General Notes

Elizabeth Thomas was tried at Preston, Lancashire on 11 January 1787 for stealing clothing — a dress — of unknown value. She was sentenced to transportation for 7 years and left England on the Prince of Wales.  She embarked on 13 May 1787, aged about 20 years old at that time.

On 19 October 1788 at Port Jackson (the harbour of Sydney, Australia) Elizabeth married William Connelly, also a convict. Both Elizabeth and her husband were sent to Norfolk Island on the Sirius on 4 March 1790.

Connelly left the Island for India in 1793.  Elizabeth did not go with him. By 1794 she was living with Thomas Hill.

In 1798, however, her daughter Elizabeth was born.  James Waterson was the father, although Elizabeth did not marry him until 1812. In August 1805 Elizabeth had five children and was a third class settler, with six of 16 acres cultivated and owning four hogs.

Whilst in Norfolk Island, Elizabeth Thomas became one of those listed to go to Van Diemen's Land (now known as Tasmania). On 14 May 1808 she went there on the ship Estremina with her five children. She left nearly seven of her then 14 acres cleared, a thatched, boarded and floored house and a thatched log outhouse. The buildings were valued at 14 pounds.

Elizabeth is recorded as having married James Waterson at Hobart, Tasmania on 13 April 1812. He held 36 acres at Clarence Plains. She died at Hollow Tree and was buried at Clarence Plains on 28 June 1835. Her age was given as 68. Waterson, a sawyer, survived to 6 Jan 1858.

— bio courtesy of direct descendant Catherine Goard (modified slightly by me, kmh)
http://www.geocities.ws/cgoard1/cg_liztho.htm

~~~~~~~~~~

  Death Notes

now Hollow Tree, Rokeby, Tasmania, Australia

  Burial Notes

St. Matthew's Church, Clarence Plains (now Rokeby, Tasmania, Australia)

  Recorded Events in Her Life

• She worked as a Domestic Servant/Landholder.

• She has conflicting birth information of Abt 1767 and Lancashire, England.