George Henry Bliss

M, #16363, b. January 1819, d. 3 November 1915

Birth*George Henry Bliss was born in January 1819 at Kent, England.1 
Criminal*On 26 July 1838, age 19, he stole one round frock of the value of eighteen pence, one jacket of the value of 2 shillings, one knife of the value of threepence, one tobacco bar of the value of twopence and one half handkerchief of the value of one penny of the goods and chattels of Thomas Hunt. He was ordered to be imprisoned and kept to hard labour in the House of Correction two calendar months, seven days thereof in solitary confinement and once whipped.
Very soon after, age 20, he stole what he always claimed was a rabbit. In the indictment dated 22nd December 1838 the offence was stated as stealing a piece of meat, value 3 shillings, the property of John Spencer, at Wrotham. He was convicted for theft of meat at the Epiphany Sessions in Maidstone, Kent, on Thursday 3rd January 1839.
George was sentenced to death which was later reduced to transportation for life.1 
Description* George Henry Bliss was described as 5 feet 3 ¾ inches tall, sallow/freckled complexion, dark brown hair, brown eyes, nose inclining a little to the left, several small moles on both arms. G. Bliss in red ink, on the inside of lower part of right ??????. Scar on back of each finger of left hand, two scars on cap of left knee.1
 
(Convict) VoyageHe was a convict aboard The Ship Parkfield which sailed from Sheerness, Kent, England, on Wednesday, 15 May 1839 and arrived in Sydney, NSW on 1 September 1839. On board were 29 soldiers of the 51st Regiment, six women, five children and 240 male convicts. The Master was J T Whiteside and the Surgeon was Alexander Neill. 
Article*George was initially assigned to a member of the Blaxland family but received a Ticket of Leave (No. 47/9 - State Records: Shelf Ref 4/4211, Reel No 960) in the same year and became a farmer at Devils Pass, near Woolgarlo. He was granted a property that he named "Spring Valley".
On 15 Apr 1854 he was granted a Conditional Pardon - meaning he was free to remain in Australia but could not return to England.1 
Marriage*George Henry was married to Sarah Ann Furrill, daughter of William Furrill and Susan Ann Percival, on Monday, 15 July 1850 at Australia.1 
Death*George Henry Bliss died on Wednesday, 3 November 1915 at Yass, NSW, Australia, at age 96. He died as the result of a fall from a horse.1,2 

Family

Sarah Ann Furrill b. 1835, d. 14 Jul 1919
Children

Citations:

  1. [S273] Rob Ryan, "Rob Ryan & Nita Crossley," e-mail to Robert Mote, 24 January 2002 +.
  2. [S2] Index of BDM records, NSW BDM, Place of Registration: Yass; Year: 1915; Number: 16465.
Close This