SLATER William

Name	William SLATER
Country Of Origin	England
Born	1789
Died	1860
Birth/Baptism	Born approx. 1789, Marlborough, Wiltshire, England
Parents	unknown
Apprenticeship	unknown
Skills	Clockmaker, Watchmaker
Work Locations	Launceston
Street Address	Charles Street, Launceston Wellington Street, Launceston
Marriage/Spouse
Trial	11 February 1830, Hobart
Sentence	February 1830: Fourteen years transportation for stealing money from a poor man who was sick.
Arrival	12 May 1827, New South Wales, on the Hastings 11 February 1830, Hobart, on the Speedwell
Police Number	1108
Convict Assignment	James Robe (Clock and watchmaker)
Ticket of Leave	December 1837
Conditional Pardon
Other	March 1834: William was sent to the Bridgewater chain gang for six months hard labour for strong suspicions of working at his trade for his own profit. Watchmaker’s tools had been found in his possession. Late 1840: Employer, James Robe, clock and watchmaker, Launceston. Cornwall Chronicle 28 November 1840: ‘William Slater, a ticket of leave holder, employed by Mr Robe, was charged with absconding from his work, evidently with a view of getting out of his present service, and into another. The prisoner said that a musical snuff box had been placed in his hands to repair, but he couldn’t bear these miniature hand-organs, and no mortal living could perform the work required of him; he had endeavoured to do it and had swallowed a pot of beer to inspire him, but it might not be. Mr Robe said he did not doubt the beer, but as to the work it was ridiculous. Ten days cells, bread and water, and then to amuse himself in the Campbell Town district.’ Approx. mid 1841: Resided and worked in Wellington Street, Launceston. Cornwall Chronicle 27 May 1843 DARING ROBBERY AT A WATCHMAKER’S SHOP BY SOME OF THE MILITARY — ‘Another robbery, similar to that committed at Mr Barclay’s in Brisbane Street a short time back, took place about half-past nine this morning by two soldiers of the 96^th, at the shop of a watchmaker of the name of Slater who resides in St John Street. The window of the shop was broken, and some watches stolen, one of which was thrown into Mr Henty’s premises broken into pieces. Slater, who is an old man and very lame, attempted to pursue the robbers without success.’ 27 December 1843: Launceston Quarter Sessions, sentenced to six months imprisonment in the House of Corrections, Launceston, for pawning a watch and other items. An additional six months was added to this sentence for pawning a timepiece, the property of John Ashton. When William was initially charged, The Teetotal Advocate of 25 November 1843 described him as ‘a miserable looking ticket of leave man, professing to carry on business as a mender of watches.’ 27 November 1845: Launceston Quarter Sessions, sentenced to six months imprisonment (House of Corrections) and hard labour for pawning a watch given to him to repair, the property of Mr Henry Arthur. 1845: Free Certificate
Death	18 January 1860, Port Arthur, recorded as a 71-year-old watchmaker Cause of death: Paralysis
References
TAHO: CON31/1/39, RGD35/1/29 no985 Death 1860. Colonial Times 19 February 1830, 11 March 1834; Cornwall Chronicle 30 December 1837, 28 November 1840, 19 June 1841, 29 November 1843, 29 November 1845; Launceston Advertiser 1 July 1841; Teetotal Advocate 30 December 1843; The Examiner (Launceston) 29 November 1845.