Most of this research has been done by Craig PRYCE from his internet site from the Gold Coast (gumshoes@hotmail.com). This line could be renamed the convict line. It contains no less than 7, including four Second Fleeters and a Third Fleeter.

Elizabeth SMITH born in c1771, arrived in NSW in 1790. She was convicted in Middlesex, England on 17^th February 1788 and received the death sentence. She was part of a group of people who bashed and robbed John Whitehouse, in a dingy St Giles lodging house where she lived. She was held in Newgate prison before being given a respite and transportation for life. She traveled to NSW on the Lady Juliana as part of the Second Fleet. The Lady Juliana left Portsmouth on 29^th July 1789 with 206 females on board. It arrived in NSW 309 days later.

Samuel FREE arrived with the Third Fleet in 1791. Samuel was convicted in London, 1790. He received 7 years for stealing a cotton handkerchief, value one shilling from Samuel Rushart. He arrived on the Salamander, part of the third fleet on 21^st August 1791.

Convicts from the second and third fleet were sent to Norfolk Island as part of a plan to provide food for NSW and occupy the island for the British. Elizabeth SMITH was sent there soon after her arrival in NSW, arriving on 7th August 1791. Samuel FREE was listed as a constable on the Island in 1802 and 1805 musters. Samuel and Elizabeth lived together on the Island, they had five children before moving to Hobart Town in 1807. At the time they had a 50 acre farm with a 12 x 10 ft shingle house and a barn.

On arrival in Tasmania they were granted 70 acres at Queenborough, near Sandy Bay. They finally married on 23 April 1810. In the 1811 muster of Tasmania, Samuel was listed as a Constable and Elizabeth was still a convict. Elizabeth received an absolute pardon in 1812. Samuel died in 1819. Elizabeth continued to farm the land before moving to Clarence Plains where she died in 1850. They had six children:

Mary 1799

Susannah 1801

Samuel 1804

Thomas b1806

William b1812

It was rumored also that Elizabeth borne daughter, Elizabeth to an unknown father on Norfolk Island before living with Samuel.

Sarah married George MONDAY on 25^th October 1813 in Tasmania. George was a convict who arrived at Port Phillip, Victoria in 1803 aboard the Calcutta. They had 10 children:

James b 1815

George William b1817

Samuel b1819

Thomas William b1821

Mary Ann b1825

John b1824

Sarah b1832

Maria b1832

Edward b 1836

Henry married Ann Howell in 1847. They only recorded child I have is Alice, born 1846.

The earliest PRICE is Aaron. PRICE was spelt with an I until it was changed by Gertrude Laura PRYCE (nee HAMILTON). She changed all the kids, 13 of them to a Y. Geoffrey’s birth certificate has his surname spelt with an I, and his marriage certificate with a Y. It was not until he went to sort out his will that the name was officially changed to PRYCE.

The following account of Aaron PRICEs life was put together from some 35 documents available at the NSW State Archives and the NSW State Library. They are referenced in brackets. Aaron appears to have had some education in England as he kept a diary titled The History of Norfolk Island (MS Q247-249). It covers the day to day happenings on the island. It is kept at the Dixson Library part of the NSW State Library in Sydney and is available to read. I have also referenced the following books which feature Aaron PRICE:

1. Nobbs, Raymond. Norfolk Island and its Second Settlement 1825-1855. Library of Australian History 1991.
2. Hazzard, Margaret. Punishment Short of Death. A History of the Penal Settlement on Norfolk Island. Hyland Press 1984.

On February 18, 1823 Aaron PRICE and James Barton committed a burglary, using force and arms in Oxfordshire, England. They stole twelve hats, two aprons and a watch – total value six pounds and two shillings. On March 3rd 1823 Aaron PRICE and James Barton were convicted in the Oxford Assizes (court) of this burglary and sentenced to death (PRO 2793 HO/27/26). This was however commuted to Life and Transportation. They both arrived in Sydney Cove aboard the Guildford in March 1824.

Upon arrival in Sydney, Aaron PRICE was employed as a labourer at the farm of Victor Jacob near Newcastle. However Aaron and three others –Patrick Reilly, Lawrence Cleary and Patrick Clynch took to the bush and admitted burglaries, & other depredation’s as bushrangers (T21 25/177).

Lawrence Cleary was their leader and over the period of July-Sept 1825 these men were known as Mr. Jacobs Irish Brigade. I believe they were joined at some stage by two other men: John McDonnell and Thomas Moss. They had a fine old time:

Moss, Riley, Cleary, Clynch and Aaron PRICE (I can only assume that McDonnell died of his wounds received at Dr. Radfords) appeared in the Sydney Supreme Court on November 23, 1825 and pleaded not guilty, however they were all adjudged guilty and on December 7 were sentenced to hang. The death warrant was signed two days later (T21 25/177). But Aaron escaped the hangman’s noose for the second time, given a Capital Respite and sentenced to Life on Norfolk Island, which was considered by some as worse than death.

Norfolk Island was turned into a prison island in 1825 after it had been empty since 1811. It was designed for the worst re-offenders in NSW. Once sent here there was to be little hope of return to the mainland and the punishment was to be just short of death. Capital Respites doing life had to do at least ten years (Nobbs 1991). Aaron describes a common day and meals on the island in his diary:

Floggings and solitary confinement were common for any breach of the rules. In the 1829 Capital Respite register on the Island (COD 431 p178), Aaron is recorded as having received 40 lashes for neglecting his work and going bush. His work gang was listed as Pig Hunting.

Aaron arrived on Norfolk Island on March 17 1826. In October 1831, he was recommended for a mitigation of his colonial sentence to 7 years. Capital Respites were required to do ten years.

Aaron became a Constable/Police Runner in March 34. Over time Aaron was promoted, firstly to Overseer in December 1835, and eventually Principle Overseer in March 1838. Aaron was to play a role in suppressing the mutiny of 1834:

18 prisoners were killed in the failed uprising and a further 30 hanged for their role. For his efforts Aaron had had a year taken off his sentence (5956 4/2620).

In 1837 Aaron and Jessie SMITH were given permission to marry (5956 44/2471 4/2658) and sailed to Sydney on Dec 31 aboard the Isabella. Aaron’s sentence having expired. His sentence expired 11 July 1835; he served 9 years and 3 months (5956 4/2620). Upon his arrival in the colony he presented himself at the Hyde Park Barracks while he waited to receive his Ticket of Leave (TOL) for Norflolk Island (5923 331 4/3684 1050). He had on his possession 53 pounds, a gratuity he received as Police Runner. It was taken from him. He requested its return before returning to Norfolk Island on 15^th March (5908 38/2575 4/2425).

Aaron and Jessie were married at the Scots Presbyterian Church on 12 March 1838 (V1838 446 73A). Their ages were listed as Aaron - 30 and Jessie - 17. My records have Aaron’s year of birth as 1791, making him 47 at the time, and Jessie’s birth in 1824, making her 14. I guess 30 and 17 sounded better to the Rev. John Lang, who married them.

Aaron’s TOL 38/416, was approved on the 23^rd of February and Jessie and Aaron returned to Norfolk Island on the Governor Phillip. Aaron was listed as a volunteer. A TOL was similar to parole. It was not freedom and was specific to a certain area.

Aaron’s TOL, issued for Norfolk Island, and not NSW, was for his personal safety (5923 39 4/3685 1051). Aaron’s time as an overseer and his assistance in putting down of the mutiny of 1834 had made him enemies, and it was not considered safe for him to return to NSW, as former prisoners were now back in the colony. The use of former convicts as overseers was somewhat controversial at times. They were used as hangmen, were often guilty of abusing convicts, and reported to be negligent, inefficient and corrupt. A convict’s sentence could be extended on the word of an Overseer, while perjury amongst the constables was considered rife (Nobbs, 1991).

Aaron was now employed as a Principal Overseer and living virtually as a free man. As an overseer he was being paid. From March 1834 he was paid 1 shilling per diem. In June 1836 this was raised to 1 shilling and 9 pence per diem. In April 1839 he was recommend for a raise to 2 shillings and 3 pence per diem by Major Bunbury, the Commandant (5956 4/2620):

In August 1842 he was recommended for a Conditional Pardon (CP). However the condition was that he spend 12 months on a TOL in NSW. This was a condition of all CPs. Aaron, obviously still concerned for his safety in NSW requested this be waived, in view of his good record as an overseer on Norfolk Island. The Colonial Secretaries Office replied (5956 4/2620):

In October 1842 Aaron played a major role in putting out a fire in the Military Barracks. Capt. Maconchie wrote to the Colonial Secretary Recommending Overseer PRICE for indulgence (for a CP) for exertion at late fire (5956 4/2620).

Aaron made another request for a CP in 1844, to Capt. Maconochie; it read (5956 44/2471 4/2658):

Aaron submitted this letter with testimonials from Thos. Seller; Foreman of Works, M Austin; Department of Engineers and the Chaplain: Rev. Thomas Beagley Nayor. Capt. Maconchie did write a letter to Major Childs recommending him for a pardon. Major Childs forwarded a recommendation to the Governor: E. Deas. Thompson for a pardon, in February 1844. The Colonial Secretaries Office replied in the negative, in the March of the same year. however Aaron did finally receive a CP on 1 May 1845, making him a free man.

Aaron’s unpopularity culminated in an attempt on his life on 24 October 1845. John Jackson stabbed him with a knife. He was stabbed in the side, with the knife going within an inch of his heart. Jackson was tried for attempted murder, found guilty and sentenced to death. Jackson was hung on November 9 1846.

In 1846 there was the most serious outbreak of prisoners on the island. This mutiny was led by a former bushranger:William Westwood, otherwise known as Jacky-Jacky. Westwood and his fellow mutineers bludgeoned to death 4 overseers before the situation was brought under control. 12 men went to the gallows following the trial, in which Aaron PRICE was a witness.

In December 1853, the Barque Resolution stopped at Norfolk Island for repairs. The Captain agreed to take the twins Aaron JR and Moses with him. They were going to Manila and China and returning to Port Phillip, Victoria (Diary).

Aaron remained on Norfolk Island until1855, when the penal colony finally closed. Jessie, Aaron and their remaining eight children sailed to Hobart on the Southern Cross (M.B2/39/19).

Child eleven; James was born in Hobart on 19 July, but died aged nine days. Jessie died in Hobart on April 9 1856, aged about 35. Aaron remarried Rebecca Hale on 15 November 1856 and died at Kangaroo Point, Tasmania on 24 April 1882, aged about 91.

William SMITH, b 1764, was sentenced to 7 years transportation on the 15^th August 1787 at the Wrexham Great Sessions in Wales. He was held at Rutin Gad until July 1788 until transportation on the Scarborough, departing Plymouth on 19 January 1790, arriving 30^th June.

In about 1793 he married Margaret HOLMES b 1768 in London, also a convict serving 7 years. She traveled to NSW on the Mary Ann , arriving July 9^th 1791. The lived in Parramatta. They had two children I know about:

Charlotte b1794

George married Mary Ann FEUTRILL (FEWTRELL). George was a soldier who moved about the new colonies. He served in Tasmania, Jessie was born in Launceston, and Norfolk Island. He arrived in Norfolk Island about 1836-1837, with his family including daughter Jessie. She is recorded as being the servant of Rev. Sharp on Norfolk Island (5956 44/2471 4/2658).

Mary Ann FEUTRILL was the daughter of Second Fleet soldier Theophilus FEUTRILL and convict Ann CAREY.

Jessie SMITH married Aaron PRICE and they had eleven children:

Ellen Ann b1839

Aaron b1840

Moses b1840

Mark b1843

Jessie b1846

Luke b1847

Caroline b1850

Sylvester Theophilus b1852

Joseph Horatio b1854

James 1855

Matthew married Alice MUNDY in 1863, at Clarence, Tasmania. Matthew and Alice had 9 children:

Henry James b1863

Emma b1866

Ellen b1868

Elizabeth Jessie 1871

Laura Amelia b1874

Alice Maude b1876

Ada Caroline b1880

Edith Anne b1885

Matthew William PRICE moved to the Dannevirke area of Southern Hawkes Bay where he worked as millhand and bushman. He spent long periods away working, often in the King Country. He married Gertrude Laura HAMILTON on 26^th September 1902 at Tiratu. She was from Mangatoro.

Gertrude was the daughter of George and Gertrude (nee HUGHES) HAMILTON. George was born in 1825 in Antwerp, Belgium. The son of William and Mary (nee WILKINSON) HAMILTON. William was born in Larnark, Scotland in 1786. He married Mary on the 21^st April 1817 in Renfrew, Scotland.

George arrived in Wellington on the Alma on 15^th May 1857. He returned to UK in 1871/72. On 10^th November 1873 in Edinburgh he married Gertrude Helen Alicia Gwendolen HUGHES. Gertrude was born in April 1853 in Manning Tree, Essex.

Matthew and Gertrude had 13 children:

Gertrude b

Matthew b

Gilbert b

Laura b

Majorie Gwendoline b

Ada b*

Myra b

John b

Gordon b

Rupert b

Robert b

Noel b

Nola b*

*Ada was Nolas mother. After giving birth to Nola out of wedlock, Ada committed suicide. Nola was brought up by Gertrude and Matthew.

Matthew and Gertrude moved to Hastings. Geoffrey Campbell PRYCE started working for H H Campbell and Son, Timber Merchants on Karamu Rd, opposite Nelson Park. MSD Spiers took over the yard and Geoff stayed there his whole working career, 54 years. He married Norma Elaine Lucy BISHOP in 1931, and they lived in Outram Rd. Soon after they moved into a house owned by H H Campbell in Albert St, Hastings. They had 7 children. In 1933 Norma miscarried twins.

Ngarie Lavina b1932

Elaine Margaret b1934

Lesley Heather Campbell b1935

David Matthew b1937

Myra Phyllis b1942

Craig Campbell b 1948

Matthew PRICE, who separated from Gertrude moved around the family and spent his last 10 years with Dads family in Albert St. Gertrude lived in Hastings St.

The lived at 1013 Kauri Place, Mahora, then moved around the corner to Konini St. They finally moved to Flat 4, 512 Heretaunga St West, in about 1974.

Nanna and Pop won 600 pounds, in about 1967, in the golden kiwi (the national lottery). Their weekly income at the time was 20 pounds. The won 30 weeks pay. It had about the spending power of about 60,000 1999 NZ dollars. They bought Konini St soon after. Nanna died at 512 Heretaunga St, on 19 March 1981. Pop died on 25^th June 1988 at Braemar private hospital, Havelock North.

RICKARD-WILLS-FOOTE-BISHOP

Most of this research was done by Norman WILLS, for a FOOTE family reunion in Havelock North in 1994. Most of the information was available at the local church parish, Calstock, Cornwall.

This line can be traced back to Cornwall in 1711, when Henry RICKARD married Jane DOIDGE. Their great-grandson John married Elizabeth. The Bishop in the Parish Church of Calstock has eight christenings of John and Elizabeth between 1795 and 1815. Betsy was the fourth on 13^th January 1802, born on the Cornwall side of the River Tamar. Devon being on the other side.

Records at the parish indicate that from 1600 onwards there were several families of WILLS living in the Parish, most of them farmers. In a Parish note dated 1613, all the members were levied for the maintenance of he church. They were taxed money or sheep, if farmers. The list showed:

Thomas WILLS is the father of James Williams WILLS. His tombstone at the parish reads:

His first wife died in 1791 and Elizabeth, James mother was his second wife. The local parish has three baptisms for Thomas and Elizabeth:

John b1798

Mary b1803

Betsy Brooming RICKARD and James Williams WILLS were married at the Parish Church of Calstock on the 8^th November 1822. They had six children:

Albert Frederick b1823

Maria Williams b1828

Thomas John b1832

James Williams b1833

Betsy Rickard b1837

They all sailed on the Timandra arriving in New Plymouth on the 23^rd February 1842. Thirza WILLS was 16. James took up land at Bell Block and farmed until strife over the land arose in the 1860’s. At that time most of the family moved to the Nelson district where land was acquired.

In 1842 maori residents disputed the New Zealand Company’s title to the land and there complaint having been upheld as regards a substantial area by Governor Fitzroy, the settlers were ordered to move off. The maori owners however sent a message to the Governor that Mr. WILLS and his family were to remain in undisputed possession. The conflict continued, a number of families left the district, including most of the WILLS family, who moved to Nelson District in 1863. Thomas WILLS remained but Robert and Thirza FOOTE moved to Nelson in 1860.

Thirza married Robert Benjamin FOOTE in 1851. Robert was born in Scotland in 1810. Robert was 16 years her senior. They had 10 children:

James David b1852

Betsy Jane Rickard b1853

Eliza Rickard b1856

Thomas Andrew b1857

Maria Williams b1859

Roberts’s background is a little murky. One story has him as a tailor by trade, the other, the son of a well off farming family. Being the youngest he had nothing to look forward to, so when he sold some cattle for his father at the market, he shot through with the proceeds to London. However his father caught up with him, and to avoid a scandal, made him change his name, and shipped him of to Australia. He arrived in New Plymouth, via Auckland in 1850. By now he had settled on the surname FOOTE. He worked in the Tarinaki as a sawyer (timber worker). Thirza and Robert moved to Nelson in 1860, Robert Benjamin II was born here in 1861 They moved to Motueka in 1862 where they stayed until 1874. Robert continued working as sawyer . Their final move was to remote Mahau Bay, Marlborough where they remained until Robert died in 1897.

The following profile of Robert appeared in the Cyclopedia of New Zealand:

His eldest son James also appeared in the same cyclopedia:

The last will and testament of Robert Benjamin FOOTE:

Robert left his estate to his second youngest son John Lee. Then following his death the estate was to be divided equally among his children. Apparently the reason for this is that John was intellectually impaired and his father used this method to ensure he was provided for. Robert died in 1897, John in 1903.

Robert Benjamin II married Alice Mary BOYD in 1883. Alice was the daughter of Henry and Martha BOYD of Havelock. The couple settled there for a while and then moved to Akaramiro, about 20 km inland. Robert worked as a bushman and a gold prospector, taking general labouring jobs as required to fill in. The couple had a large family of 15 but 5 died in infancy:

Herbert John Boyd b1885

Robert Benjamin III b1886

Albert William b1890

Thirza Annie b1891

Graham Henry Boyd b1893

Ettie Irene Gladys b1893

Herman Stanley b1897

Elvira Merle b1899

Iris Jessie b1901

Errol Francis Verne b1903

Roslyn Ernest b1904

Madge Eveline b1905

Arthur John Boyd b1907

Laurence John b 1909

Later they moved to Lower Hutt where Robert died. Alice came to live with her son Robert Benjamin III at Havelock North until her death.

Martha Alice BOYD married Joseph William BISHOP. Joseph was the son of William Joseph BISHOP and Agnes REID. They had 8 children:

Norma married Geoffrey PRYCE.