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Solomon Blay (1816–1897)

Solomon Blay (Bleay), boatman, was sentenced to 14 years transportation for attempted counterfeiting. It was his third conviction. He had previously been sentenced to 12 months for stealing potatoes and four months for stealing onions.

Blay arrived in Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) in 1836 aboard the Sarah. According to the surgeon's report he was flogged on board the ship for insolence and was 'as bad as can be'. He was described as being 5 feet 8¼ inches tall with dark brown hair and blue eyes. He was appointed a police constable in May 1838 but was dismissed from the position in October 1839 due to lack of discipline with alcohol and was sent to a chain gang. In 1840 he applied for the position of hangman. He was granted a ticket of leave on 20 August 1849, a conditional pardon on 6 July 1850 and a free pardon on 21 February 1857.

He performed his last hanging at the age of 71.

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Citation details

'Blay, Solomon (1816–1897)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/blay-solomon-22788/text36598, accessed 10 May 2025.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Alternative Names
  • Bray, Solomon
  • Murphy, Solomon
  • Blaey, Solomon
  • Bleay, Solomon
Birth

20 January, 1816
Oxford, Oxfordshire, England

Death

20 August, 1897 (aged 81)
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Cause of Death

heart disease

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.

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Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

Passenger Ship
Occupation or Descriptor
Social Issues
Convict Record

Crime: forgery
Sentence: 14 years