People Australia

  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites
  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites
  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites

Browse Lists:

Cultural Advice

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website contains names, images, and voices of deceased persons.

In addition, some articles contain terms or views that were acceptable within mainstream Australian culture in the period in which they were written, but may no longer be considered appropriate.

These articles do not necessarily reflect the views of The Australian National University.

Older articles are being reviewed with a view to bringing them into line with contemporary values but the original text will remain available for historical context.

William Adams (1751–1798)

William Adams, a soldier, was found guilty of highway robbery and sentenced to life transportation. He arrived in Sydney in 1790 aboard the Scarborough as part of the Second Fleet. He married Mary Chadderton in 1791 and in 1793 received a conditional pardon upon joining the NSW Corps.

* information from Michael Flood, The Second Fleet: Britain's Grim Convict Armada of 1790 (1993), p 127

Citation details

'Adams, William (1751–1798)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/adams-william-25104/text33584, accessed 30 March 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

1751
Stoughton, West Sussex, England

Death

February, 1798 (aged ~ 47)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

Passenger Ship
Occupation
Military Service
Key Events
Convict Record

Crime: theft
Sentence: life