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:
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.
'Holmes, John (1789–1854)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/holmes-john-34415/text43198, accessed 14 February 2025.
4 March,
1789
Donyatt,
Somerset,
England
9 August,
1854
(aged 65)
Adelaide,
South Australia,
Australia
Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.
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.
Crime: theft (house)
Sentence: 7 years
Court: Somerset
Trial Date: 3 April 1817
(1817)
Children: Yes (3)