Thomas Clarkson - ON WITH
LIFE.
If, as Catherine claims, she received no indulgences
from the Government, and had Thomas assigned to her "off stores", then
she must have set up some sort of business to support herself and her
children, ---- especially during the time Thomas was at Castle Hill.
Just when she began the baker's shop is uncertain but events of 1809
indicate it was well underway by May of that year and also show that
Thomas was with them.
On the 13 May 1809 Thomas faced the Bench of
Magistrates charged as follows:(32)
Thomas
Clarkson brought up, he having been convicted before the Sitting
magistrate in the full penalty for 36 ounces deficient in the weight of
16 loaves , he now applies for mitigation of the same.
He was instructed to pay 2/- per month until the
full amount of £2/12/- was paid within the year. Bread at the
time was priced at 10d a loaf.
The problem of honest retailing was a continual
headache and even the weight of loaves of bread was scrutinized. The
price was advertised in the paper and people not adhering to the
regulations set down were subject to prosecution.
The use of rum and spirits as a bartering commodity
had resulted in a highly unstable economy. Rum had become an accepted
means or payment as had an array of "colonial currency" such as;
promissory notes, Spanish Dollars and other coins. Moves had been mace
to install Sterling currency as the only payment for debts but it was a
scarce item.
In November 1809, a complaint was laid against
Thomas Clarkson for failing to honour Bills drawn by him, payable in
sterling currency. Thomas had offered to pay in "other money" but
George Wright, a clerk of Mr Bevan, (an auctioneer and dealer) would
not accept this. Thomas stated he had recently had bills circulating to
the sum of £70 and, that having just paid them, he was left with
no surplus Sterling currency.(33) The fact that he was circulating
bills meant he was already participating in the "credit system" ways of
the colony.
Thomas made certain improvements to his lifestyle
during the time William Paterson was in charge. In December 1809 "William Paterson. Lieutenant Governor, and
commanding for the time being in and over His Majesty's Territories"
taking into consideration Thomas Clarkson's good conduct, conditionally
remitted the rest of his sentence.(34) Thus he was elevated from felon
to Emancipist. Once freed, he applied for the lease of the allotment of
land on which they were already living. Bear in mind that at this time
Elizabeth Street did not exist and the land would have been mid Hunter
Street (Upper Bell Row) not on the corner.(35)
By
Col, Wm. Paterson
Commanding etc etc
I do hereby acknowledge that the
allotment of ground now in the occupation of Thomas Clarkson situate in
Upper Bell Row in the town of Sydney bounded on the N. side by the
street bearing W S 77' On the W by the lines S6 W 72' and S E119'. On
the S by a line E3 S 72' and on the E Side by a line W 5 W133 touching
Biggs and McKellop leases thence E 18 ft and N 1 W 59ft to the street.
Contains 51 rods is to be considered as demised and let to the said
Thomas Clarkson for the term of 14 years from the date paying an annual
Quit rent of 5/-.
In testimony whereof etc this 30 Dec.
1809. W Paterson.
This land was to remain in the possession of the
Clarksons until 1840. By then it was under dispute and had been bounded
on the West by the new road, Elizabeth Street, and had been resurveyed.
It also contained 2 additional portions of land on the South. Upper
Bell Row was renamed Hunter Street and the property was on the corner
or Hunter and Elizabeth Streets. Today the Goodsell building is on the
original site.
Parish of St James Map
Page last updated - 7 July
2006