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Orphan Number: 4444
Orphan: William PRICE
Mother:DUNCAN, Ann
Father:PRICE, John
Mother's ship:
Father's ship:
Age when admitted:9yrs
Date admitted:9 Feb 1871
Date discharged:
Institution(s):Queens Orphan School
Discharged to:
Remarks: mother dead, father deserted
References: SWD26/12, 27


This orphan has been claimed by: Christine Riding

WILLIAM PRICE appears to be born around December 1862 in Tasmania. His parents were John Price and Ann Duncan, a Scottish convict born around 1823. Little is known about the father, whether free or convict. John and Ann were married in Ross in 1855. They have another child, Jane “Annie” Price born in Campbell Town in 1859.

Sadly the mother Ann dies in 1868 of consumption. Young William first comes to notice when he is admitted to the Queens Orphan School in February 1871 after being found guilty of larceny. https://stors.tas.gov.au/NI/1473631

William absconds from the Asylum in 1877 (apprenticed under Rev H.W. Adams) *. In 1879 William unlawfully leaves the service of William Ferguson in Ross, who is married to his older sister Jane Annie Price*. In 1881 he is gaoled for 6 months for larceny in Campbell Town*.

After this there is no confirmed record of William Price.

In 1891 a William Price was charged with murdering William Atkinson on board the whaling barque “Waterwitch”. There are many articles on Trove about it but apart from saying he was a ‘young man’ there is nothing to identify him. No access to relevant crew lists or prison admissions to rule him in or out.

We would welcome any correspondence about William Price.
Lyndy Monopoli, Nelson, New Zealand, and Christine Riding, Bathurst, NSW.

*Ref: Tasmania, Reports of Crime             



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 Site last updated June 2021