John Wilkinson: A Troubled Convict's Record

The convict record of John Wilkinson, a boy of 15 transported for 7 years for stealing a pair of shoes., The official record providing the sorry tale and details of the years 1836 to 1842 during which period Wilkinson remained in the 'system'. Following his trial at Leicester, where he was convicted, he was transported to Van Diemen's Land aboard 'Eden', arriving in December 1836 along with 280 other male convicts. The document records his many episodes of solitary confinement, removal to Port Arthur, hard labour, being whipped, and other punishments as a result of his various infractions (neglect of duty, idleness, being absent from muster, disorderly conduct, insolence, striking his overseer, using profane language....) [Transcript accompanies the original document].