George Atkinson (convict)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
George Atkinson (1764 – 20 June 1834), also known as George Atkins, was an English convict sent to Australia aboard a ship of the First Fleet. He was a chimney sweeper.
George Atkinson | |
---|---|
Born | 1764 England |
Died | 20 June 1834 Sydney, Australia |
Nationality | English |
Spouse | Mary Cockran |
Children | none |
Parent(s) | Henry and Alice Atkinson |
Convicted for the theft of clothing and a book from a London boarding-house in 1783, he was sentenced to seven years' transportation and sent to the Australian penal colony of New South Wales where he was put to work on a Norfolk Island farm. On expiry of his sentence Atkinson married and took up careers in farming, law enforcement and as a mariner. In 1811 he purchased a half-share in a seagoing sloop, becoming one of the colony's earliest ship owners.
Bankrupted within three years, Atkinson resumed to work as a police constable, night watch and labourer. He died in 1834 and was buried near St James' Church, Sydney.