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Isaac Williams (c. 1758–1806)

Isaac Williams (c.1760-c.1806) was sentenced to 7 years transportation on 14 March 1787 at Stafford, Staffordshire for horse theft. He arrived at Sydney aboard the Matilda in August 1791. He had been sent to Norfolk Island by 1793 where in that year he had the first of six children with Rachel Hoddy; there is no record of a marriage. Williams worked as a labourer on the island.

Williams was sentenced to death in 1799 for raping Ann Beer. But after receiving a recommendation from the court's head, Captain John Townson, the former commanding officer of Norfolk Island, Governor Hunter decided on 31 January 1799 to extend 'Grace and Mercy' to Williams and pardon him of the crime on the condition that he continued to live on Norfolk Island for the rest of his natural life.

There are no colonial records for Williams after 1805. It is believed that he died on Norfolk Island around 1805-1806.

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Citation details

'Williams, Isaac (c. 1758–1806)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/williams-isaac-31794/text39261, accessed 4 December 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Alternative Names
  • Horeditch, Thomas
  • Allis, William
Birth

c. 1758
Staffordshire, England

Death

1806 (aged ~ 48)
Norfolk Island, Australia

Cause of Death

unknown

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.

Religious Influence

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.

Passenger Ship
Occupation or Descriptor
Social Issues
Convict Record

Crime: theft (livestock)
Sentence: 7 years
Court: Staffordshire
Trial Date: 14 March 1787
(1787)