INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS

JOSEPH BUNTON - CONVICT, FREEMAN, FARMER   1796 - 1883

A resume of the facts known to date regarding his life, family and descendants (living and deceased) compiled by Ian James Bunton, one of his many great-great-grandchildren, from research carried out (intermittently) during the period 1981-1987

"In all of us there is a hunger, marrow deep, to know our heritage - to know who we are and where we have come from. Without this enriching knowledge, there is a hollow yearning.

"No matter what our attainments in life, there is still a vacuum, an emptiness, and the most disquieting loneliness."

(Alex Haley)

"All over this country live people whose forebears fought to procure an existence. For some the existence has become more comfortable and prosperous, while for others the spirit of the pioneer, of necessity, has never faded.

"Perhaps in this age it would be very easy to forget the hardships and the humour, but in the twilight old folk tell yarns and dream dreams.

"We must listen to them and pass on what they have told us, be it ever so unimportant to us now, for at some time in the future we will ask what it was like, or how it was done, and maybe then we will say ........

IF ONLY I'D LISTENED TO GRANDPA."

HIS BIRTH AND PARENTS

Joseph Bunton Snr was born in Essex, England C.1796. There is, however, some doubt about the year he was born as his death certificate (Longford, Tasmania) in 1883 shows his age as 87 years (birth year 1796) but his convict and court records state that in 1822 when he was convicted of theft) he was only 19, giving a birth year of 1803.

I have not been able to ascertain exactly where he was born or who his parents were as yet. I have corresponded with various members of the Essex Society for Family History and have received some helpful advice.

Joseph's convict record (prepared in Hobart on his arrival in 1823) states that his father and mother were living at Maldon in Suffolk. Maldon is in Essex (east of Chelmsford). However, there are towns of Moulton and Melton in Suffolk. They are not a long way from Colchester which was given as Joseph's place of residence in 1822.

I have had a preliminary investigation made of the parish records (St. Mary's) for Maldon but there is no record of Bunton marriages towards the end of the 18th century when his parents were probably married. Possibly an in-depth search on-the-spot may reveal more.

Joseph's convict record states that he had a tattoo on his left arm with the initials "A.T.B.&G.D.B". This could have been the initials of his parents? This may help to verify his parents if any Buntons are found in the records in Essex with these initials. (They both end with "B" for Bunton?)

CONVICT RECORDS

The earliest information about Joseph I have been able to find out concerns his court record from Colchester, Essex. In 1983 I received a letter from Mr. P.R.J. Coverley, the branch archivist, Essex Record Office, Colchester.

It shows that Joseph Bunton, alias "Bunting", appeared at the Colchester Borough Court of Quarter Sessions (midsummer session 1822 which commenced on 15 July) accused of two offences:

1. Stealing a watch worth 10s on 4 October 1821, the property of Robert Smith in the Parish of St. Botolph, colchester.
2. Stealing a looking glass and 5s together with Robert Bailey and James Cowell (who were also sentenced to transportation) on 30 October 1821, again from Robert Smith.

The court indictment gives his residence as "Colchester" and his occupation as "labourer".

The surviving relevant records (The Quarter Sessions file and minute book) are purely administrative court records and do not give any details of parentage or background or additional information to the above.

Joseph and his family were probably from a rural background. His occupation in his court and convict records lists "farm labourer/ploughman". This corresponds with him being assigned as a farm worker in New Norfolk (Hobart) soon after his arrival in Tasmania and later becoming a successful farmer in the Longford/Cressy district of  Northern Tasmania.

After being convicted, Joseph probably spent some time in the gaol in Colchester before being transferred to one of the many "hulks" (old ships used as prisons) which abounded in London's Thames river and other English ports.

From Colchester gaol he was probably sent straight to Portsmouth on the south coast of England as it was from there that he was transported by convict ship to his new "home" in Tasmania on the other side of the world!!

Life on the convict hulks in the early 1800s was very tough and no doubt many of the convicts rebelled against the military guards. Joseph's hulk report simply states "BAD" indicating that he was probably troublesome at some time while on the hulk at Portsmouth. His gaol report, however, states "GOOD" showing that he was a quiet prisoner while in the gaols in Colchester and in Hobart.

Joseph (our forebear) left England in the convict transport ship the "Albion" a 479 ton ship built in Bristol in 1813 and contracted by the owners to the British government to transport convicts to Australia. (The "Albion" made two trips to Australia - to Hobart in 1823 and to Sydney in 1828.)

The "Albion" left Spithead (Portsmouth) on 20 May 1823 with 200 male prisoners on board and "a guard of 32 rank and file of the 40th Regiment". The "Albion" travelled to Australia via the Cape of Good Hope (Capetown) and sailed into the Derwent River estuary, Hobart, on Tuesday 21 October 1823 - a journey of 154 days, or just over 5 months!!

ARRIVAL IN HOBART

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The "Hobart Town Gazette", the main newspaper of Tasmania at the time, had an account of the arrival of the "Albion":-
 

SHIP NEWS: On Tuesday last 21 October arrived from England the transport ship "Albion", Capt. W.R. Best, with 202 male convicts, two of whom having been taken in at the Cape of Good Hope at which port she touched on her passage, during which no deaths have been experienced on board. The "Albion" left Portsmouth and brings a guard of 32 rank and file of the 40th Regiment under orders of Lieutenant Low of the same regiment. The Surgeon-Superintendent is Dr. Mercer R.N. Passengers Mr & Mrs Sweetman and three daughters (who later went on to Sydney).

Remain in the harbour the ships "Albion" and "King George" (whaler) and the brig of Governor Philips.

The "Albion", having left England nearly 3 weeks previously to the ship "Mary", which brought female prisoners hers a fortnight ago, we derive no later English new by this arrival.

The male prisoners per the "Albion" were not landed this morning as intended owing to the weather being so unfavourable. They will, we understand, be disembarked on Monday (27 October).

The "Albion" will sail on Wednesday next for Sydney.

The prisoners from the ship "Albion" were landed on Monday (27 October) and, after the usual inspection by the Lieutenant Governor, were assigned to their several employments.

These prisoners had some cases of scurvy but none died on the passage and they landed in a generally healthy and orderly state.

Because of the various accents and untruthful information by the convicts, the details written down by the officials were quite often misleading or unintelligible.

Joseph Bunton's convict record taken down in Hobart on his arrival states:-

Bunton, Joseph. "Albion" 1823. Essex 15 July 1822. 7. (years sentence)
Transported for stealing a watch. Gaol report good. Hulk report bad. Single. Stated this offence - stealing a watch from one John ? Smith. Once in custody on suspicion - 3 days. Father and Mother at Maldon, Suffolk. Last lived with Mr. R. Smith a gardener.

Another separate entry in the records of the archive office of Tasmania (Hobart) (Ref. Con 23/1 & 31/1) states:-

(Convict No) 678 Bunton, Joseph.
Height 5'8", brown hair, age 20.
Trade Farm Labourer & Ploughman
Place of trial - Essex (England).
Date of trial - 15 July 1822
Sentence 7 years (transportation to the colonies)
Transported on the convict ship "Albion"
Native place - Colchester, Essex.
Tattoos/Distinguishing marks - crucifix & initials A.T.B/G.D.B.
    on left arm, scar on right arm.
FREE certificate issued 15 September 1832

IN HOBART TOWN

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After arriving in Hobart, Joseph probably spent some weeks (or months?) in the prisoners' barracks which were located in Campbell Street, Hobart. These barracks (later Campbell St. Gaol) dated from 1821 and were used to house newly arrived convicts waiting for assignment to settlers, work gangs or penal stations. (The buildings were demolished in 1963.)

FARM WORKER

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I believe that Joseph was then assigned to the Browning family of New Norfolk as a farm worker. It was usual for convicts to be put to work in occupations that they were familiar with and as he was a farm labourer/ploughman back in Essex it was logical that he should carry out similar work in his new country.

The witnesses to his marriage to Mary Riley in New Norfolk in 1832 were John and Ann Browning whom I originally thought may have been his employers. (In 1988 while researching Tasmanian birth, death and marriage records in the Latrobe Library (Melbourne) I found an entry for a birth to a John and Ann Browning - it listed the father as a "Stonemason" - not a farmer/settler.)

Joan Goodrick of Hobart, a well known author and local historian of the Hobart and New Norfolk areas has written to me (1983) suggesting that they may have been Joseph's employers.

The Brownings were among the first settlers in the Derwent Valley (although they are not listed as among those that came from Norfolk Island soon after Hobart was founded). The Browning property, where Joseph could have been employed, was very likely located close to New Norfolk, perhaps Lachlan or Sorell Creek, both about three kilometres from the township.

If true, Joseph worked on the Browning property for nine years (1823-1832) until he was granted his Certificate of Freedom.

FREEDOM

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A notice in this regard (grant of freedom) appeared in the September 21, 1832 edition of the "Hobart Town Gazette":-

Government Notice No. 240 - Colonial Secretary's Office
The periods for which the under mentioned persons were
transported, having expired, Certificates of Freedom have
been granted to them:-

    Thomas Smalley, 659, Lady East
     Joseph Bunton, 678, Albion

By command of the Lieutenant Governor, J.Burnett.

CONSTABLE BUNTON

Some puzzling information came to light through my late uncle, Vernon A. Bunton. He noted that in Hugh Anderson's book "Out of the Shadow", the career of John Pascoe Fawkner (who was one of the founders of Melbourne), mention is made on p54 of an incident that occurred in 1828 in Fawkner's "Cornwall" Hotel in Launceston. The incident, which is documented in police depositions (State Library of Tasmania Archives), states:-

In March 1828 he (Fawkner) was charged with assaulting and threatening Constable Barry. About eight o'clock on Saturday night, the first of the month, Barry, Bunton, and district constable Stonehouse, had paid a visit to the taproom and been bluntly told by Fawkner that he would shoot them if they came again .....

Serving as a constable often meant an earlier granting of freedom than was normal.

MARRIAGE

Joseph married Mary Riley in the year he received his "Free Certificate". May, who was possibly an assigned servant in the Browning household, probably came from Ireland.

They were married on 14 May 1832 in the St. Matthew's Church of England, New Norfolk, which is the oldest surviving church in Tasmania. It was consecrated in 1825.

The marriage was performed by the Rev. William Garrard who was the second chaplain to be appointed to the parish of New Norfolk and who served there from 1832-1847.

Ms. Goodrick considers, as I do, that going on the entry of their marriage, they were the first couple he married when he arrived in New Norfolk. At that time those of the Roman Catholic faith had no option bu to be married by a protestant minister as there were no Roman Catholic churches in Van Diemen's Land.

MARY RILEY

The only information concerning Mary Riley known to date was given by Ivy Mary Lyon (nee Bunton), daughter of John Philip Bunton. She was told that Mary Riley came from Everton in Ireland and that she came out to Van Diemen's Land as a "needle woman" aged 14 with the Harrison family (see note below).

There appears to be no town of Everton in Ireland. There is near Liverpool. The reference to the Harrisons is possibly explained by the information on that family mentioned later.

POST MARRIAGE

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Following their marriage, Joseph and Mary left the New Norfolk district and went north. This was probably due to the lack of opportunities in the area and the wish to acquire their own property on which to farm (and raise a family).

It is possible that on their way north (to the Norfolk Plains area) they gained positions for a short time with one of the Harrisson families (see note below) in the lower midlands district of Tasmania.

Ivy Mary Lyon (nee Bunton), daughter of John Philip Bunton, the second youngest surviving child of Joseph and Mary, was told when she was very young that her grandfather (Joseph) "worked as a shepherd for the Harrisson family down the midlands".

There were two Harrissons in the lower midlands. Robert Harrisson who established the "Woodbury" homestead at Antill Ponds in 1824. He, like Joseph Bunton, came from Essex arriving in September 1823 (one month before our forebear).

The other Harrisson was Peter who arrived in Van Diemen's Land in 1822. He was granted 700 acres near Jericho which he named "Grove House" after his mother's estate in England.

If Joseph and Mary did, in fact, work for "The Harrissons" I think it was probably the Robert Harrisson family at Antill Ponds as they were both Essex men and would have had something in common.

LONGFORD CRESSY ERA

By April 1835 Joseph and Mary were resident in the "Lake River" district (the Longford/Cressy area - also known as Norfolk Plains) south west of Launceston. They were to settle there, farm and raise their family of fourteen children!!!

The earliest official record of the Bunton family being resident in the Longford/Cressy (Lake River) district is in the birth records of Christ Church, Anglican Church, Longford and relates to Mary Bunton. The entry states:-

"Mary - born 6 April 1835 to Joseph and Mary Bunton, Lake River - Farmer"

Joseph possibly never owned his own farm until about 1862/1863 when the Lands Department records show he definitely owned the "Everton" land and was registered as "Purchaser - Enrolled".

From the information obtained over the past six years it is evident that Joseph either owned, managed or share farmed various properties in Cressy and Longford including "Blenheim", "Everton" and "Maldon" (the last two being named for the places that Joseph and Mary were born or came from in England, Ireland?).

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Records and early crown lands maps show that in 1863 Joseph  Bunton owned three 10 acre blocks on which the old "Everton" property was situated. He paid £41.8.6 for each block, probably at a government land sale.

The land in the area of the "Everton", "Maldon" and "Blenheim" properties was originally part of the Van Diemen's Land Co's holdings and are situated about four kilometres south of Longford township east of the main Cressy/Longford road towards the Macquarie River.

Joseph also owned at least another 40 acres where the "Maldon" homestead now stands.

The electoral roll for "Norfolk Plains" of September 1859 shows Joseph Bunton as being the lessee of property in Longford owned by William Dodery. This was probably the "Blenheim" farm.

Dodery, who was a large land & property owner in Longford, built the "Blenheim" hotel in Marlborough St., Longford which is one of the oldest hotels still standing in Tasmania. He later became the member of parliament for the district and was the M.P. for some years.

"Everton" was owned by the Bunton family until about 1931 and is now known as "Greenbanks". It is currently part of "Maldon" and is farmed by Nigel and Elizabeth Taylor.

Joseph Bunton Snr. farmed "Everton" until his death in 1883 when it passed to his son John Philip Bunton who died in 1921. His son Cyril was the last to work the property before it was sold to The Rev. Frederick Taylor and his wife.

The old house and the original large weather board barn (probably built by Joseph Snr.) still stand today but in disrepair. The farmhouse originally had a wood shingle roof and much iron lace work around the main entrance.

The farm was a highly productive one growing good crops of cereals, wheat, oats, barley etc. and also grazing - mainly sheep. It had a very large vegetable garden as well as assorted fruit trees including Kentish cherries which were purchased by neighbours for wine making.

DEATH AND BURIAL

Mary Bunton (Joseph's wife of nearly 50 years) died of heart disease & dropsy on 1st February 1881.

Joseph Bunton Snr. died of cancer (?) after a long illness on 10th August 1883.

They are buried in the old section of the Longford Wesleyan Cemetery in the Bunton family plot together with their two youngest children. George Blenheim Bunton and Frances Adelaide Bunton who died in 1858 and 1860 as infants.

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The grave, which is under the large old oak tree in the north east corner of the cemetery in Marlborough Street, was unmarked when it was finally located in 1985. It now has a makeshift metal plaque with their names on it fixed to the iron surround fence.

IN CONCLUSION

I can't help thinking of the sorrow our forebear Joseph must have felt during that long voyage on the "Albion" when he was sent, as a young man of 19, to the other side of the world for what today is considered a minor crime.

Although he committed a crime, was this punishment, never to see his family or Essex again, just??

I am, however, sure that he grew to love his new country of Tasmania and that his wife, large family and farming pursuits, compensated for the above.

These notes were prepared by Ian Bunton (great-great-grandson).

NOTE re Harrison / Harrisson families. Ian Bunton advises that:-

The Harrison / Harrisson is not a typo. In the documents I accessed there appeared to  be two different families ....both in the Midlands area.