WILLIAM RICKETTS
William Ricketts was born 25 October 1805 in Clavering, Essex, UK. He was the third known child of nine born to Thomas and Mary Ricketts, a younger brother to Edward b. c1800 and older brother of Samuel born 1809.
Current map (2011) showing area of
Berden, Bishop's Stortford, Clavering, Rickling, Quendon in Essex
NOTE: villages named are within a general area of 10-15 miles.
Map of England showing location of Essex villages
Nothing is known of his early years or life in England until on 6 December 1830 he was tried at the Essex Special Gaol Delivery and convicted for Highway Robbery with a sentence of Life.
From Chelmsford he was received on 5 February 1830 into the Prison Hulk “CAPTIVITY” which was moored at Portsmouth. Disposal was to NSW on 26 May 1831; he was received onto the convict ship “WILLIAM GLEN ANDERSON” on 31 May 1831, departed from London 2 June 1831 and arrived in VDL (Tasmania) Australia on 1 November 1831. Master of the Convict ship was James Fawthrop.
From Tasmanian Archives - CON31-1-37_00075_L
Following is a brief extract of details on his Convict Record (top section in red ink) prior to his arrival in VDL:
‘Transpd. For Robby. Bad Report Convd. 4 times before bad Hulk Report Orderly - "Single" Stated this Offence Hy. Robby. Once for assault 3 months again for stg. Wood 14 Days - for Poachg 3 mths again 14 days for assault Protestant’.
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His Convict Indent shows age 26 height 5ft 9 3/4" Native Place Clavering, Occupation Ploughman - Offences - Highway Robbery once, for Assault 3 months again, stealing wood 14 days - for poaching 3 months again, 14 days for assault.
Also on his Indent are details showing M (mother) Mary at N.P. (Native Place) 1 brother Edwd in this Colony (off?) “GOV. READY” 2 B & 2 S at N.P.
His Appropriation List shows him to have been assigned to Mr I S Grant. (not sure of initials)
It was William who was entrusted with the letter sent by his sister Mary Anne from Berden in Essex, the content of which is partly described on the page relating to Edward.
Muster records show - 1833 - Public work, 1835 assigned to Mr T Ritchie, 1841 Ress (?) Party, 1846 Ticket of Leave, accidentally drowned 27/10/1846, 1849 Cond. Pardon (Very strange that 1846 Muster states as above, and 1849 shows Con. Pardon 1849)
William died 27 October 1847 aged 40. His death is explained in an entry in ‘The Launceston Examiner [Tas. 1842-1899]’ dated Saturday 30 October 1847.
Details from newspaper article
| ACCIDENT. - As a ticket-of-leave man named William Rickets, servant to Mr. Alexander, was crossing the ford, on Wednesday last, a little below Mr. Reid's punt, at Longford, with a team of two horses belonging to his master, he had to get on a horse's back to guide them. When in the middle of the stream one of the horses began to to gibe; the man's legs got entangled in the harness; the horses backed into deep water, and with the man, were drowned before assistance could arrive. A man in the employ of Mr. Reid, named Henry Smith, a probationer, used every exertion to recover the body, and he did so, but too late, as life was extinct. - Communicated.
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His burial took place on 29 October 1847 and was registered at Longford, Tasmania.
The above details (including dates, places and names) have been collated from information garnered from various sources including indexes, websites, certificates, publications and fellow researchers. Some of the details were supplied by descendants of Edward and Samuel Ricketts with follow-up research conducted to verify the facts where possible.
Names, dates and information are presented with the best intentions. Family history being what it is, although much time, effort and money is expended, we can never know it all!
If you notice any inconsistencies or errors, or if you feel you have information to add, please go to Contact Page to submit form, or send me an e-mail
bndoneil@gmail.com
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