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John French (c. 1788–1856)

John French (c.1788-1856), a farmer's man, was sentenced to 14 years transportation on 4 March 1820, at the Worcester Assizes, Worcestershire. He arrived at Sydney aboard the Elizabeth in December 1820. He was described as being 32 years old, 5 feet 6 inches (167.6 cms) tall, with a dark ruddy complexion, black hair, and hazel eyes.

In 1825 French was working as a government servant for William Howe at Campbelltown. He was granted a ticket of leave in 1828.

John French died on 22 October 1856 at Kurrajong, New South Wales. An inquest into his death found that he died from dysentery brought on by an excessive amount of drinking.

* information from Biographical Database of Australia — https://www.bda-online.org.au

Additional Resources and Scholarship

  • inquest, Sydney Morning Herald, 31 October 1856, p 2

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Citation details

'French, John (c. 1788–1856)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/french-john-31896/text39353, accessed 29 April 2025.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

c. 1788
Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England

Death

21 October, 1856 (aged ~ 68)
Kurrajong, New South Wales, Australia

Cause of Death

dysentery

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.

Religious Influence

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
Convict Record

Crime: unknown
Sentence: 14 years
Court: Worcestshire
Trial Date: 4 March 1820
(1820)

Pre-transportation

Occupation: farm labourer