Samuel Mead (1810 - 1860)

Born 13 Feb 1810 in Bruntwood, Essex, England

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah Ann (Blacka) Leemon — married 6 Dec 1841 in Broulee, New South Wales, Australia

Descendants

Died 29 Dec 1860 at age 50 in Eden, New South Wales

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Biography

Birth

• Samuel was born on 13 February 1810 in Bruntwood, Essex, England.
• Bruntwood had its name changed later to become Brentwood.
• It is thought his parents may have been James Mead and Margaret

Baptism

• Samuel was recorded as being a Protestant, probably C of E

Possible Trial

• A Samuel Mead was convicted in September 1826 (aged 17).
• He was convicted of Larceny in Middlesex, England and sentenced to 7 years transportation.
• There is no other reference to this Samuel Mead found so far. If it is our Samuel Mead there is no explanation as to why he was not transported,

Occupation

• He was a labourer in 1830 (age 20) in Essex

Trial and Conviction

• Samuel was charged with stealing geese and went to trial in the Essex Quarter Sessions in Chelmsford in Essex, England
• He was found guilty on 15 February 1831 (age 21) and sentenced to 7 years.
• A Convict Indent reports he had no previous conviction.
• Samuel was transferred to the Prison Hulk "Leviathan" in Portsmouth, England, to be housed until he could be transported.

Transportation

• Samuel was tranferred to the convict ship "Portland" which left Portsmouth for Sydney on 19 or 27 November 1831 (two different sources).
• He arrived in Sydney on 26 March 1832
• Samuel was prisoner 32/642
• He was then sent to work at John Palmer's residence in Parramatta.
• When John Palmer died in 1833, Samuel was reassigned to the Imlay brothers.

Ticket of Leave

• There is no indication that Samuel received a Ticket of Leave that good behaviour should have brought him.
• A convict sentenced to 7 years, with good behaviour could get a Ticket of Leave after 4 to 5 years.

Freedom

• After serving his sentence of 7 years Samuel was released.
• His Certificate of Freedom (No. 39/291) was issued on 25 February 1938.
• When this certificate was returned mutilated a new Certificate was issued.
• This Certificate No. 42/2126 was issued on 12 December 1842

Marriage

• Samuel married Sarah Anne Blacka / Blacker on 6 December 1981 in Broulee, New South Wales.
• They were married in the Church of Scotland Church
• Samuel was aged 31 and Sarah Anne was 17 years old.
• Samuel and Sarah Anne had 9 children - Sarah Anne,Samuel Alphurson, William, James William, Henry Thomas, Frederick John, Charles, Arthur and Walter Allen

Occupation

• Samuel was the Publican at "The Traveller's Home", in Bega in December 1855.
• He was known as Imlay Sam (refereeing to the Imlay Brothers had had been assigned to).

Death and Burial

• Samuel passed away at his home on 29 December 1860 in Eden, New South Wales.
• This was after a long illness (15 years) with Heart disease.
• He was buried in the Church of England Cemetery in Bega, New South Wales in December 1860.

Sources

• England & Wales, Criminal Registers, 1791-1892 / Conviction September 1826
• UK, prison Hulk Registers and Letter Books, 1802-1849 / Arrival in 1831
• New South Wales, Australia, Settler and Convicts Lists, 1787-1834 / Arrival in 1832
• New South Wales, Australia Convict Ship Muster Rolls and Related Records, 1790-1849 / Conviction 15 Feb 1831
• New South Wales and Tasmania, Australia Convict Musters, 1806-1849 / Arrival in 1832
• New South Wales, Australia, Convict Incidents, 1788-1842 / Conviction in 1831 and arrival in 1832
• New South Wales, Australia, Certificates of Freedom, 1827-1867 / 39/291 and 82/2126 after conviction in 1831
• Australia Marriage Index, 1788-1950
• Australia Death Index, 1787-1985
• Samuel Mead's Death Certificate
• Australia and New Zealand, Find a Grave Index, 1800s-Current