George was the man who didn’t hang although he received a sentence of hanging, he was granted his life one week after three other revolutionaries had swung from the gallows at Derby in November 1817. Instead he was transported to Australia with many others. Kiama, then an outpost of civilization hacked from dense rain forest, became his home after he had served his term as a convict. Mr. Thorburn is director of the Australian Genealogical Education Centre, which is housed in a building opposite the cottage where George died. During a talk at Pentrich Village Hall on Friday 31st August, PHS members asked Mr. Thorburn to return to Kiama with the cast aluminum plaque, and cement the connection between the two communities. Mr. Thorburn had been speaking on the experience of the Derbyshire convicts to an audience of over 100 history enthusiasts from all over Derbyshire. Historical Society chairman David Clarke said: “We always intended to commemorate the connection of Pentrich men with descendants and known places in Australia, and Mr. Thorburn’s visit has given us the opportunity to do so.” Also see - George Weightman’s plaque unveiled in Kiama, NSW |
