William arrived with his brother James both nineteen years old and his friend Guy Maple as indentured servant labourers to Colonel Latour. On seeing the appalling conditions of the new colony their master left them on the beach to fend for themselves and departed for Van Diemens Land. They were left to live as best they could. William and James were anxious to work, but an employer who would pay cash was hard to find. Young and penniless and hopeful of better days they cut and hauled timber (sandalwood) for a living. On the 4 January 1841 William (aged 30 years) married Martha Higgins who arrived on the 6 May 1830 on board the ship 'Britannia' with her parents William and Sarah Higgins. William and Sarah moved to Preston and then to Capel River in 1836. Later moving to Perth, then to Wonnerup and finally back to Capel. They settled on Lot 37 (45 acres) on the banks of the Capel River to farm and raise their large family of nine boys and three girls. Two other children had died at an early age, making a total of fourteen children. They faced many hardships raising such a large family. William died 7 January 1875 and Martha died in 1902. Also refer the book ' Just a Horse Ride Away; A History of the Shire of Capel and its People'.