Henry Laporte Smith

1841 Census Guernsey

Vauvert Cottage

Hy. Smith 49 Ind I

Eliza 16 Ind I

John 11 E

Henrietta 9 E

Maria 7 E

Rowland 5 E

Susanna 3 E

Jas. 2 E

Mary Richards 19 F.M. E

Elizth Ellis 39 F.M. E

From records obtained from the Tasmanian State Archives:

He forged two Bank of Ireland drafts on the Bank of England for 200 pounds each. He was apprehended in Southampton with a warrant and forcibly returned to Guernsey where the offence was committed. He was convicted 4 December 1841 at Guernsey Royal Court and transported to Tasmania for 7 years.

Convict details:

Trade: Provision Merchant

Height (without shoes): 5 foot 7 3/11

Age: 49

Complexion: Fresh

Head: Large

Hair: Brown

Whiskers: Dark Brown

Visage: Long

Forehead: Broad

Eyebrows: Black to Grey

Eyes: Dark Blue

Nose: Long

Mouth: Small

Chin: Broad, double

Native Place: Cork

Remarks: Deeply pockpitted. Bald large scar on left arm above elbow

Sailed on "Candahar". Conduct was good, he was useful as assistant schoolmaster on board.

Conduct as convict was good.

Released from first stage of probation 21 July 1844.

Notice in Launceston "The Cornwall Chronicle" of Sat 31 Jan 1846 page 92 state that Henry Laporte Smith, of the Candahar had been granted a "Ticket of Leave".

Had duty as watch house keeper in 1847 (? hand writing difficult to decipher).

Conditional pardon approved 23 November 1847.

The Australian 16 April 1842 Henery Laporte Smith, of Cork, is sentenced to transportation by the Royal Court, Guernsey, for forging and uttering bills of exchange for £530 to defraud the Bank of Ireland, Messrs. Kinahan, of this chy, and the Guernsey Commercial Bank. [It will be news to some of our unenlightened readers to learn that the penalty of "transportation" imposed by this sentence, and which, in the ordinary acceptation, implies great severity of punishment, consists in being transported to, England! These Guernseymen are very primitive and very proud. They act upon the word in its literal signification, the conveying a person or thing from one place to another (trans porto), and banishing an offender from their island, even though that banishment be to England, is considered punishment sufficient for the greatest crime that can be committed against the commercial code]

Personal Ad

Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 3 April 1880

HENRY LAPORTE SMITH, who was in Sydney in 1855 and last heard of in Avoca, Victoria, will hear of some- thing to his advantage, by applying to the undersigned. Any information respecting; the above gentleman will be most thankfully received by his family. Address, Inquirer, Post-office, Christchurch. New Zealand