William Williams

46

Heather Stevens on 3rd August 2023

William Williams was baptised on 29 October 1798 at Saint Phillips, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England, the register recording "William son of John & Elizabeth Williams". He was using the alias "Henry Thompson" when he was convicted at Chester Session of Pleas on 5 April 1820 and received a sentence of transportation for 14 years. A newspaper reported that he had uttered two forged £1 notes. He was received on the Justitia hulk on 7 June 1820. He was transported on the ship Elizabeth which departed England in August 1820, and arrived New South Wales on 31 December 1820.The ship's indent described him as: aged 22 years, born at Birmingham; Gunsmith & Clerk; height 5ft 1½ in, dark sallow complexion:, black hair, dark eyes His crime was "having etc forged bank notes" William's parents John and Elizabeth were convicted at Stafford Assizes in July 1820 for forgery. John was transported on the Dick, arriving New South Wales in March 1821 whilst Elizabeth was transported on Providence which left England in June 1821 and arrived January 1822. At least 5 of their children accompanied her on the ship. William Williams received a Ticket of leave in 1827. In the 1828 census, he was listed as William Williams, 30, ticket of leave, Elizabeth, 1820, 14 years, at the residence of his parents, in Pitt Street Sydney. William Williams married Susannah Jane Moss (1802–1838) on 19 April 1830 at St James Church, Sydney, New South Wales, by banns by Richard Hill with consent of Governor. The register recorded: William Williams, "alias Henry Thomson" aged 30 years, bachelor, arrived per Elizabeth, 1820, resident of Sydney, clerk, and Susannah Jane Roberts, aged 28 years, widow, resident of Sydney. Witnesses were Isaac Moss of Castlereagh Street, and Emma Williams, of Upper Pitt Street. They all signed their names. In their application for permission to marry, he was referred to as "Henry Thompson, or, Williams". In their application for banns, he was described as "A clerk at Mr Allen solicitor". In 1834 his sentence had finished and he was a free man. He received a Certificate of Freedom. William Williams married Annie Maria Salmon on 27 June 1850 at St. John's, Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia. The register recorded: William Williams a widower, and Annie Maria Salmon of the parish of St Lawrence a spinster, were married by licence on 27 day of June 1850. William and Ann signed the register. Witnesses were Joseph Williams of Redfern near Sydney and Caroline Williams of Redfern near Sydney. William Williams died on 12 January 1852 at Aird Street, Parramatta, New South Wales. He was buried on 15 January in St John's Cemetery Parramatta, the register recording his age 53 and his occupation "Gentleman". His mother was later buried in the same grave. The inscription on their grave is: To the Memory of WILLIAM WILLIAMS who departed this life 12th of January 1852 aged 53 years O Lord in thee have I trusted: let me never be confounded. Also ELIZABETH WILLIAMS Mother of the above Who died June 4th 1855 Aged 76 years NOTE: There is another convict with the name William Williams on the ''Elizabeth'' in 1820. He had been convicted at Bristol for forgery and sentenced to death, commuted to transportation for life. He was 29 years old, born at Glamorganshire, and was a Chemist & Druggist. He is probably the William Williams who was tried in Sydney for forgery and was executed on 28 August 1821.