Details:
On an excursion from Newcastle to Bathurst. To return to Newcastle on the William Penn
First Name:
Major James Thomas
Source:
The Gentleman's Magazine, Volume 96 part 2
Details:
48th regiment; appointed Lieut.-Col in the Army
First Name:
Major James Thomas
Source:
Report of the Commissioner of Inquiry into the colony of New South Wales
Details:
Report of the Settlement of Hunter's river while under the Command of Major Morisset
Surname:
Morisset (obit.,)
Source:
Sydney Morning Herald
Details:
The late Colonel Morisset entered the army by purchase, in February, 1798, whilst only a youth of sixteen, and held the rank of lieutenant up to the year 1802, a considerable portion of the intervening period being spent in India and Egypt, where he was actively employed in several engagements. In the latter year he obtained permission to leave India in consequence of an attack of sickness, and returned to England ; but his health having been restored, he obtained a captain s commission by purchase, in the 48th regiment, with which he shipped for the Peninsula, and took part in some of the hardest fought battles of the time, under the command of Sir Arthur Wellesley. On the field of Albuera he received a severe sword wound in the head, which continued a source of great suffering and inconvenience to the day of his death. Returning to England at the declaration of peace in the year 1814, he remained in a state of in- action until 1817, when his regiment was ordered to this colony. Until 1825 he was employed as Commandant at Newcastle and in the district of Bathurst, and whilst occupying these posts, elicited the approval of the Government by his conduct. At the latter period he obtained leave to return to the mother country, and on the occasion of his departure received a cordial acknowledgment of the value of his services through the Governor s Private Secretary. Whilst at home he received the arduous appointment of civil and military Commandant of the penal settlement of Norfolk Island; but some unforeseen obstacles to his installation having occurred, which rendered a reference to the Imperial Government indispensable, he was appointed Principal Superintendent of Police, and continued to hold the situation until 1839, when he received orders to proceed to Norfolk Island, where he remained five years. In 1834 he disposed of his commission in the army, and four years afterwards became police magistrate of Bathurst- was subsequently appointed commissioner of insolvent estates, and for a short period officiated as commissioner of the Court of Requests. The first two appointments he retained to the period of his decease. To prove that his connection with the army was one of hard service, it is only necessary to mention the following engagements, in all of which he fought :-Toulouse, Orthes, Nive, Vittoria, Albuera, Busaco, and Talavera, these historical names being inscribed upon a medal which he held in token of his services. He also held an Egyptiac medal, but the names of the battles in which he took part whilst in that country are not specified. The proposition, therefore, with which this notice is commenced -that the late police magistrate of Bathurst had served his country with fidelity -and during the best years of a long life- time is sufficiently proved ; and after a perusal of the above naked facts, few will deny that he is worthy of favourable remembrance
Details:
Horse, sheep and belongings lost on arrival at Norfolk Island
Details:
Wife gave birth to a son 22 June
