William Denman snr and jnr, South Petherton convicts to Australia
William Denman was baptised on 8 October 1776 at St Andrews Church, Puckington,
Somerset, to William and Betty (nee Drayton) Denman. He was the third of at least 4
children, the others being Heber, John, Susanna and Reuben.
William married Harriet Arden by banns on 6 April, 1799 in South Petherton
Somerset. The first child Clarissa was baptised at Peter and Paul Church, South
Petherton on 29 October 1800, followed by John Arden baptised 5 February 1802,
Elizabeth or Eliza baptised 22 April 1803, Mary baptised 19 October 1804, Ruth born
24 May 1806 and baptised 16 July 1806 at Mr Hardmans Chapel, South Petherton,
Samuel born circa 1812, William circa 1807 and Josias circa 1812. Samuel, William
and Josias were all baptised at Mr Hardmans Chapel on23 November 1817, along
with Harriet, born circa 1817 and Frederick. Josias died and was buried 9 August
1819, whilst Harriet died and was buried 6 April 1823. Another daughter Jane was
born 11 April 1820, followed by Sarah born 1825 and Josias born 1824. These last 3
children were baptised together on 11 March 1832 at St Peter and Pauls Church,
South Petherton. This was after William had been transported and his wife Harriet had
died.
A shepherd and butcher by trade, in August 1827 William and his son William were
arrested for entering the house of John Ludwell with intent to steal and imprisoned in
Ilchester Goal (Taunton Courier August 1827). They were tried on 18 August at
Lammas Assizes, Bridgewater, found guilty and both sentenced to transportation for
life.
Both men were transported to VDL on the York 28 August 1829. Just prior to his
transportation Harriet died and was buried at South Petherton on 8 April 1829.
William was aware of the death of his wife as, on his arrival in VDL, he stated he was
a widower.
How the family members, remaining in Somerset, survived, is not known but both
William and his son William junior had money with them when they were
transported, William depositing with the surgeon of the ‘York’, the sum of £3 4s 11d
and William junior the sum of £3 12s 5d.
The York under the command of Captain John Moncrief and ships surgeon Andrew
Henderson embarked 192 male convicts and sailed in 109 days to VDL arriving 28 August
1829, all 192 convicts landed safely. His VDL convict record indicates his goal report from
Somerset is unknown but his hulk report indicates good.
On arrival William was described as 56 years of age, 5’ 8 3/4” tall, with blue eyes, brown to
grey hair and the top joint on the little finger of the right hand missing.
Initially assigned to a Mr J Simpson 31 December 1831 and 1832, Mr Thomas Gavin 1833
and public works 1835 (Founders and Survivors website) by 1834 he was definitely in the
Norfolk Plains area (see convict record). On 3 November 1837 William was granted his
Ticket of Leave, his Conditional pardon either 1840 or 12 August 1841 and Free pardon 15
November 1842 (not all records specify which William). It has not been confirmed but at
some time William may have served part time in the police, possibly during late 1830’s.
On 5 October 1842 a Josias Denman aged 19, arrived in Launceston from London per ‘the
Bolivia’. Whether this was William snr’s son has not been ascertained but the age fits. This
Josias arrive free and was by trade a second class general manservant . On 10 September 1846
he travelled from George Town to Portland, Victoria, per ‘the Minerva’.
It is possible, even likely, that a Ruth Male who died in Victoria 1874, aged 66 was Ruth
Denman, William snr’s daughter. This Ruth was the wife of Simon (son of Levi) who died
1872, aged 68 in Victoria. Their Victorian death record indicating they were both born in
Somerset.
William snr did not remarry in Van Diemens Land and he died 19 July 1852 at Longford,
VDL.
William Denman the younger, was about 22 when he was transported to VDL with his father.
He had been tried, sentenced and transported with his father, also receiving a life sentence.
William’s convict record indicates he had been in trouble before, having served goal time for
house breaking and also being sentenced to 14 days on the treadmill for leaving his master.
His goal report suggested he was suspected of having committed robberies, whilst his hulk
report indicated his behaviour was indifferent.
On arrival William was described as single, 5’ 4 ½” tall, with blue eyes and dark brown hair,
with a scar on his left cheek, tattoo of a woman on his right arm and various initials tattooed
on the inside of his left arm, these most likely being the initials of at least some of his family.
His occupation was given as farm labourer.
Initially assigned to a Mr W G Walker William was soon in strife. On 4 September 1830 he
was charged with disobedience of orders and insolence to Walker and sentenced to 25 lashes.
On 29 October he was again charged by Walker with disobedience of orders and this time
was sentenced to 6 weeks hard labour out of chains and not returned to Mr Walker’s service.
William served this sentence as part of the Glenorchy Road party.
His convict record notes his location on 20 January 1836 as Police Superintendent Office
(possibly means road gang) and on 25 April 1836 he was charged with assaulting and
insulting W Addison. For this he was sentenced to the treadmill.
William received his Ticket of Leave on 11 September 1837 and by this time his location was
the Norfolk Plains Office. He received his conditional pardon no 3128 on 2 August 1841.
Both Williams receive their tickets of leave and conditional pardons about the same time.
On 23 July 1845 William married Sarah Moore, the daughter of John Moore (convict on the
Salamander, 3rd fleet). At the time, William was 35, a bachelor and free, with both he and his
wife signing the registry with a cross.
However it appears they had children well before the marriage. Their first child Harriet
(Deadman) was born 17 September 1842, christened 19 February 1843 at Church of Christ
Longford., followed by Mary Ann Moore (also recorded as Dedman) on 13 October 1844 and
christened between 22 December 1844 and 5 October 1845 (possibly after the wedding) at the
Perth Church of England. At the time William was a farmer at Little Hampton near
Bishopsbourne. Unfortunately this child died 19 February 1848.
The next child Clarissa was born 29 November 1846, christened 10 January 1847, the family
still living in the same area. She was followed by Samuel born 31 December 1848, christened
28 January 1849, Mary Anne (surname recorded as Deadman) born 20 April 1851, christened
21 April 1851 and Sarah Jane born 23 September 1853, christened 1 March 1854. Eliza
Priscilla was born 4 March 1856 at Longford, christened 23 April 1856 at Christ Church,
Longford.
William was in the news just after the birth of Priscilla when he was charged with trespass,
the following account of the trial given:
“A new Law of Trespass.-Fullerton v. Denman.-This was an information laid by Mr. John
Fullerton, of Park Mount, against a neighbour named Denman, for wilful damage done on his
certain real and personal estate to the amount of £5, by trespassing and allowing his children
to trespass on tile lands of the said John Fullerton, by leaving the gates open and causing
other damage on his said real and personal property. Mr. Hookey appeared for the defence
and said that although there were many informalities in the information he would not take
advantage of them, as he wished the case to be tried on its merits. The bench asked the
complainant what was the nature of the in jury sustained, but he could name none in
particular. The bench did not consider that the trespass came within their jurisdiction, but
should be settled by civil action. Mr. Hookey stated that the principal cause of complaint was
that Mr. Denman's children had to cross a pathway in a paddock belonging to Mr. Fullerton
on their way to Mr. Weston's, who had them educated free of expense, and the complainant
opposed their passing through his "real and personal estate," thereby depriving them of the
benefit of education, with a spirit worthy only of the dark ages. Case dismissed.”
By the time the next child William George is born 27 April 1858, christened 14 March 1860,
the family appears to have moved to Carrick (baptism is at Carrick C/E) where William
became the local butcher. The final child John Percy Clarence Denman was born 19 March
1862 and christened 5 November 1862 at Carrick
William Denman died at the home of his daughter and son in law Eliza and William
Ricketts in Franklin Street, Launceston on 6 July 1877. Sarah died on 18 May 1894
near Selbourne, her death recorded as a relict of the late William Denman, with her
funeral to leave from her son’s residence near Selbourne, the following day.