Laurence Gill (1801 - 1891)

Born 3 May 1801 in Dublin, Ireland

Husband of Emily Amelia (Thornton) Gill — married 11 Jun 1828 in Sackville Reach, New South Wales, Australia

Descendants

Died 14 Feb 1891 at age 89 in Colo, New South Wales, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile managers: William Gill [send private message] and Emi Russell [send private message]

Convicts After the Third Fleet

Biography

Laurence Gill A lot of Lawrence Gill's early life in Dublin is a mystery and because of the lack of records kept for that period, it will probably remain so. A report from the Irish Heritage Society in Ireland list what information they have on Lawrence.

In the year 1796 a Lawrence Gill resided in St, Bride's Ward in Dublin. He remained at this residence until 1804 where his name was replaced by Mrs Mary Gill This usually happens when the male spouse dies. Mary remained at that address until 1814 when her name also disappeared so it is likely that Lawrence died in 1804 and Mary in 1814.

An item appeared in an early church register simply stating the birth of a son Lawrence to a Lawrence and Mary Gill on the 3rd of May 1801. No other details are known.

To add to the confusion yet another Lawrence was found this time dying in 1875 aged 84 which would put his birth date at 1791. What relationship he has to the Lawrence born in 1801 is unknown. A descendant of Peter Gill here in Australia who still had the original Family Bible from Peter's era confirmed Lawrence was born on the above date, The same Bible confirms his wife Emily's birth date.

According to ships records here in Australia, the first mention of Lawrence shows that he arrived on the Ship "Dorothy" as a convict, charged with the theft of "Card Cloth" sentenced to 7 years.

A search of the National Archives which kept all Irish Criminal cases for that period again by the Irish Heritage Society by a professional Genealogist, failed to find any court records nor convictions for Lawrence. At first it was thought that the possibility of an Alias was used, but a further research showed that every man who arrived on the Dorothy could be accounted for bar one. Lawrence.

There are several possible reasons for this, the main thought being that it was quite common for ships captains at that time transporting convicts to need more crew members on the way to Australia than they would need to bring stores back. In a time of famine, high unemployment, and no hope of any changes, records show that quite often more convicts arrived on certain ships than left. Bounties were paid to Captains who bought the entire cargo in safely, so often the younger hungry and homeless felt that 7 years transportation was better than starvation in Ireland. Whether this was the case with Lawrence is unknown but a descendant of the Bullock side of the tree swears that this did happen.

Lawrence arrived in Sydney on the 19th of September 1820. On the same ship was a Martin Gill whom earlier researchers of the Gill Family claimed was Lawrence's brother, simply because he arrived on the same ship. Further research by descendants of Martin disproved that Story.

At some time after his arrival Lawrence was referred to more of as Laurence, so will continue to do so now.

Laurence was described as being 5'2 and 3/4" tall, of ruddy complexion with brown hair and hazel eyes.

On reaching New South Wales he was assigned to William Everingham of Portland, son of Matthew James Everingham. On the 7th of November 1822 Laurence was given a ticket of leave which was re-issued on the 21 of October 1824. He gained his certificate of freedom on the 24th of March 1827.

The ticket of leave was only issued to prisoners who showed their best behavior and could prove that they could support themselves before their sentences expired.

Laurence was given permission to marry Emma Truman which he did at Sackville Reach on the 11th of June 1828. Emma Truman was the alias used by Emily Amelia Thornton when charged with theft in London. As this was the name she was charged under, she was required to marry using that name.

Death

14 FEB 1891

Colo NSW.

Decay of Nature.

Occupation

Baker-Farmer.

Burial

Upper Colo NSW.

Sources

• Ancestry Family Trees Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members. Ancestry Family Tree http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=55032132&pid=52

1828 New South Wales, Australia Census Name: Laurence Gill Estimated Birth Year: abt 1800 Arrival Ship: Dorothy Arrival Year: 1820 District: Portland Head Residence Age: 28 Residence: New South Wales, Australia Residence Date: 1828

New South Wales, Australia, Convict Applications for the Publication of Banns, 1828-1830, 1838-1839 Name: Laurence Gill Gender: Male Birth Year: 1799 Age: 29 Arrival Year: 1820 Arriving Vessel: Dorothy Spouse Name: Emma Trueman Spouse Gender: Female Spouse Age: 19 Spouse Arrival Year: 1837 Spouse Vessel: Grenada 4 Marriage Year: Abt 1828 Application Date: 1 May 1828

Australia Death Index, 1787-1985 Name: Laurence Gill Death Date: 1891 Death Place: New South Wales Registration Year: 1891 Registration Place: Richmond, New South Wales Registration Number: 13236