People Australia

John Holmes (1789-1854), a labourer, was found guilty of larceny on 3 April 1817 at Taunton, Somerset. Sentenced to 7 years transportation he arrived at Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) aboard the Lady Castlereagh in June 1818. According to convict records he was 5 feet 8¾ inches tall, with a dark ruddy complexion, black hair and hazel eyes.

Holmes was assigned to Mr (William) Nicholls Snr. A number of infringements were listed in his conduct record:

• 15 May 1826, drunk and disorderly and ill-using his wife — reprimanded
• 22 September 1826, out after hours, Dis?
• 30 November 1827 — is bound over to keep the peace for three months towards Ellen his wife
• 20 November 1829, drunk last night — fined 5 shillings
• 26 December 1829, drunkenness — fined 5 shillings
• 19 March 1831, drunk last night — fined 5 shillings
• 30 January 1833, breach on no.2 in suffering Mary Ann Frickner to be in his house after 8 o'clock at night — fined 10 shillings
• 14 October 1833, assaulting and threatening Ann - his wife, who hath pray'd sureties of the peace — ordered to ? sureties to keep the peace 3 months.

Holmes married Eleanor Barras on 6 March 1823 in Hobart; they had one son and two daughters. A Mr Holmes left Tasmania for Adelaide, South Australia in May 1845 with his wife (neither of their first names were listed). A John Holmes died on 9 August 1854 at Adelaide. His age at death was given as 65 and cause of death was listed as decay of nature.