This article was originally published in the December 2002 edition of Soul Search, the journal of The Sole Society

Earlier this year, following a trip to Norfolk Island, I contacted John Slaughter regarding an interesting headstone in the old part of the cemetery. At the time I did not have the photo developed, and now send it to you along with the transcribed transcription.

The inscription reads:

"Sacred to the Memory of Thos Saulsbury Wright Native of Frodringham Yorkshire Who died Feb. 7th 1843 Aged 105 years."

The tour leader told us that he had been convicted twice previously for similar forgery crimes in England, and this time, his third or fourth offence, when aged 97 years, was sent to Norfolk Island! I do not know what the number in top left corner of headstone is for. I checked the IGI: he was born 1738 but no parents are given.

He must certainly have had an iron constitution to survive the hardships and lack of nourishing food on Norfolk Island (convict rations) and live to be 105 years of age.

I thought there may be someone somewhere with a lost ancestor: whether a Saul or Wright family who knows?