Birth: 31st of July 1804
London England
Baptism: 21 October 1804
St Martins in the fields
Westminster London England
Departed from England: 12th of April 1823
Ship Name: Convict ship "Ocean"
Arrival To Australia: 27th of August 1823, Sydney
Marriage: 29th January 1833
St Lukes, Liverpool, Sydney,
N.S.W Australia.
Death: 6th of February Sandhurst, Victoria, Australia
William Price Wall and
wife Elizabeth Buckley
Children
Maria Louisa Wall: 1832 - 1833
Elizabeth Ellen Wall: 1834 - 1869
Eliza Charlotte Wall: 1837 - 1923
George Thomas Wall: 1839 - 1908
William James Wall: 1841 - 1842
Martha Mitchell Wall: 1846 - 1923
William Price Wall: 1848 - 1851
Matthew Henry Wall: 1849 - 1900
Sarah Jane Wall: 1851 - 1923
Edward Charles Wall: 1855 - 1895
Ann Wall: 1856 - 1856
Walter Wynn Wall: 1859 - 1860
Frederick Wall: 1861 - 1862
The Story of William Price Wall
William was born on the 31st of July in London England to William Wall (Born in Ireland) and Sarah Price (Born in Ireland)
William was baptised 21st of October 1804 in the St-Martin-in-the-Fields - Church of England, which is situated at the north East Corner of Trafalgar Square in the city of Westminster London.
At the time of Williams Birth Westminster had a population of about 165,000 people and was a mixture of the extremely rich and poor people of society.
Not much can be found on the very early life of William, I pick up his story on the 17th of April 1822 for “pocket picking” he was accused of stealing a handkerchief.
William was first tried at the Old Bailey on the 17th of April 1822 for “pocket picking” he was accused of stealing a handkerchief.
Old Bailey Transcription (Reference Number t18220417-82)
William Price Wall: was indicated for stealing on the 3rd of April, one handkerchief, value 2s, the goods of Stephen Curtis from his person.
Stephen Curtis: I am a leather cutter, and live in Fore Street, Cripplegate. On the 3rd of April I was in Redcross-Street, and felt something at my pocket: I missed my handkerchief, and upon turning round saw the prisoner and another lad close behind and the handkerchief at his heels: he must have dropped it, it could have fallen from no other person: it was rather exposed- he appeared distressed.
James Tucker: I was coming along between nine and ten o’clock in the morning, and saw Curtis Seize the prisoner, and saw prisoner drop the Handkerchief.
Property Produced and sworn to
Prisoner Defence: “I throw myself on your mercy!”
William was found Guilty at the age of 19 with the recommendation of Mercy, he was sent to Confined for 3 months to Newgate Prison and whipped. William would have received his whipping within or just outside of Newgate Prison as by this time Public Whippings were being phased out. From documents read from the Old Bailey of this time in history its safe to say he would have been whipped until his back bled.
You would think that William would have learnt his lesson the first time he was sentenced and whipped for stealing a handkerchief.
Not even three months after his release from Newgate prison we find him at it again!!
On the 25th of October 1822 he was accused of Stealing a silk Handkerchief from John Greensill.
WILLIAM PRICE WALL was indicted for stealing, on 25th of October- one handkerchief, value 1 s. The goods of John Greensill from his person.
JOHN GREENSILL: I am a clerk in the Ordnance Office, and live at Islington. On the 25th of October, between one and two o'clock, I was in Ball-alley, walking towards the Bank. I had a silk handkerchief in my pocket - I felt a twitch at it, and upon turning round saw the prisoner putting something into his pocket. Nobody but him was near enough to take my handkerchief; I felt and missed it - he ran past me into George-yard, and turned into Lombard-street. I kept calling Stop thief! he was stopped. I merely lost sight of him while turning the corner. I am certain he is the man. The handkerchief was produced - he appeared alone.
WILLIAM HENDERSON: I am shopman to Mr. Carter of Lombard-street. As I came to George-yard, the prisoner rushed by me, and crossed to go up Three King-court, running in a direction from the cry. I pursued, and he was stopped a few yards up the court. I found the handkerchief in his hand, which I gave to the constable with him. He said he had picked nobody's pocket, before any questions were put to him.
JOHN WATSON: I heard the cry of Stop thief, and saw the prisoner running up Three King-court. I was in the court, and stopped till he came up - he said, “Don't stop me;" I seized him, and saw the handkerchief in his hand. Henderson took it from him.
HENRY TAYLOR: I took the prisoner in charge with the handkerchief.
(Property produced and sworn to.)
Prisoner: I throw myself on your mercy.
William Once again he begged for mercy, unfortunately for him he was found guilty and his sentence was to be transported for life to Australia. He was 19 years of age.
What must have been going through his mind at this time of his young life is anyone’s guess, knowing he was about to be sent to the other side of the world not knowing what would await him.
It is not clear from the date he was convicted if he was sent back to New-gate-prison but by the 11th of January 1823 we find him on a prison hulk (prison hulks were floating prisons as a temporary accommodation for prisoners usually because of over-crowded prisons, the ships were decommissioned war ships converted to accommodate prisoners. Conditions on these ships were often unhygienic.
William Spent at least 2 ½ months aboard the prison hulk before being transported to the Ship ”Ocean 2” which set off on the 24th of April 1823 under the command of William Harrison. The ship boarded 173 male convicts, six of them died on the voyage, the ship left Portsmouth and arrived at Port Jackson on the 27th of August 1823.
Upon Williams arrival he was put into the employ of the New South Wales government in Newcastle, its not quite clear in documentation found but more information moving on states that he was one of the many convicts that built The Great North Road that would eventually connect The Hunter Valley to Sydney
I found William in the NSW muster list (1823, 1824, 1825)
Its not clear if he was part of a chain gang to begin with (Men Chained together as they worked)
By 1827 he is documented as working on the road gang for the Great North Road and was road party 28
Normally if these men from the chain gangs behaved, they were sent to the road parties that didn’t wear the leg chains.
1828 he is found in the census as working with road party 27
From what I have researched some of the tasks and techniques were
Jumping and Blasting
Stone Slabs were cut using this method, by hand drilling holes using a jumper bar which was hit with a sledge hammer then rotated ¼ turn and hit again. The holes were then filled with gunpowder, capped with clay and ignited to blast away the rock face.
Wedge pits
A line of steel wedges was hammered into the rock. The wedges were then struck with a heavy maul or heavy hammer until the stone split along the line of the wedge pits.
By 1830 he is found as working with Newcastle Bridge Party, convicts were usually sent onto the bridge parties after they had acquired skills from the road parties.
By 1832 William obviously had enough of the hard labour he had been assigned to, working all day through the harsh elements of the Australian continent would have been very taxing on his body, the heat of the Australian Summer would have especially been hard on him, as his home country of England probably wouldn’t have experienced 40 to 45 degree heat waves.
He absconded in March 1832 from number 23 road gang.
He was apprehended by the 28th of March 1832 (newspaper article from the NSW Government Gazette.)
He was nearly 10 years into his life sentence, he probably would have been punished for his escape but I can’t find any evidence of any punishment.
His escape obviously wasn’t frowned upon that much as he was given his ticket of leave on the 9th of October 1832 issued for Liverpool just 7 months after his escape, it was later altered to Parramatta 17th of November 1832.
William applied to Marry Elizabeth Buckley and was approved they married on the 29th of November 1832 they had already welcomed their first daughter into the world Maria Louisa Wall. She had been born on the 4th of October 1832 in Parramatta. This was just before William received his ticket of leave. This then poses the question, did William on his previous escape meet up with his soon to be wife Elizabeth Buckley before getting caught and sent back or was Maria Louisa Wall in fact at all Williams child?
Unfortunately, Maria died just a couple of weeks after the wedding on the 13th of February 1833.
Birth of Daughter Elizabeth Ellen Wall – 20th September 1834
1834 – Ticket of Leave cancelled for gross prevarication in giving evidence, 10 December 1834 (State Records Reel 918 & NSW Government Gazette 14 January 1835) 1836 – Ticket of Leave restored for Parramatta district, 17 July 1836. Altered to Maitland (State Records Reel 925 and NSW Government Gazette 3 August 1836) 1837 – Aged 30 and employed by Edward Atkinson in the Maitland district (General Return of Convicts in 1837)
Birth of Daughter Eliza Charlotte Wall 23rd of April 1837
Birth of Son George Thomas Wall 26th of May 1839
Birth of Daughter Mary Anne Wall about 1840
Birth of Son William James Wall born August 1841 – Died 29th of November 1842
1843 – Received a Conditional Pardon dated 1 October 1842 (State records Internet site, and State Records Fiche 828 (page 216) and NSW Government Gazette 26 January 1844 and 20 November 1849)
William had obviously come a long way from his criminal past, as he now had a tailor shop, I can’t find any information on this shop but he had an advertisement in the "The Maitland Mercury", Maitland, NSW, Australia on the 22nd of April 1843. (This shop was possibly in George Street Maitland)
Notice.
As it is my intention to dispose of my,
business and leave this part of the colony,
I hereby beg to request all persons indebted to
me to settle their respective accounts within two
months from this date, otherwise proceeding
will be taken to recover the same, without any
respect to persons.
William Price Wall
Tailor
Birth of Daughter Martha Wall born the 1st of February 1946
William was recorded as being a Tailor on Martha’s birth certificate
By the 10th of May 1848 William had applied for a general license for the Bucks Head-West Maitland.
"The Maitland Mercury", Maitland, NSW, Australia
Adjourned Licensing Day. Yesterday the bench met in petty sessions to consider the postponed applications for publicans' licenses, as well as a few new applications. The following was the result: - New Applications. - William Price Wall, Buck's Head, West Maitland, for a general license, and for the interval to the 30th June, both refused.
By the 3rd of November 1849 William Had decided it was time for a change, it was the time of the great gold rush and news from America that there were discoveries of gold probably prompted his next big decision in life, he was about to sell up everything he owned and move his whole family to the goldfields of California!
Judging by the next article found in the “Maitland Mercury newspaper” on the 3rd of November 1849 William had done rather well for himself.
"The Maitland Mercury", Maitland, NSW, Australia;
The Proprietor being on the eve of his departure for California.
Mr. JEREMIAH LEDSAM has been honoured with instructions from Mr. W. P. Wall, preparatory to his departure from the colony for California, to sell by public auction, on the Ground, on Monday, the 19th day of November 1849, at Eleven o'clock, a.m.,
All that PIECE or PARCEL of LAND, situate and lying in the town of West Maitland, having a frontage of 50 feet to Charles street, by a depth of 76 feet (nearly opposite the magnificent Roman Catholic Chapel).
On which are erected
Two neat, comfortable, substantial (Verandah) BRICK COTTAGES.
No. 1 containing 3 Rooms, viz., one Front Parlour, I8 feet by 14 feet, height 12.feet; two Bed Rooms, each 8 feet by 13 feet, height 12 feet; Kitchen detached,
At present rented at the nominal sum of 5s. per week.
No. 2 The residence of the proprietor, containing Five Rooms, Kitchen, first-rate Oven, splendid Well of pure water, detached Outbuildings, Stable, furnished with the requisite appurtenances, &c.
Title Unexceptionable.
Purchaser to defray legal expense of conveyance.
Terms:—50 per cent, cash deposit on the fall of the hammer; the residue upon the execution of the conveyance, for which fourteen days will be allowed from the day of sale.
AFTER WHICH,
Splendid Lot HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, consisting of cane-seated and other Chairs, superior set D. dining, toilet, and other Tables, Sofas, Bookcase, Pier Glass, Paintings, Pictures, Fender and Fire-irons, Chest Drawers, Bedsteads, Wash-hand Stands, Toilet Glasses, -&c.
A quantity of KITCHEN UTENSILS too numerous to particularise
A quantity of MISCELLANEOUS PROPERTY
A number of BEE HIVES (in sets).
Mr. Ledsam respectfully invites the attention of the public to the Sale of the Valuable Town Properties now advertised, situate and lying in an important and leading thoroughfare, known as Charles-street, and nearly opposite the magnificent Roman Catholic Chapel. Upon these extensive premises the Proprietor has expended large sums of money, to render them complete. They are especially worthy the attention of parties solicitous to acquire West Maitland Town Properties; and as it is the settled purpose of the Proprietor to proceed without delay to California, they may be obtained on highly advantageous terms. A Luncheon provided. Principal Elizabeth Buckley
17th of November 1849 Extended conditional Pardon, this pardon allowed William to go anywhere in the world except for the UK and Ireland
"The Maitland Mercury", Maitland, NSW, Australia;
EXTENDED CONDITIONAL PARDONS. His Excellency the Governor directs it to be notified that, in accordance with the regulation dated 2nd December, 1846, the conditional pardons granted to the undermentioned persons have been so far enlarged as to enable the holders to proceed to any part of the world except the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland: William Price Wall, Ocean 3.
26th of December 1849
"The Maitland Mercury", Maitland, NSW, Australia; Mr. William Nicholson. SIR—Observing an article in the Maitland Mercury of the 22nd instant, headed "CALIFORNIA, 5.000 COFFINS." the undersigned being on the eve of his Departure for the above-named place - and you are desirous of entering upon the spec, begs to offer himself as an AGENT. From his long experience in the colony, say 26 years, thinks a good business might be done, and flatters himself with an old Hearse, and a ? countenance, will be able to undertake the Subjects, however grave they may appear; in any quantity not exceeding 5,000. And if I never return from the regions of Gold, Why your beautiful face I shall never behold. I am told sharks are plentiful there – I have some good fishing tackle. Have you any rude telescopes on hand? I may go further, and fare worse—and stop here, and get less. - I have the honour to be, your most obedient servant, W. P WALL Maitland, Dec 24, 1849.
1850 Cleared out of the colony set off for California USA
William along with his wife and six children left for California on the Barque “William and Mary” a ship of 536 - ton, ship Capitan was Capitan Peters. The ship left Sydney on the 27th of February 1850.
I can’t find much on the time the Wall family was in California Further research is needed.
11th of January 1851
News was coming from the gold Fields of California
"The Maitland Mercury", Maitland, NSW, Australia; Deaths. At San Francisco, from cholera and diarrhoea, William, infant son of W. P. Wall, of Maitland, aged 2 years and 9 months.
Birth of Daughter Sarah Jane Wall (My great grandmother x 3)
Born the 20th of October 1851 San Francisco – California USA
This date of birth may not be accurate as I’ve found no evidence to back it up, William had come back to Australia by 1852 and it’s a high possibility that Sarah Jane may have been born at sea.
Possibly on the ship The Novelty which arrived on Saturday evening, sailed from San Francisco on the 28th of November 1851
They had returned to Australia by 1852
13th of March 1852
It seems William tried again to attain a publican’s licence, this time he was successful.
"The Sydney Morning Herald", Sydney, NSW, Australia;
AN ADJOURNED LICENSING MEETING was held in the Court House before the justices in Petty Sessions, for the purpose of receiving applications from persons wishing to transfer publicans' licenses. The following transfers took place, viz., from Allan Finnigan, of the Farriers' Arms, Duck River, Sydney Road, to William Price Wall.
4th of June 1853 Letter
Golden Gully, Bendigo Creek, VIC, Australia; Mr Abraham Buckley Engineer Mr Burnes Steam flower Mills Paramatta N. S Wales Golden gulley Bendigo Creek June 4th – 1853
A letter written by William Price Wall to his brother -in law Abraham Buckley
Dear brother and sister this comes with Our love to you hoping to find you And all your family in good health as This leaves us all at present I can’t Possibly make out the reason I have Not heard from you this makes the Fourth letter I have sent to you But I suppose you did not get them Or I should have surely have got some Of them Dear brother I intend Please god to Stop until next Spring or perhaps longer As long as I can make 2 or 3 ounces per Week I will stay as I have laid in 7 Months provisions 7 sacks of flower 4 hundred of sugar soap 50 Pounds of Split peas salt vinegar Coffee mustard And many other little things for the Winter I have only want’ to lookout for Beef gold and good health I heard You was about coming to the diggings I think you had better stop where You are at least until I come Back as the diggings at present is Not very favourable but if you Should come be sure to make me Out and I will put you in the Proper way to go to work mind work It is but nice work when you get Your wages I have made between 6 and 7 hundred pounds since I have Been here but have done very little This last 6 months your mother and Martha and Duffie and Wife and William Buckley are all at the diggings At the Ovens Mrs Turner and her husband Is there also Rations is very dear Flower 10 pounds per Bag Peas 3s Coffee 3s Cheese 3s.6d butter 5s Beef 6d pr Pound Gin Rum Brandy 1 Pound pr Bottle Port wine 15s.20d give our kind respects To Tommy your son in law his wife And family NB Remember me to Mr and Mrs Dun The publican also the carpenter at the Mill in short to all enquiring Friends No more at present from Your loving Brother and sister W. P. and Elizabeth Wall Also give our love to William and His wife our children all join In love to these cousins W. P Wall If you should answer this Direct W. P Wall golden Gulley Bendigo creek Melbourne And please to put a stamp on And then it will be sure to Come safe Send us what news About the Sydney diggin’s God by W. P. W; Recipient Abraham Buckley
Birth of son Edward (Charles) was born in1855 in Sandhurst Victoria Australia, recorded as “Edward Wall”
Birth of Daughter Ann Wall 1856
Birth of Son Walter Wynn Wall 1859
Birth of Son Frederick Wall 1861
15th of February 1883 William and Elizabeth celebrated their golden wedding anniversary
"The Maitland Mercury", Maitland, NSW, Australia; A Golden wedding. Last evening (says the Sandhurst Observer) there was a very pleasant family re-union at the Unicorn Hotel, Forest-street, Sandhurst, when the golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. W. P Wall was celebrated by a banquet. The company numbered about 86. Mr. H. Purcell occupying the chair, and Mr. D. O'Keeffe the vice-chair. At the termination of the banquet the chairman paid a high compliment to Mr. and Mrs. Wall referring to the pleasing nature of the re-union of a large family circle, which was comprised of 16 sons and daughters, 57 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren, or a total of 84. Mr. D. O’Keefe also spoke in flattering terms of Mr. and Mrs. Wall, whom he had known for many years. The united ages of the happy couple is - 144 years, Mr. Wall being 77, and Mrs, Wall 67 years of age. The latter is a native of Parramatta, New South Wales. [The persons referred to were residents of West Maitland, for many years.]
William Passed away on the 6th of February 1890 in Sandhurst Victoria
He was laid to rest at White Hills Cemetery-Bendigo
Plot Number-11309 Mon A4
Written and Researched-by Jodie Bonello
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