William Hanscombe Convict

William Hanscombe (1802–1873): A Life of Resilience and Legacy

Early Life
William Hanscombe was born in 1802 in Great Shelford, Cambridgeshire, England, to Samuel Hanscombe and Constance Hatley. He was baptised on 12 September 1802 in his hometown. The details of his early years are scarce, but by 1822, William became embroiled in a crime that would alter the course of his life.

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Trial and Conviction
On 22 July 1822, William stood trial at the Cambridge Assizes, accused of burglary alongside Edward Smith. The pair had broken into the home of James King of Melbourn and stolen silver table spoons, tea spoons, and other valuables. Convicted of the crime, William was initially sentenced to death. This severe sentence was later commuted to transportation for life.

After his trial, William was sent to the hulks at Portsmouth Harbour on 20 August 1822, awaiting transportation to New South Wales. In 1823, he boarded the convict ship Oceans (3), beginning his journey to the other side of the world.

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Life in New South Wales
Upon arrival in New South Wales, William was forwarded to Parramatta and later assigned to John Brown in Bathurst. This assignment placed him in one of the colony’s frontier regions, where convict labour was essential to developing settlements.

In January 1824, William faced punishment for "Improper conduct and neglect of duty." He received 50 lashes, with records suggesting that the incident involved the Martins, who had been part of his transfer to Bathurst. Despite this, William adapted to the rigours of convict life and fulfilled his obligations.

AI representation of a convict settlement

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A Conditional Pardon and Family Life
William’s life began to change after he received his Certificate of Freedom on 30 April 1834, followed by a Conditional Pardon on 22 April 1842. These milestones allowed him greater freedom and marked the beginning of his transition to settler life.

William partnered with Sarah Francois, who arrived in the colony in 1835 aboard the Duchess of Northumberland. Sarah had initially worked as a nursemaid in Sydney before joining William. Together, they had 11 children, establishing a large and influential family. Their children include:

1. 1. Susanna Hanscombe (b. 19 March 1842, Bathurst – d. 25 August 1906, Leichhardt) – Married Thomas White in 1889.
   2. William H. Hanscombe (b. 15 March 1844, Nimmitabel – d. 8 November 1912, Numbugga) – Married Catherine Carroll in 1867.
   3. Elizabeth Ada Hanscombe (b. 25 March 1846, Taylor’s Flat – d. 20 September 1900, Sydney) – Married Joseph Rolfe in 1871.
   4. Samuel Bernard Hanscombe (b. 27 July 1848, Taylor’s Flat – d. 1 July 1932, New South Wales) – Married Mabel Catherine Mangan in 1885.
   5. Mary Elizabeth Hanscombe (b. circa 1850, Kameruka – d. 1915, Penrith) – Married George McPaul in 1872.
   6. Sarah Ann Hanscombe (b. 29 March 1853, Bombala – d. 11 December 1908, Camperdown) – Married Richard Charles Spalding in 1895.
   7. Ellen Hanscombe (b. 18 June 1855, Wandella – d. 14 October 1904, Waverley) – Married Henry Harrison in 1897.
   8. Jane Hanscombe (b. 18 August 1857, Bega – d. 30 November 1909, Sydney) – Married Alfred John Curtis in 1880.
   9. Lydia Hanscombe (b. 9 August 1859, Eden – d. 17 August 1861, Bega).
   10. John Hanscombe (b. 27 September 1861, Bega – d. 30 April 1932, Taree) – Married Elvina Ythier in 1899.
   11. Henry James Hanscombe (b. 1 January 1865, Eden – d. 28 March 1905, Wentworth Falls), unmarried.
   
   

Despite their large family, no record exists of a marriage between William and Sarah Francois. Some family histories erroneously cite a marriage in Richmond in 1838, but this refers to John Anscombe, a convict who arrived on the Minerva, and Sarah Simmons. This error has often caused confusion in genealogical research.

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Legacy and Later Years
William settled with his family in the Monaro and Eden districts, where he worked as a farmer. His resilience and adaptability defined his life, allowing him to transition from a convict labourer in Bathurst to a family patriarch in regional New South Wales.

William died on 22 January 1873 in Wolumla, New South Wales, at the age of 71. He was buried in Bega Cemetery on 24 January 1873, leaving behind a legacy of strength, perseverance, and family.

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An Intriguing Detail: Lydia Fordham

Before his transportation, William married Lydia Fordham in England on 28 April 1822. While there is no evidence that Lydia accompanied William to Australia, the naming of his daughter Lydia Hanscombe suggests that her memory lingered. Whether this choice was intentional or coincidental remains a mystery, adding an intriguing layer to William’s story.

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