Researchers who have claimed this convict
There is currently one researcher who has claimed William Fallows
- Researcher (Colin Fallows)
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Biographies
William Fallows (or Follows) was born at Newcastle Under Lyme, Staffordshire, England in 1832.
On 26 June 1848 (aged 15) William Fallows was convicted of larceny at the County of Stafford Sessions and sentenced to 1 month imprisonment and whipped.
On 8 February 1851, William Fallows and his accomplice, Elijah Brazenhall, committed some crimes which, by today's standards are quite petty, but the sentence was harsh. On 12 April 1850, both men were faced trial by jury at the Stafford, Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme Quarter Sessions, were convicted of larceny and were sentenced to transportation for 7 years.
The 1848 Criminal Register shows the name as “William Follows”. The 1850 register shows the name as “William Fallows alias Follows”.
Newspaper reports of the crimes and trial and the official court record of the trial are available from the author (& other details).
Both men were sent to Portland Prison, which is situated near Weymouth, Dorset, England. The 1851 Census records show that both men were at Portland Convict Prison on 30 March 1851, so presumably they were there from April 1850 to 31 January 1853 (2 years and 9 months), when they were eventually transported to WA.
William Fallows was aged 19 or 20 when he was transported to Fremantle, Western Australia on the Pyrenees, departing England on 31 January 1853, arriving at Swan River Colony on 30 April 1853.
Apart from the convicts, there were also 94 passengers, all pensioner guards and their families. One of the pensioner guards was William Hill (ex 63rd Regiment) along with his wife Margaret and daughter(s). The Hills would later move to Albany and they had a very significant impact in the life of William Fallows.
William Fallows Prisoner Registration number was 1900 and transportation records for the Pyrenees gives the following description:
Occupation: Potter Marital status: Single Height: 5'5” Hair: Auburn Eyes: Hazel Face: Full Complexion: Fair Build: Stout Distinguishing marks: Scar on right cheek, freckled
On his arrival at Fremantle on 30 April 1853, William Fallows was immediately granted a Ticket-of-Leave and a conditional pardon was granted on 29 November 1856. While serving as a Ticket-of-Leave convict, William infringed the regulations governing convicts and was charged and convicted:
Perth Police Report: 1 October 1855 William Fallows, t.l., out after hours and drinking on the premises of T Chipper; 2 months in the Convict Establishment (ie Fremantle Prison). Received into custody 2 October 1855, discharged 14 December 1855.
William moved to Albany after his conditional pardon, perhaps in early 1857, but no later than early 1859. He employed 3 ticket-of-leave men, including two sawyers, at King River, from 1862 to 1872. William Fallows' own occupation is described as a “shingle splitter”. His own description on his marriage registration in 1859 is “sawyer”, but the residence at time of marriage is given as “Albany (Kalgan River)”.
William married Mary Jane Moor, adopted daughter of William Hill, at St John's Church of England church in Albany on 18 August 1859. They had 7 sons.
In 1900 he tendered for a carting contact with Albany Town Council. Electoral records in 1903 and 1906 show that he lived at Wannerup and he was a labourer. In 1905 he visited family in Ravensthorpe, returning on the Grantala on 7 September 1905.
William Fallows died at Albany on 17 Nov 1908, aged 76. At the time of William's death he left 3 sons, 5 grandsons and 6 granddaughters.
It is clear that he became a respected and upstanding citizen and a much loved father. Providing an education for his children appears to have been very important – his eldest son became an accountant and the next eldest became a businessman with interests in mining, farming and a hotel in the Ravensthorpe district.
His passing was especially remembered at the 1909 annual parishioners meeting of St John's church, Albany, where he was a member.
Submitted by Researcher (Colin Fallows) on 11 November 2016
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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 11/18, p.20
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