Australian Royalty: Genealogy of the colony of NSW

Name: William Purnell
Residence Place: Berkeley, Gloucester, England
Gender: Male
Christening Date: 06 Jul 1795
Christening Date (Original): 6 Jul 1795
Christening Place: Berkeley, Gloucester, England
Father's Name: Steven Or Stever Purnell
Mother's Name: Mary
Name: Willm Purnell
Gender: Male
Christening Date: 26 Jul 1795
Christening Date (Original): 26 JUL 1795
Christening Place: BERKELEY, GLOUCESTER, ENGLAND
Father's Name: Stephen Purnell

William's trial took place at the Gloucestershire Quarter Sessions on 15th October, 1816 in England. He was 21. He was convicted of larcency and sentenced to 7 years.
Another record exists for a William Purnell being tried a year earlier at the Gloucester Summer Assizes of 1815 for larceny and being found not guilty. William Purnell, being a reasonably common name at that time, it is not known whether this record refers to the same William.

'SHIP NEWS.
This day arrived from England the ship Larkens, Captain WILKINSON, with 248 male prisoners, having lost two by death on the passage; which was accomplished in sixteen weeks, having touched no where.'

When William was 22, the ship "Larkins' sailed from Portsmouth, England on 20 July 1817 with 250 male convicts on board. On arrival in Sydney on 22 Nov 1817, 248 convicts embarked. The journey took 125 days. The master of the ship was Henry R. Wilkinson and the ship's surgeon was William McDonald. William was listed as 22 years of age, 5ft 9 inches in height, sallow complexion, dark brown hair and hazel eyes. He was described as a rough carpenter.

William was received on to the hulk 'Justita' on 11 Dec 1816. He was described as age 22, and had been convicted for stealing pigs at Gloucester Assizes on 15 Oct 1816.

William Purnell, one of 250 convicts transported on the Larkins, 24 July 1817.
Details: Sentence details: Convicted at Gloucester Quarter Sessions for a term of 7 years on 15 October 1816.
Vessel: Larkins.
Date of Departure: 24 July 1817.
Place of Arrival: New South Wales.
Source: Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 88, Class and Piece Number HO11/2, Page Number 359 (181)

Committed to Gloucester Gaol - William Purnell, charged with stealing three pigs from Jos. parker, of Dursley...

At Gloucester, Wm. Purnell, for stealing three pigs, the property of Jos. Packer, of Dursley, was sentenced to be transported for seven years.

The ship Larkins (1), master Wilkinson arrived in NSW 22 Nov 1817

William was forwarded to Parramatta for distribution and was assigned to work for William Lawson, the explorer, on 4 Dec 1817. William was working there in 1819.

Purnell, William, Nov 1817, Larkins, master Wilkinson, convicted Gloucester Oct 1816, 7 years, servant to Wm Lawson, in the colony

William Purnell, Larkins, 7 years, master W. Lawson

In the General Muster of 1822 William was shown as having his Ticket of Leave and was described as a labourer at Parramatta, no employer shown.

Bridget and William co-habited and never married. Bridget was already married to Felix O'Hare. Bridget's husband Felix was serving time in gaol between June to 15 August 1823 and this is likely to be the period for the commencement of co-habitation between William and Bridget.

"To His Excellency Sir Thomas Brisbane H.C.B., Captain General Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the Territory of New South Wales, and its Dependencies etc. etc. etc.
6th September, 1824,
The Humble Petition of William Purnell
Sheweth,
That petitioner arrived in this Colony by the ship, Larkins, Wilkinson, Master, in the year 1817, under sentence of transportation for seven years, obtained his Certificate of Freedom in October 1823 and is now in the service of Mr Jonathon Hassell in the District of Cooke.
That Petitioner being desirous of remaining in the Colony and having four head of horned cattle and no place to depasture them, humbly solicits your Excellency to take his case into your favourable consideration and be pleased to extend to him the indulgence of a Grant of Land, where Petitioner will settle on and cultivate as in your Excellency’s superior wisdom may deem …..
And Petitioner as in (Signature) Duty bound will ever pray,
[I do not know anything for the injustice of Petitioners character.
(Signature)]

William Purnell is shown as free by servitude and employed by J. Hassall of Bringelly. Bridget is free by servitude and listed as 'living with Purnell' at Bringelly. Felix O'Hara, Bridget's husband, was described as a landholder of Parramatta, living with his three sons all colony born, John 6, Thomas 4 and Felix 2, each shown as 'son of Felix O'Hara'.

At age 30, William was still listed as working for with Mr Hassall. He had five head of cattle of his own and was able to support a Government man to help. He petitioned again for a grant of land. On 22 March 1825, William was on a list of persons who had received grants of land. He was allocated 50 acres at Maitland.

"Your application for a Grant of Land having been submitted to the Governor, I have been honoured with this Instruction, that fifty acres to be allowed to you.
By His Excellency's Command
(signed) F. Goulburn
Colonial Secretary's Office
22nd March 1825
Same to
William Purnell (w. J. Hassall)

Jonathan Hassall against William Purnell
A case against William for receiving stolen goods belonging to Jonathan Hassall on 15 Jul 1826, was heard at the Court of Magistracy, Bringelly on 21 Jul 1826. William applied for bail and was ordered to appear at the next Parramatta Quarter Sessions. A fine of one hundred pounds was to be levied if he defaulted on his appearance at the Quarter Sessions.
William's case was tried at the Parramatta Quarter sessions on 3 Oct 1826 and he was found guilty. The sentence was that he was to be imprisioned and 'kept to hard labor in the House of Correction Twelve Calendar Months'.
Witnesses for the prosecution were:
Jonathan Hassall
Robert Smith
Michael Hindmarsh
(The following transcript has been paragraphed to make for easier reading).
Court of Magistracy, Bringelly on 21 Jul 1826:
'Before Robert Lowe Esquire J.P.
William Purnell and Elizabeth Berry both free by servitude apprehended and brought forward on the following charge.
Mr Jonathan Hassell being duly sworn saith that tools to a considerable amount having been stolen from his Farm, and latterly _ _____ the Steel Mile, and having suspicions they were concealed on the premises of the prisoners in Court who live on his Farm he applied for a Warrant to search their premises.
that he this Deponent was present with the Constables upon said search.
that in Elizabeth Berry's hut the crosscut saw now produced in Court was found, and in an out building between her dwelling and Purnell's was found a Canvas bag, both of which deponent positively swears to be his property.
that on searching Purnell's hut a quantity of Tools were found part of which are now produced in Court, deponent swears the handsaw to be his property, there was also found a Vice a plane, a Bevil, and a turnscrew which deponent recognised by particular marks (which he stated to the Constable at the time) to be his property, the remainder of the tools deponent cannot swear to but has produced in Court a chisel which is a fellow to the same set. the whole of the said Tools were given in charge to Constable Smith. deponent further swears that a pair of traces now produced in Court are also his property, and he the deponent did not lend any part of the said property, to the prisoners Purnell and Berry.
signed
Janathan Hassell.
Robert Smith District Constable of Bringelly being duly sworn deposeth that he received a Warrant to search for stolen property on the premises occupied by Purnell and Berry,
that on Saturday morning last the 15th instant deponent assisted by another Constable, Mr Jonathan Hassell, and his overseer, went to Berry's hut and on searching it we found part of some Harness and a broken Crosscut Saw, and in an out building between her dwelling and Purnell's the Canvas bag was found
the Saw the prisoner Berry stated had been borrowed from Purnell, Mr Hassell claimed them as his property, deponent took them in charge and proceeded to search Purnell's hut where we found a quantity of Carpenters
tools part only of which are now produced in Court, as a handsaw, a plane, a bevil and a turnscrew are missing.
The deponent gave in charge these latter mentioned tools (as well as those produced in Court) to John Donally Mr Hassall's acting Constable and which time the said tools were tied up in the Canvas bag.
This deponent then went to Mr Wentworth’s Farm to make further search and on our way home this deponent called at said Donnelly’s and took the prisoners and the canvas bag containing the said tools away with him,
upon this deponent arriving at his house he put the said bag in a secure place and this deponent is confident that none of the tools could be removed from the said bag, but that what are missing must have been taken from the bag while under charge of the said Donnelly - Deponent
further states that the following morning assisted by some Natives he proceeded to search about the premises of Purnell, that at the back part of Purnell's hut a pair of traces now produced in Court were found concealed under ground in a small bag about eight yards from Purnell's hut,
deponent took charge of the said traces, and upon shewing them to Mr Hassell he (Mr Hassell) claimed them as his property shewing this deponent his? (Mr Hassall's) private mark upon them.
Signed
Robert Smith
Edmund Bath a Constable of Cooke being duly sworn corroborates the testimony of last deponent and further saith That on his return to Donnally’s hut from the Wentworth Farm he (Donnally) informed deponent that during his absence he had been up to Mr Hassall's house, and this deponent suspects that the missing tools were taken from the bag (during Donnally's secure) by Purnell.
Signed
Edmund Bath
Campbelltown
Mr Michael Hindmarsh duly sworn saith he was lately overseer to Mr Jonathan Hassell during which period sundry articles were stolen from the Farm;
deponent positively swears that a pair of traces, a Crosscut saw the handsaw and the Canvas bag (part of the articles now produced) are the property of Mr Jonathan Hassell.
Questioned by Purnell
Did you see the handsaw now produced in Mr Hassall's possession since I left his service
Answer No
signed Michael Hindmarsh
Elisabeth Berry in her defense states that the Crosscut saw found in her hut was left there by Purnell, and she has no knowledge how the bag came into the out building.
William Purnell in his defense states the Crosscut saw produced is his property. that he purchased it from one Joseph Billshaw with some Malerings and Wedges, saith that the remainder of the tools were lent him by Mr Hassell that he knows nothing of either the bag or traces - -
There not being sufficient evidence to Convict Elisabeth Berry she is discharged.
William Purnell has entered into Bail for his appearance at the ensuing Quarter Sessions to be holden at Parramatta there to answer for the feloniously receiving knowing the same to have been stolen, one Crosscut saw, one hand-saw, one pair of traces, one Canvas bag, one hand Vice, one plane, one Bevil, Seven chisels, and one turnscrew, the property of Mr Jonathan Hassell of the district of Cooke
Robert Lowe JP
New South Wales
Cumberland to Wit
Be it remembered that on this 21st day of July 1826 William Purnell of the district of Cooke in the said Country Husbandman and Richard Leonard of the said District Husbandman, and Thomas Bates of the said District Husbandman, came before me Robert Lowe Esquire one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the said Territory And severally acknowledge themselves to owe to said Sovereign Lord the King, that is to say, the said William Purnell one hundred Pounds, and the said Richard Leonard, and the said Thomas Bates Fifty pounds each, to respectively levied on their Goods and Chattels, Lands and tenements, if the said William Purnell shall make default in the performance of the Conditions underwritten.
Robert Lowe JP.
The Condition of this recognizance is such that if the within bound William Purnell shall personally appear the before the Justices of our said Lord the King assigned to keep the peace within the said County at the next General Quarter Sessions of the Peace to be holden at Parramatta in the said County there and then to answer to our Sovereign Lord the King for, and concering the feloniously receiving, knowing the same to have been stolen, one crosscut Saw, one Hand Saw, one pair of Traces, one Canvas bag, one hand Vice, one plane, one Bevil, seven chisels and one turnscrew, the property of Mr Jonathan Hassall of the District of Cooke, whereof the said William Purnell stands charged before the said Justice, and to do and to
receive what shall by the Court be then and there en___ed him and shall not depart the Court without ____ then the within ___ recognizance sall be said - -'.
Parramatta Quarter sessions on 3 Oct 1826:
'New South Wales to wit. The jurors of our Lord the King upon their oath present that William Purnell late of the District of Cooke in the Colony of New South Wales Labourer, being a person of evil name and fame and of dishonest conversation and ___ _____ ___ and receiver of stolen Goods on the Fifteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty six with force and arms in the District aforesaid in the colony aforesaid one crosscut Saw, one handwaw, one pair of Traces, one canvas Bag, one hand Vice, one plane, one Bevil, seven chisels and one turnscrew of the Value of Five Pounds -.- of the Goods and Chattels of one Jonathan Hassall, by a certain evil disposed person to the Jurors aforesaid, yet unknown then lately before feloniously stolen, of the same evil disposed person, unlawfully, unjustly and for the sake of Wicked Gain did receive and have, he the said William Purnell, then and there well knowing the said Goods and chattels to have been feloniously stolen. To the great Damage of the said Jonathan Hassall, against the form of the Statute that ___ made and provided, and against the Peace of our said Lord the King, his Crown and Dignity -.-'

Counted at Clarence Street Sydney were:
- William Purnell age 38 free by servitude, Larkins 1817, 7 years, Protestant
- Mary Purnell age 4 born in the colony, Catholic
- Sarah Purnell aged 2 and a half, Catholic

"NEW SOUTH WALES.
RETURN OF ALL CONVICTS TRANSFERRED BE-
TWEEN THE 1st DAY OF JANUARY AND 31st
DAY OF MARCH, 1832, INCLUSIVELY...
...1329. Woomleighton [sic] William, Sesostris, japanner
to William Purnell, Sydney.

The New South Wales Calendar and General Post Office Directory 1834 and again in 1835 has an entry for a 'Purnell, William' at Bathurst Street, Sydney.

February, 1834
Surveyor Generals Office
4th February 1834
Sir,
I have the honor to submit for the consideration of His Excellency the Governor an application from Mr William Parnell for the deeds of grant of his fifty acres of land at Maitland, a description of which for the purpose of insertion on the deeds is transmitted herewith.
I have the honor to be
Sir
Your most obedient Servant
?? Mitchell S.G.
Application of description enclosed.
The Honorable
The Colonial Secretary
9th August, 1834
Sir,
In referring to Government Notice respecting Grants of Land dated 1st July, 1834 I have to request that my name may according to that notice be corrected in lieu of William Parnell it should be William Purnell and the name intended for the farm is Botanic Garden.
I have the honor to be
Your obedient humble Servant
William Purnell
To the Honorable Alexander McLeay
Colonial Secretary.
Re-advertise this correctly with the first Lot – 3 months.
Advertised 17th November, 1835
Deed Executed 30th March, 1836
Dispatched 25th April 1836
Description of Land
Willaim Purnell – 50 acres – 22nd March, 1825 – Sir Thomas Brisbane
Situation Boundaries:
County of the Cumberland Parish of Maitland
Bounded by the north by part of Houston Mitchell’s grant called “Walka”- commencing at the lagoon and running east thirty seven chains to Hunter’s River; on the east by the said river thirteen chains; on the south by a line west thirty chains and twenty five links to the lagoon, and on the west by the lagoon to the north west corner.
Conditions:
Whether conditions have been fully completed with or to what extent.
Remarks:
This description has been amended on conformity with a recent description and measurement of Mr Houston Mitchell’s grant by Mr G.B.White, the same having been transmitted to the secretary for Deeds – the description is dated 6th October, 1833 and was sent to the Secretary at the end of 1833 in A33/743
Advertised 1st July, 1834,
Deed prepared.
Surveyor General’s Office
Sydney 5th February, 1834.
It was advertised 17 November 1835. The Deed was executed 30 March 1836 and Dispatched 25 April 1836.

"Colonial Secretary's Office,
Sydney, 17th November, 1835.
GRANTS OF LAND.
THE following descriptions of GRANTS OF LAND, with the names of the persons to whom they were respectively promised, are published for general information, in order that all parties concerned may have an opportunity of correcting any errors or omissions which may gave been made inadvertently.
AND NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that at the end of three months from this date, unless written caveats be previously lodged at this Office, Deeds of Grant will be prepared accordingly.
...148. WILLIAM PURNELL, 50, Fifty acres, parish of Maitland; bounded on the north by part of Houston Mitchell's grant, called "Walka", commencing at the Lagoons, and running east 37 chains to Hunter's River; on the east by the said River 13 chains; on the south by a line west 30 chains 25 links to the lagoon; and on the west by a lagoon to the north-west corner.
Promised by Sir Thomas Brisbane on 22nd March 1825.
Quit-rent 7s. 6d. per annum, commencing 1st January 1831, being the land stated to be erroneously advertised as lot 50, in the advertisement dated 1st July 1834, in the name of WILLIAM PARNELL."

Jan 1837
Nature of Instument Lease and rebate
Daniel McBride to William Purnell
Description of Land: All that and those 50 acres of land situated in the County of Cumberland, parish of Cowan bounded on the south-east by a line bearing north thirty degrees east thirty chains and on all other sides by Boroura [sic] Creek being the --- as lot seventeen in pursuance of the advertisement of the twelfth day of March 1833 with all the appurtenances.
Consideration - Two hundred pounds sterling cash paid.

Date of instument: 4 Jan 1837
Nature of instrument: Surrender of a term of one thousand years as granted in Mortgage from David McBride to George Murphy dated 25 day of October 1836
Names of Parties: George Murphy to William Purnell
Witnesses: John Dillon and Michael Gaynor.
Description of land: All that and those 50 acres of land situated in the County of Cumberland Parish of Cowan bounded on the south wast by a line bearing north thirty degrees east, thirty chains and on all other sides by Berowra Creek being the land sold as Lot 17 in pursuance of the advertisement of the twelfth day of March 1833 will all the appurtenances therewith belonging.

William was listed as a settler at South Colo, Barowra (Berowra) New South Wales. He was mentioned as a farmer of industrious habits and possessed 50 acres of land at South Colo which supported himself and his family. He applied to have the adjoining 12 acres of land sold to him by the Government Regulations to add to his property. He was advised that the land could only be sold at public auction:
28 Dec.1838.
To his Excellency Sir George Gipps H.C.B. Captain General Governor and Commander in Chief in and over Her Majestys Colony of New South Wales and its dependacies etc. etc. etc.
The Humble Memorial of
William Purnell
Of Barowra, South Colo, Settler (Berowra)
Respectfully sets forth
That your memorialist is a farmer of industrious habits and to seized and possessed of fifty acres of land situate at South Colo and supports himself and family of the proceeds arising from the same.
That adjoining such your memorialists fifty acres of land there is a portion of about twelve acres of ground which has never been located and being of so small a quantity no person would ask for the same, but as such would much enhance and assist your memorialist, he is desirous of having the same sold to him under the usual terms of the Government Regulations by such way and manner they may be pleased to order.
And your memorialist most humbly prays your Excellency will be pleased to direct he be at liberty to purchase the same to add to his original farm.
And your Memorialist
As in Duty bound will ever Pray etc.
William Purnell
South Colo
There is no sufficient ground stated why the 12 acres in question should not be sold according to Regulation. Dec 29
Inform him the land can only be sold by public auction. Dec 29. G.G.

Name: William Purnell
Spouse Name: Mary Mccallum
Marriage Date: 1839
Marriage Place: New South Wales
Registration Place: Sydney, New South Wales
Registration Year: 1839
Volume Number: V A

This is the last Will and Testament of me William Purnell of Lane Cove Road in the Colony of New South Wales Farmer. I hereby revoke all other Wills and Codicils made by me at any time heretofore And after payment of my funeral and Testamentary Expenses I Give devise and bequeath unto my dearly beloved children Mary Boyd wife of James Boyd of Lane Cove in the Colony aforesaid Farmer Sarah Dixon (wife of George Frederick Dixon of Canberra Plain in the Colony aforesaid Farmer) and Stephen Purnell of Dural in the Colony aforesaid Farmer All my real and personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever I may be seized, possessed interested in or entitled to at the time of my decease in equal shares and share alike To have and To Hold the same for the sole separate and absolute use and benefit of each or either of them the aforesaid Mary Boyd, Sarah Dixon and Stephen Purnell and I hereby expressly Will and declare that the present or any future husband of the said Mary Boyd and Sarah Dixon shall not have any claim or control whatsoever on any of my real or personal estate bequeathed unto them as aforesaid by this my Will. I hereby appoint James Boyd Junior of Fort Street in the City of Sydney in the Colony aforesaid Writing Clerk and John Nicholas Wallace of Saint Leonards near the city of Sydney in the Colony aforesaid Compositor to be executors of this my Will In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this Tenth day of June in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty seven
[signature of William Purnell]
Signed and declared by the above named William Purnell as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who being present at the same time in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto
[signatures of Wm. Byrne and James Byrne]

The 1869/70 electoral roll for the Municipality of St. Leonards has an entry for William showing his residence at Lane Cove Road.

DEATHS...
On the 6th instant, at his residence, Lane Cove Road, MR WILLIAM PURNELL, in the 78th year of his age.

Heart disease and dropsy

PURNELL—December 6, at his residence, Lane Cove Road, Mr.
William Purnell, in the 78th year of his age, formerly of
Berkley, Glouestershire, England.

Buried St Thomas cemetery, West Street, North Sydney. An Act of Parliament in 1967 designated the area as 'community land' and the Cemetery was handed over to North Sydney Council. The conversion of the Cemetery to Rest Park in the early 1970s was the Council's first heritage project and the Rest Park was reopened in 1974. William's gravestone was not found on personal inspection of the cemetery in 2005. The park is mostly grassed over and very few headstone remain.

In the Supreme Court of New South Wales Ecclesiastical Division, In the Will of William Purnell late of Lane Cove Road near Sydney farmer, deceased. Petition filed 27 Dec 1871.
27 December 1871. This day upon Petition Probate of the last Will and Testament of William Purnell deceased was granted to James Boyd the Younger and John Nicholas Wallace the Executors in the said Will named. Testator died the 6th day of December 1871. Goods sworn at £20. Probate dated the same day as granted.

In the Supreme Court of New South Wales.
ECCLESIASTICAL JURISDICTION.
In the will of William Purnell, late of Lane Cove Road, near
Sydney, in the Colony of New South Wales, farmer,
deceased.
NOTICE is hereby given, that after the expiration of fourteen
days from the publication Hereof, application will be made
to this Honorable Court, in its Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, that
probate of the will of the abovenamed deceased may be granted
to James Boyd, jun., and John Nicholas Wallace, the executors
appointed by the said will.—Dated this 11th day of December,
A.D. 1871.
CURTIS & GANNON,
Proctors for said executors,
229, Pitt-street, Sydney.
6460 6s. 6d.

POSITIVE SALE.
BY ORDER OF "THE" MORTGAGEE.
CHOICE LITTLE ORCHARD PROPERTY,
on the LANE COVE ROAD, about 5 miles from Milson's
Point, close to Mr. Bryson's, and well known as the, property of the late Mr. PURNELL.
Title-Apply to John Dawson, Esq., Solicitor, Pitt-street,Terms at Sale.
RAYNES, TREEVE and CO. have ' received instructions to sell by public auction, at Morits Rooms, Pitt-street, at 11 o'clock, on
WEDNESDAY, 17th January, that valuable little orchard property, situate on the LANE COVE ROAD, close to the BUSH MISSION CHAPEL, containing between 4 and 5 acres of land, enclosed with fencing. A portion of the land is planted with fruit trees, and there is a 4-roomed cottage on it.
This property is in the market for POSITIVE SALE, in consequence of the death of the proprietor, Mr. Purnell. By any one on the look-out for a desirable in- vestment of the kind this opportunity should not be lost.