Researchers who have claimed this convict
There are currently 4 researchers who have claimed William Sidebottom
- Researcher (Chris Nilsen)
- Researcher (Jennifer Park)
- Researcher (Alison Quigley)
- Researcher (Phil Gregory)
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Biographies
William Sidebottom was born on the 9th June 1796 most likely in Hollingworth. He was a stonemason and lived in the village of Hollingworth in Cheshire. William was one of at least nine children born to William & Mary Sidebottom (nee Higginbottom).
William Sidebottom married Sarah Holmes on 26-5-1817 at the parish church in Mottram in Longdendale, Cheshire.
There is record they had 5 children born in Hollingworth:
1)Thomas SIDEBOTTOM. *Born 23-3-1818 at Tintwistle, Cheshire.
2)Mary Ann SIDEBOTTOM. *Born 7-7-1821 at Hollingworth, Cheshire.
3)Hannah SIDEBOTTOM. *Born 2-7-1823 at Hollingworth, Cheshire.
4)Jane SIDEBOTTOM. *Born 20-8-1825 at Hollingworth, Cheshire.
5)Ralph SIDEBOTTOM. *Born 18-12-1827 at Hollingworth, Cheshire.
William SIDEBOTTOM was caught uttering forged bank notes in Ashton-under-Lynne on the 23rd December 1829. He appeared at the Lancaster Assizes on the 6th March 1830.
William’s sentence was commuted to transportation for life.
A petition was signed by 21 inhabitants of Hollingworth on behalf of William and presented at the Lancaster Lent Assizes on the 20th April 1830.
The petition had no effect. He was sent from Lancaster Castle to the ‘Cumberland’ hulk on the 28th May 1830 where he was described as being of “peaceable disposition”. He boarded the ‘Florentia’(II) on the 4th August, and travelling via Ireland (departing there on the 16th) was transported to NSW as a convict aboard the ‘Florentia’ (2) arriving on the 15th December 1830.
William’s convict indent states that he was married with 5 young children. That he was able to read and write and that he had worked as a wheelwright & millwright for 6 years.
He is described as being 5ft, 5 1/2 inches tall, of ruddy, freckled and pock-pitted complexion. He had brown hair and hazel eyes.
He was first seconded to Frederick A. Hely of Brisbane Water, NSW.
William Sidebottom applied for a Ticket of Leave in September 1838 and was granted it on the 18th February 1839. He remained in the Brisbane Water area and worked for himself as a mason. His conduct was described as “Extremely Good”.
During this time William received incorrect news from friends that his wife had died.
In light of this Rev. Edward Rogers, Church of England minister, wrote to the Colonial Secretary on 14-12-1840, applying for permission to publish the marriage banns at Brisbane Water for William to marry a former convict, Sarah Jones. There was some difficulty with this, as it could not be proven that William was a widower, as he believed he was. Edward Rogers wrote a reference on the 15-1-1840, in support of William’s application.
Despite this his application was disallowed on the 1-2-1841 on the grounds that “it is not customary to take the unsubstantiated statement, even on oath, of prisoners in such cases.”
Eventually however William was granted permission to marry (20-1-1842) and did so on the 31-1-1842 in the district. They had a son, William, born on 26-11-1842 at Gosford, NSW. This William became a teamster running bullock teams carting cedar in Northern NSW. He married Anne Wilkes in November 1877.
Later that year William requested the recommendation of Alfred Holden (police Magistrate at Gosford) for a conditional pardon. On the 24th September 1842, Holden wrote that he and Rev. Rogers believed that William Sidebottom was deserving of an Absolute Pardon (free), rather than the conditional pardon that he sought. He was granted a Conditional Pardon on the 1st October 1842.
Sadly though William didn’t live very long to enjoy his freedom. At the age of 46 he died in the General Hospital in Sydney on the 2nd March 1843. His estate included cattle, a house, furniture and money.
Submitted by Researcher (Chris Nilsen) on 3 October 2018
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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.457
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