Henry Laing: Part 3 Convict to Free Settler
Henry Laing's new life had begun. He was assigned as a Government Servant to Stephen Burcher an emancipated convict and farrier from Liverpool. During this time Henry gained his apprentiship as a blacksmith.
After 7 years, and at Stephen Burcher's recommendation, a Ticket of Leave was granted to Henry on 27 Oct 1825, giving him the freedom to hire himself out or to be self employed within the Cumberland District before his sentence expired. The ticket of leave had to be renewed annually, and those with one had to regularly attend muster and church services.
Although the Ticket of Leave entitled Henry to acquire property or to marry he did neither of these until after he received his Certificate of Freedom on 22 Aug 1833.
Henry's first wife was the "widow" Rosanna Green, an Irish convict transported to Australia on the "Lady Davidson", 10 July, 1829. Henry, a protestant and Rosanna a Catholic, married in St Luke's Anglican Church, Liverpool, (Australia's oldest standing Anglican church) on 18 April, 1836.
After 7 years, and at Stephen Burcher's recommendation, a Ticket of Leave was granted to Henry on 27 Oct 1825, giving him the freedom to hire himself out or to be self employed within the Cumberland District before his sentence expired. The ticket of leave had to be renewed annually, and those with one had to regularly attend muster and church services.
Although the Ticket of Leave entitled Henry to acquire property or to marry he did neither of these until after he received his Certificate of Freedom on 22 Aug 1833.
Henry's first wife was the "widow" Rosanna Green, an Irish convict transported to Australia on the "Lady Davidson", 10 July, 1829. Henry, a protestant and Rosanna a Catholic, married in St Luke's Anglican Church, Liverpool, (Australia's oldest standing Anglican church) on 18 April, 1836.
Who knows what became of Rosanna Laing, there are no death records but Henry was asked to provide evidence of her death before he could marry another widow, Sarah Thompson on 24 December, 1844. (see separate posts about Sarah Weatherstone's colourful life!)
Henry had purchased a block of land (60 perches) the prior year at the price of 3s and 9d per perch. And this is where Henry built his blacksmith workshop, home and where he and Sarah raised their family.
Henry had purchased a block of land (60 perches) the prior year at the price of 3s and 9d per perch. And this is where Henry built his blacksmith workshop, home and where he and Sarah raised their family.
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