Charles Margerison - Amazing People of Australia

Welcome to this inspirational eBook, which provides you with a unique and fascinating collection of life stories. It is part of a series developed by the Amazing People Club, written in the form of a BioView, which is a short name for a biographical interview.

A BioView is a new concept that reveals amazing stories, as if the person has given an interview about their life. Each of the stories can normally be read in around five to ten minutes. They are based on the known facts of each individuals life, plus what they may have felt about their experiences.

The unique format and flow enables each persons story to come alive, as if it is being personally told to you. Each one of them reflects the interests, emotions and passions linked to the amazing persons achievements. They are stories that can provide inspiration and ideas for your own journey through life and we hope you will enjoy them.

The career notes at the end of each story supply information on each persons life, reflecting their achievements and some of the recognition they have received. They provide the background to the stories, and an easy way of learning about people who made major contributions to our world.

The stories show how ordinary people did extraordinary things to tackle problems and opportunities. Amazing people all had one thing in common. Rather than accepting the situation before them, they developed and implemented plans of action to make improvements. We can all learn from their experiences and the ways they dealt with the challenges and, in this eBook, you can understand their troubles and triumphs.

To learn more about the Amazing People Club books and audios, please visit www.amazingpeopleclub.com .

When I was thrown into Norwich Prison for stealing, I was scared

On February 1 st 1783, I was taken to Court

After a short hearing the judge said that I was guilty

The death sentence was pronounced on me

As I was only 20 years of age, mercy was shown

Instead, I was listed for deportation

The judge said that I had to serve 14 years of imprisonment

My father and uncle, who were the leaders of the gang, were hung

They did not even give me the chance to say goodbye

I was shaking with both fear and anger

The prison smelt foul, and rats ran riot

People with haunted faces looked up from their rags

Resigned to their fate, they knew there was no way out

Most had given up hope

Then in late 1783, my life changed forever

A good-looking girl was dragged into the prison

She had not lost hope, as I could see it in her eyes

I gave her a smile of welcome

Not that any one wanted to be in such a God forsaken place

She was taken by the turnkeys for registration

The next day, I saw her again

There was no segregation in the prison

Old and young, men and women, all were there

This time she smiled at me and I went over to say hello

My name is Henry, I said

Im Susannah Holmes, she said proudly, with her hands on her hips

Why are you in here? I asked

I was convicted of stealing materials worth 53 shillings, she said

What about you? she asked in return

I was in a gang that stole materials valued at over 450 shillings

Youre lucky they didnt hang you, she said with a frown

Whats the length of your sentence? I asked her

14 years, said Susannah

Within a few days, we were more than just good friends

She was the same age as me and full of spirit

It was then that I realized I was in love

Although in prison, I felt somehow free

I knew together we could survive

I asked her if she would marry me and she said yes

When I asked the Prison Governor he rejected the request

Prisoners are not in here to marry, he snarled

Therefore, we lived as husband and wife regardless

There was little privacy, but it was enough

After about a year, Susannah told me she was pregnant

Although delighted, I was worried

Susannah took it all in her stride and gave birth to a boy

Lets call him Henry, she said

There was not much available to celebrate

But, how would we bring up a child in the mad house of the prison?

Within a few weeks we had an answer

Susannah was told she was to be sent to a ship for deportation

We asked if we could go together

Again, the request was rejected

It was a tearful day when she left

John Simpson, the prison warder, escorted her

He said that on his return he would give me news

John Simpson

However, weeks went past and he did not return

I began to fear the worst

What had happened?

Little did I know that he had gone to Plymouth, and then London

When he arrived back in Norwich, he told me the story

The ships captain had refused to take my son on board

So, Mr Simpson had taken him to London to get permission

I shook his hand warmly and thanked him

But, he said, I have special news for you

Lord Sydney has agreed that you should accompany your son

I could hardly believe my ears

This time he shook my hand warmly and said, Good luck

Within a short time, I was reunited with Susannah

We departed England on the transport ship, Friendship

At the Cape of Good Hope, we were separated

Susannah and our baby were transferred to the Charlotte

For nine months I sailed the wild oceans

Each day was like a life sentence in the cold and rain

Below decks, the smell was foul

How I survived, I do not know

In January 1788, I was with my family once again

We all arrived in New South Wales

A vast, open air, prison without shelter

Once on land, I asked if Susannah and I could marry

The Governor agreed and a ceremony was held on February10 th

My next task was to approach Captain Sinclair

He was in charge of the money and presents given to our son

They had been collected by John Simpson on his journey

Sinclair denied having received any money or presents

Susannah was most upset

If we are guilty of thieving, so is he, she said with tears in her eyes

The next day, I asked to see the Governor

To his credit, although I was a convict, he listened

After consideration, he decided to hold a Court case

It was called Cable v. Sinclair

I represented my wife in front of the three officials

To our relief, they found in our favour

Captain Sinclair had to return 15 pounds of the money