John Williams

3

Ruth Bieri on 16th September 2017

Burials Certificate No. 2207 Vol. 21. Abode, Gloucester Street, Age 42 years, When Buried 5th May 1837, Ceremony performed, Parish of Saint James in the County of Cumberland, NSW, Ceremony performed by Robt. Cartwright. His occupation was first listed as 'boot closer'. This was a lesser occupation than 'shoemaker'. A boot closer was only a part of the process of shoe making which involved stitching the pieces of the upper together. The 1821 Muster shows him as being in government employ. Colonial Secretary's Index shows that John Rotton has had him in emploly as a mechanic since 1821 at Patrick's Plains, Newcastle, and wants to keep him without pay. 1824 shows that unless she's paid he goes sback to government employment. The 1825 Muster shows him as shoemaker with ticket of leave. The 1828 Census shows him as shoemaker with William Hills, Gloucester Street, Sydney, aged 32 with ticket of leave. Muster of 1837 shows him as shoemaker, aged 43. It would appear that he never married.

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Robin Sharkey on 1st May 2016

There were two men named John Williams transported on the “Indefatigable" in 1814. Both were tried in 1814 at the Old Bailey. However, this John Williams was tried on 25th May 1814 from the London Jail Delivery, and given a LIFE Sentence. (The other John Williams was from the Middlesex Gaol Delivery, given 14 years, and tried later, on 6th July 1814). His trial does not appear in the record of the Old Bailey trials, however his sentencing a few days later on 31 May 1814 was referred to in a London newspaper report: Public Ledger and Daily Advertiser - Wednesday 1 June 1814 page 3 “OLD BAILEY - May 31 ” … Same day the Recorder passed sentence of death on … [listed names]” . … T. Jones, J Bainbridge, H. Hart, J Williams, A George, and I Saunders to be transported for life;” All these listed men except for Saunders, were transported on “Indefatigable” leaving over four months later in October 1814. Muster of “Indefatigable” men taken on arrival in NSW: John Williams Tried London Gaol Delivery on 25th May 1814. Sentenced to Life transportation. Native Place: London.Trade: boot closer; Age: 24; 5ft 3 &1/2 inches, sallow complexion, dark brown hair and hazel eyes, 1814, October - Departed England 1815, April 25th - Arrived NSW Ages: Various ages given which would have him born in: 1791 (the 1815 muster on arrival); 24 years in 1815 or 1796 (the 1828 Census) 19 years in 1815 or 1794 (the 1837 muster) 21 years in 1815. 1824, May 4; Letter From John Rotton to Government John Rotton wished to keep John Williams whose trade or Calling: was Shoemaker; bond & payment cancelled. [THIS John Williams must be the LIFE man of London Gaol Delivery BECAUSE the other one off “indefatigable” by 1824 had a Conditional Pardon and was running his own enterprises. 1828 Census. Sentenced to Life. aged 32. TL. Shoemaker. Lives with Wm Hill. Residence: Gloucester Street Sydney. William Hill of Gloucester St was FbyS, per ‘Morley’ in 1828, Butcher, married to Norah Hill age 28 FbyS, with a baby and toddler; and two other lodgers in their house (Joseph Guest aged 22 FbyS per ‘Shipley’; and Elizabeth Almond age 27 FbyS per “Maria”). 1833 Ticket of Leave Number: 33/0448 Year: 1833; Allowed to remain in the District of Sydney; John Williams Place of Trial: London Gaol Delivery, Ship: Indefatigable, Year: 1815, Native Place: London; Trade or Calling: Bootcloser; 1837 Muster - John Williams Ticket of Leave, aged 43, arrived per “Indefatigable”. Occupation/Residence: at Sydney (so born about 1794) May be the John Williams who died 1837 at Sydney.