Date of Conviction: 19/07/1824

Age at Conviction: 21

Crime Convicted of: Receiving Stolen Goods

Court/s Convicted at: Lancaster Quarter Sessions (held at the New Bailey, Salford)

Sentence Length: 14 Years

Ship Transported on: Midas

Where Arrived: Hobart, Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania)

Departure Date: 22/07/1825

Arrival Date: 23/11/1825

Biography: Betty had hidden forty silk handkerchiefs, stolen by a group of teenage boys from a John Flint at Manchester. Whilst in jail at Lancaster Castle, Betty was described as having a fresh complexion, grey eyes and light brown hair. She had been three years in the New Bailey for stealing calico, waistcoats and belts as well as having a case against her dismissed for stealing a hydrometer. Her husband Thomas was also in the New Bailey and she hadn’t seen him for two years. And either somewhat confused, contrarily or comedically said she was born in New South Wales, North America!

Betty must have got off to a good start as a year after arriving, she was issued with a ticket of leave. Between 1832 and 1835, Betty was recorded as an assistant to Mr Richard Harrison Esq. A newspaper report reveals that her initial ticket of leave was given for helping fight off bushrangers at her employers residence. A charge of stealing waistcoats and handkerchiefs was dismissed in 1829. She was admonished for being drunk in 1834, her first infringement since arriving. However, after this time Betty slips and the following year, now described as a regular at the police office, was drunk again and was fined 5 shillings.

Betty was free by 1838 but didn’t claim her certificate of freedom until October 1842. Whilst it is not at all certain, a widowed Elizabeth Walton, aged 44 married John White in 1848. This Elizabeth, born in England, died from asthma at her home on Argyle/Bathurst Street corner in Hobart in February 1857 (recorded as aged 55) and was buried at St Davids.