Thomas was born in approximately 1792. The first 25 years of his life in England have not been found. We are not certain where he was born or where he lived. Time and patience will reveal more.

His crime was to break into the dwelling house of Thomas Shepherd at Almondsbury and steal a leather pocket book containing 8 pounds (two one pound local notes. one five pound local note, one guinea and three seven shilling pieces of gold). At the time he was described as dark brown hair. light blue grey eyes, brown complexion, long face, a small cut on left side the end of his nose, rather long chin, a large mark on his belly near the navel, a mole on his left arm and a small scar, lower part fore finger, left hand. He was 5’6 1/2" and could read and write. Trial Gloucester Assizes 16 August 1817

Somehow, Thomas managed to have his sentence commuted to life. On the 27th March 1818, he was transported to New South Wales. At the time, his occupation was recorded as Dyer and Woollen Manufacturer. He had a ruddy complexion and hazel eyes. He supposedly came from Yorkshire.

All efforts to find any record of him in Yorkshire have been fruitless.

The "Tottenham" sailed from Spithead, England on 17th April 1818. She was twice beaten back, owing to various accidents and bad weather. The voyage was very tedious and Captain Dugald McDougall arrived on the 14th October 1818. The vessel had been long expected and looked for. 190 male convicts were landed, 10 having died on the voyage.

No record has survived of Thomas’s first days in the colony, nor did the record of his assignment.

The first twenty five years of his life should be interesting, as his brief 11 1/2 years in the colony found him quite active.

On 6th April 1819, he married Elizabeth Curtis (free) by banns. The minister was William Couper.

In 1819 James Buckton was born.

We have no record of Elizabeth’s death. However, on the 2nd July 1821, Thomas married Jane Thompson.

Jane was born in England about 1798. She arrived with her parents, brothers and sisters (free) aboard the "William Pitt" in 1806. In 1814, she was living at Windsor. Thomas and Jane were married at St. Philips in Sydney. The witnesses were Carolyn Thompson arid Charles Hogsflesh. At this time, Thomas was a clothier.

On 8th November 1822, Thomas was born. He was baptised at St Philips, Sydney on 8th December 1822. Elizabeth was born on 28th December 1824. She also was baptised at St. Philips on the 6th February 1825.

In September of 1826 (a Saturday), Thomas purchased a mare from a Mr. Kelly for 35 pounds. Fortunately, Thomas purchased the horse in the presence of Mr. Collins and Mr. Passfield and obtained a receipt. On the following Monday, Thomas happened to meet Kelly who called out. "You are come to take me. I know: it is a stolen mare." Kelly made towards the back door offering to give back the money.

He subsequently made his escape from the house up George Street. Thomas overtook him and gave him in charge to a constable. A court case was held on 15th November 1826.

William Collins (the witness) was the keeper of the Royal Oaks public house on the Brickfield Hill.

Shortly after, on the 23rd November 1826, Jane died. She was buried in the Devonshire Cemetery, Sydney (C of E). Her headstone read:

"Sacred in memory of Mrs. Jane Buckton, wife of Thomas Buckton, who departed this life, 23rd November 1826. aged 28 years, leaving a husband and … children."

On the 27th November 1826, Thomas petitioned Governor Darling for his freedom. He also asked that if this was not possible, that he be assigned to William Thompson, a Brewer at Brickfield Hill (Jane’s brother).

On the 19th December 1826, he was assigned to William Thompson.

In 1827, James, his first son, must have died. No record has been found of his death. However, his name never appears again.

With the consent of the Governor on the 6th August 1827, Thomas married Ann Hence (22 years). The witnesses were William Thompson (Jane’s brother) and Dulcibella Piper.

On the 17th July 1828, Francis (a son) was born. At this time, Thomas gave his occupation as brewer residing in Campbell Street. He had no land or animals.

In the 1828 Census, John Kidling gave his occupation as a brewer and that he was employed by Thomas Buxton of Campbell Street, Sydney.

In the Sydney Gazette, Tuesday, 16th February 1830, there is a public notice, the events of which lead to Thomas’s death.

"In the Supreme Court.

Sherriff’s officer 12th February, 1830

Chisholm v Buckton
Wheeler v same
Cuthbert v same
Cooper v same

On Thursday next, the 18th Instant, at One o’Clock, on the Defendants Premises at the bottom of Brickfield Hill, the sherriff will cause to be sold, all the Rights, Title, Interest, and Estate of the Defendant in and to all those very valuable Allotments, on which are erected substantial Stores and Dwelling Houses: and, unless sufficient be realised to satisfy these Executions, all Defendents Stock in Trade, Brewing Utensils, and Household Furniture: unless these Executions be previously satisfied."

Thomas was bankrupt!

The sherriff’s officer had issued the notice on the Friday. Between 8 and 9 o’clock, that night, Thomas had been confined in No 5 Watchhouse for having in his possession a gold watch, identified to have been stolen. "He was in a very unruly state, frequently calling out for drink: his interlects were indeed unsett1ed."

He was allowed to walk the hall for the enjoyment of fresh air; some short time after, the deceased, who had been supplied with some beer of his own brewing, became more infuriated, and his language becoming very outrageous, he was confined in a cell, where he died;"

He was found dead about 9 o’clock on the Sunday evening.

Dr. Bland examined the body and was of the opinion, from the attested history of the case, that the deceased came by his death partly from the diseased state of his body, more particularly of the stomach, which is very frequently attended with a certain species of delirium, and partly from the extreme heat of the weather and the closeness of air of the cell in which he was confined.

Verdict: That the deceased died from suffocation, much accelerated by heat of weather, the closeness of the cell in which he was confined, and a predisposition of the state of body, arising out of a constant excess of drinking.

It was later noted that the watch had not been stolen.

Of the three surviving children, Thomas and Eliza went to live at Richmond. Francis went with Ann his mother to the Newcastle area. She later married Thomas Hardes.

Compiled by:

GEORGE BUCKTON

PO Box 3076, Valentine, NSW 2280, Australia.

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