Wetia Hong

Tried Port Louis, Maritius 6 November 1841
“For attempt at murder.”
Labourer, aged 50

Indent
Conduct Record

Ticket of Leave 10 November 1849
Revoked 2 July 1859
Restored 12 August 5?
Revoked 4 October 1853
Restored 28 February 1854
Conditional Pardon 13 February 1855


20 July 1854 TL/Hobart/ Misconduct in harbouring Chinese Seamen from the Victoria. Three months hard Labour

Atik Wong

Tried Hong Kong
“I broke into a brick house and took clothes from Captain Pedder the Harbour Master with 4 others”
Native place: China
Labourer, aged 30

Indent
Conduct Record

One celestial Robbing Another.
Wong Atick, notwithstanding a very voluble defence he made, was convicted of stealing a gold finger ring, the property of John Ahong, watchmaker, of Elizabeth street. Other articles had been stolen as well but that was the only one Mr Ahong could identify. The prisoner had been apprehended by Detective Constable Seabridge with the ring and other articles in his possession, and amongst them a key which opened all Mr. Ahong’s doors. Wong Atick had formerly been residing with Mr Ahong, but had been expelled. The bench sentenced him to six months imprisonment with hard labor.

Cornwall Chronicle, 22 October 1859
More…

Ayee Lowe

(Laon, Ayee)
Tried Hong Kong 1844. “Stealing 40 dollars from a house”
Native Place: China
Laborer & barber, aged 24


Conduct record
Ident

Married Matilda Mace (per Cadet) 1851. (Note one witness is Hannah Hong.)

Marriages, Launceston RGD37-1-10

Conditional Pardon 1852

“Low Ayee” departed for Melbourne, “Yarra Yarra”, 19 October 1853
Matilda Mace departed for Melbourne, “Yarra Yarra”, 20 November 1853

Osprey, from Hong Kong Supreme Court


The “Osprey.”-On Sunday morning, the three-masted schooner Osprey, arrived here from China, with ten Chinese prisoners, who have been sent here by the first sitting of the British Supreme Court, at Hong Kong ; we have received no papers, but we learn that Hong Kong is fast progressing as a British Colony ; and, we sincerely hope, that we may find a market there for some of our superfluous Produce, and even for our wool. The Osprey as a consignment of tea, &c, for, we believe, Messrs. Burns & White.
Colonial Times, 28 January 1845


The Chinese Convicts.- The ten Chinese convicts, recently arrived from Hong Kong, have been forwarded to Norfolk Island by the Sir John Franklin.
The Courier, 13 February 1845

Name/Native place
Acheong Chum, China
Atik Wong, China
Ayon Wong China
Fat Cephang, China
Akow Chaong, China
Ayee Low, China
Almas, China
Pono, ?
Piedro Soares/ Pedro Swareg, Portugal
John Brennan, Ireland

Indents
Conduct Records (images 104-113)

The first five are all from China (given as their Native Place). All five were laborers and had the same statement of offence.
“I broke into a brick house and took clothes from Captain Pedder the Harbour Master with 4 others”

Acheong Chum
Laborer, aged 40

From his conduct record, he died Norfolk Island, 9 March 1845, with the note “Report of Death, date 31/8/54”

Atik Wong
More here.
Labourer, aged 30

Conditional pardon 13 October 1863
Died 13 August 1865

Ayon Wong
Laborer, aged 27

Drowned Norfolk Island, 22 November 1845

Fat Cephing
Labourer, aged 34
After returning from NI, he was working in Launceston area, 1852-54.
Ticket of Leave granted 1854, revoked 1858
Also indexed in State Library records as Hing Fat Eep

Akow Chaong
Labourer, aged 19
After returning from NI, he was working in the north of the island (Paterson Plains, George Town, Longford)
Ticket of Leave granted 1854
Conditional Pardon 1856

There was one other in the group with China as the Native Place:

Aye Low
(More here.)
Laborer & barber, aged 24
“Stealing 40 dollars from a house”

Not sure he was sent to Norfolk Island, no mention on Conduct Records.

Almas
Tailor, aged 17
“Stealing a gold ring”
Native Place: Bombay.

Ticket of leave: 24 October 1848
Free Certificate: 25 November 1852
Might have been in the interior in 1848
There is a passenger “Almas” travelling to Melbourne on the Yarra Yarra 1852 & 1853 (on the second trip he is a “New Zealander”)

Pono
Seaman, aged 29
“I was working the Deck on Bd Ship a man struck me I stabbed him he was a black man a Lascar – he was killed – It was on Bd the Alice”
Lascar from “Saleh Bay”, which might be in Indonesia.
1856 working on Steamer Derwent
1852 working Colonial Marine Dept
Condtional Pardon: 1858

Pedro Suareg/Sorey also Peidro Soares
Med Attendent & Clerk, aged 20
“Stealing a Small Box at Hong Kong it was locked up & I do not know its contents.”
Native Place: Portugal

1850-51 New Norfolk area
Free Certificate 20 November 1852

John Brennan
Labourer, aged 21
“Bestiality with a Bitch. I was in the Hong Kong police at the time”
Native Place: Co. Roscommon (Ireland)

Working Fingal, Longford amongst other places.

John Ahong, Launceston (2)

Watchmaker in Wellington and Elizabeth Streets, Launceston
Married Jane Hamilton 1856, but marriage was short-lived.
Seems to disappear after 1860.
Not sure if this is the same person as Ahong who was sent from Mauritius.


Cornwall-Chronicle, 8 March 1851

ROBBING A CHINAMAN.- John McDonnel, a free man, has been committed to take his trial for stealing a watch belonging to Ahong, a Chinaman, who keeps a shop in Wellington-street. The prisoner went to the shop and said he wanted to buy a watch, and whilst Ahong was taking one down, the prisoner helped himself to another, and an being accused of it, abused the Chinaman and spat in his face, but as he was leaving the shop he dropped the watch on a bag.
Launceston Examiner, 17 December 1853

MAGISTRATE IN A Fix.—At the police office on Saturday last, thirteen emigrants from the celestial empire, arrayed in apparel peculiar to their country, and headed by Ahong the watchmaker, of Wellington-street, who assumed the character of interpreter for his less-learned countrymen; applied to the police magistrate under the following circumstances:–They stated that they had emigrated (?) in the Dutch schooner Melvine, under the agreement that the captain should land them in Melbourne from Canton for the sum of seventy dollars. The captain had received the passage money and brought them here, but refused to pay for their transmission across the Straits. This was the cause of complaint, and in substantiation of their claim, to amazement of the police magistrate, they placed in hand an agreement written in the Dutch language, and bespattered with Chinese hieroglyphics. Mr. Gunn said it was too much to expect a police magistrate to understand the Dutch and Chinese languages, and handed tile document to Dr. Dasey, who happened to be sitting on the bench at the time The doctor may have seen some “enigmatical prescriptions” during his professional career, but the one now placed before him appeared to mystical for him to decipher. The police bench declined to interfere in the matter.
Cornwall Chronicle, 22 June 1854

The Malvine. — This schooner (Dutch) from Canton is now discharging tea, She was 63 days on her passage, and spoke a schooner in the Straits of Sumla bound for this port or Melbourne. Thirteen Chinese emigrants came in the Malvine for the purpose of joining some of their countrymen at the diggings. They had not enough money to pay for their passage, but Along, a Chinese who keeps a watch-maker’s shop in Wellington-street, made up the deficiency out of his private puree.
Cornwall Chronicle, 17 June 1854


Launceston Examiner, 31 March 1855

Free Certificate, 5 October 1855 Launceston

Yesterday, Mr. John Ahong, watchmaker, of Wellington-street, was charged by Mr. Hughes, who follows the same business in Elizabeth-street, with receiving or buying a stolen watch which the latter had missed previously out of his case. Mr. Ahong said, he got it from a bushman, in exchange for cash and another watch. He was liberated to find the bush man, and the watch remains in the hands of the police.
Cornwall Chornicle, 10 November 1855

A STOLEN WATCH.—On Sunday, the 28th ult., a gold hunting watch was missed from the shop of Mr. Hughes, watchmaker, Elizabeth-street, and on the following day he gave information of his loss to the police. Nothing more was heard of the watch until Thursday, last, when, oddly enough, a man named Slater brought it to Mr. Hughes, to have a glass refitted to it. Mr. Hughes immediately recognizing the watch, handed it over to Detective Constable Rose, stating the circumstances under which it had returned to his possession. Slater on being questioned as to how he came by it, said he had given a person named Sturzaker, £2, in money, and two old watches for it. Sturzaker was at once sought out, and corroborated Slater’s statement, adding that he had bought the watch from Mr. A’ Hong, the watchmaker in Wellington-street, for £3 10s. A’Hong was next spoken with on the subject, and said he had bought the watch of a man for £2 10s., but was unable to say who the man was,-whether he was tall or short, stout or thin fair or dark, young or old, and in fact, he could give no information whatever respecting him. Under these. circumstances, A’Hong was given into custody, but was released on bail, to the amount of £500. On Friday morning, the police magistrate beard the statement of Mr. Hughes, who said the worth of the watch was about £7 ; and notwithstanding the low price at which A’Hong stated he had purchased it, and the fact of his inability to give any information respecting the seller, he was discharged from custody, the police magistrate cautioning him against appearing again, and desiring him to hold himself in readiness for any further, enquiry that might ensue.
People’s Advocate , 12 November 1855

23 January 1856 Married Jane Hamilton, at the Independent Chapel in Tamar St, Launceston


Cornwall Chronicle, 9 February 1856


Cornwall-Chronicle, 13 February 1856

A STORMY HONEYMOON. — On Wednesday last Captain Drew, with Messrs. Evans and Cleveland, were occupied for a long time at the Police-Office, investigating a claim made by Mrs. Ahong on her husband, Mr. John Ahong, of Wellington-street, for maintenance, stating, that she had been turned out of doors without cause. Mr. Byron Miller appeared for Mr. Ahong, and Mr. Rocher aided the claim of his better half. The case caused considerable amusement to a more than usually full audience. It appeared that the parties had only been married three weeks, and yet a great many rows had taken place among them ; that she occasionally stopped out all night, or returned at unseasonable hours, for which offences she had been forgiven ; but on the nights of Wednesday and Thursday, the 6th and 7th instants, having again remained from home, without cause, Mr. Ahong refused to admit her on Friday morning, and in consequence of this, she had made her claim for maintenance. Since her marriage she had charged a Mrs. Downs of robbing her of 10s. in a public-house, but did not prosecute. She had, on the other hand, been charged by Hr. Horatio Biddle, with chasing him through Wellington-street, for the purpose of stabbing him with a carving knife : this case was, however, dismissed. Mrs. Ahong contended that she slept at home both on Wednesday and Thursday nights; but this was refuted by Mr. William Townsend, who swore he slept with Mr. Ahong himself on those nights. Mrs. Ahong received permission to leave the office in search of witnesses to support her testimony, and returned with Mr. Shipley, who was not sworn, as the justices had heard enough about the case to understand its merits (if it possessed any), and were only puzzled about how to decide. Mr. Shipley said that he, when passing Mr. Ahong’s on the Thursday evening, saw Mr. and Mrs. Ahong standing inside their own door, and that they appeared to be on very good terms, he (Mr. Shipley) was of opinion that Mrs. Ahong would make a very excellent wife, if the neighbours didn’t interfere between them. The magistrates requested the husband to give complainant a small sum weekly, and let them live separate ; but John shook his head, saying, if she liked to return and live without drink, he would love her better than his mother, and he could make a good living for her. The justices and legal gentlemen both advised her to do so, and she consented, but with a very bad grace, saying, he had sold everything off the day before, and what sort of a home was that to go to, with nothing in it ? Mr. Miller elicited, in cross-examining Mrs. Ahong, that she was an immigrant, had arrived in the colony by the name of Jane Dougherty, her real name being Jane Hamilton: it was the doctor who made the mistake.
Cornwall Chronicle, 16 February 1856

Passenger list for Maid of Yarra, arrived Melbourne, 25 February 1856 lists “Ahong, Single Male, 30[?], Chinese” (but crossed out).


Launceston Examiner, 3 April 1856
List of Persons entitled to be placed on the Electoral Roll for the Return of Members of the House of Assembly for the Electoral District of Launceston.

Suing for Maintenance:. — Mr John A’Hong, Watchmaker of Elizabeth-street, appeared at the Police Office yesterday, before his Worship the Mayor, and Alderman Cohen, to answer the complaint, on information of his wife, Jane A’Hong who deposed that she had one child by her husband, who had deserted her in June, 1856, and refused to support her. The Bench directed the defendant to pay 10s per week into the hands of the Police Clerk, for the maintenance of his wife and child.
Cornwall Chronicle, 29 June 1859

John A Hong appealed against a decision arrived at by the Mayor and Alderman Cohen, by which appellant was ordered to pay 10s per week for the support of two of his wife’s children. Mr Rocher appeared on behalf of appellant, and stated that Jane A’Hong had deserted her husband on the day after she was married’ to appellant, and in consequence of her conduct or misconduct rather, appellant had to sell off, and leave the colony, and during his absence Jane A’Hong had managed by some means to get two children ; as the children were not those of defendant, he did not feel inclined to pay for their support, and he therefore made that application to the Court to quash order made by the bench in Petty Sessions. He believed that tho Magistrates who made the order had since come to the knowledge of certain facts which had altered their opinion, and they were disposed to agree with him that the order should be quashed.
[continued]
Cornwall Chronicle, 20 August 1859

Wong Athek, a Chinese, was charged by Detective Senbridge with stealing during the present month one gold ring and a quantity of rice, the property of John A’Hong, of Launceston. A’Hong deposed that about three weeks since the ring now produced was stolen from his window. The prisoner was in the habit of coming into witness’s shop, and he was there on the day the ring was missing. Yesterday witness missed a quantity of rice from his shop.

Detective Seabridge deposed that on taking the prisoner into custody he found the articles claimed by A’Hong in the prisoner’s possession, and also a key which unlocked some of the doors in prosecutor’s house. The prisoner said that he bought the articles from A’Hong. A’Hong positively denied that the prisoner bought the ring from him; it was a smaller one. The Bench sentenced the prisoner to six months imprisonment with hard labor.
Launceston Examiner, 22 October 1859

One celestial Robbing Another.
Wong Atick, notwithstanding a very voluble defence he made, was convicted of stealing a gold finger ring, the property of John Ahong, watchmaker, of Elizabeth street. Other articles had been stolen as well but that was the only one Mr Ahong could identify. The prisoner had been apprehended by Detective Constable Seabridge with the ring and other articles in his possession, and amongst them a key which opened all Mr. Ahong’s doors. Wong Atick had formerly been residing with Mr Ahong, but had been expelled. The bench sentenced him to six months imprisonment with hard labor.

Cornwall Chronicle, 22 October 1859

Mechanics per Nimrod

Arrived Launceston 5 July 1830. List with links at bottom.

By the Ship Nimrod of Launceston from China, Manilla & Batavia
5 July 1830
Achok
Ayong
Avong
Agin
Ayon
Athon
Ayon
Ashie
Iyah
Assaam
Ahin
Ayube
Awan

J Franklin
D Dempey
J Carvel
Wm Williams
J Grant

(Libraries Tasmania Names Index, CUS30/1/1 , p.24)

AN ERA.
The Captain of the barque Nimrod has brought us a new batch of Emigrants, of a novel character, in this Island. They are from the ancient Empire of China, and are of a very useful description, being all carpenters. It is understood that the Captain or Supercargo, wishes to keep them under their own charge, and employ them in making such work as they understand, and which may suit the people generally.
Many of our mechanics consider them as likely to injure the trade, – that is to say, that they will be very likely to reduce the prices of cabinet work: nine men in one branch certainly will effect some reduction in those branches upon which they are employed, and however displeasing such fall in price may prove to a few, it will prove of great benefit to the many. Take for instance chair making :- in Sydney, a good cane bottomed chair can be purchased for from 12s. to 15s ; here the very same article is sold after being brought from thence, for 27s. 6d. to 30s., and even the commonest cedar chair, with a wood bottom cannot be purchased for less than 20s. each, and most other furniture in like manner, while the material costs 4d. per foot from the merchant, add 1 1/2 per foot for sawing, amounts to 51/2d.
We are therefore of opinion that although it may hurt a few tradesmen by a reduction, such fall in price will still leave them a very handsome remuneration for their labour and may in the end prove beneficial, for enormous profits are not always put to the best of purposes.
The Captain or Importer of these Chinese has no doubt conferred a benefit upon us by thus bringing to the labour market, nine workmen, sober, industrious men, as we are given to understand, and as there is always plenty of employment for neat cabinet makers, we are certain that with proper management the benefit will be mutual to both workmen and employers.

Launceston Advertiser, 26 July 1830

Launceston Advertiser, 2 August 1830

A short time ago, a vessel (the Nimrod) which arrived at Launceston, brought some Chinese mechanics who were employed by the townspeople, and we believe have proved an acquisition to the place. Nevertheless the principle is to be entertained with caution. In the neighbouring colony of the Mauritius we find that these very Chinese are become vagabonds and burdens on the public.
Hobart Town Courier, 22 Janaury 1831

Awaan, joiner Launceston, 1837-46
John Aquie/Aquia, shopkeeper & cabinet maker, Launceston, 1830s
Maybe John Wife, shop keeper, Launceston, 1830s
Aiang, died October 1834, Launceston hospital RGD34/1/1 no 3683

Henry Thom Sing


Tasmanian, 26 July 1879

Pioneers of the Tasmanian North East
Henry Thom Sing, Chinese entrepreneur, and the Arthur River gold rush 1872

Chinese Gold Diggers.— A party of six Chinamen with well stocked baskets borne on their shoulders from bamboo yokes, and with tools and other appliances, left the hospitable stores of Messrs. Peters Barnard and Go. early on Thursday morning to proceed on board the steamer Annie, en route for the Brandy Creek diggings, on the West Tamar. Ah You, a Chinese fisherman, arrived from Melbourne last week with this party and he proceeded to Ilfracombe, with the intention of establishing a fishing station and fish-curing depot in that locality. Mr Tom Sing, a very intelligent Chinaman, and a good interpreter, having visited Melbourne on a matrimonial speculation returned here last week with Mrs. Ah Sing, and he is making arrangements for large parties of his countrymen coming over to our diggings from several of the Victorian gold-fields.
The Tasmanian, 29 June 1872

Certificate of Naturalization, 1882
(Says he arrived on Tamar, 1868. If there was a Tamar taking passengers in 1868, it’s left no record.)

Marraige, 1884


Daily Telegraph, 24 May 1912

Mr Henry Thom Sing, who carried on business as a Chinese merchant in St. John-street, died yesterday at the age of 67 years. Deceased was one of the first Chinese to settle in Launceston, having arrived here from his native country 48 years ago. Amongst his countrymen, especially, deceased was highly respected. For many years he filled the position of interpreter to the Government.
Daily Telegraph, 24 May 1912

The late Mr Henry Thom Sing was one of best known amongst the Chinese residents in the State. For many years he carried on the business of a merchant in Launceston, and was a familiar figure in the city. The removal of the remains of deceased from his late residence in St John-street was witnessed by a large crowd of persons yesterday afternoon. The funeral was lengthy, and amongst others who joined in the mournful procession were quote[?] a hundred Chinese, several having journeyed from the North-Eastern mining fields and various parts of the State to pay their last tribute of respect to one who had acted as their advisor and friend. Deceased was buried in the Carr Villa Cemetery.
Daily Telegraph, 27 May 1912

Ahong, Launceston (1)

Tried Port Louis, Mauritius, 22 July 1844 for “Robbery”
Age: 26 years
Trade: Laborer
Native Place: Macao
(Macau is in south-east China, across the river from Hong Kong. (Google Maps). At the time it was a Portuguese colony/territory)


Indent
Conduct Record

Arrived: Launceston 4 October 1844 on Timbo


Launceston Examiner, 9 October 1844

30 October 1849 obtained Ticket of leave

11 January 1851 Given permission to marry Hannah Howard (per Asia)
6 February 1851, Married Hannah Howard, St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Launceston

Conditional Pardon: Recommended for 3 February 1852. Approved 31 May 1853

(I am not sure if this is the same person as the watchmaker Ahong. If it is, what happened to Hannah, and he’s engaged in electoral activities while holding a TOL and a Conditional Pardon, which I’m sure he’d be able to do ???).

Hannah Hong is a witness for the marriage of Ayee Low and Matilda Mace.

Arrivals Malvine, en route to Victoria

Celestial Visitants. —Considerable amusement has been created in town within the last few days by the grotesque appearance of some Chinese, who arrived here in the schooner Malvine, and who have paraded our streets in full display of their national costume. Young and old invariably stop or turn to look at the wiry pigtails and capacious inexpressibles, which appear to have been made for that most symmetrical of female forms—the Hottentot Venus. It is droll to observe the air of self-complacency with which these people move about; swinging their rigid arms like the pendulum of a clock, and rolling from side to side, a party of four or five will occupy the width of a street; whilst the continual grin upon their countenance indicates a full persuasion of transcendant superiority. Nevertheless, one cannot but regard them with deep interest, as forming part of a nation embracing nearly half the entity human family and who, after centuries of seclusion, are now stepping into the world around them. The men (thirteen in number) proceed to the digings
Launceston Examiner via the Banner, 20 June 1854

MAGISTRATE IN A FIX.—At the police office on Saturday last, thirteen emigrants from the celestial empire, arrayed in apparel peculiar to their country, and headed by Ahong the watchmaker, of Wellington-street, who assumed the character of interpreter for his less-learned countrymen; applied to the police magistrate under the following circumstances:–They stated that they had emigrated in the Dutch schooner Melvine, under the agreement that the captain should land them in Melbourne from Canton for the sum of seventy dollars. The captain had received the passage money and brought them here, but refused to pay for their transmission across the Straits. This was the cause of complaint, and in substantiation of their claim, to amazement of the police magistrate, they placed in hand an agreement written in the Dutch language, and bespattered with Chinese hieroglyphics. Mr. Gunn said it was too much to expect a police magistrate to understand the Dutch and Chinese languages, and handed the document to Dr. Casey, who happened to be sitting on the bench at the time The doctor may have seen some “enigmatical prescriptions” during his professional career, but the one now placed before him appeared to mystical for him to decipher. The police bench declined to interfere in the matter.
Cornwall Chronicle, 22 June 1854

The Malvine. — This schooner (Dutch) from Canton is now discharging tea, She was 63 days on her passage, and spoke a schooner in the Straits of Sumla bound for this port or Melbourne. Thirteen Chinese emigrants came in the Malvine for the purpose of joining some of their countrymen at the diggings. They had not enough money to pay for their passage, but Along, a Chinese who keeps a watch-maker’s shop in Wellington-street, made up the deficiency out of his private purse.
Cornwall Chronicle, 17 June 1854


Departures from Launceston, The Courier, 19 June 1854