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Solomon Wiseman (abt. 1777 - 1838)

Solomon Wiseman
Born about in Southwark, Surrey, Englandmap
Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown]
[sibling(s) unknown]
Husband of — married about 1799 in London, Englandmap
Husband of — married 1 Nov 1826 in Wilberforce, New South Wales, Australiamap
Descendants descendants
Father of , , , , and
Died at about age 61 in Wisemans Ferry, New South Wales, Australiamap
Problems/Questions Profile manager: Melanie Paul private message [send private message]
Profile last modified | Created 15 Mar 2016
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Contents

Biography

Notables Project
Solomon Wiseman is Notable.
Solomon Wiseman was a convict after the Third Fleet transported to Colony of New South Wales

Solomon Wiseman, transported for the crime of stealing from his employers, became a respected merchant and ferryman after his pardon in the Colony of New South Wales. The town called Wiseman's Ferry, in New South Wales, Australia, is named for him.

Baptism

Solomon, son of Richard Wiseman & Mary Wiseman, was baptised on 27 April 1777 at Christ Church, Southwark, Surrey, England.[1] His father was a victualler

Early employment

Undated (probably Sep-Oct 1798): Richard's child Solomon Wiseman applied to be admitted to the Freedom of the City, on the basis of his father's similar Freedom of the City, so that he could obtain employment[2] The document records Solomon's year of birth as 1776. (The index has incorrected transcribed his forename as Soloman (sic)). Richard's occupation is recorded as "haberdasher", Solomon's place of birth is recorded as Lambeth, and his year of birth as 1776.

First marriage

1799 Solomon, aged 22 years, married Jane Middleton on 21 Jan 1799 at Christ Church, Spitalfields: Commercial Street, Tower Hamlets, England[3], after banns had been read on 16, 23 and 30th Dec 1798.[4]

Children

Solomon and Jane had six known children, four sons and two daughters, between 1806 and 1816:

  1. William, born 8 Nov 1799, baptized 12 Nov 1799 in St Mary Magdalene, Bermondsey, Southwark[5], son of Solomon and Jane Wiseman in Butlers Buildings (conjectured to be near the site of Butler's wharves adjacent to the Tower Bridge, about ½ mile north of St Mary Magdalene) . Solomon was a lighterman.
  2. Richard Alexander, born at sea in 1806, baptized 23 Oct 1806 in St Philip, Sydney[6][7]
  3. John, baptized 26 Sep 1809 in St Philip, Sydney[8]
  4. Thomas S, born 6 Nov 1811, baptized 10 Nov 1811 in St Philip, Sydney[9]
  5. Mary, born 3 Jan 1814, baptized 6 Mar 1814 in St Philip, Sydney[10]
  6. Sarah, born 1816, baptized 19 May 1816 in St Philip, Sydney[11]

Criminal charges and trial

1805 Solomon aged 30 years and a journeyman/lighterman was convicted at trial in the Old Bailey on 30 Oct 1805 of theft from employers and sentenced to death[12]. The lighter from which he stole timber was taken down to a vessel containing a load of Brazil wood moored near Horselydown Old Stairs[13]. Presumably Solomon loaded the timber onto a lighter and the took the lighter up and across the river to the Three Cranes wharf[14] on the northern shore of the river, where while unloading it into another barge, he was confronted with one of the owners, and made his escape. Solomon had his residence in the Horselydown area, in the Butler Buildings when his first son was born in 1799, so it is conjectured that he had his residence and plied his trade in that area of the Thames and Southwark from his youth.

He was granted a pardon and his sentence was commuted on 7 Nov 1805 to transportation for life to the east coast of the Colony of NSW[15][16] In the Criminal Register his age is given as 30 years, and his birthplace as Lambeth

Transportation to NSW

1806 Solomon was transported on the Alexander[17] a convict and general transport ship under the command of Richard Brooks which sailed from Portsmouth on 28 Jan 1806 with 42 female and 15 male convicts. She was part of a convoy of merchant transport ships which included the (Lady Madeleine) Sinclair[18], Elizabeth Justina and a convict transport ship, the Fortune which embarked 245 male convicts. The convoy was escorted by the Porpoise[19]. The convoy passed Madeira on 25 February and were reported all well on 5 March. They voyaged via Rio de Janeiro, where the Alexander ran aground on a sandbank entering that port. She undertook repairs and consequently arrived in Sydney on 20 Aug 1806, a fortnight after the Fortune, Sinclair and Elizabeth which arrived on 5 Aug 1806[20]. William Bligh, the new Governor of the Colony arrived on his flagship Lady Madeleine Sinclair[21]. It is conjectured that Solomon's wife Jane, née Middleton, and two sons arrived in Sydney in August, perhaps on one of the ships in the convoy.

1810 Solomon was granted a ticket-of-leave, and in 1812 an absolute pardon.[22]

His wife, Jane, died in 1821 leaving him with four sons and two daughters.

Life as pardoned convict in NSW

Solomon and his household were enumerated in the 1822 and 1825 General Musters and the 1828 Census. In 1822 he was enumerated as a Landholder in Windsor. He had a absolute pardon. Four of his children, all of whom were born in the Colony, were enumerated with him: William (aged 21 years), Richard (18) and two unnamed children[23]

In 1825 he was enumerated as a Landholder in Wilberforce, it recorded that he arrived in the Alexander (but erroneously records the date as 1796), he had an absolute pardon. Six of his children were enumerated with him, all of whom were born in the Colony: Richard (19); William (17); John )15); Mary (12); Thomas (11) and Sarah (10)[24]

Second marriage

In 1826 he married Sophie Warner née Williams, who in 1825 was listed in the Magistrates Population Books for Wilberforce, recently widowed after her husband William Warner had died[25]

In 1828 he was enumerated in Lower Portland, a farmer, aged 50 years, who arrived in 1806 on the Alexander, freed by servitude and head of his household which included: Sophia (ie , aged 40, arrived on the Minstrel in 1813, on a Ticket of Leave; William (27); Richard (22); John (19); Thomas (17); Mary (15); and Sarah (12)[26]. The copy held by The National Archives (UK) contains the same information, however, the item reference numbers are different[27]

Death and burial

1838 Died on 28 Nov 1838[28][29] and was buried in Wiseman's Ferry Cemetery.[30][31]

Research Notes

  • Daughter Mary, is recorded in the 1825 Muster (aged 12 years) and in 1828 Census (aged 15 years). Sarah is recorded in 1825 Muster, aged 10 years (but not in 1828), this may be Solomon's niece, born about 1815 (but obviously not brought with him on the Alexander.
  • Marriage to Jane in 1799 is likely the right one, but needs to be confirmed. The index erroneously transcribes the wedding as occurring on 21 Dec 1799, rather than 21 Jan.
  • Sarah Wiseman - niece of Solomon - married in 1841. This is evidence that he brought family - at least one niece from London. And that he had at least one SIBLING, PRESUMABLY A brother.
  • Possibly his parents' marriage: Richard married Mary Evans on 22 November 1772 in Saint Botolph Aldgate, City of London, England.[32]

The baptismal dates of the children born in Australia are from the Ancestry index entries, however are not displayed in the full indexed record.

Two independent sources record his birthplace as "Lambeth" (his application for Freedom of the City by Patrimony, and UK Home Office: Criminal Registers, Middlesex HO 26/11 Newgate 1804-05). These together with his conjectured baptism in Christ Church, Southwark, Surrey, and his father's residence in a dwelling in that district (owned by a possible relative Solomon Wiseman - see below) constitute a strong case that he was born in Southwark, and not in Kent or Essex as some historians suggest.

A number of historians suggest that Jane (Middleton) Wiseman travelled with Solomon and their infant child William from England on the Alexander. Evidence of this has not been sighted. That suggestion is not impossible, as the Alexander transported goods and possibly passengers from England. She took on tobacco, sugar and coffee which were sold on 29 Aug 1806 in Sydney[33]. Equally Jane may have travelled on the Sinclair. Being a convict's wife it is unlikely that her arrival in Sydney would have been noted in the Sydney papers.

Solomon's crime is certain (the Old Bailey court record is definitive): he "was indicted for feloniously stealing 704 pounds weight of Brazil wood, value 24 l. in a lighter, in the navigable River Thames , the property of Matthias Prime Lucas , John Lucas , and John Barber". There is an unsubstantiated discourse that he was tried for smuggling between England and France, and that he was pardoned on account of the petition of Lord Bathurst then Secretary of State for the Colonies, indeed that the Colonial Secretary himself commuted Wiseman's sentence to transportation for life[34]. However, if a significant public servant such as Lord Bathurst had made representations on Solomon's behalf it is very improbable that a record would not have been made. There is no record of any petitions made on Solomon's behalf in any series in The National Archives, and in particular in the series: UK Home Office: Registers of Criminal Petitions (HO 19 1797-1853). The record in the Home Office: Criminal Entry Books. Correspondence and warrants reads in respect of Solomon and a number of others similarly pardoned at the same time:
"Whereas Solomon Wiseman was at a like session in London in October last tried and convicted of stealing Brazil wood from a barge on the navigable River Thames and had sentence of Death severally passed upon him for the same; We in consideration from favorable circumstances humbly represented unto us in their behalf are graciously pleased to Extend Our Grace and Mercy unto them and to Grant them Our Pardon for their said Crimes on Condition of their being Transported to the Eastern Coast of New South Wales or some one or other of the Island adjacent ... for and during the Term of their respective Natural Lives ... 7 day of November 1805 ... by His Majesty's Command, Hawkesbury"[15]
.

The Index to the Colonial Secretary's Papers (177-1825) in the Museum of History NSW records forty documents which mention Solomon Wiseman, including his three shipping vessels, the Hawkesbury Packet, Hope, and Mary Anne.

The document recording Solomon's desire to be admitted to the Freedom of the City (of London) by Patrimony confirms that he was born after the admission of his father into the Freedom of the City. Richard was admitted on 10 Jun 1737 by Indenture to Thomas Fleming, as an apprentice haberdasher[35] He was the son of Robert Wiseman, chandler, of Eaton, Leicestershire. His indenture was for seven years, which finished in 1744. Solomon's admission document was annotated "Copy 1744", ie a reference to the year his father completed his indentured apprenticeship as a haberdasher.

Richard, as a widower, and possibly aged around 48-50 years, married Mary Evans a spinster aged 22 years on 22 Nov 1772 in Saint Botolph, Aldgate, London (as cited above). It is conjectured that Solomon was born thereafter in 1777. One of the witnesses to the marriage was a Solomon Wiseman, presumably a relative (brother? uncle?). Solomon subject of this profile may be named after him.

In 1775 Richard was the occupier of a dwelling in Christ Church parish, Southwark, the owner of which was Solomon Wiseman (who had his residence in Queenhithe on the opposite of the Thames)[36] This dwelling in Christ Church may have been where Solomon was born.

The user generated memorial historical notes in the Find a Grave record by Evelyn Park Blalock [31] contains biographical information about Solomon, however, it is all unsourced, with no citation to any primary sources. It provides "leads" to research Solomon's life further, but none of it is definitive Stewart-39100 01:00, 25 January 2024 (UTC)

Sources

  1. ↑ Baptism: "London, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812"
    London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; London Church of England Parish Registers; Reference Number: P92/CTC/005
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry au Record 1624 #2446738 (accessed 21 December 2023)
    Solomon Wiseman baptism on 27 Apr 1777, son of Richard Wiseman & Mary Wiseman, at Christ Church, Southwark, Surrey, England.
  2. ↑ Employment of child Solomon Wiseman: "London, England, Freedom of the City Admission Papers, 1681-1930"
    London Metropolitan Archive; Reference Number: COL/CHD/FR/02/1221-1228
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry au Record 2052 #150876194 (accessed 21 December 2023)
    Name: Richard Wiseman; Gender: Male; Child: Soloman Wiseman.
  3. ↑ "London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1938," database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 1623 #2029152 : accessed 25 January 2024), Solomon Wiseman marriage to Jane Middleton on 21 Dec 1798 at Christ Church, Spitalfields: Commercial Street, Tower Hamlets, England; citing London Metropolitan Archives, London, England, UK, London Church of England Parish Registers, Reference Number P93/CTC1/016.
  4. ↑ Marriage: "London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1938"
    London Metropolitan Archives; London, England, UK; London Church of England Parish Registers; Reference Number: P93/CTC1/040
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry au Record 1623 #2044745 (accessed 21 December 2023)
    Solomon Wiseman marriage to Jane Middleton in 1799 at Christ Church, Spitalfields: Commercial Street, Tower Hamlets, England.
  5. ↑ "London, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812," database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 1624 #2853308 : accessed 29 January 2024), William Wiseman baptism on 8 Dec 1799, son of Solomon Wiseman & Jane Wiseman, in St Mary Magdalene, Bermondsey, Southwark, Surrey, England; citing London Metropolitan Archives, London, England, London Church of England Parish Registers, Reference Number P71/MMG/010.
  6. ↑ "Australia, Births and Baptisms, 1792-1981," database, (Ancestry au Record 9776 #1689538 : accessed 29 January 2024), Name: Richard Alexander Wiseman; Gender: Male; Baptism Age: 0; Baptism Place: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Residence Place: New South Wales, Australia; Father: Solomon Wiseman; Mother: Jane; citing Original data Australia, Births and Baptisms, 1792-1981. Salt Lake City, Utah FamilySearch, 2013, FHL Film Number 993949.
  7. ↑ "Australia Births and Baptisms, 1792-1981," database, (FamilySearch Record: XTCR-BRH : accessed 29 January 2024), Richard Alexander Wiseman baptism in 1806 (born 1806), son of Solomon Wiseman & Jane, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; citing Digital film/folder number: 007715153; FHL microfilm: 993949; Record number: 953; Packet letter: A.
  8. ↑ "Australia Births and Baptisms, 1792-1981," database, (FamilySearch Record: XTCX-WGZ : accessed 29 January 2024), John Wiseman baptism in 1809 (born 1809), son of Solomon Wiseman & Jane, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; citing Digital film/folder number: 007715153; FHL microfilm: 993949; Record number: 2219; Packet letter: A.
  9. ↑ "Australia Births and Baptisms, 1792-1981," database, (FamilySearch Record: XTDQ-9JV : accessed 29 January 2024), Thomas Wiseman baptism in 1811 (born 1811), son of Solomon Wiseman & Jane, in Australia; citing Digital film/folder number: 007715153; FHL microfilm: 993949; Record number: 1550; Packet letter: A.
  10. ↑ "Australia Births and Baptisms, 1792-1981," database, (FamilySearch Record: XTCX-CV5 : accessed 29 January 2024), Mary Wiseman baptism in 1814 (born 1813), daughter of Solomon Wiseman & Jane, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; citing Digital film/folder number: 007715153; FHL microfilm: 993949; Record number: 2517; Packet letter: A.
  11. ↑ "Australia Births and Baptisms, 1792-1981," database, (FamilySearch Record: XTCS-8YW : accessed 29 January 2024), Sarah Wiseman baptism in 1816 (born 1816), daughter of Solomon Wiseman & Jane, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; citing Digital film/folder number: 007715173; FHL microfilm: 1483370; Record number: 103; Packet letter: A.
  12. ↑ Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 9.0) October 1805. Trial of SOLOMON WISEMAN [https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/record/t18051030-55 online transcript and images for t18051030-55). Available at: https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/record/t18051030-55 (Accessed: 25th January 2024)
  13. ↑ "Horselydown Old Stairs" in A London Inheritance: A Private History of a Public City post dated 19 Jul 2015 (accessed 1 Feb 2024)
  14. ↑ "Three cranes wharf" in Know your London Web-blog, post by adrianprockter on 23 Oct 2015 online post (accessed 1 Feb 2024)
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 UK. Home Office. Criminal Entry Books. Correspondence and warrants: 1805 July 15-1806 Oct 15 (series HO 13/17) Citing Solomon Wiseman pardon 7 Nov 1805 p. 108-9 available online FindMyPast (accessed 28 Jan 2024)
  16. ↑ "England & Wales, Criminal Registers, 1791-1892," database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 1590 #927604 : accessed 25 January 2024), Name: Solomon Wiseman; Age: 30; Estimated Birth Year: abt 1775; Birth Location: Lambeth; Date of Trial: 30 Oct. 1805; Trial Year: 1805; Location of Trial: Middlesex, England; Sentence: Transportation; citing Class HO 26, Piece 11, Page 109.
  17. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Fortune (1805 ship)," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fortune_(1805_ship)&oldid=1167028636 Wikidata: Item Q8564843 help.gif(accessed January 28, 2024)
  18. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Sinclair (1805 ship)," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sinclair_(1805_ship)&oldid=1166398630 (accessed January 28, 2024) Wikidata: Item Q20870459 help.gif
  19. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "HMS Porpoise (1804)," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=HMS_Porpoise_(1804)&oldid=1183138836 Wikidata: Item Q15733803 help.gif (accessed January 28, 2024)
  20. ↑ Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser 10 Aug 1806 Page 3 Col. 1 online at Trove NLA (accessed 28 Jan 2024)
  21. ↑ Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser 10 Aug 1806 page 2 col. 1-2 online in Trove NLA (accessed 28 Jan 2024)
  22. ↑ NSW State records Index to Convict Pardons: WISEMAN Solomon - Alexander 1806 - AP 29 Feb 1812 [4/4486] 800 041
  23. ↑ "New South Wales and Tasmania, Australia Convict Musters, 1806-1849," database, (Ancestry au Record 1185 #307099 : accessed 23 January 2024), Name: Solomon Wiseman; Vessel: Alexander; Fleet: First; Province: New South Wales; Title: General muster; Year(s): 1822; citing Class HO 10, Piece 36.
  24. ↑ "New South Wales and Tasmania, Australia Convict Musters, 1806-1849," database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 1185 #175700 : accessed 23 January 2024), Name: Soloman Wiseman; Arrival Date: 1796; Vessel: Alexander; Fleet: First; Province: New South Wales; Title: General muster M - Z; Year(s): 1825; Estimated Birth Year: abt 1794; citing Class HO 10, Piece 20.
  25. ↑ NSW BDM Marriage 3929/1826 V18263929 3B WISEMAN SOLOMON WARNER SOPHIA CM
  26. ↑ NSW Census of 1828 (9 Geo. IV No.5). 1828 Census: Alphabetical return (Series NRS-1272). Vol. TIL to ZEA (NRS-1272-1-[SZ983]-SZ983) citing Wiseman, Solomon, No. 2190 Museum of History NSW copy (accessed 23 Jan 2024)
  27. ↑ UK Home Office: Settlers and Convicts, New South Wales and Tasmania: Records (HO 10). New South Wales. Census 1828 T-Z HO 10/27_05 TNA copy (accessed 23 Jan 2024)
  28. ↑ The Sydney Herald 30 Nov 1838 Page 3 Family Notices online in Trove NLA (accessed 23 Jan 2024)
  29. ↑ NSW BDM Deaths: 1935/1838 V18381935 102 WISEMAN SOLOMON AGE 64
  30. ↑ Australian Cemeteries Index Inscription 8073989 - Solomon Wiseman
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 "Find a Grave," database with images, (Find A Grave: Memorial #129044753 : accessed 25 January 2024), Memorial page for Solomon Wiseman (16 Apr 1777-12 Jan 1838), citing Wisemans Ferry Cemetery, Wisemans Ferry, The Hills Shire, New South Wales, Australia.
  32. ↑ Marriage: "London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1938"
    London Metropolitan Archives; London, England, UK; London Church of England Parish Registers; Reference Number: P69/BOT2/A/01/MS 9230/4
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry au Record 1623 #1121542 (accessed 21 December 2023)
    Richard Wiseman marriage to Mary Evans on 22 Nov 1772 in Saint Botolph Aldgate, City of London, England.
  33. ↑ Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser 24 Aug 1806 Page 1 Classified Advertising online in Trove NLA (accessed 28 Jan 2024)
  34. ↑ Windsor and Richmond Gazette 15 Jul 1927 Page 1 "THE STORY OF SOLOMON WISEMEN online in Trove NLA (accessed 28 Jan 2024)
  35. ↑ "London, England, Freedom of the City Admission Papers, 1681-1930," database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 2052 #755218 : accessed 25 January 2024), Name: Richard Wiseman; Admission Date: 10 Jun. 1737; Residence Place: Leicester, England; Father: Robert Wiseman; Master: Thomas Kleming; citing London Metropolitan Archive, Reference Number COL/CHD/FR/02/0667-0-672.
  36. ↑ "UK, Poll Books and Electoral Registers, 1538-1893," database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 2410 #6316175 : accessed 25 January 2024), Name: Solomon Wiseman; Poll Year: 1775; County: Surrey


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Categories: Australia, Notables in Commerce and Industry | Wisemans Ferry, New South Wales | Australia, Colonial Notables | Notables | Convicts After the Third Fleet