Furzeman (Furseman), John

Given that this is not a common name the most likely contender for this Berrima constable is John Furzman (sic), a convict who arrived from London, aged 19, on the Earl St Vincent in 1820. He was a shoemaker by trade and transported for life. His crime is not known.

In 1824 there is a mention of a John Furseman as a convict assigned to a surveying party in Argyle with a request to the colonial secretary for rations for all of its members. (The weekly ration for six men was 10¹/₂ lbs flour, 4 lbs salt pork, 4 oz tea, 1 lb sugar and 4 oz. tobacco.[1])

When he received his ticket of leave in 1830 Furseman was in Windsor and there is mention of a John Fursman, holding a ticket-of leave becoming a constable there in December 1830.[2]

Further he is cited in an 1839 report as still being in Windsor as the watchhouse keeper. He was asked by a woman prisoner to carry a letter to one of the male prisoners on trial and instead opened it and passed it to the chief constable. The letter confirmed the prisoner’s guilt.[3]

When he arrived in Berrima is not known, possibly he was recruited by Noel Chapman who was also at Windsor and who moved to Berrima as chief constable in 1840. Furzeman continues to be listed on the police registers until January 1848. His presence in Berrima is also confirmed by a newspaper entry recording his donation of 5/- to the Irish Relief Fund in 1846.[4] No records of a marriage or death have been found.

[1] SRNSW Col. Sec. Correspondence, 10 January 1824

[2] The Sydney Monitor, 15 December 1830; and SRNSW Convicts Ticket of Leave: [4/4076; Reel 914]: Convicts Conditional Pardon: February 1838 [4/4478; Reel 797 Page 088]

[3] Sydney Monitor and Commercial Advertiser, 6 November 1839

[4] Sydney Chronicle, 10 October 1846