John White

46

Heather Stevens on 28th August 2021

Birth about 1794 in London, England. He was age 21 according to the trial transcript, and a native of London according to the convict indent. Conviction 13 September 1815 at the Old Bailey, London: JOHN WHITE was indicted for stealing, on the 5th of December , sixteen pounds weight of thread, value 2l, 18s 4d. one groce of galoon, value 18s. three yards of silk, value 7s. 6d, the property of Isaac Nicholson , the elder, Thomas Haydon , Samuel Nicholson , and Isaac Nicholson , the younger, in the dwelling house of Isaac Nicholson , the younger. ISAAC NICHOLSON , JUNIOR. My partners names are Samuel Nicholson , and Isaac Nicholson , the elder; our house is at No. 15. Cateaton street ; I live alone in that house; it is in the parish of St. Lawrence Jury. I lost these things at about twelve o'clock in the mid-day. I know that the property stolen had been in my house. I saw the prisoner after he was detected. JOSEPH WILSON . I am warehouseman to Mr. Nicholson. The prisoner came in under a pretence to sell fire wood. There was nothing at the door. I understood that his cart was in the next street. He took hold of the parcel of goods, and was going out of the warehouse with it; I immediately laid hold of him, and he dropped the parcel. We sent for a constable, and had him taken into custody. Prisoner's Defence. I went in to ask the gentleman if he wanted any wood, and coming out I happened to knock the parcel down. Joseph Wilson . This parcel could not have fallen down; nor could it be knocked down accidentally. (Property produced) Isaac Nicholson , Junior. The warehouse where this was taken is a part of the dwelling-house; the property is ours, and it is worth four pounds four shillings; the retail price of the threads alone is fifty shillings, and it could not be purchased under forty shillings. GUILTY - DEATH , aged 21. London Jury, before Mr. Recorder. His sentence was respited to transportation for life on 30 March 1816. Arrival 8 March 1817 Sydney, New South Wales, on convict vessel Fame. Indent: John White, Age 22, labourer, Date of Conviction 13 Sep 1815, Place of Conviction London, Native place London, Height 4ft 11½in (this is incorrect - see Conditional Pardon); Complexion: Dark; Hair: Brown; Eyes: Grey. 1817 March 14: He was on a list of convicts disembarked from the Fame & forwarded to Windsor for distribution. In Population Musters for 1819, 1820, 1822: He was working for Thomas Malony at Windsor/Wilberforce  1825: He was a servant of Thomas Rollison of Richmond who wrote a testimony as to his character for a ticket of leave. He received his Ticket of Leave on 21 April 1825  In the 1825 muster he was listed as a Labourer; Ticket of Leave at Wilberforce 1828 census: He is age 34, Protestant, Ticket of Leave, employed by George Turnbull of Lower Portland Head Request for permission to marry 10 July 1834: Name John White, Age 40, Spouse Elizabeth Harriet Ramsay, Request Status Granted.  Marriage to 15 year old Elizabeth Harriet Ramsay 22 September 1834 at Lower Hawkesbury, New South Wales: Both of Mangrove Creek in the chapel by banns by Thomas Sharpe chaplain, both marked. Witnesses John Ramsay (Elizabeth's father) of Mangrove Creek and Thomas Wm Penton (the schoolmaster of Lower Hawkesbury). According to family legend Elizabeth left him soon after the marriage. Conditional Pardon Number 487, 15 August 1835 John White Age 39, Origin Place London, England, Arrival Year 1817, Vessel Name Fame. This has same description as indent, but height is 5ft 10¼in. 1837 Convict Muster: John White, Aged: 45; Arrived per ship Fame 1817; Current Status: Ticket of Leave; Residence: Brisbane Water. Death December 1839 Lower Hawkesbury, New South Wales.  Inquest: 8 December 1839, at Parramatta, found cause of death "Visitation by God" (probably unexplained sudden death).