Thomas Bennett Gard & Mary Bailey

peas, barley and potatoes, as well as 300 cattle and 450 sheep.

Thomas found himself in trouble with his master on three occasions, the first was on the 31st March 1825 for neglect of duty. His second time was more severe, on the 3rd September 1825 he received 50 lashes at the prison barracks for being insolent. His last was on the 4th January 1828, he was implicated in evidence, as to what it was and the outcome is unknown. Thomas received his conditional pardon in April 1830, this pardon restored his citizenship within the colony, the condition being he could never return to England.

About 1848 Thomas moved his family to Adelaide leaving his eldest son Robert behind in Tasmania. Fokelore has it that Thomas bore witness against a man, the accused mans wife attacked him while on his horse and in the struggle received a knock to the head from his riding cane which she later died from.

As to how Thomas was able to make his way to South Australia is anyones guess. He was well connected, his father-inlaws former occupation was smuggling, John Bailey was a member of the Aldington Smugglers from Kent, whose leader also happened to be his brother in-law, George Ransley, having married Johns sister Elizabeth.

Thomas was smuggled out of Tasmania with his youngest son William to Adelaide, South Australia. Mary joined him later with the rest of the children leaving her eldest son Robert in Tasmania with her family.