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William Presnell (1764–1839)

William Presnell was sentenced to life imprisonment for stealing horned cattle. He arrived in Sydney in 1798 aboard the Barwell. In 1800 he was sent to Norfolk Island where he began a relationship with Ann Fowler. They moved to Tasmania in 1808. He was granted a conditional pardon on 25 May 1816. By 1819, Presnell owned 80 acres of land, 10 under wheat and the remaining pasture. He had 5 horses, 34 cattle, 600 sheep and 200 grain in hand. He was still farming in 1929.

Citation details

'Presnell, William (1764–1839)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/presnell-william-29752/text36829, accessed 29 March 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

1764
Chelmsford, Essex, England

Death

14 June, 1839 (aged ~ 75)
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Cause of Death

general debility

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

Passenger Ship
Occupation
Convict Record

Crime: theft
Sentence: life
Court: unknown