The Colonial Secretary's Correspondence is a rich source of information about what was happening within the growing Colony.[7]
![State Records NSW NRS 905 [1/2231 letter 73/7867]](https://www.ourfamilypast.com/system/files/styles/article_small/private/uploads/1209/colonial-secretarys-correspondence.jpg?itok=-gis9YdB)
State Records NSW NRS 905 [1/2231 letter 73/7867]
It was through this office that convicts sent petitions for indulgences like Tickets of Leave, that their families back in England be allowed to join them and Permissions to Marry. This office also kept the records of convict assignments, punishments and internal transportation. Land grants and leases for free settlers and freed convicts, disputes with native aboriginies. Musters and reports from the Principle Superintendent of Convicts.
From the founding of the settlement this was the official correspondence on everything happening within the colony. It also formed part of the dispatches back to England. Governor Phillip had no Colonial Secretary appointed to his administration and had to do most of it himself until he found someone in the colony to do the job.
This continued through succeeding administrations, some ably undertaking the role and some barely interested in having a second role thrust upon them, until the arrival of Governor Maquarie who brought his own man, John Thomas Campbell, offically appointed as Secretary to the Governor. He was the best to fill this role and the records from 1809-1820 reflect this.
State Records NSW has an online searchable index to this collection 1788-1825. From 1825 onwards there is the Joan Reese Index to the Colonial Secretary's In-Letters which is available on microfiche at all libraries who have the ARK kit. If you find any reference to your person you can order photocopies of the entries.
See this web site for further details.
I used the Joan Reese Index to find all mention of William Peters/Wellard and then ordered photocopies of these.
TRANSCRIPTION OF COLONIAL SECRETARY’S PAPERS FOR WILLIAM PETERS aka WELLARD
365/368
List of 105 Convicts whose applications have been transmitted to the Secretary of State in the Dryad, with a recommendation that their Wives and Families may be sent out to join them at the expense of the Government.
Ryan James Mangles 2
Sanderson David Cambridge
*Stephenson John Surry
*S……es Thomas Countess of Harcourt 2
*Simple….s Isaac Minstral
Singleton Hugh Almorah
Slattery Timothy Mangles
Sloane Peter Regalia
Stevenson Wm Eliza 4
Sullivan John *Mariner 3
Sullivan David Prince Regent 3
Sullivan John Brampton
Tierney William Mangles 4
Tierney Joseph Regalia
Turner Alfred Bussorah Merchant
Vine Thomas Neptune
Walsh Martin Boadicea
Walsh James Morley 4
*Warner Mathew Marquis of Huntley
Wellard a Peters Wm Marquis of Hastings
Wellings George Royal Charlotte
Whalan David Countess of Harcourt
Whelan John Prince Regent
Whelan *….an Mangles
White Thomas Guildford 7
Whitehill Wm Regalia
Wright Thos Florentina
Note: The * indicates that the name was hard to make out. Also this was all the names on the photocopy of the actual listing from State Records. The full petition did have 105 convicts listed.
________________________________________________________________________________________
32/7791 – 17th October 1832
P****** Supl of Convicts Office
17 October 1832
Sir
I have the honour to enclose you that it may be submitted for the consideration of His Excellency the Governor a Petition from Elizabeth Wellard who arrived free per Burrell at the expense of Government to join her husband the prisoner named in the margin (William Peters in Wellard per Marquis of Hastings 1827 Life) praying that he may be allowed the indulgence of a Ticket of Exemption for Parramatta to enable him to live with and support his family
I have the honour to be
Sir
Your servant
Wm ******* (Can’t read the signature) Approved Oct 18
_______________________________________________________________________________________
32/7791
To His Excellency Major General Archibald Bourke Captain General, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of His Majestys Territory of New South Wales, and its Dependencies
The Respectful memorial of Elizabeth Wellard a free subject per ship “Burrell” and the wife of William Wellard alias Peters a prisoner of the Crown for Life
Humbly s*****s
That your Excellencys memorialist arrived per the aforesaid ship with her family at the expense of the crown for the purpose of joining her said husband who arrived in this Colony per ship Marquis of Hastings (2) on the 31st July 1827 a prisoner for Life.
That on her said husbands arrival he became assigned to the sevice of Mr Robertson Watchmaker Sydney where with unreproachable character he still remains
Your Excellencys memorialist under the circumstances and from the accompanying certificate of Mr Robertson of the good conduct of her said husband during upwards of 5, five years servitude, and of his willingness to dispense with the further services of her said husband, provided it should meet Your Excellencys approbation; is induced most respectfully to crave that Your Excellency will take the circumstances into your humane consideration and be pleased to extend toward her said husband the indulgence of a Ticket of Exemption for the District of Parramatta whereby Your Excellencys memorialists said husband would be enabled to maintain his family
For which mark of Your Excellencys clemency memorialist will ever pray
Elizabeth Wellard
_________________________________________________________________________________________
I certify that the above W Peters has been in my service ever since his arrival in the Colony 1827 and that he has conducted himself honestly ******ly and much to my satisfaction
J Robertson
North Shore
16 Oct 1832
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Wm Peters Marquis of Hastings 2 No. 27/1332 age 45 real name William Wellard tried at Surry Assizes 18 Dec 1826 for Horse stealing sentence Life
Wife arrived free by Burrell
Submit ***** - they want a Tick Exemp for Parramatta 17th
_________________________________________________________________________________________
32/7791
Colonial Secretarys Office
Sydney 24 October 1832
Sir
In reply to your letter of the 17th inst No 32/579, enclosing a Petition from Elizabeth Wellard came free per Burrell, for a Ticket of Exemption for her husband William Peters or Wellard per Marquis of Hastings.
I am directed by His Excellency the Governor to approve of the preparation of the above indulgence for this man for Parramatta.
F A H**** Esq.
Source: (State Records NSW Colonial Secretary's Correspondence) Transcribed from photocopies supplied by State Records NSW of all records shown above and held by me.
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