Barnard was tried at the Old Bailey on the 11th April 1804 and transported in 1807. The Middlesex Criminal Registers for 1804 record that on April 3rd, Barnard Williams aged 24 years of London County, Waterman, was committed to New Prison for stealing goods valued at 54 pounds on board a vessel in the Thames. He was tried on April 16 and sentenced to death. Barnard was subsequently pardoned on June 27 to be transported to a penal colony for seven years. He was delivered on board the Laurel at Portsmouth on August 16, 1804 and later trans-shipped to the Duke of Portland, which was to sail to the penal colony in New South Wales. The vessel arrived at Port Jackson on July 27, 1807.
Barnard became free by servitude on April 11, 1811 and the certificate was issued on April 13. Barnard Williams was the first coxswain of the governor's barge. On June 28, 1813 as Overseer of Government Boats and Coxswain in charge of 35 men, he presented another memorial to the Colonial Secretary requesting that he be paid. He subsequently received a salary of 50 pounds a year. By virtue of his position, Barnard and Ann Williams and children were the first persons to live in Cadman's Cottage, which still stands today at the Rocks in Sydney and his name is on a plaque, outside the front of the building.
The family lived, upstairs and this is where Barnard and Ann brought their children to live when it was first built. The reason it is called Cadman's cottage is that John Cadman who had worked under Barnard before his death, was one of the Waterman that took over later and was the longest resident of the cottage.
Barnard and Ann had six children: Elizabeth b-1807, Ann b-1809, Mary-Ann b-1815, John b-1817, Thomas b-1819 and Edward b-1821.
Barnard Williams died on April 23 1822 after a particularly short and violent illness.
His burial took place in the old Sydney burial ground.
The above is just a short summary of events. Details including documents and photos will be added over time in the Gallery and History pages.
