Convict Richard Somerton: Trouble Again in Van Dieman's Land

Richard Somerton - Transported For Life & in Trouble Again, 12th June 1833 Memorandum from Josiah Spode, Principal Superintendent of Convicts at Hobart Town, writing on behalf of the Lieutenant Governer to The Police Magistrate, Richmond, regarding Richard Somerton ('Duke of Portand' & 'King George' that he should spend six months working in chains 'in order that he may be at hand for uttering Counterfeit Coin in that district, after which, whether convicted or acquitted, to be moved to Tasman's Peninsula. Richard Somerton, born Somersetshire, 1771, was a labourer. He was tried at Taunton in 1805 at 38 years of age. Convicted at Somerset Assizes and sentenced to be transported for Life, he was transported as one of 192 convicts (3 died) on the Duke of Portland, January, 1807. He arrived in Port Jackson 27th July 1807 where he was sent on the King George to Van Dieman's Land. Josiah Spode was a landowner and colonial servant for 17 years in Van Diemens Land, appointed under Lieutenant-Governor George Arthur. Spode was the grandson of Josiah Spode, founder of the famous Staffordshire pottery. Josiah Spode managed his grandfather's pottery business until he was no longer heir, leaving for Hobart in 1821. In Hobart, he was appointed muster master in charge of convict records and assistant police magistrate, as well as the coroner shortly after. Not long after that Spode was promoted to principal superintendent of convicts and chief police magistrate as well as serving as a member of the Legislative Council.