• Home
•  | 
• Login/Register
•  | 
• Help

My 3xgreat grandfather, George Fullick was transported from Headley, Hampshire to NSW, Australia aboard the ship Norfolk in 1829. He was one of 5 members of the Hampshire Fullicks transported to Australia at various times. His crime was committed at a time of great social unrest in rural England, especially the Home Counties. The enclosure of land between 1770 and 1830 changed English village life and resulted in vast estates being annexured by landowners. Families like George's could no longer grow vegetables or graze their animals on the common land. Their diet became limited to tea, bread and potatoes, supplemented by the inevitable poaching. 1829 was a year of low wages, a harsh winter and poor harvests. The average weekly wage for a labourer had fallen from 15 shillings in 1815 to 9 shillings, whereas the average expenditure for a rural family had risen to around 12 shillings and sixpence. The result was extreme poverty, bad diet and inadequate housing with little chance of bettering their situation. It is no wonder that rural crime rates increased by 30%, with poaching and stealing of food items becoming prevalent.

There once was lanes in natures freedom dropt
There once was paths that every valley wound
Inclosure came & every path was stopt
Each tyrant fixt his sign where pads was found
To hint a trespass now who crossd the ground
Justice is made to speak as they command
The high road now must be each stinted bound
-Inclosure thourt a curse upon the land
& tastless was the wretch who they existance pland
The Village Minstrel: Clare 1821

From Convict documents written at the time we know the following information about Geoge
Name of Convict: George Fullick- Port & Date of Departure- Spithead.
22.05.1829. Ship-Norfolk (2) Date of Arrival- 27.08.1829.
Convict Indent for the Ship Norfolk (2) A. Major Records.

1. Indents and related records.
Convict.Name :George Fullick Age: 39.
Hair Colour: Brown. Eye Colour: Grey.
Education Read & Write.
Religion Protestant.
Maritial Status Married.
No. of Children Eight.
Trade or Calling Ploughman Milks.
Offence: Stealing Flour.
Where Tried Winchester.
When Tried 13 January 1829.
Sentence 7 Years.
Former Convictions None.
Height Five Feet Five & Half Inches.
Complexion Dark Ruddy.
Native Place Hampshire
How Disposed of W.Sparke, Sydney.
Ticket of Leave: 34/194
Conditional Pardon.
Absolute Pardon
Certificate of Freedom 38/794.

2. Name: George Fullick - Allowed to remain in the District of Newcastle.
Ticket of Leave No. 34/794 26. 04. 1834.
Bench making Recommendation: Newcastle.
Remarks: Certificate of Freedom 38/794 dated 04 September 1838.

George went on to become a landed 'gentleman' in the Hexham district of NSW and for many years his descendants carefully forgot his years spent in Australia as a convict.

You must be logged in to post a comment regarding this story.