However the story really begins a little earlier. In 1807 George’s younger brother, Joseph, was tried, found guilty in the assizes at Taunton Castle, and hung. George seemed to be somewhat “involved” as he is endorsed as being “at large” in the court record. He seems to have started using the alias Morris during this time.

From The Times, 29th April, 1807...

Transcription...
"On Wednesday, James Watts and Joseph Ennever, for uttering and having in their possesion several forged Bank of England notes, and others of the Chelmsford Bank: and Edward Mudford, for breaking open the shop of Mrs.Abrahams, at Yeovil, and stealing fifteen silver watches: and John Tingly, for breaking open a house, stealing upwards of 60/. and putting the wife of Mr.J.Hackway in personal danger, were executed at Ilchester. So strongly do the effects of superstition still sway the minds of many persons that it is an undoubted fact, several children were taken by their parents all the way from Bath to Ilchester (about forty miles) on purpose that they might be touched by one of the criminals whilst suspended, as a charm against the King's evil."

From the Bath Journal...

Transcription...
"EXECUTION AT ILCHESTER. - On Wednesday, James Watts and Joseph Ennever, for uttering and having in their possession several forged Bank of England Notes, and others of the Chelmsford Bank ; and Edward Mudford, for breaking open the shop of Mrs. Abrahams, at Yeovil, and stealing fifteen silver watches ; and John Tingly, for breaking open a house, stealing upwards of 50/. and putting the wife of Mr. J. Hockway in personal danger, were executed at Ilchester. Watts was about 30 years of age, born in the neighbourhood of Bradford, in this county, and was in the practice of jobbing cattle at different fairs, but bad recently settled as a butcher in Bath market. Ennever was a shoemaker at Bath, a young man of rather reputable character, until his connection with a gang of forgers. - The behaviour of the four criminals at the fatal tree was every way proper and exemplary; though Watts is reported to have shown few signs of contrition till within a short period of his execution."

In 1809 George’s mother, Sarah and father John, also using the Morris alias, were tried and acquitted at The Old Bailey, also for passing dodgy notes.

Sarah's Old Bailey proceedings...

Back to George's story...

Before being bundled off to New South Wales George spent three months on a prison hulk, Leviathan, at Portsmouth, where he is recorded as being a good lad in the Gaoler's Report.

The caption reads...
"The Royal Dockyard at Chatham
This View is taken from the Banks of the River Medway, near Upnor Castle
We can trace this Royal Yard as far back Queen Elizabeths Reign, but since that time has undergone great Alterations, and improvements, so as to become the greatest Building yard in the Kingdom. And when this view was taken, there was on the Stocks the Leviathan of 74 Guns, finished, the Ville de Paris upwards of 100 Guns Building, the Royal Charlotte nearly finished, one of the largest Ships in the World, being upwards of 2278 Tons Burden, and on the same construction and dimensions with the Royal George lately launched there, and now lying in the River Medway, and three Ships of the Line in Dock repairing.
Published Oct 29, 1789 by J & J Boydell, Cheapside & at the Shakespeare Gallery, Pall Mall London."

I also found a reference to him spending time on another prison hulk, Bellerophon, at Sheerness at the mouth of the Thames Estuary prior to his transportation.

George was one of one hundred and seventy-five convicts aboard the vessel Morley as it headed for New South Wales on its first of six runs as a convict transport ship under Captain Robert R. Brown. It sailed from England on 18 December 1816. Morley sailed via the Cape and arrived at Port Jackson on 16 April 1817. The surgeon on board was Robert Espie. The entire voyage took only 113 days, which set a new record. There were no deaths during the voyage.

This painting by William Adolphus Knell in 1828, titled “The ship Morley and other vessels” is held by the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich but sadly it isn’t currently on display!

George must have towed the line when working as a convict. In May 1818, just over a year after his arrival he was granted a ticket of leave to work in the old family trade as shoemaker/cobbler, not a forger!

In 1821 George was given a Conditional Pardon and the next year he was granted a licence to serve alcohol at the Greyhound Inn in Castelreagh Street, Sydney.

The Australian Pub Project records that...
"The original Australian Hotel, leased to John Murray, sat at 116 Cumberland Street on land within the Observatory Hill precinct.
However, the history of the hotel’s license can be traced back to 1824, when a pub traded on George Street, next to where the Museum of Contemporary Art now stands.
The Sydney Gazette announced that the Australian Hotel was officially opened for business on George Street on August 12 1824. When the plague hit Sydney in 1900, many buildings were pulled down to prevent further outbreaks, including the Australian Hotel.
The license was then transferred to a new building at 116 Cumberland Street."

In a comment further down the page, Anne Francis notes that...
"The original Australia Hotel in George St was built by George Ennever Morris in 1824. His wife Ann (nee Walton) had been granted a license to sell liquor at the Greyhound Inn Castlereagh St in 1821. It is may be that that original license was transferred to the Australia Hotel. So the license may be earlier than 1824. George and Ann were my 4th great grandparents so I would be grateful if you have any further information related to the original Australian Hotel ( as far as I am aware the first so named in the Colony, although this may be incorrect) George’s daughter and her husband took over the Australian in 1828 White (sic) George and Ann moved to the Crown & Anchor across from Customs House."

In 1825 George sent off a very eloquent request, called a Memorial, to Governor Brisbane for a land grant. I found this part of it...

This Memorial must have gone pretty well as this 1828 Census record shows...

Here's an explanation of the key information...
"Morris, George, 47, Morley, 1817, life, Protestant, inn-keeper, George Street Sydney, 600 acres, 70 acres, cleared, 20 acres cultivated, 4 horses, 58 horned cattle."

It seems George and Ann powered on and in 1833 he was given an Absolute Pardon. For some reason the details on the front page have been blanked out, but you'll get the idea...