People
FREE
Edward Sinclair, born on 15th August 1797 in Liverpool, faced a life marked by hardship and misfortune. Despite a basic education and an apprenticeship as a blacksmith, financial struggles following his father's death led him into a life of petty crime. Sentenced to transportation, he arrived in Hobart in 1819 and endured harsh conditions as a convict labourer. His life took a mysterious turn when he was selected for a secretive mission and transported through a Portal, disappearing into the world of Clivilius.
Edward Sinclair was born on the 15th of August 1797 in the bustling port city of Liverpool. The son of Robert Sinclair, a dock worker, and Margaret Sinclair, a seamstress, Edward grew up amidst the clatter of shipyards and the hustle of markets. The family lived in a modest home near the docks, where the scent of saltwater and the cries of seagulls were constant companions.
In 1803, at the age of six, Edward began his education at St. Mary’s Parish School. He was a bright but often distracted student, more interested in the world outside the classroom than the lessons within. His teachers noted his quick grasp of reading, writing, and arithmetic, though they often chided him for his mischief and daydreaming. Despite this, Edward’s curiosity and eagerness to learn set him apart from his peers.
In 1808, when he was eleven, Edward was apprenticed to Master John Whittaker, a blacksmith known for his skill and strictness. Under Whittaker’s tutelage, Edward learned the basics of metalworking and forging. However, his apprenticeship was cut short in 1811 when a tragic accident claimed his father’s life. With his family facing financial hardship, Edward left his apprenticeship to help support his mother and younger siblings.
From 1812 to 1814, Edward took on various odd jobs around Liverpool. He worked as a labourer, loading and unloading goods at the docks, and as an errand boy for local merchants. Despite his hard work, the meagre wages barely sufficed to keep his family afloat. In 1814, desperate to make ends meet, Edward turned to street vending, selling small items like pins, needles, and threads. The income was scant, and he soon found himself on the fringes of society, where petty crime seemed the only viable option.
By 1815, Edward had fallen into a life of theft and pickpocketing. Operating in the crowded marketplaces and docks, he became adept at stealing from unsuspecting passersby. Despite being arrested multiple times, he often escaped with minor punishments due to his youth and the overcrowded jails. However, his luck ran out in 1818 when he was caught burglarising the home of a wealthy merchant. This time, the authorities decided to make an example of him. At the age of twenty-one, Edward was sentenced to seven years of transportation to the penal colony of Van Diemen’s Land.
In early 1819, Edward was transferred to Newgate Prison in London, where he awaited his fate. Later that year, he embarked on the convict ship HMS Intrepid, enduring a harrowing voyage to Hobart. Upon arrival, he was assigned to hard labour on a government farm, where he toiled under the watchful eyes of overseers. The brutal conditions and relentless work left little room for hope, but Edward retained a spark of resilience, dreaming of a life beyond the chains.
On the night of the 12th of March 1819, Edward’s life took an unexpected turn. William Jeffries Sr., a figure of authority within Hobart, selected him and another convict, Thomas Harrington, for a secretive mission. Under the cover of darkness, they were led to the hidden basement beneath Jeffries Manor. There, Edward encountered Alastair Blackwood, a mysterious and imposing figure. As Edward and Thomas stepped through a shimmering Portal, a wave of apprehension and curiosity washed over him. This was no ordinary transfer; they were venturing into the unknown, never to return to the world they knew.
Welcome! Keep an eye on your inbox!
Email address is already registered.
Invalid email format.
An error occurred. Please try again.