James Thomas Morisset

Lieutenant Colonel James Thomas Morisset (1780 – 17 August 1852), penal administrator, was commandant of the second convict settlement at Norfolk Island, from 29 June 1829 to 1834.

Early life Morisset was baptised on 21 August 1780 in the Church of St Giles in the Fields, Holborn, London, the son of James Morisset (1738–1815) and Jannetta Tadwell. His father, James Morisset, was a famous goldsmith of Huguenot descent. The name of James Morisset is inextricably associated with the finest examples of Applied Art in enamels and precious metals and stones to have been produced in England in the last quarter of the eighteenth century. James Morisset crafted presentation swords and snuff boxes, and many of his works remain today held by the Queen of the United Kingdom, in museums or in private collections.

Military career In 1798 Morisset was commissioned into the 80th Regiment of Foot in 1798. He fought in Egypt against the French invasion of Egypt and Syria, receiving a gold medal for his service from the Sultan of Egypt in 1801. He was promoted Lieutenant in the same year.

In 1805, he bought a captaincy in the 48th Foot. He was wounded in 1811 in the Peninsular War, leaving his face badly disfigured.

In 1817 he arrived in New South Wales with his regiment. He was promoted Major in 1819. however Morisset's descendants dispute this identification.

Norfolk Island Morisset returned to England on leave in February 1825 where, at the age of 43, he married Emily Louisa Vaux. Morisset's legacy continues to be debated.