Parkhurst boys on the
'Simon Taylor'
Included amongst the passengers of the 'Simon Taylor' were 18
Parkhurst boys. These boys varied in ages between 13 and 16 years
and were being removed from the Parkhurst Prison under a conditional
pardon from the Crown. (this pardon was forwarded to the Governor
of the Colony by the same vessel).
The boys were to be regarded as ordinary emigrants but were subject
to the guardian appointed for the voyage. The guardian was Samuel Caporn.
The names of the 18 boys were
| Bolton, H | Dixon, C | Doughty, G |
| Harwood, J | Hasler, B | Hogan, S |
| Lane, J | Mortimer, J | Murphy, J |
| Murrell, J | Neale, J | Nimmo, J |
| Norton, K | Strickland, R | Taylor, S |
| Towton, Henry Alexander | Tyne, J | Wilson, H |
The 'Simon Taylor' docked in Fremantle in August 1842 and a notice
was inserted in the Government Gazette dated 23rd September
1842 calling for "Applicants for the services of any of
these boys must be made to John Schoals Esq., Guardian under the
Act".
By the end of 1842, nine boys were in a trade, six were farm lads
and three were servants.
Further reading:
"The fate of the artful dodger" by Paul Buddee
an excellent book on the Parkhurst boys.
Reference: Papers by Robert and Jenny Caporn
Born in Perth, Scotland on 29 April 1794, the son of Rev. Joshua CAPORN MA of Tengarick Bucks and a descendant of Huguenot family.
Married Ann VAUGHAN-EUSTACE c.1819.
[ref: Bicentennial Dictionary of Western Australians, pre 1829-1888 compiled by Rica ERICSON, published by University of Western Australia Press. ISBN 0 85564 278 5 (set)