Free Settler or Felon
Convict and Colonial History




Convict Ship Florentia (1) - 1828


Embarked 172 men
Voyage: 110 days
Deaths: 1
Surgeon's Journal: yes
Tons: 453
Previous vessel: Louisa arrived 3 December 1827
Next vessel: Elizabeth arrived 12 January 1828
Master J.T. Billett.
Surgeon James Dickson
Convicts and passengers of the Florentia identified in the Hunter Valley

The Florentia was built at Newcastle UK in 1821. She brought prisoners to New South Wales from counties throughout England and Scotland in 1828 and 1830.[2]

Departure

The Florentia got under weigh from Sheerness on the 18th August 1828 and proceeded across the Channel on 22nd. They put into Cork for fresh water on 1st September. Six prisoners were disembarked at Cork suffering from Typhus, among them Thomas Trigg, Matthew Bowen, James Brady and James Dempster.

The Florentia departed Cork on 15 September 1827.

Military Guard

The Military Guard consisted of a detachment of 29 men of the 40th regiment.

Cabin Passengers

Passengers included Captain Barnett and wife. (This may have been Captain Barnett of the 40th who was severely injured at the Battle of Waterloo.)

Surgeon James Dickson

James Dickson kept a Medical Journal from 23 July 1827 to 14 January 1828 in which he kept a daily record of weather experienced during the voyage. The recordings commence on 11th August while the ship was moored at Sheerness. [1]

James Dickson was also surgeon on the convict ships Countess of Harcourt in 1824, Woodford in 1826 (VDL) and the Norfolk in 1829.

Arrival in Port Jackson

The wind was from the south-west when they arrived off Sydney on 3 January 1828. They came to anchor on the following day and entered Sydney Cove on 5th January under an easterly breeze.

Convict Muster

A muster was held by Colonial Secretary Alexander McLeay on 5th January 1828. The indents include the name, age, education, religion, marital status, family, native place, trade, offence, when and where tried, sentence, prior convictions, physical description and where assigned on arrival. There is also occasional information regarding pardons, deaths and relatives in the colony.

The Monitor reported - On Monday last (14th), the prisoners who arrived on the ship Florentia were landed, when the usual inspection took place in the jail yard, previous to their distribution. They appeared very clean and healthy. We understand that ten of them, were immediately forwarded to Penal Settlements, pursuant to directions received from home they being troublesome or bad characters. We may draw an inference of the wretched state of England from the number of able young men who are continually arriving in this Colony. Upwards of one hundred of the prisoners by the Florentia, were under twenty one years of age !!'

The youngest prisoners on board may have been sent to the Carter's Barracks:
Joseph Acton (16)
Henry Beard (16)
William Castigane (16)
Alexander Donaldson (16)
Thomas Goate (16)
William Miller (16)
Thomas Westcott (16)
Richard Gadd (15)
William Hunt (15)
William Keith (15)
John Morin (15)
James Mills (15)
Patrick Ryan (15)
John Collins (14)
Charles Kinslow (14).

Convict Assignment

Four men were assigned directly to the Newcastle district. - Benjamin Cartwright, William Cooper, Francis Turner and Thomas Wright. They gave their occupations as miners and were probably assigned to work in the government run Newcastle Coal Mines.

Twenty three prisoners were assigned to the Australian Agricultural Company.. - Thomas Beckett, John Bond, Richard Barrett, Isaac Barnett, James Burnett, John Connor, Joseph Acton, Joshua Bowler, Henry Beard, John Baylin, William Bitton, John Culpin, William Castigane, John Clarke, John Crane, John Donaldson, Joseph Habberfield, Charles Kinslow, George Thomas, Charles Randall, Thomas Nicholls and James Stephen.

This was before the Company had control of the coal mines at Newcastle and so many of these men were probably assigned to work as shepherds in the Port Stephens district and north to the Liverpool Plains.

This was probably the case for Nathanial Burrows a potter from Derby, who to his great good fortune was also assigned to the A.A. Company on arrival. Burrows received his ticket of leave in 1832, and became a squatter holding a lease of 15,360 acres at Hanging Rock which had capacity of 500 head of cattle, and was known as 'the Hanging Rock Run'. In August 1851 while out on his run Nathanial Burrows spotted a stockman panning for gold along Swamp Creek. He rode to Tamworth to tell of his news and before long the rush to the Hanging Rock Gold Fields had begun.

Convicts of the Florentia identified in the Hunter region

Acton, Joseph
Joseph Acton, age 16, education none. Native place Wolverhampton. Occupation errand boy. Tried at Stafford 15 March 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing money. Right arm disabled. Assigned to the Australian Agricultural Company on arrival


Barnett, Isaac
Isaac Barnett, age 17. Religion Jewish. Native place London. Occupation Errand boy. Tried at Southworth 24 October 1826. Sentenced to transportation for life for stealing from the person. Assigned to Australian Agricultural Company on arrival. Still at Port Stephens in November 1828 Granted a Ticket of Leave in April 1836 for district of Argyle on recommendation of Port Stephens bench. Note in indents - sent to Hobart Town to reside with his brother.


Barrett, Richard
Richard Barrett, age 18, native place Suffolk. Occupation house servant and shoemaker. Tried in London 24 October 1825. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for picking pockets. Assigned to the Australian Agricultural Company on arrival


Baylin, John
John Baylin, age 30. Native place Gloucester. Occupation farmers man and miner. Tried at Gloucester 9 April 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life for sheep stealing. Assigned to the Australian Agricultural Company on arrival


Beard, Henry
Henry Beard, age 16, native place Gloucester, occupation factory boy. Tried at Gloucester 10 August 1825. Sentenced to transportation for life for house breaking. Assigned to the Australian Agricultural Company on arrival. Granted a Ticket of Leave for the district of Port Stephens in 1836 and afterwards employed by the Company


Beckett, Thomas
Thomas Beckett, age 33. reads and writes, native place Nottingham. Occupation farmer and grazier. Tried in London 11 January 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for perjury. Assigned to the Australian Agricultural Company on arrival. Later employed as a Police Constable at Stroud. Granted a Ticket of Leave for the district of Parramatta in March 1833


Bitton, William
William Bitton, age 22, native place Gloucester. Occupation farmer's man and shepherd. Tried at Gloucester 9 April 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life for horse stealing. Assigned to the Australian Agricultural Company on arrival


Bond, John
John Bond, age 41, native place Glastonby. Married with 4 children. Occupation stationer. Tried 5 April 1827 at London. Sentenced to 14 years transportation for receiving stolen stationery. Assigned to the Australian Agricultural Company on arrival. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Maitland district in 1834. In 1837 residing at Port Stephens


Bowler, Joshua
Joshua Bowler, age 23. reads. Married with one child. Native place Bucks. Occupation farmer's man. Tried at Aylesbury 6 March 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life for firing a haystack. Assigned to the Australian Agricultural Company on arrival


Burnett, James
James Burnett, age 17, native place Edinboro. Occupation stable boy. Tried at Edinboro 13 March 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing a watch. Assigned to Australian Agricultural Company on arrival. Right arm disabled


Burrows, Nathan
Nathan Burrows was employed as a potter in Derby in 1827. He was 24 years of age and could read and write. He had a red freckled complexion and red to sandy hair. He was tried 19 July 1827 at Derby and sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing cheese. He was assigned to the Australian Agricultural Company on arrival. He was a Ticket of Leave holder employed by the company in 1832. He married Miss Elizabeth Tuckwell daughter of William Tuckwell of Sydney in November 1839. In 1848 he became a squatter when he took up the Hanging Rock Run of about 15,360 acres (6,220 ha), with a grazing capacity of approximately 500 head of cattle. This was challenged by Isaac Haig in March 1849. In 1851 Burrows supposedly came across a stockman washing for gold with a pint pot and reported the discovery in town thereby starting the Hanging Rock gold rush. In 1852 diggers at Hanging Rock were being supplied with food and goods from Nathan Burrows' station about three miles from the diggings. In 1856 he resided with his family in Muswellbrook in a small wooden cottage. He was described as a farmer and carrier. Correspondence sent by him from Hanging Rock to a friend in Muswellbrook, Charles Howell is interesting as that friend was probably Charles Howle who was a ship mate of Burrows so many years before. It is unusual to find evidence of former convicts remaining in contact as friends.
Dear Friend, I received your letter dated 8th January. I am very happy to inform you that gold digging is going on well at the Hanging Rock ; there are about twenty people now at work, and by this time next week there will be fifty, if not a hundred. Some of the present diggers are getting one ounce, a day, and one of the men got this morning in the washing, at one cradle full, a nugget about half an ounce. You can believe me, as I tell you truth, but you will see in the news papers ; the Peel Commissioner has been twice to see them at work, last Saturday and to-day. There have been judges from the Turon here, and they say that when they dig deep they will get it in as big lumps as at the Turon. I will leave you to guess the encouragement when none have dug more than a foot deep, and no one washes without getting gold every time. A black gin that is with one of the white men here, and a white woman, have got an ounce, only washing with a tin dish ; they picked up about a quarter of an ounce this morning. Cook, from the Peel, and a party are to be here next week. There have been more people here, but they are all off for cradles and tin dishes. If any of the Muswell Brook people are coming up, they must bring cradler, dishes, spades, and crowbars with them, as they will not be able to get them up here. The black gin sold one pound's worth of gold to a government surveyor and his party ; he has gone down to Patrick's Plains. I expect to see Mr. Hargraves soon here, as the Commissioner will be sure to send to the government. Yours, truly, Nathan Burrows. He died in Parramatta in October 1881


Cartwright, Benjamin
Benjamin Cartwright, age 23. reads. native place Salop. Occupation miner. Tried at Shrewsbury 23 March 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life for cow stealing. Assigned to Newcastle district on arrival . He was granted a Conditional Pardon in 1847


Castigane, William
William Castigane, age 16, native place London. Occupation type founder and bricklayer's boy. Tried London 6 April 1826. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for picking pockets. Assigned to the Australian Agricultural Company on arrival


Clarke, John
John Clarke, age 19, reads. Native place London. Occupation chip hat maker and errand boy. Tried in London 15 July 1824. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing clothes. Assigned to the Australian Agricultural Company on arrival


Connor, John
John Connor, age 20. Native place Manchester. Occupation fustian cutter. Tried at Manchester 10 April 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for street robbery. Assigned to the Australian Agricultural Company on arrival


Cooper, William
William Cooper, age 23. Native place Stoke upon Trent. Occupation miner, disabled. Tried at Stafford 16 January 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing fowls. Long deep hole in top of head backwards. Assigned to Newcastle district on arrival


Coughlan, Michael
Age 18. Reads and writes. Shoemaker, tried in London 12 July 1827 and sentenced to transportation for life for picking pockets. Assigned to William Bucknell at Hunter's River on arrival. Absconded from the Wollombi Bridge party on 17 August 1834. Sent to Newcastle gaol from Sydney in January 1835 and then sent to Maitland to be dealt with. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Maitland in 1837. Married Ann Kershaw (came free) in 1839 Granted an extended Conditional Pardon in June 1847


Crane, John
John Crane, age 27. Native place Worcester. Occupation farm servant. Tried at Worcester 10 March 1827. Sentenced to 14 years for house robbery. Assigned to the Australian Agricultural Company on arrival. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Newcastle district in July 1834


Culpin, John
John Culpin, age 52, married with six children. Native place Rutlandshire. Occupation farmer's servant. Tried March 1827 at Rutlandshire. Sentenced to 14 years transportation for shop breaking. Assigned to the Australian Agricultural Company on arrival. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Port Stephens in May 1834


Donaldson, John
John Donaldson, age 24, native place Glasgow. Occupation Tick dyer. Tried at Glasgow 3 May 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life for house breaking. Assigned to the Australian Agricultural Company on arrival . Granted a Ticket of Leave for Cassilis district in 1843


Edwards, James
James Edwards, age 20. Native place Derby. Occupation farmer's servant. Tried Stafford 15 March 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life for horse stealing. Assigned to Peter Duff at Windsor on arrival. Assigned to Peter Duff at Patrick Plains in November 1828. In June 1834 - James Edwards, assigned to Mr. James Duff. Charged by Jonathan Foster with disobeying orders. Sentenced to 48 hours confinement on bread and water. Also on 6 June Assigned to James Duff. Charged by Jonathan Foster with disobeying the constable's orders. Sentenced to 50 lashes. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Merton district in May 1836. Spouse 1. Ann Ham nee Epton. Spouse 2 Frances Carter nee Ham.


Gadd, Richard
Richard Gadd, age 15, native place London. Occupation butcher's boy. Tried London 31 May 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing clothes. Richard Gadd and Francis Hayes both aged 15, sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing a boy's dress belonging to Richard Riley. No place of assignment noted on arrival . He was at Port Macquarie in February 1841 when he mis placed his Certificate of Freedom. He gave Notice cautioning constables not to arrest him, his description at that time : Smith, Master; sentence 7 years; native place London; trade labourer; height 5 3 1/2; brown hair, ruddy complexion, grey eyes; RL and JL on (r) arm


Gazzard, John
John Gazzard, age 29. Married with one child. Occupation farmer's man. Tried at Warwick 26 March 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life for highway robbery. Assigned to John Brabyn at Windsor on arrival. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Patrick Plains district in 1836. On 28 September 1839 he was granted a passport for twelve months to enable him to be employed at the Gwydir River in the service of John Gaggin


Green, Charles
Charles Green alias H.G. Clements, age 25. Married with 2 children. Native place Falmouth. Occupation gunsmith. Tried London 31 May 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life for stealing in a dwelling house. Assigned to Edward Priest at Newcastle in November 1828. In January 1831 sent to Newcastle gaol under sentence of 7 days solitary confinement for disobedience of orders and again in April 1831 he was sentenced to 1 month in an iron gang by Newcastle Bench for having been found on Mr. Priest's premises without authority.


Harman, Stephen
Stephen Harman, age 22. Native place Islington. Occupation tailor. Tried in London 9 April 1825. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing coach stops. Assigned to Hyde Park Barracks on arrival. Sent to Newcastle gaol from Merton in September 1831. To be forwarded to Sydney Barracks as a runaway from 41 road party. Sent on the Steamer 27 September 1831


Hodgkins, William
William Hodgkins, age 37. Native place Shropshire. Occupation well maker. Tried in Montgomery 29 March 1827. Sentenced to 14 years transportation. Assigned to the Mineral Surveyor's Department, Sydney on arrival. Residing in the prisoner barracks at Newcastle in November 1828. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Maitland in 1834. Residing at Maitland in 1837


Howle, Charles
Charles Howle, age 19. Native place Birmingham. Occupation tortoise shell box maker. Tried at Warwick 25 April 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing a flute. Assigned to Samuel Marshall at Patrick Plains on arrival


Hubberfield, Joseph
Joseph Hubberfield, age 19. Native place London. Occupation boot closer. Tried in London 6 April 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for picking pockets. Assigned to Australian Agricultural Company on arrival. In 1832 received Ticket of Leave and requested to be employed as a shoemaker and have his ticket of leave altered to the district of Port Stephens


Johnson, Isaac
Isaac Johnson, age 19. Native place London. Occupation labourer. Tried 31 May 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life for horse stealing. Assigned to Alexander Phelps at Newcastle on arrival. Resided at the prisoner barracks at Newcastle in November 1828. In January 1831 admitted to Newcastle gaol before being transported to a penal settlement


Johnson, John
John Johnson, age 28, native place Lancashire. Occupation farm servant. Tried at Shrewsbury 23 March 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life for horse stealing. Assigned to James Christy Phelps at Wollombi on arrival. Assigned to Samuel Drew at Patrick Plains in November 1828 and employed as a dairyman. Absconded from J. C. Phelps in February 1832. In 1837 assigned to W. T. Forster at Dungog.


Jones, John
John Jones, age 28. Married with 2 children. Native place Denbigh. Occupation farmer s man. Tried at Denbigh 4 April 1827. Sentenced to 14 years transportation for highway robbery. Assigned to W. Jones at Hunter River on arrival


Kinslow, Charles
Charles Kinslow, age 14, native place Manchester. Occupation errand boy. Tried 10 April 1826. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing clothes. Assigned to the Australian Agricultural Company on arrival


Kirby, George
George Kirby, age 18. Native place Surry. Occupation groom. Tried at Kingston 27 December 1824. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for robbing his master. Assigned to G. Savage at Mulgoa on arrival. In November 1828 assigned to No. 16 road party. In July 1831 sentenced to 14 days solitary confinement by the Newcastle Bench. Returned to his duties as wardsman at Newcastle Hospital on 20 July. In August 1831 sentenced to 1 month solitary confinement in Newcastle and returned to his service


Littlejohn, Edwin
Edwin Littlejohn, age 18. Native place Gloucester Occupation tailor, 5 years. Tried Gloucester 10 August 1825. Sentenced to transportation for life for cow stealing. Assigned to Edward Carney at East Creek on arrival. In 1832 he was assigned to Peter McIntyre near Newcastle when he was sentenced to 6 months in an iron gang for stealing slops. He was apprehended after absconding from No. 10 Road gang in December 1832 and absconded from No. 6 road party in March 1833. He absconded from No. 6 road gang 22nd May 1833.


Metzgar, Charles
Age 22. Soldier and labourer from Halifax. Tried at the Old Bailey 2 December 1824 with several other prisoners and sentenced to transportation for life for stealing in a dwelling house to the amount of 40s. On arrival he was assigned to George Cox at Mulgoa. In June 1832 he was assigned to Hamilton Hume at Appin. At Campbelltown in September 1833 he was sentenced to 50 lashes. His punishment was later described - Return of Corporal Punishment inflicted by Sentence of the Bench in the presence of William Howe and John Coghill. 50 lashes for refusing to work. Blood flowed at 30 lashes; this was the only case of blood flowing during any punishment which I saw inflicted; the prisoner was in delicate health, and punishment had been waived for several previous offences, in consequence of an indisposition to inflict it on so weak a man. There did not appear, however, any great amount of suffering, judging from the manner of the prisoner, than in ordinary cases. In January 1838 Charles Metzger applied to marry Elizabeth Cox aged 19 (came free). Permission refused, Cox being a minor, the consent of her parents necessary. In September 1840 his Ticket of leave was cancelled for immoral conduct and keeping a disorderly house at Windsor. In March 1845 his Ticket of leave was cancelled for living in a state of adultery. Charles Metzger was found dead on 28 December 1845.


Miller, William
William Miller, age 16. Native place Chelmsford. Occupation farm boy. Tried 17 October 1826. Sentenced to 14 years transportation for stealing a watch. Assigned to J. Johnston at Portland Head on arrival. In July 1842 William Wood and William Miller were admitted to Newcastle gaol from Singleton on a charge of sheep stealing. Sent for trial.


Nicholls, Thomas
Thomas Nicholls, age 20. Reads and writes. Native place Worcester. Occupation farmer and hop grower. Tried at Hereford 2 April 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life for horse stealing. Assigned to the Australian Agricultural Company on arrival. Conditional Pardon 52/342 dated 18 November 1852


Northwood, James
James Northwood, age 29. Native place Bedfordshire. Occupation shepherd. Tried 11 July 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing pigeons. Assigned to Robert and Helenus Scott at Glendon on arrival. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Patrick Plains in December 1831


Peacock, William
William Peacock, age 23. Native place Stafford. Occupation ribbon weaver. Tried at Stafford 15 March 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life for house breaking. Assigned to Thomas Prentice at Wallis Plains on arrival . Granted a Ticket of Leave for Maitland district in 1841. Sent to Newcastle Gaol in January 1842. Ticket of Leave cancelled for drunkenness and false swearing in February 1842.. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Newcastle district in 1843. In June 1844 sent to Newcastle gaol from Maitland charged with drunkenness and absent from his district. Sentenced to 7 days in the cells for drunkenness and then to be forwarded to the Police Office for absenting himself from district. In February 1845 procured employment in the service of Thomas Prentice to travel with produce between the district of Maitland, Paterson and Newcastle.


Prince, George
George Prince, age 39, married with 2 children. Native place Blandford. Occupation nurseryman and gardener. Tried in London 8 April 1827. Sentenced to 14 years transportation for robbing his employer. Assigned to Frederick A. Hely at Brisbane Water on arrival. Died in the General Hospital Sydney August 1838


Randall, Charles
Charles Randall, age 19, native place London. Occupation hairdresser. Tried 5 June 1827. Received sentence of death for stealing, on the 19th May, 1 violin case, violins and bows, music books, 2 combs, and a wig belonging to Solomon Josephs his employer. Sentenced commuted to transportation. Admitted to the Ganymede Hulk from Newgate on 24 July 1827 and transferred to the Convict Ship Florentia for transportation to New South Wales on 9 August 1827. Assigned to the Australian Agricultural Company on arrival. Still assigned to the Company at Port Stephens in 1836. Granted a Ticket of Leave in April 1837. Applied to marry Esther Skelton (free emigrant) in July 1840 at Paterson


Reeves, John
John Reeves, age 19. Native place Bristol. Occupation coach trimmer and harness maker. Sentenced to 7 years transportation 11 January 1827 for stealing a box coat. Assigned to Peter McIntyre on arrival. In April 1835 sent from Maitland to Newcastle gaol. To be sent to Sydney for identification 8 April 1835. On 17 April returned to Newcastle gaol from Sydney and to be returned to Maitland to be dealt with. In 1837 he was assigned to Newcastle gaol.


Roberts, Robert
Robert Roberts age 19. Native place Cheltenham. Occupation carpenter. Tried London 14 September 1826 and sentenced to 7 years transportation for burglary. Assigned to the Engineers Department on arrival. He was assigned to Alexander Warren in November 1828. In March 1831 he absconded from the Newcastle bridge party. He was detained at Newcastle gaol in May 1831 and sent to the Police Office at Newcastle on 21 June. In July 1832 he was assigned to William Ogilvie at Merton. At Invermein in March 1833 Robert Robinson per ship Florentia, in government employment, and William Palmer per ship Bussorah Merchant in government employment both charged with absconding....John Connelly of the Mounted Police states - that on last Sunday morning I apprehended the prisoners on Gammon Creek....The Bench find the prisoners guilty and sentence them to receive fifty lashes each and to be forwarded to Hyde Park Barracks to be dealt with


Sawers, John
John Sawers, age 22. Native place Glasgow. Occupation blacksmith. Tried Glasgow 7 May 1827. Sentenced to 14 years transportation for robbing a chest. Assigned to the Engineers Department on arrival. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Patrick Plains district in October 1834. Died at Patrick Plains 29 October 1840


Smith, Samuel
Samuel Smith, age 46. Married with 5 children. Native place London. Occupation painter and glazier. Tried London 5 June 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life for stealing glasses. Assigned to Henry Stockfish at Evan on arrival. Assigned to John Flemming at Maitland in July 1832 and employed as a labourer. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Maitland district in 1837 which was cancelled in April 1841 for drunkenness and immoral conduct.


Spring, John
John Spring, age 26. Native place Montgomery. Occupation stonemason. Tried Hereford 2 April 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life for house breaking. Assigned to John McIntyre at Paterson River on arrival . Absconded from John McIntyre 1st October 1828.


Stephens, James
James Stephen, age 21, native place Aberdeen. Occupation Maltster. Tried Aberdeen 25 April 1828. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing cloth. Assigned to the Australian Agricultural Company on arrival


Stephenson, John
John Stephenson, age 56. Married with 2 children. Native place Darlington. Occupation butcher. Tried at Durham 1 March 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life for stealing sheep. Assigned to Thomas Arndell at Caddai on arrival . In July 1832 assigned to William Ogilvie at Merton. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Merton in 1836. Resided at Merton in 1837


Sturgess, Edward
Edward Stargess, age 29. Native place Leicestershire. Occupation labourer. Tried Leicester 22 March 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life for house breaking. Assigned to Richard Partridge at Parramatta on arrival. Assigned to S. Brown at Paterson in 1837 Granted a Ticket of Leave for Paterson in 1838


Thomas, George
Thomas George, age 61. Widower with 6 children. Native place London. Occupation baker. Tried 7 December 1826. Sentenced to transportation for 7 years for stealing money. Assigned to Australian Agricultural Company on arrival


Thompson, Henry
Henry Thompson, age 24. Native place Gloucester. Occupation seaman. Tried at Maidstone 3 August 1826. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing lead. Assigned to Robert and Helenus Scott at Glendon on arrival. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Patrick Plains in October 1832


Tompkins, William
William Tompkins, age 36. Native place Clonmell. Occupation farmer's man. Tried at Denbeigh 4 April 1827. Sentenced to 14 years transportation for stealing a watch. No place of assignment recorded. Assigned servant to Robert Crawford. in 1836. Died at Newcastle Hospital 30 April 1836


Tompson, Charles
Charles Tomson, age 23. Native place London. Occupation grocer. Tried in London 2 June 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life for privately stealing. Assigned to James Christy Phelps at Wollombi on arrival


Trivens, Samuel
Samuel Triveny, age 30. Married with 2 children. Born on board the Royal Billy. Occupation silk weaver. Tried at London 6 April 1826. Sentenced to transportation for life for house breaking. Assigned to H.C. Antill at Stone quarry on arrival. Absconded from Edwin Hickey at Maitland in February 1839. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Maitland in 1840


Turner, Francis
Francis Turner, age 20. Native place Wigan. Occupation coal miner and shoemaker. Tried in York 24 March 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life for highway robbery. Assigned to Newcastle district on arrival


Vickery, John
John Vickery, age 43, native place Bristol. Occupation carpenter. Tried in London 5 June 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing tools. Lost in the wreck of the Dove to the north of Port Stephens June 1828


Weir, Hugh
Age 27. Reads and writes. Weaver from Lanarkshire. Tried in Glasgow 5 May 1827 and sentenced to 14 years transportation for robbing lodgings. Assigned to Owen Evans at Wallis Plains on arrival. Granted a Ticket of Leave for district of Maitland in October 1834


Williams, George
Alias Osborne. Age 34. Bricklayer from Egham. Married with 2 children. Tried at London 5 June 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for receiving stolen property Assigned to the Engineer's Dept. on arrival. Ticket of Leave holder at Maitland in 1837


Williams, William Rowland
William Rowland Williams, age 20, native place Carmarthen. Occupation medical profession student. Tried 31 May 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life Found guilty of stealing on the 28th March, 1 gold watch valued at 20 pounds. Assigned to . Mr. Hassal at Macquarie Grove on arrival . Assigned to government service at Liverpool in 1837. Absconded from service at Newcastle hospital 1 May 1837. Still at large in January 1841


Williams or Osborne, George
George Williams alias Osborne, age 34. Married with 2 children. Native place Egham. Occupation bricklayer. Tried 5 June 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life for receiving stolen property. Assigned to the Engineers Department on arrival


Wright, Thomas
Thomas Wright, age 29. Married with 3 children. Native place Derbyshire. Occupation miner. Tried Nottinghamshire 23 April 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing meat. Assigned to Newcastle district on arrival . In 1832 assigned to the A. A. Company at Newcastle. In June 1832 recently obtained Ticket of Leave. Recommendation by A.A. Company that his ticket be changed to the district of Sydney as Wright was unable to obtain work as a miner at Newcastle

Notes and Links

1. Seventeen convict ships arrived in New South Wales in 1828 - Florentia, Elizabeth, Marquis of Huntley, Hooghly, Morley, Asia, Mangles, Borodino, Phoenix, Bussorah Merchant, Countess of Harcourt, Competitor, Marquis of Hastings, Albion, City of Edinburgh, Eliza, Royal George

2. Return of Convicts of the Florentia assigned between 1st January 1832 and 31st March 1832 (Sydney Gazette 28 June 1832; 5 July 1832).....

Charles Metzgar - Sailor and labourer assigned to Hamilton Hume at Appin.
William Peacock -Ribbon weaver assigned to Thomas Prentice at Wollombi
Robert Roberts - Carpenter assigned to William Ogilvie at Hunter's River


3. National Archives - Reference: ADM 101/27/5 Description: Medical and surgical journal of the convict ship Florentia for 23 July 1827 to 14 January 1828 by James Dickson, Surgeon, during which time the said ship was employed on a passage to New South Wales.

References

[1] Ancestry.com. UK, Royal Navy Medical Journals, 1817-1857 Medical Journal of James Dickson on the voyage of the Florentia in 1828. The National Archives. Kew, Richmond, Surrey.

[2] Bateson, Charles Library of Australian History (1983). The convict ships, 1787-1868 (Australian ed). Library of Australian History, Sydney : pp.346-347, 385