William BLAND convict

[Westby]

I’m trying to track down information about a convict who came to NSW in 1831. I don’t have any experience with convict records, so I’m hoping somebody might be able to help me track down information about his life before the court appearance, and after he obtained his ticket of leave. This is the information I have about his crime and transportation.

William Bland
Born Abt 1878 in Ware, Hertford

At Southwick Court on 7 December 1829 he was charged with embezzlement and sentenced to 7 years transportation.

Arrived Sydney Cove 4 March 1831 aboard the Lady Harewood and was allocated to work for William Dun/n of Pattersons River.

He obtained his ticket of leave on 13 June 1836.

[majm]

William BLAND, per the Lady Harwood qarrived 4 March 1831. From his convict indent etc :  He was 41 years of age, could Read and Write, a Protestant, a married man with 3 male children.  His native place was Ware, (Hertfordshire, England).  He was a Baker and a Footman.  His offence was Embezzlement, and he had been tried at the Surry Quarter Sessions, 7 December 1829, no previous convictions, sentenced to 7 years.  He was 5 ft 4 3/4 inches tall, with a ruddy complexion, light hazel eyes and brown hair. 

additionally, from  his ToL 36/1181, he was allowed to remain in the Parramatta district.  That TofL was cancelled and his Certificate of Freedom issued ref 37/77.  (so issued 1837 and numbered 77)

Right, the CF no. 37/77 issued second February 1837, shows his prisoner no. was 31/490. 

In the December 1837 Muster, he was noted as Freed, arriving per Lady Harewood in 1831, and residing (in December 1837) at Bathurst NSW, and working for John FORD.    There was at least one further person working for John Ford ... an Edward BOX who had arrived in 1834 per the Hooghley.    There were quite a number of men in NSW named John FORD in that era, but I can find one named John FORD who had 880 acres of land in the Bathurst district in 1838.
 
JM

[sparrett]

Of possible interest.

Return of all male convicts assigned and transferred in the month of March, 1833.

BLAND William to John FORD, Paramatta.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/230390317

Sue

[shume]

Again of possible interest if he was working in Bathurst:
https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/lifelink/familyhistory/search/result?3
NSW Birth deaths marriages:
Death 1860 William Bland age 73 no other details, registered Bathurst.

shume   australia

[Jackiemh]

In the quarterly returns of prisoners in hulks for 1830 it lists his crime as the embezzlement of
5 pounds 10shillings and 9 pence; tried at Newington and was at one stage on the 'Dolphin' moored at Chatham.
Jackie

[trish1120]

Do you have Williams Bapt/Parents?

I have found his Bapt 1788 to THOS/MARY

Interestingly his Brother James (occp Baker) is in Essex in 1841 Census.

By 1851 his Widow and their children have moved back to Herts.

[Westby]

Thanks everyone for this amazing information.

majm mentioned that in the court proceeding he was described as a "married man with 3 male children".  Has anyone come across a wife? I can't seem to find anything about her.  Wondering if she might have followed him to Australia.

Thanks again!

[sparrett]

This news item seems to detail the 1860 inquiry into the death of one William BLAND as mentioned by shume

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/63595280

Sue

[sparrett]

Absconding 1833

Bland William, Lady Harewood (1) 31-490, 44 Ware, baker and footman, 5 feet 4, ruddy comp. brown hair, grey eyes, long scar back of left forefinger, near point. , from Sydney Stephen, York –street , sinee. Oct 23

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/230687648