James Anderson

TRIAL: 27 June, 1828: John Anderson was tried and convicted in Belfast for desertion from the 9th Regiment of Foot (New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents, 1788-1842 for John Anderson; Bound Indentures; 1829). --0--

IN NSW: 4 November, 1829: On arrival in NSW, he was listed as #92, John Anderson alias Clarke, 32 years old, able to read and write, Protestant, single; native place Lothian; soldier and tailor (New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents, 1788-1842 for John Anderson; Bound Indentures; 1829). --0--

MORE ABOUT THE COURT MARTIAL & PUNISHMENT: 24 March, 1828: Private John Anderson (alias Clarke) of the 91st Foot was originally court martialled in Belfast on this date for desertion (General courts martial: register; 01 January 1806 - 31 December 1838 at https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1606823300/view). Note: His convict Indents from the Guildford don't square with the above Register. They give 27 June 1828 as the date of his court martial. 1 August, 1828: Private Anderson and two other soldiers from different regiments had their Court martial proceedings "laid before the King" on this date. This record states that the sentences were "returned after revision" and the punishment for each of the three "as approved by His Majesty" was "transportation as a felon for life and sent to NSW" (https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1606823300/view). Military records and newspaper reports show the 91st was stationed in Jamaica at this time. Did James Anderson leave Jamaica of his own volition after deserting and make it back to Ireland where he was, subsequently, arrested? In his VDL Convict Indent record, he says he went by the name of Clarke when he first deserted, and was imprisoned for 3 months. When he deserted a second time, he received a sentence of transportation for life. The same record gives his native place as Midlothian and details of his father, brother and sister/s (https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON17-1-1$init=CON17-1-1P24) --0--

COLONIAL CONVICTION: 26 October, 1839: Tried in the Sydney Supreme Court, convicted and sentenced to 15 years for horse stealing (one horse) at Richmond, NSW (https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON17-1-1$init=CON17-1-1P24). --0--

14 July, 1840: He arrived at Norfolk Island (per Lady Franklin or Triton?). He was listed as convict #71, John Anderson alias Clarke, per Guildford, sentenced in Sydney, on 26 October 1839, to 15 years (New South Wales, Australia, Convict Records, 1810-1891; Norfolk Island; Norfolk Island: Returns of Convicts to NSW, 1844-1845). --0--

6 June, 1844: Listed as one of two convicts to arrive in VDL per Lady Franklin (https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON33-1-55$init=CON33-1-55p41) 4 September, 1845: He received a "meritorious conduct" report for "apprehending two absconders who were apprehending Doctor Edwards with the intention as they afterwards stated to murder him". He was subsequently recommended for a Ticket of Leave. --

5 December, 1845: ToL granted. -- 18 December, 1845: From the Colonial Times, p2 (https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8756200): "CONVICT DEPARTMENT. Comptroller-General's Office, Feb. 15, 1845. It is hereby notified to the under-mentioned individuals, that it is the Lieutenant-Governor's intention to recommend them to the Right Honorable the Secretary of State for Tickets-of-Leave, for meritorious conduct:- John Anderson, Triton John Jones, Asia 6 M. FORSTER, Comptroller-General." --0--

DEATH: 4 November, 1846: John Anderson per Lady Franklin, tried 11 March 1840 Sydney Supreme Court, was accidentally killed at Launceston (Tasmania, Australia, Convict Court and Selected Records, 1800-1899; Register; Registers of convict deaths, 1845-1874). Note: Date of his Sydney trial differs from that given on his convict record. His death record #642 [incorrectly] gives the date of his death as 4 January 1847 and the date of its registration in Launceston as 1 January 1848. Age: 35 [also incorrect]. Cause of death "accidentally killed" (https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD35-1-16p157j2k) --0-- 28 August, 1847: John Anderson was recommended for a Conditional Pardon! (https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON33-1-55$init=CON33-1-55p41). --0--