Jeremiah S Smith, Convict "William and Ann" 1791

Marriage Notes: Jeremiah Smith married Sophia Akers (Acres) , by Banns, at St.John's Church of England in Parramatta NSW on 23rd September 1811. They were married by the Reverend Samuel Marsden, and the witnesses to the marriage were John Warby (Walby) and Sophia's sister, Ann Akers. Both witnesses apparently could not read or write because they made the mark, X , in the Register. Sophia's name, like a lot of other records in the early days, was spelt incorrectly in the Church of England Baptismal records where it is shown as Aikins.

Notes: Jeremiah Smith was a Third Fleet Convict who arrived at Port Jackson aboard the transport ship "William & Ann" on 28th August 1791. He had been charged with stealing, breaking and entering during daylight hours. He was tried at Chelmsford in Essex England on 12th March 1787 and found Guilty of stealing goods and money to the value of One Pound Sixteen Shillings and Eleven and One Half Pence, including a silk handkerchief valued at 6 pence and a canvas purse, value one penny, the property of James Young. The articles were kept in the dwelling of a James Beard. He was found Not Guilty of breaking & entering.

At the time of his trial, Jeremiah was 13 years of age and lived at Higher Easter in Essex. He was tried with John Swales, William Norman & Joseph Bridge and sentenced to seven years transportation.

On the 4th December 1797, Jeremiah enlisted in the New South Wales Corps. He was detached to serve under Major Johnson in 1798. He deserted on 21st February 1801 and was recovered on 24th December 1801. He was again detached to serve under Major Johnson. In 1803 he was detached to serve in Van Dieman's Land and served under Lieutenant Governor Paterson at Port Dalrymple which is now called Georgetown. He was detached to the 7th. Company in 1809 and honourably discharged on 6th April 1810. Jeremiah (Jerry) Smith almost lost his life while fighting a fire in a barn belonging to Captain Kemp at Launceston.

He received a Land Grant at Leumeah near Campbelltown NSW. According to the1822 General Muster he was listed as a Landholder of Liverpool. He had received a Grant of 10 acres of which 2 acres were under wheat. He also owned 5 hogs and resided on his land. Jeremiah is described as a sawyer in the 1928 Census. He was listed as a protestant and was granted purchase of 10 acres of land at Airds at Campbelltown. He also worked as a sawyer at Burnt Forest at Wollongong NSW. Burnt Forest is thought to have been somewhere near Dapto. He later purchased Portion 11, Parish of Mongarlowe, near Braidwood NSW. This land was farmed and mined by his son Jeremiah and his grandson.

http://www.monaropioneers.com/akers-t.htm

• Reference: FamilySearch Genealogy - SmartCopy: Aug 27 2021, 6:41:39 UTC