Abel Simpson (Convict)

  General Notes:

Abel Simpson, a widower, who had arrived as a convict on the "Duke of Portland" in 1807, and had been married to Ann Baxter, married Ann Thornley on 13th December 1819 at St. Johns Parramatta. He probably chose her from a line up at the Female Factory, as was normal custom in those days, and of course the settlers usually chose the young and comely first, which would explain why Ann waited so long. At the age of twenty-six or seven, and with a young child, she was at a distinct disadvantage in the matrimonial stakes. She would probably have been assigned as the convict servant of her new husband. The Simpson's had at least one child and possibly two. Elizabeth, born in 1822 at Parramatta, and possibly Ann, born about 1821, who if she existed, probably died soon after birth? In the 1822 Muster, Ann was apparently no longer living with Abel Simpson; she was a convict servant to Hannah Lisson at Windsor, her infant child Elizabeth was with her. Daughter Margaret was in the Orphan School, and Abel was not to be readily found. Abel was subsequently found guilty of horse stealing at Parramatta in 1824, and was sent to the penal Settlement at Port Macquarie. Due to his then advanced age, he probably died at Port Macquarie, but to date no record has been found of his death.

  Noted events in his life were:

• emigrated, "Duke of Portland" in 1807, Sydney Cove, NSW Australia.

• source. ⁹⁴⁰

• connection.

Abel married Ann Thornley (Convict ? F), daughter of Giles Thornley and Susan Lomax, on 13 Dec 1819 in St Johns C of E, Parramatta, Sydney, NSW Australia. (Ann Thornley (Convict ? F) was born on 14 Mar 1790 in Deane-By-Boulton, Lancashire England, died on 16 Jun 1860 in NSW Australia and was buried in Jun 1860 in St Thomas, Sackville Reach, NSW Australia.)