I have not found a shipping record that has Thomas PRINCE emigrating to South Australia. When he married Elizabeth Luke ROGERS on 12th Nov 1868, the record has him as eldest son of Thomas PRINCE, Essex.

In the 1841 England, Wales & Scotland Census there is only one record from Essex of a family with a Thomas Prince (father) and Thomas PRINCE (son). If this is our family, then Thomas PRINCE (the son) was born c.1839.

In the 1841 England, Wales & Scotland Census, the PRINCE family is still at Essex, but Thomas PRINCE is not listed with the family. Perhaps Thomas became a ship boy or cabin boy on a sailing ship and later an articled seaman (see below).

The only Thomas PRINCE I can find was an 'Articled Crew Member' (cook & steward) on 'Emma' in April 1858. 'Emma' had departed London and arrived in Hobart in April 1858. Thomas PRINCE was charged by the chief mate with insubordination on 22nd April for having left the vessel without permission for about 2 hours. It was reported that Thomas had claimed that he had left to get tea and other things and had had a glass of ale but was not drunk. A constable was called and after a verbal exchange and Thomas was arrested and taken off of the ship. He was sentenced to 14 days imprisonment with hard labour. 'Emma' departed Hobart 28th April for Guam. Thomas PRINCE was in Hobart when she left.

Given that I have not found a record of Thomas PRINCE emigrating to South Australia, or coming here after the incident at Hobart, the only theory I have come up with is that the Thomas PRINCE that landed at Hobart made his way to South Australia somehow in the 10 years years after his landing at Hobart and before marrying Elizabeth. I hope that more information may emerge that either confirms this theory or provides another explanation.

Thomas PRINCE married Elizabeth Luke ROGERS on 12 Nov 1868 at Res J.P. ROGERS, Adelaide. On the wedding record, his father was listed as Thomas PRINCE. In a newspaper notice for the marriage, Thomas was listed as eldest son of Thomas PRINCE, Essex and Elizabeth was 4th daughter of John Phillips ROGERS, Adelaide. When Thomas Henry was born, his father Thomas PRINCE was from Mount Lofty. After that, most of the other children were born at Riverton. One report said he was an engineer at Riverton and later, an engineer at Brompton.

I have not yet discovered the date of death of Thomas PRINCE or where he was buried.
Elizabeth Luke PRINCE was admitted to the Glenside Mental Hospital early in 1894, and died 21 July 1906.
She was buried in the Stirling District Cemetery (In the pauper section).

Children of Thomas PRINCE & Elizabeth Luke ROGERS

1. Thomas Henry PRINCE (known as Harry) b. 6 Jan 1870 North Adelaide m. Maude Elizabeth TIER d. 3 Nov 1944 (74yrs) at St. Peters.
2. Elizabeth Emily PRINCE b. 4 Mar 1871 Riverton d. 28 Aug 1954 (82yrs) single, at North Adelaide
3. Jane Caroline PRINCE b. 15 Jun 1872 Riverton d. 4 Aug 1872 (7wks) at Riverton
4. Athelstan George PRINCE b. 1 Jul 1873 Riverton m. Edith THOMPSON d. 27 Jun 1954 Glenunga.
5. Percy PRINCE b. 9 Apr 1875 Riverton m. Jessie Ann ADAMS d. 9 Aug 1941 Forrestville
6. Elsie Mabel PRINCE b. 21 Feb 1877 Riverton Charles Francis HOPPE d. 1 Nov 1956 Ceduna
7. Garnet PRINCE (Dodger) b. 26 Dec 1878 Riverton d. 18 Oct 1934 Broken Hill
8. Possibly an Emmy PRINCE (no details but mentioned in family notes)