Thomas Clarkson II Merchant

    During the course of our investigations into the affairs of Thomas Clarkson, we noticed the arrival in the colony of NSW, of another man bearing the same name, and entering into pursuits of a similar nature.
    This Thomas Clarkson established himself as a merchant in Sydney Town and advertised his wares regularly in the Sydney Gazette.
    Often these two men have been mistaken for a sole identity and the affairs of Thomas Clarkson II (as we have named him) have been confused with our own Thomas. Even the signatures of the two men were similar, but a careful study of this enabled us to locate differences which aided our identification of the writers of the documents we perused. Other differences in their backgrounds, social class and residences, also helped to sort out their affairs.
    Prior to his arrival in the colony, Thomas Clarkson II had been a Merchant Seaman, employed by the East India Company. He stated himself that he'd been in the Merchant Service for 18 years and during this time he had gained "considerabIe experience in navigation and had studied Maritime Surveying whenever he could".(1) As a result of his being at sea during the conflicts between France and England, he had been captured and had spent 5 years in a French Prison.(2)
    Thomas Clarkson II arrived in the colony on 22 January 1822 as Chief Officer on the "Tiger", under the command of Captain Brash.(3) The ship left the colony on 22 March, bound for Van Dieman's Land and the Cape of Good Hope. We know Thomas Clarkson II was aboard as Chief Officer, as he advertised his intentions to leave in the Sydney Gazette.(4)
    A difference of opinion between the Captain and his Chief Officer resulted in Thomas Clarkson II being removed from the ship to answer charges brought against him in the Lieutenant Governor's Court in Van Dieman's Land. (The nature of the incident and those of the charges, we have not investigated) But Thomas Clarkson II, having been cleared of all blame, returned to Sydney on the "Castle Forbes" on 13 August 1822.(5) (A search of the muster of 1822 does not include this Thomas Clarkson's name.)(6)
    Four days later, Thomas Clarkson II petitioned Governor Brisbane for a position of employment and offered the name of Thomas Icely, a Sydney Merchant, who would furnish a reference in Clarkson's favour if this was required.(7) He was granted 800 acres in the County of Argyle, on the Wollondilly River, which he later leased to John Dickson.(8)
    In November 1822, Thomas Clarkson II petitioned the Governor that as he was now "desirous to direct my whole attention to the cultivation of land and to become a settler", he requested he be granted a portion of land in Van Dieman's Land which would enable him to support 5 men without the aid of the Government, and to provide them with work.(9)
    On 15 July 1824, Thomas Clarkson II wrote to Sir Thomas Brisbane from his residence at 98 Pitt St. Sydney, asking for a reserve of 12,000 acres of land, adjacent to his recently granted 800 acres in Argyle. He stated that he had already written to "my friends in England in order to obtain confirmation" of the grant "from his Majesty's Ministers". He added that "in addition to my former property, I have received considerable investment by the "Adrian", the proceeds of which will enable me to commence on my land on a large scale immediately".(10) He later took possession of 12,000 acres in the County of Auckland.
    The Sydney Gazette of 19 May 1825 shows that Thomas Clarkson II opened stores at number 2 O'Connell Street, adjoining the Colonial Treasurer's building(11) and on 5 January 1826, he was in a position to expand to another store at number 3 Pitt Street, this one adjoining Samuel Terry's premises. From here he advertised goods for sale quite regularly in the paper, goods such as; Red Cape wine, Brandy, Madeira, Claret, gunpowder, cloth and cotton stockings, black silk handkerchiefs and sugar by the bag; "Wheat, maize or other Colonial property, taken in payment".(12)
    From Dowling Street in England, Under Secretary, Hay, wrote to Governor Darling on 16 March 1826, urging him to offer his assistance, in whatever manner he could, to one Thomas Clarkson, Merchant of Sydney.(13)
    During 1826, Thomas Clarkson II took an active interest in the formation of the Third Bank of Australia --The Sydney Banking Company-- (14) and in July he attended a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce,(15) thus truely involving himself in community affairs.
    On 8 March he advertised a cottage in Upper Castlereagh Street for let. The owner was apparently going to Hobart Town for a period of not less than 3 months, in order to take advantage of the climate there. Whether this was Thomas himself or a "client" for whom he was acting as letting agent, is not clear.(16)
    September 1826 saw him present on a panel of jurors at the Court of Quarter Sessions.(17) In November he charged George Howard with stealing three glass tumblers and a blanket from him; Howard was acquitted of the charge.(18)
    The Sydney Gazette of 7 March 1828 reported that John Cummings was convicted of the theft of twenty yards of broadcloth from the dwelling of Mr Clarkson of Pitt Street, Sydney.(19)
    In the census tabled the same year (1828) the family was listed so;

Thomas Clarkson, 29 years old, arrived per "Tiger'` in 1822, came free.
Mary, born in the colony, aged 18 years.
Thomas Ormonde Clarkson, aged 1 year, born in the colony.

    With them, at their residence in Princes Street, was Sarah Johnson, aged 48, who had come to the colony in 1825 on the "Marina". She was employed by the Clarkson's as a servant. (20)
    In 1829, the sheriff sold Thomas Clarkson II's 120 acres on the Hunter River at Foybrook. This was executed as a result of an action in debt, brought against Clarkson by Samuel Terry.(21)
    That same year, Thomas Clarkson II wrote to Governor Darling offering himself as a candidate for the newly created position of Superintendent of the Slaughter House. He stated he had been resident in the colony nearly 8 years and during that time "had engaged in mercantile pursuits, but from various failures in speculation, in addition to the pressure of the successive bad harvests", he had been unable to recoup the money owed him.(22)
    During the years of 1826 - 1828, Thomas Clarkson II appears to have made many court appearances defending and initiating proceedings to recover debts. These bear a striking resemblance to the court appearances of our own Thomas Clarkson. It would appear that they were to suffer similar fates as concerns their business interests; that of great loss.
    The financial collapse of his business enterprises reduced Thomas Clarkson II "to a state of extreme want", so much so that he was compelled "to seek asylum at a friend's house".(23)
    On 26 March 1832, Thomas Clarkson II died in Sydney Hospital. His death is recorded in the Parish Register of St James Church; (24)

Thomas Clarkson, aged 32 years, a broker, who arrived on the "Tiger".

The NSW Calendar and General Post Office Directory lists a Thomas Clarkson as an agent in York Street, this would possibly have been where he was just prior to his death.(25)
A notice, dated 10 June 1850, appeared in the Sydney Gazette which gave the residence of Thomas Ormonde Clarkson (his son) as Everleigh House, Chippendale.(26) Three years later, on the 17 March 1853 the death of Thomas Ormonde Clarkson was reported as follows;(27)

On the 5th instant. at the Namoi River, Thomas Ormonde Clarkson, Esq. aged 25 years

Page last updated - 7 July 2006