John Garrard

John Garrard, eldest son of John Garrard and Mary Cross was born in Wickham Skeith and baptised on 6 July 1785. He married Ann Fulcher in Wickham Skeith on 10 May 1808. They had two children; John in 1809 and Thomas in 1813.

The Bury and Norwich Post of 31 March 1813 carried the following:

The following nine other prisoners were also capitally convicted, viz. … John Spink, John Garrod, Charles Nunn, and John Hayward, for a burglary in the house of Mr. Philip Steggle, of Wickham Skeith, and stealing thereout divers monies and goods. [George Hayward, an accomplice in the last case and first cousin to one of the prisoners, was admitted King’s evidence.] … Before the Judge left the town, they were all reprieved. Bury and Norwich Post, 31 March 1813.

John was sentenced to Transportation for Life. He was transported to Port Jackson per the ship "General Hewitt" which departed from Plymouth on 31 July 1813 with a complement of 300 male prisoners, sadly with 35 dying on the voyage. John arrived in Sydney on 7 February 1814.

John Garrett was transferred to Van Diemen's Land from New South Wales per the ship "Brothers" 1815. It is noted against his name that he was originally transported to NSW per the 'General Hewitt' 1815. 1813 conviction at Suffolk. Life Sentence.

He was granted a conditional pardon on 5 August 1834 and on 18 November 1834 sought permission to marry Catherine Dodds. The records show
1834 - Marriage Permissions. 18 Nov 1834 Catherine Dods. Ship; Mellish. John Garrett. Ship; Brothers [General Hewitt, They were married in Launceston on 6 February 1835.

They went on to have 5 children in the Launceston region and build a large number of descendants throughout Australia.