His own father had him prosecuted.

Both his dad and the authorities were wrong - becoming, ironically, the town bailiff.

Mr Winstanley was actually sentenced to death at age 17, but had his sentenced commuted at the recommendation of a 19^th century English jury. Instead he was deported to the prison colony of NSW, arriving November 5 1819.

His crime: stealing silverware and clothing worth £1.15.0.

Now his descendants are planning to celebrate the 200th anniversary of his arrival in Sydney harbor.

Mr Winstanley became a cabinet maker and in 1833 received his freedom, moved to Sydney and started a family with fellow convict Priscilla Woodford. By 1852 he had moved to Dundee in search of gold and settled down as one of Glen Innes' leading citizens - constructing the roof of the town's Holy Trinity Church and in an ironic twist becoming the town bailiff.

He forever did his best to hide his convict past, changing his name to James Thomas, James Benjamin and even John Thomas.

The couple were buried together in the Glen Innes Cemetery, both dying in the 1880s. The Examiner's obituary of Priscilla said she had 112 children, grandchildren and even great great grand-children.

Descendant Tracey Reed is hunting down as many fellow descendants as she can, and invites related people with family names like Horrigan, Power, Dodds, Watts, Blake, Gaffney, Cash and Jennings to a celebration on November 2 at the Services Club from 2pm till late.