Thomas Wilson

23

tonycocks1 on 4th February 2018

Thomas Wilson was born c1827 in Norwich, Norwich, and apparently had one sister, Jane, living in Manchester. Little else is known of his early life history until he was summoned to appear at the Lincolnshire (Stamford Boro’) Quarter Sessions on 31/12/1842 accused of “Stealing 4 silk handkerchiefs”, found guilty and sentenced to transportation for 7 years. Then aged 15 the Court recorded that he apparently had been employed as a Labourer. He was initially received at the Stamford Gaol as part of the interim standard holding arrangements, and then, on 17/01/1843, transferred to Parkhurst Prison. His Gaoler’s Report had no comments to make about his character and disposition other than to remark that he was single and could both read and write (His documentation in Van Diemen’s Land confirmed that on release from the prison his character and disposition were described as “Good”. He was discharged from Parkhurst Prison on 25/07/1845 and sent to Millbank Prison, presumably categorised as “incorrigible”, that is, ineligible for transportation as an “Apprentice” to Western Australia, and thus to be treated as a normal adult convict (This somewhat contradicts the character assessment referred to immediately above of “Good”). He sailed from London aboard the “Stratheden” on 03/08/1845 disembarking at Hobart, Van Diemen’s Land, on 25/12/1845. The Surgeon during the voyage, Henry Baker, reported in his Conduct Record that Thomas Wilson’s behaviour was “Good”. The document confirms that his immediate status was as a Probation Pass Holder 2nd Class and then continues describing his subsequent behaviour: 10/01/1846: New Town Farm. 26/05/1846: Probation Pass Holder 3rd Class. 01/12/1846: Ticket of Leave. 16/08/1847: Launceston: Misconduct in being in a public house after hours: Ten days imprisonment and hard labour treadwheel. 30/11/1847: Hobart: Making use of indecent language in the street and assaulting a constable in the execution of his duty: Six months mprisonment and hard labour. 21/01/1848: Misconduct in having a pipe and tobacco in his possession: Five days solitary. 28/11/1848: Colonial Order: Not to reside in the Hobart or Launceston districts. 17/09/1849: Sorell: Misconduct in idling about the township: Admonished. 08/01/1850: Certificate of Freedom. There then follows an interval of 14 years before further information becomes available for Thomas Wilson with his marriage to 25 year old Susan Forster on 29/02/1864. The marriage was registered in Brighton. No children appear to have resulted from the marriage and Thomas died, aged 70, on 09/10/1898. The death was registered in New Norfolk. These details will need the appropriate certification.

108

Nell Murphy on 4th February 2018

Thomas WILSON was convicted at Stamford, Lincoln, England on 31 Dec 1842 for stealing - 4 silk handkerchiefs. Gaol Report: "good". Had been flogged for running away from his Master. 7 yr transportation sentence. Sent to Van diemen's Land (Tasmania) per the ship 'Stratheden' arriving 25 Dec 1845. Aged 20 yrs; single man; a pit sawyer & also a stable boy and waiter; 5'4 1/2"; fresh complexion; black hair; blue eyes; Protestant. Scar under chin & marks of punishment on back. Native place of birth: Norwich, England. Sister: Jane Wilson, at Manchester. Colony of VDL: 1 Dec 1846: Ticket of Leave granted. Some minor misconduct. 8 Jan 1850: Free Certificate issued.