Transported then what?

[Trees]

William Overton was transported in 1846 . He was on the John Calvin which sailed from Woolwich on 9 May 1846 I have seen the conduct report of the ship but what happened next did he stay in Tasmania or return to Britain? His wife was left with two very young children the youngest baptised just 6 days before the ship leftand had just buried a four year old. She had an illegitimate  child while he was away, but never remarried and is listed as a Widow in 1881How can I find what happened next Did he return to the UK or set up home in Tasmania? It seemed a harsh sentence as he was one of four who committed a robbery but he was the only one to try to help an injured man and did not break the furniture or take the sensitive items  yet all four had the same 15 years transportation
Trees

[rusted]

This link http://portal.archives.tas.gov.au/menu.aspx?search=11
has this
Overton, William
Convict No:    54180
Extra Identifier:    
SEE Surname:    
SEE Given Names:    
Voyage Ship:    John Calvin
Voyage No:    371
Arrival Date:    21 Sep 1846
Departure Date:    09 May 1846
Departure Port:    Woolwich
Conduct Record:    CON33/1/88
Muster Roll:    
Appropriation List:    
Other Records:    
Indent:    CON14/1/37 p154
Description List:    
Remarks:    Off Norfolk Island per Tory Jun 1847

I wonder what the Norfolk Island bit is about?
I can't see anything else in the Tasmanian Archives. Convicts lives in Tassie were very well documented, so Norfolk Island might be quite significant.

[ShaunJ]

Here his conduct report which may take some deciphering http://search.archives.tas.gov.au/ImageViewer/image_viewer.htm?CON33-1-88,207,133,L,80

[sparrett]

quote
From September 1844 until 1856, when it closed as a penal settlement, Norfolk Island was under the jurisdiction of the Tasmanian Government, and was staffed by the Tasmanian Convict Department. Throughout this period, male convicts were being transferred from there to Tasmania, as a result of their sentences there having expired; some had been sent there from Tasmania, others had been sent direct from Great Britain.quote

http://www.historyaustralia.org.au/twconvic/Hyderabad+1845

Sue

[Wiggy]

Recidivists were sent to Norfolk island during the second settlement - or convicts they thought to be 'bad lots' - it was supposed to be the worst place at the time, and obviously very isolated. 

There were very harsh and inhumane conditions there during the second settlement which began in 1825 and ended in 1856.  (Now it is a fascinating place to visit and learn the terrible history of the convict settlements.)

During the first settlement things were harsh though not as bad as the second.  First settlement abandoned 1814 -  It was necessary as a food source for the mainland in the very early days. 

Wiggy

[sparrett]

The record shows he was shoemaker who could read and write and was Protestant.
He was well behaved, his conduct reported as very good 

Sue

[Wiggy]

Perhaps they needed a shoemaker!   

It still wasn't a nice place to be!!   But if he was well behaved maybe he had a better time of it!   

[Trees]

Many thanks everyone I feel so sorry for William the report tells how the three had been on a pub crawl and he was the one who took the worst for wear home he also tended to one of the house members that had been injured and that man stated that he did not take part in the distruction of a cabinet and looting its contents which went on while William was helping him with a bowl of water and cloth So it does seem harsh that he was separated from his young familywith the others and to read he was sent to a place for hardened thugs is very sad indeed I would love to know what became of him

[Wiggy]

I found this reference in our newspapers - in Port Phillip - later Victoria.

 - I wonder if it could be your man!   If he was well behaved etc etc he could have received a ticket of leave, though it does seem early - but if he's been taken off Norfolk island, maybe that is why.     Anyhow - for what it is worth.


Hope I am not leading you up the garden path . . . . .

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