Presumably this is one of the carpenters who arrived on the Nimrod
Died 1846.
18 April 1837 married Sarah Fisher
1 March 1837 Henry born
23 May 1839 John born
17 October 1841 Harriet born
25 January 1852 Harriet died
26 January 1853 Inquest
6 April 1853 Trial for Manslaughter
30 December 1843 John (child) died
4 January 1846 John (adult) died
Marriages, Launceston1837 RGD 36/1/1
Baptisms, St Johns, Launceston 1838 RGD 32/1/2
Baptisms, St Johns Launceston 1839 RGD 32/1/3
Baptism, St Johns Launceston 1841 RGD 32/1/3
Deaths, Launceston 1842 RGD 35/1/16
An inquest was held on Wednesday afternoon to enquire into the circumstances attending the death of Harriet Awaan, an infant about four months old, daughter of Awaan, a Chinese residing in this town. It appeared by the evidence that a quarrel took place between the man and wife, and whilst she had the child in her arms, he struck her a violent blow on the head which knocked her down. The child fell from her arms on to the threshold of the door, which produced a serious bruise on the back part of the head. Dr. Doughty deposed that its death was occasioned by congestion of the brain, brought on by the wound in question. Upon this the jury returned a verdict of manslaughter against Awaan, who absconded shortly after the occurrence, and has not been heard of since.
Launceston Advertiser, 27 January 1842
Longer version.
Inquest record
The Chinese, named Awaan, against whom a war rant was a short time since issued for Manslaughter, has been apprehended, and fully committed for trial. He had made his way to Hobart Town, and was endeavouring to escape from the Colony.
Launceston Advertiser, 17 February 1842
Awaan, (a Chinese) was indicted fore manslaughter of Sarah Awaan, his child, on the 24th January last. he prisoner ws arraigned, and pleaded ‘Not Guilty.’ It was found necessary to procure the services of an interpreter, Awaan, not being sufficiently conversant with the English language to understand the proceedings. Another Chinese was present in Court, who after being catechised by his Honor, undertook to act as interpreter. It was found, however, that the case would, occupy so much time that the Court was adjourned till twelve o’clock on the following day, his Honor remarking that it did not tend much to the administration of justice to tire both the judge and jury.
Launceston Advertiser, 7 April 1842
Deaths, John Awaan, Carpenter’s child (Launceston 1843 RGD 35/1/16)
Deaths, Joihn Awaan, 41 years (Launceston RGD 35/1/16)