[Andrew Henderson, Surgeon and Superintendent, Convict Ship 'Florentia'.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Andw. Henderson'), providing Messers Scott & Rymer with information about the convicts William and David Wilson, whom he conveyed to Van Diemen's Land

3pp., 4to. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed, with four postmarks, on reverse of second leaf, 'To | Messrs. Scott & Rymer | Solicitors at Law | Edinburgh'. After the preliminary courtesies Henderson writes: 'William and Andrew Wilson joined the "York" Convict Ship at Woolwich from the Justitia hulk on the 1st. April 1829, under rather a bad character, having made themselves obnoxious to the Superintendent of that Hulk'. He discusses their improved conduct, and how they were 'both landed at Hobart Town in "Tasmania" - or "Van Diemens Land" on the 8th. Septr. 1829, with a good character from me - The Baker was taken into His Excellency, The Lieutt. Governor's employ - The other I think was taken as a Government Servant'. He gives contact addresses for the pair in Tasmania, concluding 'I go to New South Wales (Sydney) in the "Florentia" so shall not be near enough them to gain the information you require.' Signed 'Andw. Henderson | Surgeon & Superintendent | - C. Ship "Florentia"'. The Wilson brothers were sentencted to seven years transportation at the Edinburgh Court of Justiciary, and left for Tasmania in the 'York' on 30 April 1829, arriving 30 December 1829. Note: The following information may be found online about the "Florentia" in 1830: "Convict Ship Florentia 1830 Embarked: 200Voyage: 121 daysDeaths: 4Surgeon's Journal: yesTons: 450Crew: 36 menPrevious vessel: Royal Admiral arrived 8 November 1830Next vessel: Andromeda arrived 18 December 1830 Master John Jeffrey Drake. Surgeon Superintendent Andew HendersonThe prisoners to be embarked on the Florentia came from various counties in England and Scotland. They were held on hulks moored in the Thames to await transportation. The Florentia was the next convict ship to leave England after the departure of the Royal Admiral in July 1830.The Florentia departed England on 15 August 1830This was Andrew Henderson's first voyage as Surgeon Superintendent on the convict ship. He kept a Medical Journal from 16 July to 27 December 1830.The Guard consisted of soldiers from several different regiments who were on their way to India, 4 women and 5 children, under the command of Lieutenant Maliam who was accompanied by his wife. Members of the Guard who were treated by surgeon Andrew Henderson included - John McGarvey; John Goff; Francis Leveretts; Thomas Lowden; Joseph Dorman; James McCurry; John McNiel; Thomas McLanghlan; John Keeling; and Dennis Cochran.Four prisoners died on the passage out. They were mentioned in the surgeon's journal and the convict indents...... John Brown (alias Horton) age 54 is mentioned in the surgeon's journal - At 3pm, Brown received a severe wound from a musket ball which fractured the neck of the thighbone (femur). He was carefully attended by the surgeon however died at 2.30 on 23 September 1830. John Brown age 39 a careworn looking man whose appearance indicates him having been in better circumstances of other convicts died on 5th December 1830 of phthisis. Thomas Carland died on 30th November 1830; and John Chadwick 21st October 1830. Another man, Joseph Masper died in Sydney Hospital two weeks after arrival on 27 December 1831.The Florentia arrived in Port Jackson on 15 December 1830 with 196 male prisoners.The convicts were mustered on board by the Colonial Secretary on 17 December 1830. The indents include the name, age, religion, education, marital status, family, native place, occupation, offence, date and place of trial, sentence, prior conviction, physical description and where assigned on arrival. There is also occasional information as to colonial sentences, deaths and pardons. Twenty prisoners were under the age of 16 years - John Canew (16); Charles Chippett (14); Haden Copstick (15); Henry Farmer (15); Richard Houghton (15); Charles Jubb (14); Richard Lockwood (16); Matthias Israel Lewis (16); John McAnn (16); George Fyfe milne (15); John Sessions (16); Francis Sullivan (14); William Stacey (15); William Smith (15); Joseph Jones (15); Joseph Lee (14); William Purcell (15); and Barfachia Parnacott (15). They were all sent to the Carter's Barracks on arrival.The Florentia brought to the colony the news of the July Revolution in France. The Monitor reported 7000 people had been killed in Paris.Convict Thomas Burdett of the Florentia was executed for the murder of William Noble in Clarence St. Sydney in August 1844; John Michael Davis was an attorney age 40 sent for obtaining goods under false pretences. He was the father of Edward Davis the leader of a gang of bushrangers who became known as the Jewboy gang.Bushranger John Smith arrived on the Florentia as did convict surgeon Patrick Montgomery.Andrew Henderson was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Royal Admiral, Aurora 1835 (VDL), St. Vincent in 1837 Royal Sovereign in 1838 (VDL)Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Florentia in 1830