Thomas Priest, Convict “Neptune” 1790

Thomas was sentenced to 14 years' transportation on 8 August 1787 at Stafford, England, arriving at Port Jackson on the transport ship Neptune} He remained there until 1802 when Thomas's name first appeared on the Norfolk Island Victualling List receiving rations for seven days from 25 December to 31 December 1802, along with Catherine Rochford and their son, Thomas.2 Catherine had arrived at Port Jackson on the Britannia with a seven-year sentence received at Middlesex and she presumably accompanied Thomas Priest with their baby son to Norfolk Island. Thomas was an overseer of blacksmiths with John Robley (q.v.) and John Owles by 1805. He had 27 acres of land, a dwelling house, plus two out-houses.3 Three more sons were born to them while living on the island. On their arrival in Van Diemen's Land Thomas was granted 42 acres of land in the Argyle-Hobart Parish. This land was later in the name of his son John and was situated on the New Town Creek.4 By 1819 Thomas had wheat, beans and potatoes growing, with two bulls, two cows and 455 sheep.5 Six more children were born between 1810-1822 but unfortunately two girls, Ann aged two years and Charlotte nine years, died in infancy. They were buried in St. David's Cemetery, Hobart Town. No record of a marriage for Thomas and Catherine was found but when their daughter Sarah was baptised in 1815, the certificate stated 'married Norfolk Island' but Catherine was still using the name Rochford in 1821 when they were both summoned before the Lower Court. They did not appear and were brought before the court again to answer to a summons for not appearing to their recognizance. In their defence they said that 'the Prosecutor having agreed with them to withdraw his charge they did not know it was necessary for them to appear.' Their case was dismissed.6 By 1823 Thomas received a further grant of 40 acres in the Queenborough District. This is the site of the Tasmanian University today. Thomas Priest Jnr received 80 acres at Strangford (Jericho) and William 80 acres at Clarence Plains. Thomas Snr also owned land in Elizabeth Lane off Elizabeth Street, Hobart Town, and by a deed of gift gave to his son, William, a nailer by trade, a piece of this land in January 1834. To his son, James, a licensed victualler, he gave a further portion, plus his dwelling house on the right-hand side of the lane in 1837. Robert Priest received, on the same date as William, a deed of gift from his father namely a piece of this land too.7 This today is in Hobart's shopping centre, the Cat and Fiddle Arcade.

Source: Exiled three times over Profiles of Norfolk Islanders Exiled in Van Diemens Land 1807-13 by Irene Schaffer and Thelma McKay

Links

• https://convictrecords.com.au/convicts/priest/thomas/98328
• http://www.htfs.org.au/norfolk_islanders.htm
• http://tabether.com/people/p0000017.htm#I60
• http://www.tasfamily.net.au/~schafferi/index.php?file=kop46.php
• https://triffitt1.wordpress.com/relocation-lists/
• Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Feb 21 2019, 21:25:30 UTC