1815 at St Davids CofE Hobart. 2.William (Thomas) was born on 26 1 1820 & baptised on 16 2 1820 at St Davids CofE Hobart. References: 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. Irene Schaffer & Thelma McKay 'Exiled Three Times Over! Profiles of Norfolk Islanders Exiled in Van Diemens Land 1807-1813' James Hugh Donohoe 'Norfolk Island 1788-1813-The People and Their Families' Reg Wright 'Forgotten Generation of Norfolk Island & Van Diemens Land'

7

Deborah on 29th September 2018

HAA007 Convict Ancestors Story - Deborah Barber Felony, Purgatory, Atonement : The Elizabeth Thomas Story This story has been created by Deborah Barber as part of the University of Tasmania's HAA007 Convict Ancestors unit. Introduction Having been born in Australia with Parents, Grandparents and great grandparents all being born in Australia, it is daunting to think about our Convict connection and the hardships Elizabeth Thomas endured during the early times of Australia's colonization. The following story will look at Elizabeth's Early life in Wales, the bad choices she made resulting in 3 convictions and eventual Transportation. The story of the long voyage, life at Port Jackson, Norfolk Island and eventually Van Dieman's land.   Early life / Wales Elizabeth Thomas ( Beth) found herself living on the streets, freezing cold at night, stomach forever rumbling with hunger. Little did she know that as she was contemplating stealing one cotton printed gown belonging to Jennifer Sturzacker of Chipping lancashire on the 24th of August 1786, that a higher authority was already planning her immediate future and The family of generations to come. Beth was Born on 30th July 1769 at Llanddoget, Denbighshire, Wales. Beth was the second child of four born to Robert and Jane Thomas. Her older brother John, younger brother Robert and Younger sister Mary, all grew up in the parish of Balla, Wales. (1) At the Young age of 16 Beth found herself working as a housemaid for Hon. Richard Jones Esq. who had an Estate and Manor at Llay near Gresford, Wales. (2) She was a hard worker, did all the chores asked of her including cooking and cleaning. But she was not treated well. In her young mind it was better to live on the street, in the cold, begging for food. She left the service of Hon. Richard Jones Esq. in August of 1786 and travelled to Chipping in Lancashire seeking work at the recently established cotton mill. Alas they were no jobs to be had. And so began a string of Thefts that would land Young Beth in Gaol not once, not twice, but three times with in the year, eventually being transported across the sea's to Port Jackson for seven years. First brush with the law One evening Beth was sitting outside a house where she could see the family sitting at their Dinner table, eating a feast of food, a big warm fire burning at one end of the room. It looked so warm, and Beth was aching with Hunger and couldn't warm her fingers or toes. There was a young girl about her own age. She wore a beautiful gown and a nice clean white apron over the top. Beth wished she could sit at that table and eat and be warm. Beth couldnt understand why some people had everything and others had nothing. These people were very well off and Beth didnt think they would miss something that could keep her warm at night. A couple of hours later Beth found herself at the House of Corrections at Preston, Lancashire. The year was 1786, Beth was 17 years old and was charged Upon oath with " Feloniously stealing a white apron and shawl, the property of Ann Freeman of Aughton, Ormskirk, Lancashire".  Beth was tried at the Wigan October Quarter sessions, found guilty and sentenced to 3 months imprisonment and a whipping at the Rogue's Post in the House of Corrections at Preston. Beth was Prisoner 26 according to the Preston House of Corrections Keeper, Edward Cowburne, and is recorded as : " Elizabeth Thomas, appearing as above and having been indicted for, tried and found guilty of Felony. Remanded to hard labour for three months, and whipped at the Rogue's Post in the House of Corrections. Whipped and detained as below. Was a servant to the honourable Richard Jones, Esqr. But Absented his service without concent. Discharged." (3) Subsequent Brushes with the Law Christmas Day1786 saw Beth detained again by R. Shuttleworth Esq. on suspicion of feloniously stealing a printed gown, the property of Jennet Sturzaker, in Chipping, Lancashire.  Before she was apprehended Beth returned to the Ormsmirk area where she again stole a woollen cloak from Ann Freeman. Seems Beth liked Clothing and didnt think the girls would miss them as they had so many. On the 11th of January 1787 Beth was sentenced to be transported for 7 years "across the sea to such a place as decided by the Privy Council". (3). Sea Voyage After conviction Beth was taken by wagon to Lancaster Castle Gaol north of Preston. It wasnt until May 13th 1787 that Beth was taken to Portsmouth, then rowed out to the transport Prince of Wales by the prison turnkey. Then the first fleet set sail for Botany Bay. 8 Months at sea, the First Fleet with Beth on board reached Botany Bay on the 20th of January 1788. Botany Bay was deemed unsuitable, so the fleet moved north to Port Jackson and established the settlement that came to be called Sydney Cove.(4) Beth remained on the ship til the 6th of February when all the female convicts were processed. Life as a convict in New South Wales The first 8 months at Port Jackson were uneventful for Beth. She did as she was asked, worked hard and was rewarded for good behaviour. On the 19th of October 1788 at St. Phillip's church Sydney cove, Elizabeth Thomas Married William Connelly. The witnesses were Mary Dixon and Thomas Eccles. Beth was 19 years old. Their first child William Thomas Connelly was born on the 5th of June 1789 and Died 27 October 1789. (5) Stores at Sydney cove were running low as no more ships had arrived since 1788. In order to lessen the pressure of dwindling stores, on the 6th March 1790 William Connelly and Elizabeth Thomas and many others, were sent to Norfolk Island on the HMS Sirius, arriving on the 13th March. (6) Norfolk Island The sea around Norfolk Island was rough, making it difficult to off load the convicts using long boats. Cascade Bay was selected as a better place to land. Once the convicts were on land the ship had to go out to sea as the waters were too rough. The HMS Sirius returned on the 19th of March to Off load the rest of the stores. Alas the seas remained a challenge and the HMS Sirius hit the reef and sunk with the stores. Martial Law was declared to conserve food even though the stores were eventually recovered.(7) On the 5th February 1791, William Connelly and Elizabeth Thomas each received two month old pigs from government stores. By July William Connelly had cleared  one acre of timbered block. And again on the 26th of August 1791 Elizabeth Thomas was issued with more swine. Things were going well for William and Beth. On 16th February 1792 William Connelly sold 3 bushells of Indian corn valued at one pound four shillings and one sow worth three pounds fifteen shillings.(8) On January 1793 William sold 15 bushells of Maize valued at ten pounds fifteen shillings. (9). By this time William Connelly was a free man. He took his money and Left Beth, boarding the Sugar Cane bound for Bengal India. (10) Conclusion Beth was a strong woman by now. She continued to work her land, increase her stock and sold goods to the government stores. On May 8th 1808 Beth and her second Husband James Waterson and their five children boarded the Estramina and arrived in Hobart 5th June 1808. Elizabeth was entitled to 41.5 acres at Clarance Plains. (11) This will have to be another story at another time. Elizabeth Thomas Waterson died at Hollow Tree ( now St. Matthews church, Rokeby) on 28th July 1835 aged 68.(2) References 1. Ancestry.com.Wales, Select Births and Baptisms 1541-1907 2. International Genealogical index: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "International Genealogical Index (IGI)," database, FamilySearch, entry for Elizabeth Thomas. 3. The Public Record Offices of Preston. Lancashire, England. 4. New South Wales, Australia, Government indents, First fleet, Second fleet and ships. NRS 1150. Microfiche 620-624. State records authority of New South Wales, Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia. 5. http://person.ancestrylibrary.com/tree/48995640/person/27779285045 6. Hill, David : 1788 7. Hosty, Kieran : Convicts and early settlers 1788-1850. Australia, Emigration and immigration, History 1788-1850 8.https://www.nla.gov.au/research-guides/australian-joint-copying-project/reel 4, page 23. 9.https://www.nla.gov.au/research-guides/australian-joint-copying-project/reel 4, page 31-36 10.https://www.nla.gov.au/research-guides/australian-joint-copying-project/reel 5, page 359 11. http://www2.sl.nsw.gov.au/archive/discover_collections/history_nation/macquarie/greenway/bigge.html

ref;norfolk island and its first settlement by raymond nobbs. there was an elizabeth Thomas that arrived on ship prince of wales.13 mar 1790. Departed N.I 15 may 1808. convict,married. children; elizabeth thomas/waterson born N.I 13 aug 1796. departed N.I 15 may 1808. james " /" " 15 july 1802 " " john " - " 24 oct 1793 " ? mary " /" " 29 nov 1794 " " thomas(john)" /" " 15 july 1808 " " thomas william "/" " 12 aug 1799 " " adult james waterson. ship albemarie arrived 23 april 1792. departed N.I 15 may 1808. convict. married --chez

Sailed on the Prince of Whales Was Married