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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

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 29 March 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

c. 1827
Wexford, Ireland

Death

11 May, 1899 (aged ~ 72)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Cause of Death

suicide

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)