Researchers who have claimed this convict
There are currently 2 researchers who have claimed Thomas Hallas
- Researcher (1840)
- Researcher (David Morton)
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Biographies
On a late summer day in 1829, between Beighton and Killamarsh Derbyshire, Thomas Hallas, a collier, found a purse lying on the road with 12 five pound notes and a number of five guinea notes from the Worksop and Nottinghamshire Bank & the Nottingham Bank.
Faced with the choice to "cry" the notes, or keep them, Thomas chose the latter. In his words "there would be plenty ready to own them". Unaware of whether they were valid notes, Thomas decided "just to pass one, to see if they were good". ". He sent his mother Mary one of the notes, paid his landlord in Jeu-Lane two notes, and set out to take advantage of what must have seemed very good fortune.
Thomas decided to try to cash the first note in August. He went to a side toll bar at Gleadless, presenting a note to the keeper. Although she didn't know Thos., she "was credulous enough, though a stranger, to give change".
Next Thomas entered the Robin Hood Public House belonging to Mr Bailey in Attercliffe, on Thursday the 3rd of September "in company with another person,and called for two pints of ale." Mary Ann Bailey, the daughter of the innkeeper who worked as a servant in the inn, didn't have enough change. Taking the note to a nearby shop belonging to George Smith, she obtained change in gold silver and copper, for a five pound note. The crime wasn't discovered until Thomas had gone.
Mr Raikes , the late bookkeeper at the Angel was next to discoverThomas's trickery - too late. At the Forester Coach Office, he bookedThomas on a coach trip to Manchester, giving him 4 pound 10 shillings in exchange for a note. Thomas neglected to appear at the time of starting, and the witness, upon examining the note, found it only wanted a signature to complete its genuine appearance." Thomas quickly moved on to pass a further note at Jonathan Welby's Public house at Tinsley. & @ Mr Woolhouse's of Darnell, at the late cricket match, for his admission.
Thomas's confidence had grown over the previous month, and he became careless.On 3rd October he visited the Sir Francis Burdett Public house, "took his dinner in the manner of an ordinary customer." The Sheffield Independent continues the tale."...After dinner he presented the note now produced to have changed, but he at first refused to take it. Witness afterwards asked for it again, and shewed it to a young man, who said it must be a good one, it was so near his place; so he gave the prisoner change for it and received the payment for his dinner. He knew the prisoner by sight, and he also knew where he lived. The prisoner told him he had received the note from a clerk at one of the collieries in his neighbourhood, but witness could not recollect the name. "
The Landlord showed the note to a friend, who discovered the deception. Constable John Waterfall was sent for, apprehended Thomas. He found eight flash notes upon him, the same as one paid to Mr Hartley. They were all 5 pound notes.
Thomas was brought up by Waterfall, the junior Constable, to answer three indictments during two sessions of the Sheffield Magistrate's Court, in the Sheffield Town Hall.
He was found to be guilty on the first two indictments, and sentenced to be transported for seven years.
Thomas spent the next 9 months in prison. then embarked on the ship Lord Melville for a 3 month journey to the Southern Hemisphere. He was numbered - and described. He was 5'9" tall, with ruddy pockpitted freckled skin, brown hair, and dark brown eyes.Once he arrived in Australia in October 1830 official records of his life are very difficult to find. He was assigned to the Sydney Surveyor's Office,
On 17th April 1837 Thomas Hallas married Isabella Leonard (Stuart) both of the Parish of Parramatta, by banns, at St John's.
Please contact me for more details and sources.
Submitted by Researcher (1840) on 28 June 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 11/7, p.380
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