James Byrne – the man of several names. One of the Amity convicts was recorded as James Byrnes, per Asia 2. He also went by James Burns and John Burns. To further confuse, there were two convicts named John Burns aboard the Asia in 1822. One was tried in Liverpool, the other Surrey. In theContinue reading “The Amity Convicts – Success Stories and Recidivists.”
Tag Archives: Convict Snapshots
The Amity Convicts – Lewis Lazarus and Dominic Marley.
Lewis Lazarus. There were two young men named Lewis Lazarus who were sent to Moreton Bay in its early years. Lewis Lazarus 1 (1803-1843) came per the Amity on 14 September 1824.[i] Lewis Lazarus had a short but action-packed life. On 2 December 1817, aged fourteen, he was found guilty of picking the fob-watch outContinue reading “The Amity Convicts – Lewis Lazarus and Dominic Marley.”
The Amity Convicts – Four Convict Artisans.
A series of posts to commemorate 200 years since the Amity arrived at Redcliffe with convicts in September 1824. Robert Butler, carpenter. Felix Fairley’s Bristol Journal of 16 January 1819 noted approvingly that Liverpool’s streets had been cleared of mendicants and beggars. This was due, it said, to the exertions of the Chief Magistrate inContinue reading “The Amity Convicts – Four Convict Artisans.”
The Amity Convicts: Some Useful Trades for the Settlement.
George Gunningham – stonemason. George Gunningham was a tall, fair-haired stonemason from Taunton, born at the turn of the 19th century. George made two mistakes in his life. Both earned him transportation to a penal colony. At the Somerset Lent Assizes of 1823, George Gunningham was convicted of larceny, and given fourteen years’ transportation toContinue reading “The Amity Convicts: Some Useful Trades for the Settlement.”
The Amity Convicts – Regency Crimes
William Grady A Regency crime in Hanover Square. William Grady was a Londoner, born just after the turn of the 19th century. This was the Regency period, and William Grady committed the most Regency crime in the most Regency place in 1821. Two contemporary views of Hanover Square. Pickpockets not pictured. William Grady was chargedContinue reading “The Amity Convicts – Regency Crimes”
The Incredible Life of Anthony Best.
Convict at Moreton Bay 1827-1833. The Cordwainer’s stolen pillow-case. In Hull Packet of 24 October 1809, Messrs Croudace and Stork proudly announced the opening of the Hull Coffee-Roasting Office. No longer would the flavour of Hull’s coffee be injured by London Traders’ careless stowage, or by moisture damage through carriage by sea. It would beContinue reading “The Incredible Life of Anthony Best.”
An Honest, Persevering, Sober and Vigilant Man – at Moreton Bay?
I have known Robert Harvey for some time and believe him to be a sober, honest and industrious character and as such recommend him. Henry Cowper. I do hereby certify that Robert Harvey has conducted himself much to my satisfaction, and I received from Lt. Miller a most excellent character of his behaviour at theContinue reading “An Honest, Persevering, Sober and Vigilant Man – at Moreton Bay?”
The Life and Death of Caleb Atkins.
The wonderfully named Royal Cornwall Gazette, Falmouth Packet, and General Advertiser of Saturday 30 March 1816 contained a peculiar mix of news. There was the death of the “Indian Juggler,” whose sword-swallowing act had gone horribly wrong. A servant had words with his master, and killed the man with a dung-prong. A trunk of clothesContinue reading “The Life and Death of Caleb Atkins.”
The Humble Petition of John Norman.
The petition was written in an elegant hand, with exquisite flourishes in the lines addressing it to His Excellency, Lieutenant-General Ralph Darling, Governor in Chief of New South Wales. A few, but not too many, flourishes adorned the body of the petition. Enough to be respectful and formal, not enough to be overly ornate. TheContinue reading “The Humble Petition of John Norman.”
Prisoner No. 1 at Moreton Bay. Thomas Billington.
The Amity Convicts. A parade, a crowd and a picked pocket. On 4 July 1818, a distinguished lawyer and reformer named Sir Samuel Romilly was being conveyed about the City of Westminster in triumph, having been returned first in the poll. It was an uncommonly fine day, and Sir Samuel rose frequently to bow andContinue reading “Prisoner No. 1 at Moreton Bay. Thomas Billington.”
Moreton Bay and More 