People Australia

Joseph Owen (c.1719-1790), who was listed in some records as Thomas Owen, was found guilty on 12 March 1785 of receiving stolen goods (five linsey aprons, woollen stockings, and a bedgown) from Mary Davis/Davies at Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England. At the age of 65 he was sentenced to 14 years transportation and was sent to the Dunkirk hulk where he behaved 'very well'. He arrived in Sydney aboard the Friendship in January 1788. Ralph Clark noted that he had no trade, was aged 60 and was born in Shropshire.

Owen lived with John Turner at Port Jackson. He was not capable of looking after himself. On 12 May 1790 he fainted at the store while waiting for his provisions and died at the hospital the next day. His stomach was found to be empty.

* information from Mollie Gillen, The Founders of Australia: A Biographical Dictionary of the First Fleet (1989), p 271