1829 

The first of three interesting years (Bec wants a time machine)

 

Note:

Piecing together Hannah’s story over the next few years is rather complicated, the lives of Thomas Benton/Benson, Celea and William Peckham, duck and weave around Hannah., and finally Henry slips into the story. I don’t really have the writing skills to tie it together...!

 

• What’s happened to the little Benton troupe since the middle of 1827?

Something HAS happened.

 

• When did Hannah (in service ) move to the Sydney region?

 

Some of the possibilities:

 

• Hannah, Mary Ann, and Thomas move upmarket and are in the employ of Dr McLeod, Deputy Inspector of Hospitals

 

• Thomas (alone) is the servant of Dr McLeod, Deputy Inspector of Hospitals

 

• Thomas is off the scene altogether

 

Adding hugely to the mysteries of 1829 is the possible birth of a son. Hannah’s Death Certificate(36) states “1 boy dead”. The dates “fit” the pattern, but it’s difficult to confirm. The Death Certificate for William Benton lists different parents. Whenever Hannah’s son was born, his life was short.

 

 

4th May  Celea Kenedy (17) marries William Peckham (29/30) at Hexham, Newcastle(37)

There is a real sense (but absolutely no proof) that Hannah and Celea have maintained some sort of contact over the years. I imagine Hannah would have known of Celea’s whereabouts in general and her marriage in particular.

 

29th August William and Celea’s first child, William Alexander, is born in Hexham.

 

3rd October a letter from The Principal Superintendent of Convicts office advises the Colonial Secretary, Thomas Benton or Benson is proceeding to Hobart Town with Dr McLeod Deputy Inspector of Hospitals, age 20 (!)(38 39)

 

9th October the Sovereign arrives at Hobart Town. The ship’s arrival is announced on the 17th October in the Hobart Town Courier (39a)

 

7th November the Sovereign departs Hobart Town(40) for Sydney. Passengers include Dr McLeod and Thomas Benson(41)

 

 

14 November The Sovereign arrives Port Jackson(42)

 

On the 27th November the Colonial Secretary’s Office lists ten “Female Prisoners” who have obtained Tickets of Leave, some are variously listed as “in married state, in service and married state, or in service.

“Hutchins Hannah, Brothers, in service” in the Sydney Region. A reasonable indication that Thomas and Hannah are no longer a couple.

 

28 November  Hannah’s ToL announced in the Sydney Gazette(43)

The newspaper announcement of Hannah’s ToL is enlightening of itself, and predates the issue of her ToL

It appears that Hannah has been keeping her nose clean for a few years and was rewarded with a ToL. Mary Ann would also have kept her busy.

 

10th December Hannah Hutchings, servant, receives a Ticket of Leave(44). The Benson/Benton issue continues in confusion (ToL No:29/1007  10th Dec 1829 the “t” (over an s) appears to emphasise Benton.)

General Remarks: Wife of Thos. Benton (Life) Ocean (3).

Allowed to remain in the District of Sydney

 

There’s an old saying, “Give ‘em an inch and they take a mile”, I have no idea where it came from, but it wouldn’t surprise me if originated in the Colony.

 

Imagine getting caught doing a petty crime, being sentenced to death and put in irons in gaol awaiting your execution, only to be reprieved but sent to the other end of the earth, never to return. When you get there you’re someone’s servant, presumably for the rest of your life.

 

Then, one day, you’re offered a sense of freedom. Absolutely unimaginable! Assignment is over, and no more compulsory Sunday Church Services!

 

Were the ToL conditions enforced? If they were, I suspect they had a low priority among the authorities.

 

Henry Samuels gained his ToL with the condition he remain in the Windsor area. Did he? Not bloody likely. I believe Henry was your average run-of-the-mill convict, if he decided it was ok to ignore the ToL conditions, it was probably common practice.

 

I can’t imagine Hannah hanging around very long either!

 

22 December Dr McLeod sails out of the picture departing Sydney on the Guildford(45 45a), bound for Bombay via Hobart Town. What happens to Thomas?? The Guildford arrives in Hobart Town on 1st January 1830 and sails for Bombay on the 19th.