Richard Thompson

[Stuart0742]

Received this by email

Sir /Madam

On the page relating to Prison Hulk Records at Sheffield History.co.uk

I noticed a Richard Thompson born abt, 1819 received 1842 Hulk is Fortitude convicted 1842.

Is there any more information available?.

I believe he was transported to Van Diemans Land (Tasmania) arriving there October 1843 aboard the Forfarshire.

His Trial was on 28th February 1842 at Sheffield Assizes. Where he was convicted of stealing tobacco from a Mr Monkton? of Sheffield. and transported for this and "other crimes"

I have attached a copy of his "arrival record" in Tasmania from which I have gathered this information.

Is there any chance of getting to see records of his trial?

I am particularly interested in whether he had a wife in Sheffield. There is an annotation on the Tasmanian form saying "married" but whether that was when he arrived or later I don't know.

I do know he married later in life and went on to produce several children. Some of whom eventually went to New Zealand and got themselves in to my son in law's family tree.

I have found 3 Richard Thompsons in the 1841 Census of Sheffield two are married one with a child, the other living with "brother".

Any light you can throw on this problem will be gratefully received.

Kind Regards

John Jones

[RichardB]

Please tell me I didn't start this off; I have a sinking feeling about it ...