Thomas Allman (1828 - 3 May 1891) THE BOOTMAKER AND DRUNK

 

Thomas Allman was born on 1828 at New Town, Mile End, Surrey, England to parents Thomas Allman and Mary Pepper.  Thomas is my three times great grandfather on my maternal side.

On 25 November 1849 he married Jemima Kate Hiatt at the Parish Church of Brixton, Surrey, London, England.  He was 21 years old.

Their first and only son Thomas Frederic Allman was born in 1850 at Stopham, Surrey, England.

At the age of 23 in 1851, Thomas was living with his wife at Clapham, Surrey, England. Thomas, the son was 7 months.  Also living with them was Harriet King, his niece aged 7.  Thomas is listed as a Master Boot Maker.

In 1853 - Elizabeth Mary Allman was born, christened St Saviour, Surrey, England. Died 1895. At this time they were living at 43 Holland Street, Southwark.

In 1855 - Jemima Kate Allman was born, christened St Saviour, Surrey, England.  Died 1916.

In April 1856, their first born son and only son Thomas Frederic Allman died aged 6.   

In 1859 - Harriett Allman was born, christened Surrey England.  Died 1864. Married Edwin Jukes.

At the age of 32 in 1861, Thomas was living with this wife and children at 1 Holland Street, Christchurch, Surrey, England.  Also living with them are two bootmaker apprentices, Henry Percival (aged 19) and Henry Redford (aged 16).  Thomas is listed as a Boot and Shoemaker.

In 1864, Thomas' daughter Rachel Allman died.  She was 5 years old.

EMIGRATING TO AUSTRALIA

On 3 October 1865, the remaining family, Thomas, Jemima, Elizabeth, Jemima and Harriet departed England from Plymouth, Cornwall, England for Australia aboard the ship "Gosforth".  Thomas is listed as a Bootmaker.

The cost of travel for adults was 12 pounds 13 shillings each.

The ship has 388 immigrates, mainly from Cornwall. A Surgeon-Superintendent was on board.  No serious sicknesses occurred.  There were six juvenile deaths and one birth.

AUSTRALIA

On Christmas Day 1865, the remaining family arrived in Port Adelaide, Adelaide South Australia, Australia.

The next I can find Thomas is in the South Australian Almanac and Directory of 1872.  He is listed as a Bootmaker living in Nelson Street, Port Adelaide.  He is also listed as a Bootmaker from 1874 to 1891.

THEN THIS HAPPENED

Within 4 years of arriving in Australia, Thomas starts appearing the newspaper.

On 25 August 1869, there is a notice in the paper that states that Thomas Allman was charged and fined for drunkenness and assaulting a Constable in Port Adelaide. "Thomas Allman was fined 5 shillings for drunkenness, and was further charged with assaulting Constable Ramsay whilst in the execution of his duty.  The Constable gave evidence of the assault, which occurred in the station yard, and the prisoner was fined 2 shillings"

On 20 November 1869, there is a notice in the paper that states that Thomas Allman has been charged with inciting Robert Cassidy to resist Constable Bird on Saturday night last.  Constable Bird gave evidence as to the offence, and stated that he called on prisoner by name in the Queen's name to aid him in taking Cassidy to the station, and he refused.  A witness was called to corroborate the above.  Prisoner called Abram de la Vanti in defense.  Jemima Allman also gave evidence in defense.  Information dismissed.

On 11 October 1875, Thomas Allman puts a notice in the newspaper stating: "I hereby give notice that I will not be responsible for any debts contracted by my wife, Jemina, after this date, 9th October."

On 19 November 1877, Mary Ann Craskee, married woman, was charged with maliciously breaking two panes of glass worth 5 shillings, the property of the informant, Thomas Allman, bootmaker, St Vincent Street on November 17.  The offence was proved and defendant fined 5 shillings and ordered to pay 7 shillings 6d damaged and 10 shillings costs, in default to be imprisoned for 14 days with hard labour.

On 24 November 1877, Patrick Stone, otherwise Twoby, bootmaker, was charged on the information of Thomas Allman, of Port Adelaide, bootmaker, with stealing some shoemaker's tools, of the value of 12 shillings, at Port Adelaide on November 16. The prosecutor stated that the prisoner stayed for about four days in a boarding house, the front room of which he (prosecutor) used as a shop.  Prisoner came into the shop occasionally.  He missed the tools on Friday last, and next saw them on the following Monday at a pawn broker's shop.  By the prisoner - I have sometimes pawned your tools at your request.  Rachel Goldsmith, wife of Daniel Goldsmith, pawnbroker of Port Adelaide, said the prisoner came to her shop on Friday last and pawned the tools produced.  She advanced him a shilling on them, and then went into the room to write the ticket.  When she returned she found that he had gone.  He gave her the name of Twoby.  The prosecutor came to her shop last Monday and asked her if she had taken in any shoemaker's tools on Friday.  She replied in the affirmative, and showed him the tools produced.  He identified them as his.  When arrested by Detective Solly at the Destitute Asylum, Adelaide, he said that the prosecutor had often given him tools to pawn for drink while he was in the Port, and that Allman had sold some of his (prisoner's) tools and stuck to the money.  Dismissed.

On 28 November 1884, Thomas is again in the papers "A middle aged man named Thomas Allman, a shoemaker of Port Adelaide, was admitted to the Port Casualty Hospital on Thursday afternoon, suffering from severe injury to the upper part of the left arm and shoulder, sustained in falling over a gutter in Adelaide on Tuesday night.  The sufferer missed the last train to the Port that night, and walked to his home, taking five or six hours in the journey, on account of the pain he was suffering.  On the recommendation of Dr Toll he entered the hospital, but the exact nature of the injury cannot be ascertained till the inflammation has subsided."

Then at some point: "This man was brought up from Port Adelaide by the Police in a Special Conveyance.  He appeared to be very ill, and was in a most filthy condition, so bad that the clothes he had on had to be destroyed, he is a man who is reported to be of most intemperate habits, so much so, that his family ignores him, and would have nothing to do with him, he is utterly helpless at present.

At the age of 63 in Thomas is admitted to the destitute asylum in Port Adelaide.  His admission number is 94/1891.  The relations column at admission states "Wife Jemima Kate Allman, kept by her son in law Jukes, Commercial Road, Port Adelaide, a daughter Mrs Hendry (Hendrie) whose husband keeps a Lollie shop in Hindley Street, Third daughter Mrs Martin a woman of questionable character residing at Alberton. 

He died, aged 63, 4 May 1891 at the Destitute Asylum, Port Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

Jemima died in 25 September 1919 at Llewellyn Terrace, Hawthorn, Adelaide at the home of her youngest daughter Harriet Jukes.