Free Settler or Felon
Convict and Colonial History




John Griffith Williams R. N.,

Convict Ship Surgeon-Superintendent


Date of Seniority Royal Navy 20 July 1838


John Griffith Williams was the second son of William Williams Esq., of Cefn-y-Cwmmwd, Anglesea Wales. [1]

He was appointed Surgeon, Royal Navy on 20 July 1838 [2]

Surgeon-Superintendent

John Griffith Williams was employed as Surgeon Superintendent on two convict ship voyages to Australia:

1). Kinnear to VDL in 1848

2). Maria Somes to VDL in 1850.

The Maria Somes departed Portsmouth 6 May 1850 and arrived in Van Diemen's Land 9 August 1850.

Correspondence from John G Williams Esq re the convicts of the Maria Somes

17th May 1851

Taking into consideration the great number that were confined together in so small a space as the between decks of a convict ship and where so many opposite tempers were assembled I never saw a better behaved set of men I felt the greatest interest in the well being of my charge they were kind one to another and evinced much gratitude when any trifling act of kindness was shown to them. [3]

Death

John Griffith Williams died at Greenwich on 31 August 1854. [4]

Notes and Links

National Archives. 25 September 1854. Will of John Griffith Williams, Surgeon R.N. of No 14 Cottage Grove Peckham , Surrey

References

[1] Gentleman's Magazine

[2] New Navy List

[3] Report on the Discipline and Management of the Convict Prisons. 1850 By Great Britain. Surveyor-General of Prisons

[4] Medical Times and Gazette