Thomas Kimble was transported in 1844 for highway robbery (value 1 ½ sovereigns) on the convict ship Maria Somes. He received 15 years. Thomas, son of George and Elizabeth Kimble was 23 and could not read or write. After serving as a probationary convict at Maria Island, Kimble was employed at South Arm by George Gellibrand (William’s Grandson) during the harvest time. His record lists him as a farm Labourer who could plough, a shepherd and a hop grower all useful traits to establish the new colony.
Thomas was described as having a ruddy complexion with dark brown hair and hazel eyes; his hands were heavily tattooed with blue marks and dots. He had a tattoo of a mermaid on his left arm, a woman with a glass in hand on his right arm and the bust of a woman on the back of his right hand. He received a ticket of leave on 30 March 1852. His conduct record states: on 24 July 1845 disorderly conduct and improper language for which he received 2 months hard labour. On 14 September 1847 he received 21 days imprisonment and hard labour for tippling in a public house while in private service at Richmond.
Life continued on a downhill run for Thomas as he was sent to Tunbridge where he received one-month hard labour and imprisonment again on 24 August 1848 for beating his fellow servant. He copped another 2 months hard labour after being found drunk again on 2 July 1851. Scant record has been found for Thomas after he received his conditional pardon in 1854. On Tuesday 28 February 1860 one Catherine Prest was charged with stealing a silver watch, value 90s from the person of Thomas Kimble.
References: Tasmanian Archives & Heritage Office - Convict records. CON33/1/57, (image 120) CON 27/1/10 (image 217), CON14/1/22 (image 162), CON18/1/42 (image 131).
Launceston Examiner, 28 February 1860, page 3