People Australia

William Ledgerwood (1804-1859), convict and constable

Birth: 23 March 1804 at Hammersmith, West London, England, son of John Spice Ledgerwood and Mary Caroline Harris. Marriage: (1) 1823 at Fulham, Middlesex to Maria (Mary Ann) Chalk. They had possibly had three children (according to a document in 1836 when he was refused permission to marry Elizabeth West in Sydney because he was already married). Two daughters have been documented. (2) By 1838 he was living with Julia Mahon in Sydney. They had nine children. Death: 11 October 1859 at Newcastle, New South Wales. He was buried at Tarro General Cemetery, Newcastle. Religion: Unknown. 

• William Ledgerwood was found guilty on 4 December 1828 at the Old Bailey, London, of stealing one tub of butter valued at 31 shillings from a cheesemonger. Sentenced to 7 years transportation he arrived at Sydney in May 1829 aboard the Norfolk.
• was granted a ticket of leave on 31 May 1834; was required to remain in the district of Patrick Plains
• received his certificate of freedom on 4 December 1835. He was described as being 5 feet 4½ inches tall, pock pitted complexion, dark brown hair and dark grey eyes.
• worked as police constable after his sentence expired and until his death.
• died after being thrown from his horse.