John Nichols was brought to trial at the Old Bailey London on April 21, 1784, and found guilty of stealing a large quantity of goods — including 57 razors, 12 pairs of scissors, 22 boxes of soap and looking glass, together with ribbon, combs, human hair, powder and powder puffs — to the value of fifteen pounds and sixpence.

John was sentenced to seven years’ transportation and was subsequently placed on the ship Scarborough, departing England with The First Fleet and bound for Botany Bay.

By the end of April 1791, John had completed his sentence and took up the offer of a land grant and subsequently made a success of farming with wheat, maize, sheep and hogs.

On August 25, 1803, Reverend Samuel Marsden married John and Ann Pugh at St John’s Church Parramatta.

Ann Pugh was a convict who had arrived in the colony on the Ship Earl Cornwallis in 1801.

John Nichols Family Society descendants, families and friends are invited to a John Nichols Family Society reunion in honour of our ancestors John Nichols, First Fleeter, and his wife Ann (nee Pugh) to be held on Sunday, October 5, 2008, and Monday, October 6, 2008, from 10am-1pm.

The society reunion will be held at the Blazes Function Room, West Tamworth Leagues Club, Phillip Street, West Tamworth NSW.

Children and spouses of John and Ann Nichols — John Pugh Nichols; /Rebecca Moss; Ann Nichols/John Kellick; Charles Nichols/Margaret Finlay; Sophia Nichols/Alexander Philp and Patrick Markey; Martha Nichols/William Windley; Amelia Nichols/Charles Hughes; Susannah Nichols/Charles Kinsela; Joseph Nichols/Hannah Vistrin; Eliza Nichols/James Williams; Sarah Nichols/Richard Johns.

For details contact reunion co-ordinator Anne Ware, phone (02) 6765 6372 or email baware@ bigpond.com

— ROBYN CONDLIFFE,

Boambee East, NSW