From Manacles to Mayor

The story of William Archer 1809-1891. William was sentenced to 7 years transportation to New South Wales, where he was accused of a secondary offence and was sent to Norfolk Island for Life. His first hand account of life as a convict was recorded and published in 1889 by his biographer. This book records his story and then traces William’s life as a free settler on the Clarence River in northern New South Wales. He was a sawyer, labourer, builder, farmer and publican. He attained the position of Mayor of Grafton in 1861; hence his transition from 'manacles' to 'mayor'. This is also a family history in which some of his descendants record their family links to William and relate their stories.