The following are all the convicts and settlers by the name of Perkins who arrived in NSW between 1788 and 1838. I have also included the name Parkins, as the spelling is often confused in the official records of the colony. Just to add to the confusion the names 'Perkins' and 'Jenkins' were often used interchangeably.
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Born 1806. He arrived in NSW aboard the 'England' in 1826. The 'England' arrived in New South Wales on 18 September 1826 carrying 148 convicts. There were no fatalities during the voyage.
The 1828 Muster records Emanuel Perkins, 28 years old, Government Servant, arrived aboard the England sentencedin 1826 to life transportation, He was a Protestatnt and a Labourer to Mrs Jenkins, Bumbarlow, Argyle. The 1837 Muster lists him as 'Arthur Perkins' aged 31 and living at Campbelltown, being in possession of a ticket of leave.
1837 General Return of Convicts in NSW records him as aged 22, having arrived on the Mary Ann in 1835, and working for Messrs MacArthur at Camden.
The 1837 General Return of Convicts in NSW records him as 28 years of age and living with or working for Sarah Galvin of Narellan.
Sentenced at Plymouth in 1785 to 7 years. His age was given as 57. Arrived with the First Fleet aboard the Friendship. In 1793 he married Mary Donnavan, a convict who arrived aboard the Neptune. I could find no children from this union. The only possibility is a William Perkins born 1799, died 1867 who lists "Mary" has his mother (ref 6019). I have not viewed the death certificate so I cannot be sure about this.
Sentenced at Durham in 1787 to life. Arrived with the Second Fleet.
Born c.1786, Edward Perkins was sentenced to 7 years transportation in 1818.
The Morley arrived in NSW 7 November 1818 having sailed from the Downs, England on 18 July 1818, taking 112 days. 164 male convicts embarked and 163 arrived in NSW. The Master was Robert R Brown and the surgeon was John Whitmarsh. On 17 Nov 1818 Edward is on a list of convicts embarked from the Morley and forwarded to Parramatta for distribution (Colonial Secretary's papers: Reel 6006; 4/3499 p 147).
In the 1822 Muster Edward is recorded as being a government servant in the employ of a Mr Walker of Parramatta. Although the 1823-25 Muster records Edward as free by servitude it still records him as being a government servant in the employ of Mr Nash of Parramatta.
The November 1828 muster records "Perkins, Edward, 42 Free by servitude, Morley 2, tried 1818 to 7 years, protestant, Hostler at Mrs Walker, Parramatta.
Edward was a free settler who arrived in the colony with his son. He is recorded in the 1822 Muster as a shipwright living at Windsor. He worked in the colony as a carpenter and shipwright and built the 'Elizabeth'.
The 1823-25 Muster records that he died 25 Aug 1825[?] at the Hawkesbury. The year is probably 1823. Thre is a record of a Memorial on 16 Dec 1824 (Fische 3105; 4/1837A No 762 pp 45-8) and a Reply dated 24 Dec 1824(Reel 6014; 4/3513 p150)
Elizabeth was sentenced at Bristol on 15 July 1816.
14 Jan 1818 Elizabeth is on a list of convicts on board the 'Friendship' (Reel 6047; 4/1740 p63 Colonial Secretary's papers)
30 Jan 1818 Wife of George Perkins - on list of prisoners embarked on 'Duke of Wellington' for the Derwent (Reel 6006; 4/3488 p 37).
Elizabeth died about ten years later in Tasmania.
James was sentenced to transportation for life at Durham in August 1796. He was then recorded as aged 38. He arrived in New South Wales in 1798 aboard the 'Barwell', and spent most of his time in the colony at Parramatta. There is no record of James in either the 1801 or the 1805 Musters.
On Saturday, 25 May 1805 the Sydney Gazette published this report regarding
a sitting of the Bench of Magistrates:
"John Mealing, Richard Clifton, Thomas Bryan and James Perkins (also
committed from Hawkesbury) were examined on evidence stated by disposition,
charging the prisoners individually with having either stolen or received
knowing to be stolen, a number of pigs the property of Mr A Thompson whose
personal attendance proving necessary their further examination was deferred.
Saturday 1 June 1805 Bench of Magistrates: Clifton, Perkins, Mealing and
Bryan who were last week brought before the Bench upon a charge of stealing
and receiving knowing to be stolen pigs the property of Mr A Thompson, underwent
a final examination at which the prosecutor had been ordered to attend.
The prisoners were accused upon the disposition of Spital, a party concerned,
which went to state that Mealing and Bryan were accessories to the fact
of stealing and to accuse Clifton and Perkins as receivers of the property
at various times. Other evidence appearing to prove the charge against the
two former, the court in consideration of their circumstances in the colony,
being both prisoners for life, thought proper to sentence them to corporal
punishment and the gaol gane. Clifton and Perkins were fully committed to
take their trial before a Court of Criminal Jurisdiction.
On 24 Jul 1813 he received his ticket of leave and was struck off the victualling list (Colonial secretarial papers Reel 6002; 4/3492 p. 521).
There is a record of the death of 'James Perkions, aged 70 who died August 1816 and was buried on 26 August 1816 at St Johns Church of England, Parramatta. It is likely that this is the record of James' funeral.
James arrived in NSW aboard the Grenada on 21 October 1819. On 30 Oct 1819 he was disembarked from the 'Grenada' and forwarded to Emu Plains for distribution (Reel 6007; 4/3501 p 4: Colonial Secretary's papers).
James appears on a list of Government Labourers at Emu Plaints on 17 July 1820 (Reel 6049; 4/1745 p 184: Colonial Secretary's papers). 1822 Muster has him as a Government Servant, serving 7 years and working for a T. Milford at Liverpool.
On 2 Feb 1824 he was transported to Port Macquarie per the "Lady Nelson", after being sentenced for theft, on return of fines and punishment inflicted by the bench of Ewan. By 31 March 1824 he was on Henry Cox's clearing party (Reel 6019; 4/3864 pp 108, 460-1; Reel 6023; 4/6671 p68: Colonial Secretary's papers). In the 1823-25 Muster he is recorded as being a government servant employed by Mr Henry Cox at Castlereagh and Evan. Some time between 1823-25 he must have been granted a pardon as he is recorded in the same Muster as being the employer of John Nowlan, convict of the Earl St Vincent, who arrived in 1818 sentenced to 7 years. By then he had settled in the Castlereagh area.
James was 27 years old in 1838 when he was tried and convicted at Tipperary, with another man, for rape. They were sentenced to death, but the sentence was later commuted to transportation for life. With other defendant was John Murphy, a resident of Tipperary.
The Clyde I (on its third voyage to NSW) arrived in NSW on 10 September 1838 having sailed from Dublin on 11 May 1838. The voyage took 122 days with only one fatality among the 216 convicts. The Master was Jn Matches and the surgeon was Jn Smith.
The 1805 muster lists him as being a 'soldier'. The 1805 muster also lists him as living with a Christina White 'Experiment', who had a ticket of leave. A Catherine White of Hants. was sentenced on the 19 July 1803 to 7 years transportation and arrived in Sydney aboard the Experiment on 12 June 1804.
The following births are recorded for John and Catherine Perkins:
1805 Hannah, 1807 John. 1809 Sarah, 1910 Sarah, 1811 Elizabeth, 1813 Thomas, 1815 William
There is a record of a John Perkins marrying a Catherine White in 1810 (ref V1810945 3A/1810 ) at Sydney, St Phillip's, Church of England. It seems probable that "Christina" White and "Catherine" White are the same person, and that the 1805 Muster contains a mistake as to her first name.
The 1822 Muster records Hannah as "Hannah Perkhins, 17, Born in Colony, Sydney. Sarah, Elizabeth Thomas and William are recorded as living in Sydney and are recorded as "Child of C White". John's son John does not appear in this muster.
John died in July 1810, and was buried on 7 July 1910 at St Phillips Church of England, Sydney (ref V1810 2526 2A and V1810 96 5). The burial record records that he was a private in the 102 Regiment and was aged 30 years old. It is hard to see how this could be the same John Perkins as Catherine has three children to him after this date!
The 1828 Muster lists his son, William, as 14 yo, born in colony, apprentice of Robert Pickles, George Street, Robert Pickles was a sadler. He was 46 yo in 1828, free by servitude, arrived "Indefatigable", tried 1814 to 14 years, Protestant, George Street, Sydney.
Born c. 1798. Sentenced in 1820 to transportation for Life. He arrived aboard the Coromandel on 4 April 1820.
10 Apr 1820 On List of convicts disembarked from the 'Coromandel' and forwarded to Windsor for distribution (Reel 6007; 4/3501 p333: Colonial Secretary's Papers).
Listed in the 1822 Muster as a convict serving 7 years and working as a Government Servant for A. Doyle at Windsor. The 1823-25 Muster records John as being a government servant employed by Edmund Doyle of Wilberforce. The 1828 Muster listed him as "John Perkins, 30 years old, Government Servant, Coromandel, sentenced 1820 to life, Protestant, Labourer to Edwin Doyle, Portland Head.
1828 Muster: John Perkins, 26 yo, Asia, sentenced 1824 to 7 years, Protestant, Road gang 14 Kissing Point.
Sentenced at Warwick 1789 to 7 years. Arrived with the Third Fleet. There are no less than four records of death for a Joseph Perkins in 1791 or 1792. There is no mention of him in the 1801 and 1805 Musters so it must be assumed that he died shortly after his arrival in New South Wales.
Born c. 1798, Joseph was sentenced in 1822 to 7 years transporation. He arrived in the colony in 1822 aboard the Guildford. on 24 July 1822 he is on a list of convicts landed from the "Guildford" and forwarded to Parramatta for distribution. He was assigned the same day (Reel 6009; 4/3506 p 74; Fiche 3291; 4/4570D p 96: Colonial Secretary's Papers).
Listed in the 1822 Muster as a convict serving a seven year sentence. He was at the time employed as a government servant by H. McArthur of Parramatta. The 1823-25 Muster records that he was still working for Hannibal McArthur at Bringelly during that time. On 9 Dec 1824 he appears on a list of convicts in the employ of Hannibal MacArthur (Reel 6017; 4/5782 p 158: Colonial Secretary's Papers).
The Sydney Gazette carried a notice on 5 January1826 that Joseph Perkins "Guildford" (5) had absconded from service.
The 1828 Muster records him as "Joseph Perkins, 30 yo. free by servitude, Guildford (4), sentenced 1822 to 7 years, Protestant, shoemaker at Township G. Plains."
Mary was sentenced in London on 23 February 1813 to 7 years transportation. The 1822 Muster records her as the wife of B Jamison, at Parramatta. There is a record of a Sarah Perkins marrying a Benjamin Jamison in 1821 (ref V18212665 3B/1821 ) so it seems likely that most people addressed her as Sarah.
Benjamin Jamieson (Jamison) arrived aboard the Royal Admiral in 1800 as a convict serving as seven year sentence, and in 1822 he was recorded as free by servitude and being a landholder. The 1823-25 Muster records him as a Publican residing on the 'Western Road'. I could find no children from this marriage. The 1823-25 Muster records her as living at Parramatta with her husband and records her name as 'Sarah'.
Sentenced in Yorkshire in 1817 to 7 years transportation. In the 1822 Muster he is recorded as a Nailer living at Sydney. On 8 Sep 1821 he is recorded as a Shipwright, on a list of persons victualled from H.M. Magazine (Reel 6016; 4/578, p76: Colonial Secretarys papers).
9 Jul 1825 Memorial (Fiche 3149; 4/1843B No 644 pp 1075-8) Reply 13 Jul (Reel 6015, 4/3515 p 25: Colonial Secretary's papers).
In 1826 there is a record of Peter Perkins being christened at Sydney, St James', Church of England (V1826 324 12 and V1826 8521 1C), with parents Peter and Elizabeth.
The 1828 Muster has a great deal of information about Peter: "Peter Perkins, aged 29, free by servitude, arrived Larkins, sentenced 1817 to 7 years, Protestant, Nailmaker, Clarence Street, Sydney. Two children listed: George 4, born in colony, Peter 3, born in colony. In addition there are a number of people recorded as living and/or working with him: Thomas Andrews aged 53, free by servitude, "Atlas", sentenced 1818 to 7 years, Protestant, Chairmaker; Joseph Boddington, aged 26, free by servitude, "Neptune", tried 1818 to 7 years, Protestant, Nailer. He also has a 'lodger': John Smith aged 14 born in colony. Elizabeth Overett, aged 35, free by servitude, "Minstral", tried 1813 to 7 years, Protestant, Housekeeper is also listed.
In 1829 Peter Perkins married Elizabeth Smith (V182988 73A) at Sydney, Scots Church, Presbyterian. Elizabeth Overett had been married to John Smith (V18131484 3A/1813 SMITH JOHN, EVERITT ELIAZABETH ). John and Elizabeth had a son, John, in 1813 (V18134112 1B/1813). This child would be the John Smith who was a lodger with him during the 1828 Muster.
There is a record of Peter Perkins, aged 33, being bured at Sydney, St Phillip's, Church of England in 1833 (V1833257 17).
According to the diary of William Noah, one of the convicts on board the ship the Hillsborough, Richard Perkins was sentenced at Warwick. He boarded the Hillsborough from the Lafortuna & Ceres Hulks at Portsmouth on 14 November 1798.
Chick here for the full history of Richard and his descendants.
Samuel Perkins was sentenced at the Old Bailey in 1791 to transportation for 7 years. He was living in Sydney at the time of the 1801 Muster. By that time his sentence had expired. It is likely he died at Parramatta on 7 Jul 1806.
Samuel Perkins lived with, and had a family with Eleanor Williams (a convict), and has many descendants.
Click here for the history of Samuel and his descendants.
The 1822 Muster lists Samuel as having arrived free in the colony, although in 1822 his status was a convict, having received a colonial sentence of 7 years. He is listed as being in government employee and working at Newcastle. He probably arrived in the colony on 14 September 1818.
In the criminal sittings 15 June to 5 August 1820 he was sentenced to be transported to Newcastle for seven years. He was transferred to Newcastle per "Princess Charlotte" on 27 July 1820. (Reel 6023; X820 p 7; Reel 6007, 4/3502 p 146: Colonial Secretary's Papers).
The 1823-25 Muster records that Samuel was still serving his colonial sentence when he died at Newcastle in September 1824.
Sentenced at Middlesex in April 1790 to 7 years transportation. Arrived with the Third Fleet. Recorded in the 1805 Muster as being Free by Servitude and working for Mr Baker. Appears in the 1822 muster as free by servitude, and living or working with Ann Barnett in Sydney.
The November 1828 Muster lists Thomas and Ann as follows: Perkins, Thomas, aged 60, Free by servitude, arrived "Active", sentenced 1791 to 7years, Haberdasher, Protestant, Castlereagh Street, Sydney. Perkins Ann, aged 50, conditional pardon, arrived "Sydney Cove", sentenced in 1808 to 7 years, Protestant. The Muster also lists three convicts working with Thomas: George Harrison, 25 yo, came free, "Eliza", Protestant, Cabinetmaker; Haselhoe aged 26, free by servitude, "Mangles 1", tried 1818 to 7 years, Protestant, Brickmaker; and William Stevenson, 58 years, free by servitude, "Somersetshire", tried 1814 to 7 years, Protestant, Labourer.
Both Thomas and Ann appear in the 1823-25 Muster.
Married to Sarah Parkins, a convict who arrived in 1821 aboard the 'Morley' sentenced to 7 years. She is listed in the 1823 Muster as living at Newcastle.
9 August 1821 - colonial secretary paper regarding his employment
20 Aug 1821 to 1 September 1821 re robbery of Thomas Whittaker of his certificate of freedom by Parkins two years previously at Parramatta and the recent apprehension of Parkins at or near Liverpool with the said certificate; sentenced to two years at Newcastle for absconding from service of S Lord. (Reel 6008, 4/3504 pp 250, 291, 294; Reel 6051 4/1750 pp 78-80, 103-4; Reel 6016 4/5781 pp 144-7)
30 Aug 1821 Thomas on list of prisoners transported to Newcastle per 'Elizabeth Henrietta' (Reel 6008; 4/3504 p286)
16 Oct 1821 Sarah is permitted to proceed to Newcastle per 'Elizabeth Henrietta' to join her husband, a prisoner there (Reel 6008, 4/3504 pp421-2)
Mar, Jun 1822 Thomas on monthly returns of prisoners punished at Newcastle; also appears as Perkins (Reel 6023, 4/1718 pp145, 151)
3 Feb 1823 Sarah was to be sent to join her husband at Newcastle; (Reel 6069; 4/1817 p10)
17 Feb 1823 Sarah proceeding to Port Macquarie per 'Mermaid' to join her husband; appears as Perkins (Reel 6019, 4/3864 p34)
6 Oct 1824 Thomas on a monthly return of convicts in the Counties of Northumberland and Durham; assigned to J L Platt. Listed as Perkins (Reel 6028; 2/8283 p 95) The Platts were a family of free settlers who arrived in 1822 aboard the "Providence". They settled around Iron Bark Hill near Newcastle and Thomas Parkins appears to have worked for them for a time.
8 Oct 1824 Sawyer. Assigned convict tradesman whose master was a defaulter in payment (Fiche 3293; 5/3821.1 p2)
Born c.1803. Sentenced at Essex in 1825 to transportation for Life. At the time of the 1828 Muster he was a government servant working as a servant to George McLeay of Camden. He was a protestant.
Born 1797. The 1828 Muster: Arrived Marquis of Huntley. On road gang 21. The 1837 Convict Muster lists him as being aged 40 having arrived in 1826. At that time he was at the House of Correction, Sydney.
Sentenced at Oxford in 1790 to 7 years. Arrived with the Third Fleet.
Listed in the 1822 as a convict sentenced to life, and working as a government servant for William Cox of Windsor. The Surrey made several trips to the colony.
1818-19 On lists of convicts maintained by William Cox free of expense to the Crown in 1818, 1819, 1821 and 1823 (Fische 3062, 4/1834B No 73 p443; Reel 6048, 4/1769 p86a; Reel 6052, 4/1751 p258; Reel 6059 4/1773 p. 1596: Colonial Secretary's papers)
28 Sep 1819 On list of prisoners to be sent to Newcastle per 'Lady Nelson' (Reel 6006; 4/3500 p 273: Colonial Secretary's papers)
1822 Assigned to William Cox, Clarendon. Mentioned in evidence given at the inquest into the death of William Sullivan(Reel 6054; 4/1758 pp85 a-b: Colonial Secretary's papers)
30 Apr 1823 On list of convicts in the employ of William Cox of Clarendon and his two sons, George and Henry (Fiche 3062; 4/1834b No 73 p469: Colonial Secretary's papers)
The 1823-25 Muster records that William arrived in 1814 having been transported for Life. By then he was a goverment servant employed by L May at Windsor. He was still working for Laurence May at the time of the 1837 Convict Muster. He is recorded as being 43 years of age then.
1823-25 Muster records that he 'cleared out for the South Sea Islands 28 May 1824 per Brig Wellington'.
Appears in the 1828 Muster as 'William Perkins, came free, protestant, with Francis Allman, Rather Luba, Wallis Plains". Francis Allman was a free settler who held land at Rath Luba with his wife and seven children.
Sentenced at Salisbury 1828 to death when he was 35 years old, for breaking and entering. His sentence was later changed to transportation for life. He arrived in Australia aboard the Norfolk on her second voyage to the colony. The 1837 muster lists him as working for Thomas Rathborne at the Vale of Clywdd.
William married Catherine Cox and together they had a family of nineteen children. The full history of William Perkins and his family can be found at the Albert Borstel's web site.
Another record of a William Perkins who arrived on the Norfolk (probably
the earlier voyage). The 1823-25 Muster records him working with a clearing
party with J Thomas Campbell, at Bringelly. According to a record in the
1828 Muster:
"William Perkins, 23 Government servant, Norfolk, sentenced 1824 to
Life, Protestant, Carter to John Brabyn, Clifton Cottage, Richmond.
As both these records are before the William Perkins of the Norfolk(2) arrived in NSW in 1829, it must be assumed that the Norfolk also carried another convict called William Perkins on her first voyage.
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