Re 'Free' ....
I am sure all the regulars posting on this thread will agree that our colonial records have regularly include this word 'Free'. And, that it simply means that at that particular point in time the person was not still under a sentence of a civil court. It does not mean they were not ever a convict, and nor does it mean that they must have once been a convict.
Just to briefly mention too, that permission was sought and granted for that 1855 marriage.
19 November 1855, Hobart Town, at the Church of St Joseph, by Rev C WOODS
Michael CONNORS, aged 29, a bachelor, a Stone Mason,
married
Mary Ann HURREEN, aged 21, a Spinster, a Servant.
https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD37-1-14p283j2k The Governor’s permission was granted for that marriage, Gazetted 30 October 1855.
https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON52-1-7p024j2k Michael was noted as ‘
Free’ but no ship of arrival was mentioned against his name.
Here’s the Census 1843 (#17, Matthew) At page one of that two page document, in answer to Q7 (How many … are Free) there’s just the One, Michael CONNOR (no ‘S’) . At Page 2 of that census, in answer to the 3 options re ‘Free’ he is ‘Other Free Persons’ … the choice being Born in the Colony/Arrived Free/Other Free Persons. So that particular chap was transported to VDL, he did not come as a Free person, but he was, by 1843, Free.
https://stors.tas.gov.au/CEN1-1-59-153 Clearly he is NOT your man and clearly Matthew noted that he was not your chap, at #17
https://stors.tas.gov.au/HSD145-1-1 here's the August 1877 death mentioned several times (#12 Debra) clearly showing 'FS' (Free by Servitude), 'Rodney 2' (Ship of arrival), 'Surrey' (native place) and '26' years in the Colony.
I realise I am duplicating the information various RChatters have posted, but I hope I am helping to advance the quest.
There are of course variations in the spelling of Michael CONNORS surname .... eg O'Connor; O'Connors; O'Conner, O'Conners, Connor, Conner ... etc. and there may well have been more than one chap by that name in Tasmania in those decades....
ADD Rodney 2 arrival 1851
https://researchdata.ands.org.au/fas-convict-ship-prosopography-index/395393JM