I said I would post after receiving information from the State Library, and here is their reply:
"This e-mail is in response to your question about Charles Smith. Unfortunately, there is no way to find out exactly who Charles Smith is. I did look at the “Report on the immigrants by the ship United Kingdom” from the Governor’s despatches to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, vol. 45 May-August 1844, microfilm reel CY 670. It shows William as being a farm labourer. He was engaged by Charles Smith of Sydney. He was paid 16 pounds for 3 months work, which seemed to include board and lodging. I will include this entry as an attachment to this e-mail.
At the beginning of the list of passengers, it lists that there was 180 adult labourers on board and 180 of those labourers were hired at the place of landing. William was hired to work for Charles Smith. Immigration agents received money (bounty) from the government for each acceptable immigrant that they brought over. It was not necessary for the immigration agents to have cont! act with the immigrants after landing. Charles Smith was probably a landowner in search of a labourer. It may be a coincidence that his last name was Smith, as there was no indication that he was involved with William Smith & Sons, who were the bond agents for the 1844 United Kingdom sailing.
I did also check the references to the company in the Mitchell Library card catalogue. None of the letters were signed by or mentioned a Charles Smith."
So...........I think Charles Smith may need to be put on the backburner until later!
Cheers
Susie
