Family background
William Court was born c1805 in Warwickshire, England. On 31 May 1827 at the London Central Criminal Court, William Court and John Murray were indicted for burglary in the dwelling house of Francis Dymock, on the night of the 7 April 1827, and stealing, 9 pieces of calico with a value £4.10s. They were both found guilty of stealing to the value of 39s only and they were both sentenced to be transported for seven years. William Court arrived in Sydney in 1828 on the Convict ship ’Countess of Harcourt’ (5). On 8 January 1830 he was sent to gaol for running away from his chain gang; he received 75 lashes and was returned to his gang.
He obtained his Certificate of Freedom on 9 September 1834 and on 11 June 1838 he was granted permission, after making application to the Governor, to marry Eliza / Ellen McDonald (1807-85), also a convict. There were four children: Mary A (1843), Elizabeth (1843), Charles (1845) and James E (1848). William Court died 14 December 1890 at his son’s residence at Tudor Street, Surry Hills, aged 85 years; he was buried at Rookwood Cemetery. Court lived at Botany Street, Waterloo. He left a Will and his estate and assets were assessed at £2,400.
Occupation & interests
Court was a carpenter and builder.
Local government service
William Court was an alderman on Waterloo Council in 1870 representing North Ward. He was ousted from Waterloo Council on 16 June 1870 for not having been listed on the electoral roll for Waterloo at the time of the election on 25 April 1870.
References
‘Municipal Nominations’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 20 April 1870, p. 1, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/13203898
‘Law. Supreme Court’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 16 June 1870, p.2: http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/13206869