John
Yard, farm labourer aged 18, was sentenced at Taunton Somerset 17th October
1842 to transportation for 15 years for breaking into the house of Mr. Hartill
of Taunton and stealing clothes. He had been before the courts on two previous
occasions for stealing;
(1)
A bushel of wheat .............. 14 days imprisonment
(2)
Butter ................................... "No Bill"
He
was a single Protestant, able to read and write, but his gaol reports were
"Bad".
John
departed England aboard the "Cressy", 22nd April 1843 to arrive
in Hobart 20th August 1843.
On
arrival in Van Diemens Land John Yard was allocated to Class 2 and a period
of primary probation of three years was to be served at Victoria Valley.
John
Yard proceeded to Lovely Banks on 17th April 1845 and was at Broadmarsh on
26th June 1845. In May 1846 John's record was marked "Bad Class",
although there is no record of any offences shown on his conduct record since
arrival. John was sent to Darlington, Maria Island.
John's
behaviour did not improve, at Maria Island, he was punished for pilfering
from fellow prisoners, having turnips unlawfully in his possession, and served
time in solitary confinement.
Three
months later, having wilfully torn the soles from a pair of government boots,
John Yard was sentenced to six days solitary confinement. On 5th March 1847
John was found guilty of larceny under £5 and sentenced once again to
hard labour he was sent to Fingal Station, arriving 10th March 1847, and absconded
on 31st March 1847. He was in custody in the Fingal gaol 12th April 1847 and
five days later appeared before the magistrate charged with absconding which
gained him a sentence of twelve months hard labour in chains and the recommendation
that he be returned to Maria Island. On a second charge of larceny under £5
he served 30 days in solitary confinement.
After
serving his time in solitary confinement at Fingal John Yard was sent to the
coal mines at Impression Bay
Working
at Impression Bay did not improve John's behaviour, he continued to steal
and generally misbehave. In July 1848 it was recommended that John be returned
to Maria Island. He remained on Maria Island from August 1848 until 13th December
1849 when, having committed no further offences, and having served his double
period of primary probation he gained his probation pass and was able to leave
the probation stations and seek employment.
John
was employed by Mark Wicks of Pittwater from 17th January 1850 until 12th
December 1850 when he was charged with neglect of duty and insolence and sentenced
to three months hard labour. For task work performed during his period of
private employment John received a remission of 193 days off his sentence.
Having
served the three months hard labour at Gordon River John Yard returned to
the Prisoner Barracks in Hobart and on 12th March 1851 was assigned to Henry
Bilton in Bilton in Glenorchy, less than a month later he was serving time
at Tunbridge undertaking hard labour for idleness.
On
11th April 1851 it was recommended and approved that John Yard only be hired
north of Hobart and not permitted to enter Hobart or any point south thereof
since he had committed twenty-four acts of public nuisance.
John
was assigned to John Wheatley of the Huon in July 1851 and then to Mr. W.
Vince at Crayfish Point (Taroona). He returned to the Prisoner Barracks in
Hobart in October 1851 and was assigned to Major Schaw of Richmond. He worked
at Richmond for six weeks until disobedience and neglect of duty earned him
another month at hard labour. Having completed this term John was assigned
to Mr. J. Tidlaw at Pittwater for whom he worked for a year until 25th October
1853 when he gained his Ticket of Leave. His only offence before gaining his
Free Certificate (17th October 1854) was that of being drunk, using obscene
language and disturbing the peace in July 1854. He was fined 15/- for this
offence.
John
Yard (32) married Eliza
Billett
(18) on 11th August 1859 in the dwelling house of
George
Billett at
Cherry Tree Opening (Pawleena) according to the rites of the Church of England,
for his marriage John Yard used the name John Franklin.
John
"Franklin" was tried in the Supreme Court, Hobart 6th December 1864
and pleaded guilty to the charge of breaking into the house of George Billett,
his father-in-law, and stealing 120lb of flour.
Sentenced
to imprisonment for eight years he was delivered to Port Arthur 21st December
1864.
On 24th May 1868 John Franklin/Yard was returned to the House of Correction
in Hobart (Campbell Street gaol.
By
1873 John was working at Swansea and paying his father-in-law 5/- per week
for the support of his four children.
John
Yard, alias John Franklin, died in Hobart 6th February 1884, aged 58.