James Thomas Morisset

Who was James Thomas Morisset?

Lieutenant-Colonel James Thomas Morisset, penal administrator, was commandant of the second convict settlement at Norfolk Island, from 29 June 1829 to 1834.

He was commissioned into the 80th Foot in 1798, saw service in Egypt and India and was badly wounded in 1811 in the Peninsular War, leaving his face badly disfigured. He was promoted Lieutenant in 1801. Transferring to the 48th Foot, in 1817 he arrived in New South Wales with his regiment. He was promoted Major in 1819.

In December 1818 he was appointed as commandant and magistrate at Newcastle. His public works were admired by Governor Macquarie. His attention to prisoners, and attempt to adapt punishments to individual convicts was also praised by Commissioner Bigge. He was regarded as a stern disciplinarian, one historian claiming "the cat-o'-nine-tails and the triangle … were in daily and almost hourly service". In 1823 he was appointed commandant at Bathurst where he restored order after clashes with aborigines had led to martial law being declared in the district. He returned to England on leave in February 1825 where, at the age of 43, he married Louisa Emily Vaux.