|
OUR WRIGHT AND PRICE FAMILIES TO AUSTRALIA |
|
|
ARRIVAL JAMES PRICE The story commences back in England on August 1st 1813 where James Arthur PRICE was baptised at St Mary Church of England at Newington, Surrey to parents James and Elizabeth PRICE of that parish. Newington is situated near the south bank of the Thames River and now forms part of the City of London. Nothing further is known of the parents except that a marriage was recorded four years later at that parish, on October 5th 1817, between a James PRICE and Elizabeth SIMMONDS. This couple were almost certainly the parents of James as it was not unusual even in those days for de-facto relationships and childbirth to precede marriage. On October 8th 1832 when aged 19 years, James married Harriet WOOD at St Peter Church of England at Walworth, Surrey. Harriet was six months pregnant at the time. Within two months of the marriage an event of major proportions struck James and Harriet. James was arrested on a charge of Larceny by a Servant, convicted at the Surrey Quarter Sessions on December 3rd 1832 and sentenced to SEVEN YEARS TRANSPORTATION. On December 8th 1832 the London newspaper, “The Times” reported on the trial where James was found guilty of stealing one cwt of rope from his employer. The newspaper account was as follows:
Only five days after his conviction James sailed on the ship Lotus from Portsmouth bound for Van Diemen’s Land. It was December 13th 1832, only twelve days to Christmas and a month away from the baptism of his first child. Onboard were a further 215 male convicts, many being hardened criminals. On January 5th 1833 James was treated by the Surgeon, Henry BROCK for Pneumonia and after treatment made a full recovery. Back at Newington baby Maria Elizabeth PRICE was baptised on January 20th 1833. It is unknown whether the baby was born prior to James being taken into custody but he was aware of the baby’s arrival. It is highly likely, however, that he never again saw this child or his wife. The ship Lotus was of 397 tons and sailed via Rio with the voyage taking 154 days. The Master was John SUMMERSON and no convicts died en-route. The ship arrived into Hobart Town on May 16th 1833. A Conduct Register and Description Register for James were commenced on his arrival. They are reproduced below. The contents of these Registers are also transcribed on this page because these documents are almost illegible. The description for James PRICE was as follows:
DESCRIPTION REGISTER - JAMES PRICE Transcribed as:
CONDUCT REGISTER - JAMES PRICE The Conduct Register stated that he was married to Harriet with one child. His native place was Newington and Gaol report - Bad Character. The offence was stated as, “stealing one cut of rope”. On December 6th 1833 James is convicted with making away with his masters money (Mr RAMSAY) and sentenced to “Return to Public Works and recommended for Road Party 12 months”. The muster of December 31st 1833 shows James PRICE, convict number 909 still assigned to Mr RAMSAY. On January 11th 1834 James is sentenced for pilfering prisoners rations and receives, “Hard Labour and imprisonment during remainder of Road Party Sentence”. Six days later he is charged and sentenced for neglect of work and idleness. He received 25 lashes. March 21st 1834 he is convicted of neglect of work on Chain Gang and sentenced to 20 lashes. Again on April 9th 1834 he is convicted of neglect of work on Chain Gang and sentenced to 20 lashes. On July 21st 1834 James is sentenced to 50 lashes for stealing a damper from John LEE. The muster of December 31st 1835 shows James assigned to Mr LIGHTFOOT. On May 25th 1836 James was convicted for refusing to work and is admonished. In 1839 Free Certificate Number 801 was issued to James PRICE. After six years of custody James is now free. However he cannot ever return to England and is bound to the Colony for life. During 1839 James meets a convict girl named Ann GOUGH and falls in love. He was now determined to put the convict life behind him. Her story of how she came to also be banished from England is detailed in the next chapter. |
