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Auction Location:
Melbourne
Date:
29-Nov-2020
Lot No.
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Description:
John William Hallion, Surgeon Superintendent on the convict ships 'Alexander' in 1816 & 'Isabella'., sterling silver four bottle decanter stand, made in London in 1806 with accompanying set of four crystal decanters., 29 cm high, silver weight 1360 grams., the decanter stand is engaved around the base: 'Presented to I. W. Hallion, Esq'r by Mr. Elihu Willson, as a token of his Regret, for the unfortunate accident he met with in falling thro an opening in the shop floor (incautiously left unguarded) while making a friendly visit to his Wife, after she had received the benefit of his Skilful and Kind attendance during her Confinement, and, in this token, she cordially joins. King Street. Sep'r 1835., John William Hallion was born in Edinburgh, Scotland c.1790. He was on the list of surviving men entitled to naval general Service Medal clasps for actions between 1793 and 1827. He served as Assistant-Surgeon on the 'Alfred', probably at the invasion of Guadeloupe in 1810. He was entered in the Navy list of medical officers in 1814., He was Surgeon Superintendent of the 'Alexander' in 1816: the ship departed Ireland on 4 November 1815 with 84 female convicts and arrived at port Jackson 4th April 1816. On arrival Hallion wrote a letter of recommendation and requested that ten of the women of the Alexander be exempt from being sent to van Diemen's land. He returned to England on the Guildford in June 1816., He returned to New South Wales on the 'Isabella' in 1818: the ship departed Portsmouth on 3 April 1818 and arrived in port Jackson 14 September 1818, with 227 male convicts. Hallion kept a medical Journal from 1 March 1818 to 22 September 1818. The voyage of the Isabella was not an easy one. Only 11 days out from port a private ordered into handcuffs for insolent and contemptuous behaviour, committed suicide by jumping overboard. On the 18th April Hallion became aware of a 'Serious and alarming conspiracy' to takeover the ship. Depositions were taken but there seems to have been no further action taken. He did not remain long in the colony, no doubt keen to return to his new wife Margaret Catherine Liephardt whom he had married in December 1817. He departed the colony on the Isabella in October 1818., Elihu Willson was a stationer and rag merchant in King Street, St.Giles (London).
Estimate:
***
Price:
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Category:
Recreations & Pursuits: Alcohol - Tantalus & Liqueur Sets