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 Harris (c. 1755–?)

William Harris (c.1755- ) was found guilty on 11 July 1785 at Maidstone, Kent, of the theft of a quantity of clothing, a watch, and shoe buckles from a house. Sentenced to 7 years transportation, he was sent to the Ceres hulk early in 1786, where he remained until he embarked for New South Wales on the Alexander in January 1787, arriving in Sydney in January 1788 as part of the First Fleet.

Harris was recorded as having left the colony on the Britannia in 1793.

* information from Mollie Gillen, The Founders of Australia: A Biographical Dictionary of the First Fleet (1989), p 162

Citation details

'Harris, William (c. 1755–?)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/harris-william-30900/text38263, accessed 29 March 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

c. 1755

Passenger Ship
Occupation
Key Events
Key Places
Convict Record

Crime: theft
Sentence: 7 years