Thomas Furlong (c. 1827–1899)
Thomas Furlong (c.1827-1899) was sentenced to 7 years transportation for larceny on 28 February 1845 at Wexford County, Ireland. He was aged 17 and had two previous convictions. He arrived at Van Diemen's Land aboard the Ratcliffe in August 1845. According to his gaol report he was 'bad'; the ship's surgeon reported that he was 'troublesome'. He was described in his convict record as being a Roman Catholic, he could read and write 'a little', was a net maker, was 4 feet 10¼ inches (148 cms) tall, with a ruddy complexion, dark brown hair and hazel eyes. He was born in County Wexford.
Furlong was sentenced to 14 years transportation in 1850 (including three years on Norfolk Island) for breaking and entering into a house and stealing goods. He was sentenced to six months hard labour in 1856 for assaulting a constable. He was granted a conditional pardon on 28 September 1858.
Furlong had moved to Victoria by 1862. He married Mary Kelly on 25 September 1862 at St Francis Church, Melbourne; they had three children. He worked for the railways. Furlong died on 11 May 1899 after slashing his throat with a razor while in a state of delirium tremens.
Additional Resources
- is transported for 14 years for breaking and entering into a house and stealing goods, Colonial Times (Hobart), 31 May 1850, p 3
- is sentenced to six months hard labour for assaulting a constable, Tasmanian Daily News, 19 June 1856, p 3
- is fined five shillings for being drunk and disorderly and using obscene language, Herald (Melbourne), 27 December 1862, p 6
- is fined five shillings and 10 shillings costs for breaking a pane of glass, Argus (Melbourne), 9 November 1867, p 1
- is fined 2 pounds, with five shillings costs, for using insulting language to a police officer who had taken him home when he was intoxicated, Herald (Melbourne), 2 May 1899, p 4
- inquest into his suicide, Age (Melbourne), 13 May 1899, p 10
- funeral notice, Age (Melbourne), 13 May 1899, p 12
- his estate was worth 750 pounds, Advocate (Melbourne), 22 July 1899, p 12
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- Furlong, Mary (wife)
- Furlong, Johanna (daughter)
- Furlong, Thomas (son)
- Furlong, Patrick (son)
- Furlong, Mary Jane (daughter-in-law)
Citation details
'Furlong, Thomas (c. 1827–1899)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/furlong-thomas-31810/text39273, accessed 18 September 2024.
Life Summary [details]
Birth
Death
11 May,
1899
(aged ~ 72)
Melbourne,
Victoria,
Australia
Cause of Death
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
Social Issues
Convict Record
Crime: theft
Sentence: 7 years
Court: Wexford (Ireland)
Trial Date: 28 February 1845
(1845)
Pre-transportation
Occupation: net maker
Post-transportation
Children: Yes (3)