New Documents

I recently came across a few new documents on Ancestry.com.  The documents contained several pieces of information, including William Long Dimmitt's physical description and occupation.  

I've posted the first document before, but I was finally able to make out a good bit of its wording.  It turns out that William received a commuted sentence (from life to 14 years).  

The other documents were a bit more surprising...

William receives a commuted sentence:

117 Dimmitt Wm Long 28 <rwlist> London Majr Duffey <Relh fm> Transport 645/1137 sentence commuted to 14 years by Secr of <?>

Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents, 1788-1842 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. This collection was indexed by Ancestry World Archives Project contributors.

William receives a Ticket of Leave:

Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia, Tickets of Leave, 1824-1867 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.

TICKET OF LEAVE 

No. 40/21 8th January 1840

Prisoner's No. 

Name: William Dimmett alias Long

Ship: Sarah

Master: Columbine

Year: 1829

Native Place: London

Trade of Calling: Hair dresser

Offence:

Place of Trial: Middlesex GB, or <"D">

Date of Trial: 11th June 1829

Sentence: 14 years

Year of Birth: 1802

Height: 5 feet 8 inches

Complexion: Ruddy

Hair: Brown

Eyes: Hazel

General Remarks: none

Allowed to remain in the district of Param...
On recommendation of
Dated

Side note: "Per the Governor's minute dated 8th January 1840 on report of the Officer in charge, of the Paramatta Stockade dated 4th January 1840

C43/July 19th"


William receives his freedom:

Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents, 1788-1842 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. This collection was indexed by Ancestry World Archives Project contributors.

CERTIFICATE OF FREEDOM.

No. 43/1137

Date, 18 July 1843 <?> Thomas Ry... Chief Clerk

Prisoner's No.  29/2892

Name: William Dimmett alias Long

Ship: Sarah

Master: Columbine

Year: 1829

Native Place: London

Trade of Calling: Hair dresser + Ship Steward

Offence:

Place of Trial: Middlesex GB, or <"D">

Date of Trial: 11th June 1829

Sentence: 14 years

Year of Birth: 1801

Height: 5 feet 8 inches

Complexion: Ruddy

Hair: Brown

Eyes: Brown

General Remarks: none

It seems, at long last, William earned his freedom.  It had been 24 years since William had been convicted of burglary and taken from his Mother, sister and home to the penal colonies in New South Wales.  Bearing a mark in his palm for these many years, he was now free to conduct his life as he wished, with his wife Matilda and his daughter 1 year old Mary.  

This same year, and possibly in consequence of, he and Matilda would both gain and lose a daughter, little Matilda.   

They would go on to have eight (8) more children.  Two of which, (another daughter named Matilda and their last son Thomas), would die within a year of their birth.

There would be no returning to England for William and his family.  The country that had begun as his prison, had now become his home.