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<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">General Notes: Birth and christening dates to be verified!</span></font></div>
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<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">Date and circumstances of arrival in Australia to be verified!</span></font></div>
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<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">In 1815 Thomas was listed as a Captain, and  was Master of the
<i>"Endeavour"</i>, which brought back a cargo of sandalwood for <b>Isaac
Nichols</b> the owner of the vessel; it also traded throughout the Bass
Strait islands on voyages out of Sydney in 1816, 1817, and 1818. </span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><br />
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<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">Thomas was summonsed by <b>John Thomas Campbell</b>, the Secretary
of Government House, to give an account of the stowaways on board
the "Endeavour", and he replied with a four page written account
detailing the event.</span></font></div>
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<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">Secretary's Office 4th October 1816,</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">To Mr. Hammant, the Master of the brig <i>"Endeavour"</i>,</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">Sir, </span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">I wish to see you as soon as possible on business of importance.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">I have the honour to be Sir, </span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">your obedient humble servant,</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">J. T. Campbell.   <i>ref:  SRNSW reel 6005 page 171</i>.</span></font></div>
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<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">Reply to the summons.  <i>ref:  SRNSW reel 6045, pages 147-150</i>.</span></font></div>
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<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">Thomas was fined by a bench of magistrates for a breach of the Port
Regulations and was ordered to pay an amount of £7/10/- into the
Colonial Police and Female Orphan Institution Fund.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt"><b>Government General Orders</b>,</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">Government House, Sydney, Saturday 8th February 1817.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">Civil Department.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">His Excellency the Governor is pleased to direct the following
statements of the Colonial Police and Female Orphan Institution
Funds, for the quarter ending the 31st December 1816 to be published
for general information.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">By command of His Excellency, the Governor, signed by John Thomas
Campbell [Secretary].</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">The Trustees of the Police Fund in account current, with <b>Mr. D'Arcy
Wentworth</b> Esq., treasurer for the quarter ending the 31st December
1816.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">One half a fine imposed by a bench of magistates on Mr. Hammond
[Hammant] Master of the brig <i>"Endeavour"</i> for carrying away a seaman
contary to the Port regulations. Ordered to pay £7/10/-.   <i>ref:  SRNSW
reel 6038 page 319</i>.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">On 24th April 1817 the brig <i>"Endeavour"</i> of 57 tons, Thomas Hammant
Master, and 12 crew left Sydney bound for Bass Strait and Kangaroo
Island and return.   <i>ref: SRNSW reel 561 item 16 no. 11/103, item 95
no. 20/159.</i></span></font></div>
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</div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">On the 5th March 1819, Thomas was involved in a civil Supreme Court
action against ship owner and Convict Superintendent <b>Isaac Nichols</b>
[<b>Richard Wise's</b> employer]. It was a simple case involving non-
payment of monies owed for services rendered. Under the verdict and
final judgement which was handed down on the 27th May, Thomas
was awarded damages of £1000? - the sum recovered was £25/18/-
and costs of £62/17/1, and the amounts due were paid on the 7th June
1819.   <i>ref: to verify!</i></span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">It can be assumed that as Thomas had taken his employer to court,
his position as Captain for <b>Isaac Nicholls</b> would have been
terminated, and having met <b>Richard Wise</b> who was employed by
Nicholls, he would have been familiar with his plans to eventually
emigrate to Van Diemen's Land. At this stage, Richard's daughter
<b>Susannah</b> was pregnant to Thomas, and as Thomas was out of work,
he probably decided to make the move to Van Diemen's Land. </span></font></div>
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<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt"><i>Five weeks after the final judgement, he wrote to Governor Macquarie:</i></span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">From <b>Thomas Hammant</b> 13th July 1819 to His <b>Excellency Governor
Macquarie,</b></span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">May it please Your Excellency,</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">Sir,</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">The schooner <i>"John Palmer"</i> being about to proceed to Port Dalrymple
in the course of eight days from the date hereof, may I request Your
Excellency to refer to my memorial in your possession in its acceding
to the prayer thereof. Having obtained a passage thereon, may I
request Your Excellency to permit me to settle at Port Dalrymple and
that I may be directed to have those rations which Your Excellency
generally grants to such as came from Great Britain under the peculiar
circumstances as myself.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">I have the Honour to be Your Excellency's obedient servant,</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">Thos. Hammant.   <i>ref: SRNSW reel 6048 4/1743 page 257-8 to verify.</i></span></font></div>
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<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">On the 16th August 1819 a letter was written to <b>Lieutenant Governor
Sorell</b> by <b>J. T. Campbell</b>, the Governor's secretary, requesting a grant
of land in Van Diemen's Land for Thomas.</span></font></div>
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<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">His Honor, Lieutenant Governor Sorell, Van Diemen's Land.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">I have the honor to inform you that <b>Mr. Thomas Hammant</b> who
arrived some time ago in this Colony with the priviliges of a free settler
has now made his election to settle at Port Dalrymple in Van Diemen's
Land and means to proceed by an early opportunity thither. His
Excellency the Governor promised Mr. Hammant that he shall obtain a
grant of three hundred acres of land and get the assistance of two
Government men who with himself are to be victualled from the King's
stores for six months.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">Permit me to convey His Excellency's request that you will cause His
intentions in regard to Mr. Hammant to be carried into effect as soon
as circumstances will admit.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">I have the honor to be Sir, your obedient and humble servant,  J. T.
Campbell.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt"><i>ref:  SRNSW reel 6006, page 213.</i></span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">At this stage <b>John Howard</b> probably offered Thomas the position of
first officer on the <i>"Daphne"</i>, which he owned, so Thomas changed his
mind about going to Van Diemen's Land, and married the pregnant
Susannah three months later on the 6th October 1819 in St. Phillip's
Church, Sydney. <i>[before or after the birth of their daughter Susannah
in October 1819?]</i></span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">Four days later on the 10th October 1819 he left Sydney bound for
India, as the first officer on the <i>"Daphne"</i>, which was owned by his old
friend and acquaintance,<b> John Howard</b>. The brig had left Hobart on
the 30th August 1819 carrying 2000 bushels of wheat, 18 casks of
provisions and 300 kangaroo skins, bound for Sydney.   </span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">Muster of the Master, crew and passengers of the brig <i>"Daphne"</i> of
Port Jackson, burthen registered 151 tons bound for the Eastward.
<b>John Howard</b>, Master, <b>Thomas Hammant</b>, mate, 7 crew and two
female passengers [ including <b>Matthew Phillips</b>, Steward, and
<b>Harriot Hanks</b> and <b>Emma Hook</b>]. Port dues paid £5/3/- [151 tons
£3/15/6, 11 persons £1/7/6.   <i>ref:  SRNSW reef 561 no. 44/227</i></span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">Unfortunately the <i>"Daphne"</i> was wrecked on East Island, and the
following is an account  of the disaster:</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">On Sunday last <i>[14th November 1819]</i>,came up the river in an open
boat from Kent's Group, a distance of nearly 200 miles from our
heads, <b>Captain John Howard</b> of this place, with <b>Mr. Hammont</b> and 3
seamen, bringing intelligence of the loss of his brig the <i>"Daphne"</i>, at
that place on the 26th ult; but with the report of no lives lost. The
circumstances attending the wreck of this vessel are as follows:
<b>Captain Howard</b> left Port Jackson on the 10th October, bound for
India. He however touched at some of the islands in the Straits to
procure seal skins; and on the 26th a gale came on from the
westward, which compelled him to put into Kent's Group for shelter
where he dropped anchor close in shore, soon after the vessel came
to anchor, <b>Captain Howard</b> and part of the crew went ashore and in a
short time he perceived from the land the brig driving, when he
immediately sent the boat off with directions to the officer in charge
<b>[Thomas Hammant]</b> to veer out the cable; but before the orders had
reached the brig, she drove so far as to render that expedient
impracticable.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">The commander then hailed the boat, went on board himself and
instantly got the longboat out, in order to save the lives of the crew and
what part of the cargo he could affect. By the time the longboat got
ready, the vessel had drifted to near the rocks as to render it quite
perilous to remain any longer on board. <b>Captain Howard</b> and the
whole crew then put off in the jollyboat with only a small trunk -
scarcely reaching the shore before she struck, and in less than 10
minutes she became a complete wreck.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">The longboat which left the vessel at the same time had, however, the
good fortune of procuring from the wreck with great difficulty, a cask of
flour and a few pieces of salt beef. Owing to the longboat being much
injured, <b>Captain Howard</b> was obliged to remain 8 days on the island.
He left thereon the 4th instant, along with three of his crew and his first
officer, for the purpose of making Port Dalrymple, but owing to
contrary gales could not make the heads of that port; and after
experiencing great hardships and privations, nearly foundering several
times, and being for many days without food, he arrived safe at the
Derwent.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">Eight persons were necessarily left on the island, among whom are the
young women, passengers proceeding to India. </span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">The sloop <i>"Governor Sorell"</i> with <b>Captain Howard</b> on board sailed on
Thursday for Kent's Group for the purpose of bringing away the
persons left there and in the hope of being successful in procuring
such part of the wreck as may be useful in building another vessel
here, which we understand is in contemplation by the owner. We are
sorry to remark that <b>Captain Howard</b> has hitherto been very
unfortunate since his arrival in the colony - having lost one vessel,
piratically carried away from our harbour and the <i>"Daphne"</i> in the
unfortunate disaster we have just narrated.   <i>ref:  Hobart Town
Gazette, Saturday 20th November 1819.</i></span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">We are concerned to state by a private letter dated Port Dalrymple,
December 31st, which was received in town on Thursday <i>[6th January
1820]</i> and obligingly submitted to our inspection, the arrival at that
settlement the previous night of a boat's crew belonging to <b>Mr. D.
Smith</b>, owner of the schooner <i>"John Palmer"</i>, <b>W. Bastian</b> Master, with
the disagreeable intelligence of the loss of that vessel in the Straits
during a gale of wind with the whole of her cargo; by which melancholy
misfortune we regret to learn that one seaman and a young women
were unfortunately lost.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">It appears that the <i>"John Palmer"</i> had just left Kent's Group where she
accidentally put in only two days after the departure of <b>Captain
Howard</b> in an open boat from that place for this port; and that she had
taken up, with the intention of conveying to Port Dalrymple, the two
girls and all the property which had been left on a desolate island there
by the wreck of <b>Captain Howard's</b> brig the <i>"Daphne"</i> in October last.
The loss of the vessel and cargo is supposed to amount to £1000.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">On Thursday a whale boat under the command of <b>Mr. E. Luttrell</b> was
dispatched in search of the sloop <i>"Governor Sorell"</i> in consequence of
some apprehensions having been entertained for the safety of that
vessel, owing to the length of time she has been absent from our port
for the purpose of bringing away part of the wreck of the brig <i>"Daphne"</i>
and the persons who were shipwrecked and left on an island in Kent's
Group, as formerly reported in our paper.  <i> ref:  Hobart Town Gazette
8th January 1820.</i></span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">Our readers will doubtless recall the details that have already been
given in our paper, respecting the wreck of the brig<i> "Daphne"</i>
belonging to <b>Captain Howard</b>. We have now the painful task of
publishing the following intelligence which not only gives an account of
the loss of the vessel, but also that of the sloop <i>"Governor Sorell"</i> of
and from this port with <b>Captain Howard</b> on board. This account given
to us by the steward of the "Daphne", whose name is <b>Matthew
Phillips</b> and who came into town on Wednesday <i>[9th February 1820]</i>
from Port Dalrymple.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt"><i>The following is an exact statement of occurrences from the time of
our anchoring in the Bay of Kent's Group up to my arrival at Port
Dalrymple:-  "on the 26th of October the brig "Daphne", </i><b><i>Captain
Howard</i></b><i>, anchored under East Island of Kent's Group at about 11
o'clock in the forenoon. Shortly after </i><b><i>Captain Howard</i></b><i>, two young
women named </i><b><i>Harriott Hanks</i></b><i> and </i><b><i>Emma Hook</i></b><i>, </i><b><i>William Hanks</i></b><i> [a
boy] and </i><b><i>John Matte</i></b><i> [a Lascar] went ashore in the company of
myself. We had spent about 2 hours on shore, when </i><b><i>Captain Howard</i></b><i>
perceived the brig drifting, he sent me on board with directions to the
mate [</i><b><i>Thomas Hammant</i></b><i>] to heave out the cable which was done, but
she still continued to drag her anchor, the wind blowing hard upon the
shore. </i><b><i>Captain Howard</i></b><i> came on board himself and perceiving there
was no hope of saving the brig, ordered the longboat out and got one
cask of flour in her. The brig about this time struck and all hands got
into the boat and left her. During the night the vessel went to pieces.
The crew were employed gathering up whatever was drove on shore.
On the 2nd November by </i><b><i>Captain Howard</i></b><i> having fitted out the
longboat in the best possible manner, and with the mate </i><b><i>[Thomas
Hammant]</i></b><i> and three seamen sailed for the Derwent; he left me with
the two women, two boys and three men, with directions to get
together any part of the wreck which might be useful, and promised to
be back within three weeks with a vessel to take the whole of us away.
On the 21st November, the schooner "John Palmer" arrived at Kent's
Group and took away from me the two women, one boy </i><b><i>[Hanks]</i></b><i> and
Lascar. </i><b><i>Emma Hook</i></b><i> took away with her about 400 dollars which
</i><b><i>Captain Howard</i></b><i> had left in her charge. The "John Palmer" sailed on
the 23rd, and on the 27th </i><b><i>Captain Howard</i></b><i> arrived in the sloop
"Governor Sorell". He put on board her as much of the wreck as she
could carry and sailed again on the 1st December for Hobart Town.</i></span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt"><i>I still remained on the island with </i><b><i>Isaac Peak</i></b><i> a seaman. </i><b><i>Captain
Howard</i></b><i> promised to return or send the sloop to me within a fortnight.
On the 12th December the "Glory", </i><b><i>Captain Simpson</i></b><i>, put into the
Group and sailed on the 14th. </i><b><i>Isaac Peak</i></b><i> went with him, we having no
provisions left. From that time I remained alone until the 25th January -
subsisting upon such sea birds as I could knock down - on which day
</i><b><i>John Stacy's</i></b><i> boat put into the Group on her return from a sealing trip,
when being entirely destitute of clothing and provisions and seeing no
prospect of </i><b><i>Captain Howard</i></b><i> returning, I took a passage in that boat to
Port Dalrymple. On the 30th January we touched at a small island
called Gun Carriage on the North East of Cape Barren, I there saw two
sweeps, part of a binnacle and several pieces of quarter boarding
which I am positive belonged to the sloop "Governor Sorell" , besides
several blocks and pieces of wreck which I had put on board myself,
as part of the sloop's cargo. I left Gun Carriage the next day and
proceeded to Port Dalrymple, and landed there on the 3rd February."
ref:  Hobart Town Gazette 12th February 1820.</i></span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">Although not mentioned in these reports, other reports have Thomas
being found and rescued from Gun Carriage Island by <b>John Stacey</b>,
on his way back to Port Dalrymple after the sealing trip. If this is the
case, and it seems rather logical that, Thomas as the mate, would
have accompanied Captain Howard on the <i>"Governor Sorell"</i> in the
rescue bid. How he arrived back in Sydney from Port Dalrymple is yet
to be discovered.   <i>Further research of Marine Board files is required!</i></span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">On 25th October 1820 Thomas was 2nd Officer on board the <i>"Lynx"</i>, a
187 ton 2 gun brig built in Java and registered in Calcutta, <b>Richard
Siddins</b> Master, <b>William Rook</b> 1st Officer and carried a crew of 23 -
26 men. She had arrived in Sydney in June 1820 from Calcutta
carrying 536 bags of sugar, 100 bolts of Gunnie sack, and 196 cases
of soap, she then sailed for Port Dalrymple and Hobart with 28 people
on board, and left Hobart on a trip to the sealing colonies.  <i>ref:
SRNSW reel 561, entry no. 260, and "Shipping arrivals and
departures, Sydney 1788-1825" by J. S. Cumpson.</i></span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><br />
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<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">Muster roll of the brig<i> "Nereus"</i> of Sydney, <b>Mr. John Payne</b>, Master,
burthen per register 139 tons, sailed 2nd July 1822 bound to Port
Dalrymple, ships company 10, passengers 4, - <b>W. Emmett</b> owner, <b>Mr.
Whitch</b> free by Certificate no.6/1231, <b>Mr. Thomas Hammant</b>, Master
Mariner and <b>James Roberts</b> free by Certificate.   <i>ref:  SRNSW reel
561 entry no. 245</i>.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">He applied for and received a land grant of 150 acres at Norfolk Plains
in 1827.  <i> ref: LSD 1/5 page 277-281.</i></span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">In 1827 Thomas was back at sea again, and on the 19th November
1827 was Master of the <i>"Olivia"</i>, taking wheat, coffee, and potatoes to
Sydney. The <i>"Olivia" </i>the second ship built at Port Dalrymple, was a
wooden schooner of 60 tons was built by Nathaniel Lucas's sons
[<i>Thomas's son in law?]</i> in 1826 and named after their mother. The
<i>"Olivia" </i>was wrecked in a gale off the south coast of NSW near
Twofold Bay, but all on board were saved, rowing ashore in a lifeboat
and walking to Bateman's Bay. The position of the sunken ship has not
been located.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt"><i>ref:  to verify. </i>  </span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><br />
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<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">In July 1832, Thomas was murdered by a next door neighbour,
<b>George Cox</b>, who was the brother of <b>Matilda Wise's</b> husband
<b>Joseph</b>, and lived on the downstream property next to the Hammant
farm. The reason for the killing hasn't yet been found, but maybe it
was a crime of passion as George being single, and being about the
same age as Susannah, may have fancied the much younger wife of
Thomas, or it could have been caused by a dispute between the two
neighbouring farmers.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">We regret to hear that an old settler was barbarously murdered
yesterday at Norfolk Plains by two young men, whose names we have
not been able to learn. One we understand is in custody, and a warrant
is out for the apprehension of the other.   <i>ref: "The Independent"
Saturday July 21 1832, page 3, column 3</i></span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">A man named <b>Hammond</b> was killed on Friday last in the district of
Norfolk Plains, by a native lad named <b>Cox</b> and another. We have no
particulars of the sad affair. Cox has not yet been taken, but his
companion is in safe custody.  <i> ref:  "Launceston Advertiser" Tuesday
morning July 24 1832, page 237</i>.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">After three days patient investigation, the jury summoned to enquire
into the circumstances attending the death of the man <b>Hammond</b> at
Norfolk Plains, returned a verdict of wilful murder against <b>George Cox</b>,
the other man <b>Henry Street</b> was discharged from custody. We have
not heard that <b>Cox</b> has yet been taken.  <i> ref:  "Launceston Advertiser"
Tuesday morning August 7 1832, page 254</i>.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">A reward was posted for the apprehension of <b>Cox</b>, and it appeared for
over a month, in all the state's leading newspapers, including the
<i>"Hobart Gazette"</i>, the <i>"Hobart Courier"</i>, and the Launceston papers,
causing a lot of discussion and feeling in the local population.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><br />
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<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">Murder, £20 Reward,</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">Police Office, Hobart Town 9th August 1832.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">Whereas <b>George Cox</b>, a native of Norfolk Island, is charged on oath
with wilful murder in the District of Norfolk Plains, and is now at large. I
hereby give notice that I am authorised by the Lieutenant Governor to
state that a reward of £20, will be paid to any Free or Ticket of Leave
man, who shall apprehend and lodge the said <b>George Cox</b> in safe
custody, and should the said <b>George Cox </b>be apprehended by a
Convict, the indulgence of a Ticket of Leave will be granted.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">M. Forster, Chief Police Magistrate.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">Height five feet six inches, aged 26 years, brown hair, blue eyes.  <i> ref:
"Hobart Town Gazette" Friday August 17 1832, page 437</i>.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">The paltry reward of £20 to a Free or Ticket of Leave man, or of a
simple Ticket of Leave to a prisoner, who may apprehend <b>Cox</b>, the
murderer  of <b>Captain Hammont</b>, seems to excite the public in a very
proper manner! For ourselves, we are sufficiently charitable, even to
<i>"the powers that be"</i>, to suppose that this may be an oversight, and the
next "Gazette" will announce suitable rewards for the capture of ALL
that are illegally ay large.  <i>ref:  "The Independent" Saturday August 25
1832, page 2, column 4</i>.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">Footnote:  <b>George Cox</b> was never apprehended, nor seen again, but
may have left Van Diemen's Land on the <i>"Eldon"</i> which sailed from
Hobart Town for England on the 8th June 1836.   <i>to verify!</i></span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><br />
</div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">As Thomas died intestate, a Letter of Administration  from the
Tasmanian Supreme Court, saw a probate of £20 paid to Susannah
on behalf of Thomas's estate, while his son Edward successfully
applied to have Thomas's land grant transferred over to him.  <i>ref:  SC
285/375.</i></span></font></div>
<div align="left"><br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=36mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=0mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">Noted events in his life were:</span></font></div>
<div align="left"><br /></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=43mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=-6mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">  He worked as a Master Mariner in 1793 in Port Jackson. </span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=43mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=-6mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">  He was Master of the "Endeavour" out of Port Jackson.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=43mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=-6mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">  He was involved in a court case about Account of stowaways on
"Endeavour" on 4 October 1816 in Sydney.. </span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=43mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=-6mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">  He was involved in a court case about Payment of fine to Police
Fund on 8 February 1817 in Sydney.. </span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=43mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=-6mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">  To receive land grant in VDL</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=43mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=-6mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">  Ship wrecked: "Daphne" wrecked, 26 October 1819, Kent's Group,
Bass Strait. </span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=43mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=-6mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">  He immigrated on the "Nereus" on 2 July 1822 to Port Dalrymple. </span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=43mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=-6mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">  He was granted 150 acres in 1827 at Norfolk Plains.</span></font></div>
<div align="left" style="margin-left=43mm; margin-right=0mm; text-indent=-6mm"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">  He was Master of the <i>"Olivia"</i> in 1827 at Port Dalrymple.</span></font></div>
<div align="left"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">  Was murdered at Norfolk Plains by George Cox on 20th July 1832.</span></font></div>
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