Researchers who have claimed this convict
There are currently 5 researchers who have claimed William Windley
- Researcher (1685)
- Researcher (2295)
- Researcher (Lori McIntosh)
- Researcher (10674)
- Researcher (12879)
|
 |
Biographies
William Windley - His life in Australia. (part 1.)
[This account of William's life in Australia was written by Sharon Draper and Sue Tuck, with additional research by Hilda Malzard for the book published in 1988, 'The Story of John Nichols - First Fleeter'. The aforementioned writers and researchers have kindly agreed to have this interesting record displayed on the website of John Nichols, First Fleeter.]
William's convict indenture described him as being a labourer from Essex; aged 20; with grey eyes; dark brown hair; a dark, ruddy complexion; who was 5 feet 5ΒΌ inches tall.
The 'General Stewart' sailed from Portsmouth on 19 July 1818 and arrived in Sydney Cove on 31 December 1818. The convicts on board were so abused, harshly treated and underfed on the voyage that the Surgeon Superintendent laid a complaint against Master Grainger when the ship arrived in the colony. After the convicts were disembarked on 13 January 1819, William was amongst those assigned to a road gang destined for Windsor. He travelled by water to Parramatta where the road party was to commence work.
Three years later William was one of 110 convicts employed at the Government Farm at Longbottom, which was situated on Parramatta Road in the Parish of Concord. The main occupations of the convicts at Longbottom were reported to be burning charcoal; cutting logs and shingles; and looking after the crops and garden. Between 1 December 1821 and 1 February 1822, the sawyers at Longbottom cut 22,028 feet of timber for the Government. However, when a board of Works inquired into the appropriation of government timber, only 20,222 feet of that produce could be accounted for. The Board of Works attributed the deficiency of 1,806 feet to the "indolence or dishonesty of the convict sawyers". It was concluded that either the sawyers had not sawn as much timber as they had claimed or a great proportion of the timber had been smuggled out of Longbottom and sold for private use. Immediately after the investigation, the Superintendent of Longbottom was replaced. One week later, on 3 April 1822, William Windley was transferred from Longbottom Farm and assigned to the private service of William Underwood who owned the 'Halfway House' inn and a farm on Parramatta Road near Longbottom.
William absconded from Mr. Underwood's service during 1822. He was recaptured and was subsequently convicted of being a runaway on 5 February 1824 by D'Arcy Wentworth, the Superintendent of Police in N.S.W. He was sentenced to 50 lashes and transported to Port Macquarie to serve the remainder of his sentence. After receiving 50 lashes, a man's back was described as looking like "a mess of bullock's liver" or "jelly". William would have carried the scars of his flogging for the remainder of his life. Two weeks later, on 20 February 1824, William was transported to Port Macquarie on board the Colonial Brig 'Lady Nelson' with 44 other prisoners.
Submitted by Researcher (Lori McIntosh) on 17 February 2017
|
Disclaimer: The information has not been verified by Claim a Convict. As this information is contributed, it is the responsibility of those who use the data to verify its accuracy. Research notes
There are currently no research notes attached to this convict. Sources
- The National Archives (TNA) : HO 11/3, p.68
|
