1852 Clearance Permit for William Bambury

Van Diemen's Land 1852 Clearance Permit May 1852 printed form (No.74 - Clearance Permit) issued at Launceston Police Station in favour of William Bambury, who is described as having arrived in the Colony as a convict aboard 'Emily'. This very rare form gives Bambury permission to travel to Melbourne aboard the ship 'Sphynx' and his physical characteristics are recorded on the reverse. A Clearance Permit had to be issued to any ex-convict seeking to leave Van Diemen's Land. These are very scarce, probably because they were destroyed on arrival in Victoria (or elsewhere), where Vandemonians were not welcome. Bambury is described as a native of Cork however no one of that name is recorded on either journey of the 'Emily' nor on any other convict ship; however a William Bamber arrived aboard 'Eden' in 1842. From another source we find that a William Bambury, convict, came on the 'Bengal Merchant' in 1838; was assigned to Tb Alexander and was granted a ticket-of-leave in 1842. [This may also be William Thomas Banbury]. More research neede.