I wonder if other Australia Project members would agree with me that William Woodward's story as a transportee to Australia who "made good" once he was free is not at all remarkable. What is remarkable is the amount of detail in this Profile. Someone, probably a descendant, has put a lot of work into research and been lucky enough to find their relative's life documented by writers of the day. But not a candidate for the "Notables" category, in my humble opinion.
There is one error of interpretation in the profile: "ticket of leave" was not a pardon and did not make the holder "free". It allowed the holder to seek paid employment. The ticket could still be revoked for bad behaviour. Only at the end of their sentence did a convict become free.
So thanks for drawing our attention to this Profile, I'm sure it will take its place as a "showpiece" among Profiles of Australian convicts. Ill add some appropriate categories.
