George Porter (1768–1828)
George Porter (1768-1828) was found guilty on 25 February 1789 at the Old Bailey, London, of stealing six silk handkerchiefs valued at 12 shillings, and a leather slipper valued at 2 shillings during a burglary. His death sentence was commuted to life transportation in September 1789. He remained at Newgate Gaol until he was dispatched to the Scarborough in November 1789 and arrived at Sydney in June 1790 as part of the Second Fleet.
Porter was sent to Norfolk Island in September 1791. He worked as a gardener and was single when he was transferred to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) on the City of Edinburgh in September 1808. Susannah Mortimer was also on the ship. Porter and Mortimer were married at Hobart on 21 November 1808; both signed the register with their mark. They had at least seven children.
Porter became a farmer in the New Norfolk area and later a constable. He was buried on 8 September 1828 at St David's, Hobart.
* information from Michael Flynn, The Second Fleet: Britain’s Grim Convict Armada of 1790 (1993), p 481-82
Additional Resources and Scholarship
- proceedings of trial, Old Bailey, London, 25 February 1789 (pdf)
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- Porter, Susannah (wife)
- O'Brien, Susannah (mother-in-law)
Citation details
'Porter, George (1768–1828)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/porter-george-31633/text39107, accessed 5 May 2025.