Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
David Williams was transported on the Caledonia, departing 5th Jul 1820 and arriving 17th Nov 1820 with 150 passengers.
Ship Name: Caledonia (1) Rig Type: S. Built: Sunderland Build Year: 1815 Size (tons): 412 Voyage Details Source. Claim a Convict website. http://www.hawkesbury.net.au/claimaconvict/shipDetails.php?shipId=186
Caledonia (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 88, Class and Piece Number HO11/3, Page Number 335 (169). Tasmanian Archives - convict records. |
| 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
"4th GGF"
Photos
No photos have been added for David Williams.
Convict Notes
David Williams was born 2nd February 1801 to William Williams and Elizabeth Jarrett. He was baptized on 8th February 1801 at St Lukes, Finsbury Middlesex. Little is known about David’s early life, he became a hair weaver. On 17th January 1820 David aged 16 and William Pearce aged 16 a sweep were arrested and charged with stealing 3 pairs of blankets from John Harris Heal. The boys were in Newgate Prison. They were found Guilty and were sentenced to Death but on 8th April 1820 their sentences were respited to “Transportation for Life” and they were sent to the Hulk “Bellerophon” on 11th April 1820. On 25 June 1820 William boarded the “Caledonia” for transportation to Australia. The vessel departed on 5th July and arrived in Hobartown on 17th November 1820. Hobart Town Gazette and Southern Reporter (Tas. : 1816 - 1821), Saturday 25 November 1820, page 2 “The prisoners arrived per Caledonia were landed on Thursday; thirty at Kangaroo Point, where they were inspected by the Lieutenant Governor prior to their proceeding to Port Dalrymple… we understand that the prisoners who have been sent to Port Dalrymple from the Caledonia, are to be employed in improving the road between Launceston and Norfolk Plains, the principal corn district of that settlement”. On his arrival William was sent for employment at the Public Works at New Norfolk. David appears in the musters, still employed in the public works. Then on 2nd June 1826 at Launceston, he marries another Convict Jane Jones who arrived on the Henry. David names his ship as “Windham”. There was indeed a vessel named the Windham that would transport convicts to Sydney or other localities between Tasmania and the mainland or locally around the island but it wasn’t the ship that brought him out here. Then on 15th April 1826 he was given a Free Pardon. Once he gained his freedom, he became a Free Settler and with Jane went on to have three children Hannah b: 8th July 1828 Patterson’s Plains; David b: 25th March 1830 Patterson’s Plains and Thomas b: 11th November 1838 at Launceston. Sadly David Williams by confirmation of an Inquest passes away on 24th June 1841. It appears that he was driving a bullock cart and he was intoxicated, and by accident he upset the cart and it fell on him causing his death.
David WILLIAMS was convicted at the Middlesex Gaol, London on 17 Feb 1820. Life sentence. Transported to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) per the 'Caledonia' arriving 17 Nov 1820. Aged 18yrs; single; a hair weaver; 5'2". Native Place: London. Colony of Van Diemen's Land. Free Pardon granted 15 April 1826, no. 9.