Another Descendant Reaches Out - A Memorial to Matilda (Brown) Dimmitt

In May 2024, I gratefully received an email from an Australian descendant of William and Matilda, named Jane Campton. Her email was appropriately titled, "William the Great Escaper." 

Jane referenced Matilda's fortitude, stating, "The poor woman deserves some recognition. William and Matilda went on to have 10 children. The birthdates of the children (1840, 1841, 1844, 1846, 1848, 1850, 1852, 1855, 1857 and 1866) paint a portrait of a woman who is likely to have been completely overwhelmed with childcare." Looking at those dates, it's probably there were some miscarriages, or stillborn children. 

So, it is with gratitude and great respect I include Jane Campton's biography of Mother Matilda.

---

Matilda Dimmitt (Brown)

Matilda whose occupation on the list of passengers is described as housemaid, arrived in Botany Bay on the Lady Raffles in 1839. It departed from Plymouth on 13 May 1839 and arrived in New South Wales on 12 September 1839 with 236 bounty immigrants on board and a cargo of rum.

Matilda was a Bounty immigrant. Bounty immigrants were free immigrants whose passage was paid for by the government under the “bounty scheme”. Under this scheme, an incentive or reward was paid to recruiting agents in Britain to find suitable skilled labourers and trades people, then ship them out to the new colony which urgently needed the working-class people to do the manual labour.

Bounties were paid to the ship’s masters for the safe delivery of their passengers under the scheme. The typical bounty was £19 for an adult 5 for a child. Under the bounty scheme newly married couples or single men and women were given preference.

The British advertising of the 1830s was hard for women to resist “Tavel to Australia! Free passage is offered, lucrative work awaits and Sydney has five men to every woman”. So seductive was the promotional campaign that 3000 single free women voyaged to the colonies of New South Wales and Van Demons land to even up the gender balance.

However, disembarking wasn’t quite what the brochure is promised when they stopped stepped onto the pier in Sydney, they were met by 2000 men braying at them and jeering. They had to run the gauntlet of these men to get to their accommodation with barely half dozen police to protect them. Single and Free female immigration to Australia 1832-1837

The Australian Chronicle of 17 September 1839, with respect to the ship the Lady Raffles reported that

“The immigrants on the Lady Raffles which arrived on Thursday night, are on board alongside Walker’s wharf there being, no provision for the accommodation of bounty immigrants at government buildings. They arrived in good health with only one death that of an infant which occurred during the voyage, ---Yet there being no rendezvous or asylum provided for the bounty immigrants, as for those imported by the government, they must wander about in search of employment without money or friends, in a strange country often in utter destitution and hopeless misery, without a shelter or home, for months together, cursing the duplicity of those by whom they were enticed from their happy homes and connections to immigrate to an imaginary El Dorado, were upon their arrival they find the first theme of countless reflection the irreplaceable destruction of their fondly cherished but fallacious hopes. Thus, are they driven to despair to intemperance and dishonesty.” Bounty Immigrants of the Lady Raffles-Trove Australian Chronicle Sydney NSW 1839

Matilda had little time to search for work or to indulge in intemperance or dishonesty, as she is only one year after her arrival that she married William Dimmitt. My great, great grandmother Mary Esther born in Parramatta in 1841 was the first of their many children.

It might interest you to know to that Williams descendants include a licencing Magistrate and two County Court Judges. I wonder what William would have thought of that! I was one of those Judges (I am now retired) and the irony of having the convict William Dimmitt as my ancestor did escape me when I was sentencing offenders!!

-  Jane Campton (May 17, 2024)

In the beginning: England to Australia

170 years have passed since our story begins.  Luckily, many documents were preserved to help piece the story together.  How many people today owe their existence to these few individuals?

This story involves the following people:

Esther Dimmitt

            Daughter: Sarah Dimmitt (Abt. 1798?)

            Son: William Long Dimmitt (Abt. 1801) - married - Matilda Brown (Abt. 1801)

                              Mary Ann Dimmitt (1846)

                              Alexander Dimmitt (1848) - married - Johanna Clarey (Abt. 1850)

                                                    Daughter: Matilda Esther Dimmitt (1874)

                              Matilda Esther Dimmitt (1850)

                              Emma Dimmitt (1855)

The Dimmitt name appears to have originated in it’s current form in England.  The earliest record I’ve been able to find (to date) is in the late 1700’s, with Esther Dimmitt’s burial being listed on the 6th of April 1844.  This would place her birth somewhere around 1778.  Granted, this would not be her maiden name, so the late Mr. Dimmitt must have been born around the same time or earlier.  

Esther’s will mentions a daughter Sarah Dimmitt, but not their son.  A letter from NSW to Esther indicates that her son (William Dimmitt) had received her letter.  

Their son William Dimmitt (A.K.A. William Long, A.K.A. William Long Dimmitt), was born around 1800, and is likely the first Dimmitt to have originated in Australia.  

Though I am not a descendant of the Australian Dimmitt family, we share common ancestors.  It is for that reason I have taken it up to tell their story.  This is not a complete narrative, but should provide enough of a framework to allow an understanding of the lives they lived.

James Dimmitt
California, USA

Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/His_Majesty's_vessel_the_Lady_Nelson_-_1799.JPG

Esther Dimmitt and her children

Our story begins, not in Australia, but in England.  We will begin with Esther Dimmitt having died at the age of 66 years, on 6, October 1844.  Her will being made available in digital format, we find that she lived in No. 60 Elliotts Lane in the parish of St. George the Martyr, county of Surrey.

Esther mentions her daughter Sarah, but fails to mention her wayward son (more on that later).  It appears Sarah was married the same year of her mother's death.  

Will of Esther Dimmitt

"I Esther Dimmitt of No. 60 Eliiotts Lane in the parish of St. George the Martyr in the county of Surrey widow being of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding do make _ to say after payment of all  my funeral and testamentary expenses the _ ceremony of the funeral I wish and desire may be performed at Newington (?) church in the said county and my desire is that a good elm coffin with _ _ in _ nails and plates suitable together with goods _ and 4 couple of mourners be furnished also wine cake and tea as is usual on such occasions that it be a walking funeral and the grave at least 12 feet in depth then as to all the residue and remainder of my personal estate consisting of books plate wearing apparel furniture and effects also my ready money which may be in the house at the time of my decease and all claims which i now have or at the time of my decease may have on any person or persons whomsoever together with my stuff (?) in the Bank of England in the <lb. sign> 3.10.0 per cent annuities and my money in the Borough of Southwark Savings Bank and all that estate of which I may hereafter become and be possessed at the time of my decease I give and devise the same unto Mr. William Stead of the Gibraltar Public House in the Borough of Southwark aforesaid his _ or administrators in trust nevertheless _ Mr. William Stead as a shall stand and be possessed of the same for the sole and exclusive uses _ and _ benefit of my dear daughter Sarah Dimmitt now residing at No. 10 _ Minorics (?) London spender and so that the same shall be solely at her own disposal and not subject or liable to the debts _ or _ roateoul of any husband with whom she may intermarry and that her receipt or receipts alone or whether roucet or sole shall be good valid and sufficient daughter or daughters in Law and for any Sons or Sons money whether principal or interest which _ _ may from time to time _ of be desirous of selling or removing from the place of places of deposit and for her own memorandum as aforesaid shall be a sufficient acknowledgment for the said trustee and hereby appointed for all and every other portion of the said person all  Estate not consisting of money or securities for money I further will and direct that my said daughter alone without the _ or sanction of any husband with whom she may intermarry shall have the power by any will or other testamentary paper to appoint and dispose of the whole or any part of the said trust monies and personal estate as she shall think fit and I hereby revoke and recall all former and _ will or wills by me before the date hereof made or published and lastly I do hereby _ nominate and appoint the said William Stead and my said dear daughter Sarah Dimmitt sole Executor and Executrix of this my last will as witness my hand ans seal this 18th day of June 1984 = Ester Dimmitt= Signed Sealed and published and declared as and for the last Will and testament of Esher Dimmitt in the presence of us who in the presence of the said Testatrix and of _ other have subscribed the hands as witnesses of the day and year last within write = Wm Tursden 47 Elliotts Row = David Bishop 61 Elliotts Row Southwark 

In the Goods of Esther Dimmitt Widow-deceased."

Translated to the best of my ability, with the assistance of my friend Jean Leak Ping.

No. 60 Elliotts Lane, St. George the Martyr, Surrey England (today). Courtesy Google Streetview

Here's a few good links for the area where Esther Dimmitt lived:

https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Southwark_St_George_the_Martyr,_Surrey,_England

http://www.stgeorge-themartyr.co.uk/site/

William Long Dimmitt: In custody, and out of custody, and in custody, and out of custody, and in again...

William Long Dimmitt was born to "William Demmett" and Esther Long abt. 1801 in the parish of St. Saviour, within the Borough of Southwark. in the County of Surrey.  He lived 19 years, before being arrested for burglary in England.  A later court proceeding revealed William's original charges.  On 18 January 1820, at around 7pm, he was accused of breaking into Sarah Cousin's residence (St. Saviour Parish, Borough of Southwark, County of Surrey).  He was accused of taking: 

1 umbrella, value 7s.

1 flute, value 7s. 6d.

1 gold watch, value 20l.

1 key, value 10s. 6d.

4 silver table-spoons, value 3l. 6s.

6 silver tea-spoons, value 1l. 10s.

1 pair of silver tea-tongs, value 16s.

2 counterpanes, value 3l.

1 quilt, value 10s.

5 sheets, value 2l. 10s.

3 blankets, value 15s.

11 gowns, value 9l. 9s.

5 petticoats, value 1l.

3 table-cloths, value 2l. 2s.

8 printed bound books, value 10l. 10s.

1 tea-caddy, value 1l.

1 pair of stays, value 10s.

1 silk shawl, value 10s.

1 cloth pelisse, value 3l.

5 pairs of stockings, value 1l. 1s.

4 pillow-cases, value 10s.

5 habit shirts, value 5s.

He was indicted on 23 March 1820 and ordered hanged until dead.  At the mercy of King George the IV'th, he was "allowed" to be shipped to New South Wales.

 He absconded, then was recaptured.

Original sentencing document

No: 6
Name: William Dimmitt
Age: 19
Offense: Felony
When convicted: 23 March 
Where convicted: Kingston Upon Thames
Sentences: Life
How disposed: NSW - 21 May 1820

(1a) Circular Quay, Sydney 1856.  By S.T. Gill. National Library of Australia nia.pic-an 7537525

William was returned to New South Wales, but absconded again.  Precocious to say the least.  

Sources from here to the Old Bailey Court portion: Ancestry.com

William Dimmitt
Ship: Guilford
"Absconded June 1821"

The excellent site "Free Settler or Felon?" lists the following regarding the Guildford:

"The Guildford was the next convict ship to leave England for New South Wales after the departure of Mary Anne in December 1821.  The Guildford departed London on 7 April 1822

The Guard consisted of one Lieutenant, one Serjeant, one Corporal and twenty Privates and 6 women and 3 children belonging to 3rd Regiment

James Mitchell kept a Medical Journal from 9th March to 24 July 1822.  In a summary in his Journal after he reached Port Jackson he wrote: 

'It gives me very great pleasure to state that the number of sick on this voyage was comparatively small when it is taken into account the number of Guards, convicts (in all 232) cooped up which in a small space for such a length of time and for the safety of the ship the prisoners were only allowed on deck in divisions, added to this the greater part of them were those who had led a rustic life and accustomed to a vegetable diet.  However to the kindness of Providence, to the liberality of Government in supplying wind and preserved meats and to the discipline I enforced amongst them by keeping the moving about as much as possible, their beds up in the nettings and to the cleanliness of the prisons and their own persons as also fro the attention paid to ventilation, I ascribe the healthy stat in which the men landed.  The boy Wharton that died shortly after leaving England was work out with sea sickness, and anguish of mind owing to his degraded situation.  The 12 cases of Catarrh and pneumonia were produced by out running down in a high southern latitude and the prisoners dress being too thin for such a climate.' 

The men were disembarked on 24th July 1822.  One hundred and four prisoners were sent to Parramatta on arrival.

source: http://www.jenwilletts.com/convict_ship_guildford_1822.htm

The Guildford arrived in Port Jackson on 15 July 1822 just nine days before the Asia."

It turns out William Dimmitt was not aboard.  

"158 / Dimmett Wm / Guildford / Missing"

"Colonial Secretaries Office
12th July 1822

Sir

Upon receipt of this letter <unk> to proceed on board the Schooner governor Brisbane and receive unto your charge a runaway Convict named John Demmett, and bring him to this office. 

I am Sir 
your obed't Servant 

F. -oulburn
Colleny (?)

Wm. Thomas Divine (?)
Chief Constable 
Sydney"

I'm uncertain if this is a misunderstanding, as William Dimmitt was returned on the governor Brisband at one point.  Perhaps there's actually a convict named John Demmett.  That will have to take some more investigation.

Caught and Returned - Isle of France, NSW

"Colonial Secretary's Office
30th August 1822

Sir

I have the honor to acquaintance you that H.M. Colonial Brig Lady Nelson is dispatched to Port Macquarie for a cargo of cedar and pine logs.

By this conveyance you will receive thirty prisoners under various sentences to Port Macquarie for which I beg to refer you to the accompanying List.

James McAloonge a prisoner of the brown is permitted to go to Port Macquarie for the reason mentioned in the accompanying memorial.

Susan Taylor and child are likewise permitted to proceed to Port Macquarie. _ her husband being one of the prisoners now embarked.

I have the honor to be

Sir, 

Your obed't able servant

(signed) F. Goulburn 
<unk.>

Cap'n Allman
Commandant
Port Macquarie"

"List of eleven prisoners transported to Port Macquarie on board H.M.S. Brig Lady Nelson to the respective sentences annexed thereto; and also their original places and tines of trial and sentences, Extracted in the deed polls or indents of the ships by which they arrived in the Colony. -

Sydney, New South Wales, 30th July 1822"

"William Dimmitt ran from the colony, returned in the Gov'n Brisbane"
Convicted, where: Sydney 
When: 29 July 1822
Sentenced: - org. Sen'n
Trade: Laborer
- served by: Guilford (4)
Original place and times of trial and sentences. Where: Kingston
When: 23'd Mar 1820
Sentence: Life"

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HMS Lady Nelson
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Lady_Nelson_(1798)

Modern location of the HMS Lady Nelson
http://www.mountgambiertourism.com.au/visit.asp

Logbooks of the HMS Lady Nelson
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/7509/7509-h/7509-h.htm

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Gaoler's (Jailer's) Report

William Dimmett

Ship: Guildford (4)

Where Convicted: "Ran from the colony, ret'd in the Schooner Governor Brisbane - Sent by order of the Sec't."

Sentence: "Rest of orig'l Sentence"

Date: 29 July 1824

"Colonial Secretarys Office
7th May 1824

Sir

<unk> - An Account with thee - - - - , of the experiences incurred by the Gover- , for the Subsistence, clothing and Medical - of the Runaway Convicts William Smith and William Demmet during their detention in the Isle of France amounting to <Pounds> 210.10.7 Sterling having been submitted to the Governor I have been honored with this -, to request you with be pleased to cause a Bill to be remitted to that - in liquidation of the amount.  

- the hours to be

Sir
Your obed't Servt
F. Goulburn

Wm Wemyss Eag're
Deputy Counn Ulpenersl"

My land, if you can read this better than I, please send me a message.

Gaoler's (Jailer's) Report - Portsmouth

http://interactive.ancestry.com/1989/31791_221377-00394/83173?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=ReturnRecord

Name: William Dimmitt 

Page: 156 

Gaoler's Report: "Transported before"

Ship: Leviathan

The HMS Leviathan

http://s941.photobucket.com/user/stuartwaters/media/leviathan/leviathanboardssanaugustinoattrafalgar_zps44cede5f.jpg.html

The New South Wales Government's State Records describes Norfolk Island as follows:

"Governor Phillip's instructions of 25 April 1787 had ordered him to send a detachment to Norfolk Island as soon as circumstances permitted.  On 12 February 1788 Phillip appointed Philip Gidley King Superintendent and Commandant of the Island and on 5 March 1788 King landed there with a group of soldiers and convicts.  Others were sent to relieve the strain on the mainland where food was scarce.

From 1788 to 1814 Norfolk Island existed as an extension of the penal settlement in NSW but by the early 1800s the Island was no longer needed as Van Diemen's Land was available to convicts.  Though the settlers were reluctant to move, the settlement was steadily reduced over the years.  Rough seas and suitable landing sites posed difficulties in supplying provisions and communications.  By 1810 the population had decreased to 117 and in 1813 plans were put in place for the abandonment of the Island.  It was finally deserted in February 1814.

In 1824, as pastoralists were settled across the mainland, the Colonial Office decided to revive the penal settlement on Norfolk Island as a place of banishment for the worst re-offenders. On 6 June 1825 Major Turton, with 34 troops, six women and children, and 57 convicts, reoccupied the Island. By 1829 there were 211 convicts on Norfolk and by 1834 there were close to 700 convicts, all employed by the government which, according to personal accounts of convicts and visitors, inflicted on them harsh punishments verging on the inhumane. It was not until Alexander Maconochie was appointed as Commandant of Norfolk Island in 1840 that the convicts started to be treated more humanely. In February 1844 Maconochie was replaced by Captain Joseph Childs and Norfolk regained its reputation for brutality.  The penal settlement finally closed in 1853."

http://www.records.nsw.gov.au/state-archives/research-topics/convicts/convict-settlement-norfolk-island

9 years later, William (...or someone falsely accused of being William) was caught and tried in the Old Bailey courthouse in London.  He'd been captured for the following: 

16th April 1830 - for  "being feloniously was at large, without any lawful cause, within his Majesty's dominions, to wit, at St. James, Clerkenwell , before the expiration of the term..."

Source: Ancestry.com. Australian Convict Transportation Registers – Other Fleets & Ships, 1791-1868 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007.

Original data: Home Office: Convict Transportation Registers; (The National Archives Microfilm Publication HO11); The National Archives of the UK (TNA), Kew, Surrey, England.

Source: http://www.londonlives.org/static/Prisons.jsp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clerkenwell_Prison

Three (3) witnesses spoke against the man tried as William Dimmitt.  One said he knew him as "Dundy Bill, the Barber".  

I say "the man tried as William Dimmitt" as we have records indicating that William married Matilda Brown around 1840.  Perhaps it's another William Dimmitt, or perhaps William's son.  Perhaps though, someone went to death in place of William, based on the faulty memories or deliberate lies of one or more of the people in question.  

The man charged in the case gave the following defense:  "Prisoner's Defence. In January last I was apprehended on the same charge, and the prosecutor of Dimmitt swore I was not the man; the Governor of Brixton gaol also swore so, and the chief constable of Union-hall- those persons had Dimmitt in their custody for months after he was tried, and this man now swears to me for nothing but the purpose of getting the reward; I had three examinations in January."

Whatever the case, the man named as "William Dimmitt" was convicted and sentenced to death.

Transcript from the Old Bailey Court's trial

http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?div=t18290611-201

OLD COURT.

FIFTH DAY. TUESDAY, JUNE 16.

First Middlesex Jury. Before Mr. Sergeant Arabin .

1200. WILLIAM DIMMITT. alias LONG , was indicted for that, at the General Session of the Delivery of the Gaol of our Lord the King, of the County of Surrey, holden at Kingston-upon - Thames, on Thursday, the 23d of March, in the first year of the reign of George the 4th, he, by the name of William Dimmitt, late of the parish of St. Saviour, within the Borough of Southwark. in the County of Surrey, labourer, was in due form of law tried on a certain indictment against him, for that he, on the 18th of January, in the 60th year of the reign of George the 3d, about the hour of seven in the night of the same day, with force of arms, at the parish aforesaid. in the County aforesaid, the dwelling-house of Sarah Cousins , there situate, feloniously and burglariously did break and enter, with intent the goods and chattels, in the same dwelling-house then and there being, feloniously and burglariously to steal, take, and carry away, and I umbrella, value 7s.; 1 flute, value 7s. 6d.; 1 gold watch, value 20l.; 1 key, value 10s. 6d.; 4 silver table-spoons, value 3l. 6s.; 6 silver tea-spoons, value 1l. 10s.; 1 pair of silver tea-tongs, value 16s.; 2 counterpanes, value 3l.; 1 quilt, value 10s.; 5 sheets, value 2l. 10s.; 3 blankets, value 15s.; 11 gowns, value 9l. 9s.; 5 petticoats, value 1l.; 3 table-cloths, value 2l. 2s.; 8 printed bound books, value 10l. 10s.; 1 tea-caddy, value 1l.; 1 pair of stays, value 10s.; 1 silk shawl, value 10s.; 1 cloth pelisse, value 3l.; 5 pairs of stockings, value 1l. 1s.; 4 pillow-cases, value 10s., and 5 habit shirts, value 5s., the goods of the saidSarah Cousins , in the same dwelling-house then and there being found, then and there feloniously and burglariously did steal, take, and carry away, against the peace, &c. and was thereupon convicted of feloniously stealing goods and chattels, in the indictment mentioned, in the dwelling-house of the said Sarah Cousins, to the value of 50s., and acquitted of burglariously breaking and entering the said dwelling-house in the night-time, and was ordered to be hanged by the neck until he should be dead, but his present Majesty having been graciously pleased to extend the Royal Mercy to him. on condition of his being transported to the coast of New South Wales, or some one or other of the islands adjacent, for the term of his natural life, which being in due manner signified.&c. he was ordered to be transported accordingly; and that he afterwards, on the 16th of April , in the 10th year of the reign of his present Majesty. feloniously was at large, without any lawful cause, within his Majesty's dominions, to wit, at St. James, Clerkenwell , before the expiration of the term for which he was so ordered to be transported, as aforesaid; against the Statute .

SECOND COUNT, that at the General Session of the Delivery of the Gaol of our Lord the King, holden for the County of Surrey, at Kingston-upon-Thames, on Thursday, the 23d of March, in the 1st year of the reign of his present Majesty, he was ordered to be transported to the coast of New South Wales, or some one or other of the islands adjacent, for the term of his natural life, pursuant to the Statute; and that afterwards. on the 16th of April, in the 10th year of the reign of His present Majesty, feloniously was at large within his Majesty's dominions, to wit, at St. James, Clerkenwell, without any lawful cause, before the expiration of the said term for which he had been ordered to be transported; against the Statute.

JOHN VANN. I produce the certificate of the prisoner's conviction, which I got from Mr. Clark, Clerk of the Arraigns for the Home Circuit - I saw him sign it (read, see indictment.)

GEORGE GOFF. I am a constable of Surrey. I was at the Spring Assizes, Kingston, in 1820; I saw the prisoner tried there - I knew him before, and am certain he is the man; I knew him, as being called Dundy Bill, the Barber - I am certain he is the man who was tried for a burglary at Mrs. Cousins.

FRANCIS KEVS. I am a day patrol, of Bow-street. I apprehended the prisoner as he came out of Clerkenwell prison, Middlesex, on the 16th of April.

Prisoner's Defence. In January last I was apprehended on the same charge, and the prosecutor of Dimmitt swore I was not the man; the Governor of Brixton gaol also swore so, and the chief constable of Union-hall- those persons had Dimmitt in their custody for months after he was tried, and this man now swears to me for nothing but the purpose of getting the reward; I had three examinations in January.

GEORGE GOFF . I was present at his trial - Mr. Baron Garrow tried him; I was not a witness in the case - I had apprehended him, but found nothing on him; I knew him before, and am confident he is the man.

GUILTY - DEATH . Aged 28.

William Long Dimmitt: Life in custody

The State of New South Wales' Department of Education site lists the following about life as a convict:

"Convicts were issued clothes from the government’s Commissariat Store. Each man and woman got a basic set of garments, known as ‘slops’, and was supposed to change to clean clothes once or twice a week.

Governor Macquarie also ordered spare trousers to be given out to allow convict men to ‘appear clean at church on Sundays.’

An identifiable convict 'uniform' was desirable, but due to shortages a hodgepodge of colours and types of clothes was issued, of varying quality and fit.

Supplies from England had to be supplemented with garments made in the colony.

The number and names of barracks convicts were written on their clothes, because theft of portable personal items was rife. Newly washed men’s shirts were often ‘dried on the shoulders of the owners’ to ensure they couldn’t be stolen.

The parti-coloured punishment suit shown was worn by recalcitrant men and repeat offenders, nicknamed 'canary men'. It was a public humiliation to have to wear the ridiculous suit made of yellow and black or grey and white wool.

The trousers had side buttons to allow them to be put on and taken off while leg-irons remained fixed to ankles."

Source:  http://lrrpublic.cli.det.nsw.edu.au/lrrSecure/Sites/Web/13651/13653/applets/11489_clothing/show_tell11489_text.htm

William Long Dimmitt: Aboard the convict ship "Sarah" - NSW

The webite "Convictrecords.com" lists the Sarah as having made two (2) convict trips.  Once to New South Wales in 1829 (the one with William Dimmitt), carrying 200 passengers, and again in 1836 to Van Diemen's Land (carrying 254 passengers).  

Source: http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/sarah/1829

The site "Free Settler or Felon" indicated that the ship embarked with 200 passengers, taking a total of 100 days to sail.  Only one death was noted.  The site goes on to say: 

"Two hundred prisoners who embarked on the Sarah came from the hulks at Portsmouth on 15th August 1829 and according to surgeon Alick Osborne, while there had become accustomed to ship board life.

The convicts were under the Guard of soldiers of the 63rd regiment for the journey to Australia."

"The Sarah was the next convict ship to leave England for New South Wales after the departure of the Claudine.  the Sarah departed London on 29 August 1829.  they had a pleasant as well as a quick passage of 100 days, touching at the Islands of Tristan 'Acunha and St. Paul's and for several days were in company with a French ship laden with Emigrants.  They also spoke the ship Gilmore, with settlers for Swan River, and the William with Sir Edward Parry.  R.N. and family on board.  

They arrived in Port Jackson on the 6th December 1829."

Regarding the ship's surgeon (Alick Osborne), it continues: 

"He recorded that the weather was fine for most of the voyage, allowing the prisoners to be on deck all day.  the prisons were kept clean and dry with stoves lighted all day and only the oldest men suffered any scurvy.  Bark and wine was used as an effective prophylactic treatment.  All but one of the men were landed in robust health.  Edward Bullock having died on the passage out.  

A muster was held on board on 10th December 1829 by Colonial Secretary Alexander McLeay.  The convict indents reveal information such as name, age, education, religion, marital status, family, native place, occupation, offense, when and where tried, previous convictions, physical description and where and to whom assigned on arrival.  There is also occasional information regarding tickets of leave, pardons and deaths."

The Sydney Gazette reported;

"We always feel much pleasure in adverting to the continued display of humanity and attention manifested in the importation of prisoners to this "our favored land. "Yesterday 199 male prisoners were landed from the Sarah, Captain Columbine, Superintendent, A. Osborne, Esq.  Their state and condition was such, as to show that every attention must have been paid to their health and comfort on the voyage.  The experienced Superintendent has been here often before, always receiving the approbation of the Authorities: and we need only say, that the appearance of the prisoners landed yesterday was seldom equalled, never excelled.  Captain Columbine is entitled to equal praise for his cheerful and cordial co-operation in every thing tending to the comfort of the people.  The conduct of the detachment of the 63d, under Lieutenant Croly, is said to have been most exemplary; and indeed the unanimity and harmony which prevailed amongst all parties in the Sarah, proves that the promotion of the general good was the only predominant feeling.  This is as it should be, and cannot fail to be duly appreciated in the highest quarter.  

It is not a little remarkable that this is the second cargo of prisoners landed at Sydney under the superintendence of this gentleman within the present year, the first being by the Sophia on the 28th January - a circumstance which has not to our knowledge occurred to any other individual since the establishment of the Colony. - Sydney Gazette 8 December 1829."

Sources: 

http://www.jenwilletts.com/convict_ship_sarah_1829.htm

http://www.jenwilletts.com/alick_osborne.htm

The Sydney Gazette also listed the Sarah as having brought papers from London, giving us a view into a world without regular mail.  

Source: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/2194053

Perhaps, it's irony being expressed in the Sydney Gazette's article, perhaps it's just the way people accepted the world they lived in.  It doesn't seem that "...the promotion of the general good was the only predominant feeling" when one learns about the treatment of convict prisoners.  

One website describes the treatment of prisoners on convict transports:

"The exhibits on the ship include a branding iron with which convicts were branded on the palms of the hand with a broad arrow. They were chained to a triangle while this operation was being performed. Dangerous prisoners were rendered helpless by the use of a body iron with handcuffs attached. There is an iron straight jacket, and a spiked collar, the chain of which was kept short to keep the convict in a stooping posture. The silent guard is a ringed stone of Australian blue granite to which twenty convicts were chained at a time. With wrists and ankles fastened to the flogging frame, the prisoner was at the complete mercy of the convict flagellator"

Source: http://www.discovermorningtonpeninsula.com.au/fascinatingfacts/collins-torture.php

http://www.discovermorningtonpeninsula.com.au/fascinatingfacts/collins-torture.php

Thus, it is likely that William Long Dimmitt bore a brand in his palm the remainder of his days.  

Source: http://lrrpublic.cli.det.nsw.edu.au/lrrSecure/Sites/Web/13651/13655/
applets/11632_match_artefact/mat11632_text.htm

William Dimmitt Long: Finds love and marries Matilda Brown

William somehow found and married a young woman named Matilda Brown.  They were married in Paramatta, likely at the St. John's Anglican Church.  

St. John's Church

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:St_John%27s_Church,_1913,_from_publication_Centenary_
Celebration%27s,_Anglican_Church,_Australia,_Heritage_Centre_Collections,_Parramatta_Council.jpg

Where: Paramatta

By: Reverend Bobart

Bio of Reverent Bobart

http://prospectheritagetrust.org.au/anglican/page3.html

William's death certificate listed seven (7) children attributed to both he and Matilda.  The children are as follows: 

Sons: 

William

James

David

Tasmanus (It is difficult to read on the death certificate)

Daughters: 

Mary

Esther

Mary Ann

It is difficult to understand the paperwork, but the certificate indicates that William and Matilda were married for forty (40) years prior to his death.  This would mean they were married in 1806.  That would make our William 5 years old.  Either, I am mis-reading the death certificate, or there was a misprint, or perhaps, we're dealing with another William.  

The best thing about history, is finding the missing links.  Anyone with information is more than welcome to submit!