Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
William Lear was transported on the Runnymede , departing 11th Nov 1839 and arriving 28th Mar 1840 with 201 passengers.
The original 'Runnymede' was built in London 1825, 389 tons. Sailing of this ship to Australia with convict transportees, including boy convicts 1839/1840 to Van Diemen's Land. (It appears this ship made other sailings to Australia, as a barque with immigrant passengers.) This Runnymede was wrecked near the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal in 1844. n.b. There is another 'Runnymede' ship. Built in Sunderland in 1854, the 720 ton ship Runnymede II - embarked 248 male convicts at Plymouth on 15 June 1856, landing all in Western Australia on 7 September, after a passage of 84 days - the sailing also had soldier families for settlement there. A 284 ton barque Runneymede of Hobart was wrecked at Frenchman's Bay, on 24 December 1878.
Runnymede (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 91, Class and Piece Number HO11/12, Page Number 119 (61). Tasmanian Archives - convicts http://search.archives.tas.gov.au/ImageViewer/image_viewer.htm?CON37-1-3,404,234,L,80. Newspapers online http://trove.nla.gov.au |
| Source Description | This record is one of the entries in the British convict transportation registers 1787-1867 database compiled by State Library of Queensland from British Home Office (HO) records which are available on microfilm as part of the Australian Joint Copying Pro |
| Original Source | Great Britain. Home Office |
| Compiled By | State Library of Queensland |
| Database Source | British convict transportation registers 1787-1867 database |
Claims
No one has claimed William Lear yet.
Photos
No photos have been added for William Lear.
Convict Notes
This is a different person, I thought it was my great great grandfather who married Matilda, my ancestor came to Australia of his own choice. My previous note was in error.
William Lear was only 12yrs old when convicted of stealing money from a shop, although it was his 3rd offence. 7yr sentence. Transported to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) on the 'Runnymede', arriving 1840. He is stated as single, labourer; 4'5"; aged 12yrs; light red hair; Hazel eyes; pale complexion. Native place of birth - Burslem. Free Certificate issued at Launceston. 2nd CONVICTION: Launceston 29/12/1846: Stealing - two bottles lemon syrup from Mr. Thomas Higgs store. 12mths imprisonment and hard labour, at Launceston. Discharged March 1847 and Free Pardon on Sherriff's Warrant. Newspaper article: LAUNCESTON QUARTER SESSIONS. Tuesday, December 29) William Lear, was charged with stealing two bottles of lemon syrup, the property of Thomas Higgs. Prosecutor saw the pri- soner go into his shop and take the two bottles mentioned in the information. He immediately ran, seized him, and gave him into custody. The jury found him guilty, but recommended him to mercy on account of his youth. The Chairman, in sentencing him to only twelve months' imprisonment on account of such recommendation, said that the prisoner who apneared about 18 years-of age, had already been transported for seven years, and that he had only become free a few weeks since, but he would give him another chance." (Launceston Advertiser 31 Dec 1846) No records on BMD index under "Lear" for him.
Went on to marry Matilda Irwin and had at least 2 children, William John and Benjamin.