Researchers who have claimed this convict
There are currently 3 researchers who have claimed James Baker Waldon
- Researcher (2119)
- Researcher (John Wells)
- Researcher (Kim Battye)
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Biographies
Two months after his father James and mother, Elizabeth Mison are married in All Saints Church, Little Thurlow, Suffolk, James Baker Waldon is born in March 1811, in Great Wratting, a village close by. There is very little known about the family, until the late 1820's, when James Waldon senior seems to depart Wratting for Bath, taking with him James junior and his younger son, John James, leaving their sisters, Rebecca and Mary with their mother. Perhaps life in Bath was hard, at the beginning, because in 1831, James Baker Waldon is arrested and sentenced to fourteen years transportation to the colony of New South Wales, his crime, stealing a handkerchief. After a period of confinement in Ilchester Gaol, south Somerset, James is sent to the prison hulk Captivity, moored in the Tamar River, off Devenport, awaiting the transport ship, Isabella. In November, she arrives, Mr William Wiseman, her master the Surgeon Superintendent, Thomas Galloway. From Galloway's report, life aboard seems to have been fairly hum drum until the beginning of February. However, with the ship navigating the southern Indian Ocean, for reason's unknown, other than, perhaps, bad conditions on board, the seaman revolt, a rumour being that they intend taking over the ship, sailing her to America and to freedom. A full record of the trial, regarding the riotous seaman, can be found as a link to ISABELLA 4, 1832 on the web site 'Convict Ships to Australia..
With the rebellious seaman, below, in chains, the voyage continues, with the officers, soldiers of the guard and some of the convicts sailing the ship, until she reaches Port Jackson in March 1832.
James is assigned, from the ship, to Mr Luke William Reddall of Argyle, a county many miles, south west of Sydney. Luke is nineteen at the time of the assignment, James' records revealing he is also nineteen. Possessing a long visage, the indents say he is of medium height and stout stature. A protestant, he can read and write, is single and has fair hair, grey eyes and AJJW tatooed on his left foream. In addition, he is an ironmongers aspprentice. Perhaps this is the reason Mr Reddall chooses him? .
When Luke was eighteen he tennanted land, promised to his father, Reverend Thomas Reddall, by the late Governor Macquarie, taking nearly a thousand acres, south of the new settlement of Goulburn. The farm was called Mutt Mutt Billy. It is quite possible James worked on this station..
Thomas Reddall, Lukes father, was a prominent figure in the early days of the colony, having been asked by Lord Bathurst, the secretary for the colony, to travel to Australia to form a new education system. He and his wife, Isabella and their many children arrived on the convict ship, The Morley in 1820. She carried one hundred and ninety woman prisoners, Captain Brown, the officer, Thomas Reid, the Surgeon Superintendent. * The Mitchell Library, Sydney, has a copy of a book, written and presented to Mrs Elizabeth Fry, the famous philandthropist and campaigner for women, by Thomas Reid In it he describes the entire voyage, Thomas Reddall, mentioned considerably..
Establishing himself in the new colony, Thomas is eager to obtain land and, therefore,status. However, to be granted property, he must earn it. Consequently, Governor Macquarie gives him the task of building a church, at a new settlement, south of Sydney. The church, ultimately becomes St. Peters of Campbell Town..
Sadly, in 1838, due to an epidemic, disease unknown, Thomas Reddall dies, although, still in his early fifties. Days later, Lukes' sixteen year old sister, Julia, also succums. They and other members of the Reddall family are buried in the family vault in Campbelltown churchyard..
By this time, Luke has purchased land near Yass, south of Gundagai, marked on parish maps as Bango and also an extensive run, further south, close to a township known as Ten Mile Creek.The farm is called Dora Dora.
Submitted by Researcher (John Wells) on 26 November 2014
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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 11/8, p.239
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