Isaac Michael Long
| First name | Isaac Michael |
|---|---|
| Last name | Long |
| Country of Origin | England |
| Date of Birth | c 1790 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1837 |
| Submitted by | Frank Long |
Story
Isaac Michael Long was baptised on August 24, 1790 in Mells, Somerset, England and died at Port Macquarie, New South Wales on September 12, 1840. His eldest son, Michael Long, was also transported, and arrived in Hobart, Tasmania on October 26, 1838 on the Coromandel. He is also commemorated in the Immigration Bridge project.
Isaac was a weaver, which had been a well-established occupation in Somerset. However, due to the Industrial Revolution, manufacturing methods which had been unchanged since the 14th century were superseded, presumably leading to unemployment. This may account for why he turned to crime. He had a family of eight children.
He was found guilty, with an accomplice, William Cook, at the Wells Lammas Assizes on August 6, 1836, of stealing 18 pounds of leather. He was sentenced to death which was quickly commuted to 14 years transportation; previously he had been imprisoned or convicted thrice for destroying game.
He was held in Shepton Mallet prison, transferred to Ilchester Goal and on September 16 to the Justitia hulk, a prison ship, at Woolwich. His description in the Ilchester Book of Felons is: height 5 feet 4 _ inches (164 cms), stout build, dark complexion and a long visage. Hair and eyes grey, nose long and a scar over the right eye. He could read and write.
He came on the Norfolk, arriving at Sydney on February 12, 1837. On August 31 of the same year he was transferred to Port Macquarie. This convict settlement was started in 1821 to accept from Sydney convicts who had re-offended and also “Specials”, literate prisoners who might stir up trouble if they remained around Sydney. After 1830 convicts who were disabled, for example, amputees and the blind, were also transferred there.
He suffered from asthma, which might possibly have been due to his working with wool, and would have prevented him from doing heavy physical labour. He worked as an assistant to the washermen. He died at Port Macquarie on September 12, 1840. One of his workmates at his inquest said that he was usually a quiet, well-conducted man.