We know from the convict indents that Richard was 5’ 5” tall had light hair and hazel eyes.  In 1813 when he arrived on the Fortune 2 he was indentured to John Thomas Campbell, Secretary to Governor Macquarie who himself had arrived in the colony in 1810. John Thomas Campbell had joined Macquarie's party in 1809 in Caledon Ireland where JT enjoyed the patronage of the Earl of Caledon. JT went with Macquarie on the understanding something would be done for him in New South Wales. On their arrival in Sydney on 1 January 1810 Macquarie appointed Campbell his secretary. Campbell was one of the leading signatories of the colonists' petition for redress of grievances, which Macquarie supported in March 1819, and during the 1820s he was prominent in the movements for extension of the rights of the emancipists, the fight for civil liberties, and the demand for a legislative assembly. This leads me to feel that our John Richard would have been treated well as servitude goes. 
 
John Richard was granted a Ticket of Leave on the recommendation of John Thomas Campbell in January 1815. His Ticket of Leave was destroyed. The Ticket of Leave allowed JR to own property, and be self employed within a set district.  Our JR served 2 years with John Thomas Campbell before being granted his Ticket of Leave in 1815. Why? we shall never know but he was extremely lucky to have served such little time before being able to make his way in the colony. 
 
Richard married Frances Green [ free to the colony] daughter of Jonathan Green and Elizabeth Cooper on 3rd March 1818 in Sydney. Both were illiterate as their marriage certificate has X as their signature. The marriage Bann  was listed on 2nd February 1818. They had 2 children William Richard born 4th December 1818 Sydney and George born 1821 and died 1822 Sydney.
 
John Richard petitioned for the mitigation of his sentence and his absolute pardon in 1821. He was on the list on 1st Sept 1821 to recieve his absolute pardon. His petition can be read at the link below "The Story of John aka Richard Smith". At the time of his petition JR had saved some funds and purchased cattle. The family were living in Sydney as the 1822 muster indicates he was a householder with Frances and the 2 boys. In this muster he is listed as Richard Smith. 
 
Just one year later in 1823 Richard leaves on the Britomart. On 13th March 1823 a notice indicated the Britomart was to sail for Mauritius under Captain Peache and that anyone wanting passage should contact Messrs Riley & Walker. The Britomart had arrived in Sydney from the Society Islands on 30th January 1823. The Britomart was taking Timor horses to Mauritius and we assume JR signed on given his background as a groom however given he was a passenger and not a crewman we cannot be sure about this. His connections with John Thomas Campbell would have assisted him to obtain this work or passage. John Thomas had connections with Messrs Riley and Walker. JR submitted in the Sydney Gazette of 10th and 17th April 1823 a claims notice which at the time was required. These claims noted his convict history which was unusual . So we cannot be sure why Richard left the colony and the 1823/24/25 Muster muddies the waters somewhat also- see the Story button below.
 
Richard never returned or did he??? Read the alternatives possible in his story below. There are no records of deaths at sea for the Britomart and we know it arrived in London in 1823. See the button marked Britomart for a history of the voyages and ship. The 1828 Muster shows Frances remained in Sydney and that John aka Richard had left the colony - it did not indicate he was deceased. In that year though Frances had another child Charles Henry Smith who later changed his surname to Green. 
 
Could our John Richard Smith be the man who died in 1825 at the Drapers Buildings and is buried at All Hallows Wall?  Or was he the Richard Smith repeat offender who returned on the Royal Charlotte in 1825? Did Frances end up a widow or did she enact a colonial divorce with a man who continued to offend? Read The Story of John aka Richard Smith to find out more. To learn more about France's family go to Jonathan Green and Elizabeth Cooper. 
 
Frances went on to " marry" Joseph Sewell who raised her boys William and Charles with their own sons Jonathan and Daniel William Sewell. See Sewell page for more information on Joseph.