George Thornton, Convict "Guildford" 1816

GEDCOM Note

Biography ==George worked in Ireland as a labourer, but he was also part of a wellknown pick pocketing gang in Dublin. George with 3 others were sent to Newgate the other 3 were held to bail. George was tried on 14 February 1815 and sentenced to seven years transportation. He was returned to Newgate after his trial then transferred to Kilmainham Prison on 8 Mar 1815. He was then discharged from Kilmainham on 6 September 1815 and taken on board his convict ship, which left Ireland November 1815 carrying 228 convicts. He was 34 when he was transported to Australia on board the ship "Guildford2" arriving on 11 April 1816. In December 1817, George was appointed Overseer of the Government Lime Kilns at Fort Macquarie - Bennelong Point, where the Opera House now stands. George did not apply for a ticket of leave, he had no need to obtain this ticket as he was employed by the Government in a position of trust and authority. George stayed in this position of Overseer at the lime kilns until receiving his freedom in 1822.

By the time the family arrived to join him, George had received a 100 acre land grant at Field of Mars (the present day location of this property is in West Pennant Hills in the north west of Sydney) and he wasworking as a constable with the Sydney Police. Shipping records showthat Mary (his wife), James 22, Bridget 18 and Mary Ann 14, came freeon a convict ship called the "Woodman" in 1823.
On 30 August 1825, George was promoted to the position of Wardsman with the Police. He lived in King Street, Sydney during this time and probably had been granted accommodation above the Police Station. George's name appears over the following years in several newspaper articles in the Sydney Gazette as he went about his police duties. One of which has been included regarding the discovery of forged notes of the Bank of NSW.

George died in 1833 and Mary died 2 year later in 1835.

INDEX THORNTON George Probate Records – Supplementary Index 1790-1875Series: NRS 13502 | Item No: [6/4190] | Date: 1835-1835 | Place: Sydney INX-52-159 THORNTON George Probate Records – Supplementary Index 1790-1875 Place, Sydney Date 1835-1835 Remarks Series NRS 13502 Item No [6/4190] ECommerce Category G Index Number 52

Sources

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NSW Archvies, convict records, family bible and research.

First name(s) George Last name Thornton Birth year - Baptism year 1782 Baptism date 15 Dec 1782 Parish St. Michael and John's, Dublin CityAlternative parish names Lower Exchange St., St Michael's and John's, Lr. Exchange St. Diocese Dublin County Dublin Country Ireland Father's first name(s) Jas Father's last name Thornton Mother's first name(s) Hannah Mother's last name Brennan/Dunnan Repository National Library of IrelandNational Library of Ireland link http://registers.nli.ie//registers/vtls000633571#page/1/mode/1up Register Baptism Record set Ireland Roman Catholic Parish Baptisms Category Life Events (BDMs) Subcategory Parish Baptisms Collections from Ireland