Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
John Ballenger was transported on the Duke Of Portland, departing 31st Dec 1806 and arriving 27th Jul 1807 with 203 passengers.
Duke Of Portland (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 87, Class and Piece Number HO11/1, Page Number 389 (194) |
| Source Description | This record is one of the entries in the British convict transportation registers 1787-1867 database compiled by State Library of Queensland from British Home Office (HO) records which are available on microfilm as part of the Australian Joint Copying Pro |
| Original Source | Great Britain. Home Office |
| Compiled By | State Library of Queensland |
| Database Source | British convict transportation registers 1787-1867 database |
Claims
"John Ballenger, partner of Ann Thompson & grandfather x5 & first convict in our family to be transported for his crime in England. He and Ann were never legally married, however they did have children and remained in a relationship until their death."
Photos
No photos have been added for John Ballenger.
Convict Notes
Tasmanian Baptism Registration. https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD32-1-1/RGD32-1-1-P019 Charles Billenger, baptised 26 June 1812, son of John and Ann (Nee Thompson), abode, Hobart Town, by Rev R. Knopwood.
It seems that John Ballenger went to Van Diemen's Land quite early. Tasmanian Records. John Bellinger, to VDL per ship Ruby; To NSW per Ship Duke of Portland. Convict Record. https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON31-1-1/CON31-1-1P253 John Bellinger. Only entry on the record: S.C. 2 yrs. Feby 1823. --------------------------------------------------------------- The following report, from The Hobart Town Gazette, 4 Apr 1818, may refer to this John Ballenger. A few days ago, a child about 5 years of age, son of John Ballenger, residing beyond New-town, while at play, was attacked by a large boar, the property of Capt. Blyth, and so dreadfully mangled as to be immediately conveyed to town for surgical aid ; but by the attention and care of Mr. Surgeon Hood, the child is now in a fair way of recovery. Had it not been for the sagacity of a bitch which seized the boar, the sufferer would have been killed by the ferocious animal. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Colonial Secretary Index. BELLINGER, John 1822 Nov 7 On list of persons at Hobart committed for trial before a Court of Criminal Jurisdiction (Reel 6017; 4/5783 p.163) 1823 Feb 7-Mar 5 To be transported to Macquarie Harbour for two years. In reports of prisoners tried at Court of Criminal Jurisdiction (Reel 6023; X820 p.81) -------------------------------------------------------------------- Context. A list which accompanies a letter by Edward Abbott, who was Deputy Judge Advocate in Van Diemen’s Land, from 1815, re his opinion on measures to expedite court cases. (ie , have a Criminal Court yearly in VDL, instead of sending prisoners and witnesses to NSW for trial there) Nov 7 1822. A list of persons committed for trial before a Court of Criminal Jurisdiction. Jno Bellinger, Free, Jos. Peck, Free, and Thomas Freeman, Convict. Charge: Having stolen property. For the Prosecution, 5 (or 6) witnesses. Feb 7 – Mar 5, 1823. To be transported to Macquarie Harbour for two years. In reports of prisoners tried at Court of Criminal Jurisdiction. John Bellinger, Joseph Pack and Thomas Truman: Charged with feloniously stealing from the dwelling house of George Langford at Hobart Town, goods to the value of Twenty pounds. Not Guilty. John Bellinger, Joseph Pack and Thomas Truman: Charged with unlawfully receiving Goods to the value or Twenty pounds, stolen from the dwelling house of George Langford at Hobart Town, wile knowing the same to have been feloniously stolen. Guilty. Sentence: To be transported to Macquarie Harbour for the term of Two years from thirteenth day of February instant. ------------------------------------------------------------- At a Bench of Magistrates, held at the Court-house in Hobart Town, on Saturday last, the Deputy Judge Advocate, in the Chair ; —John Bellinger and Joseph Peck, free men, and Thomas Foreman, convict, were fully committed for trial before a Court of Criminal Jurisdiction, on the charge of having property in their possession stolen from Mr. George Langford — Hobart Town Gazette, 24 Aug 1822. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday—John Bellinger, Joseph Peck, and Thomas Trueman were indicted for feloniously stealing from the dwelling-house of Geo. Langford, in Liverpool-street, no person being therein, on the 25th May last, 40 yards of woollen cloth; and in another information, for receiving the same knowing it to be stolen.—The cloths stolen were of drab and Waterloo blue, while the goods found in the possession of, or upon the person of some one of the prisoners, were of a dingy brown. The prosecutor, however, stated that the cloth had been dyed here, but positively swore to them by the cord and general appearance. A woman, neighbour of Bellinger, also swore to having seen a pot boiling there, with wattle-tan in it.— On behalf of the prisoners, a witness was produced, who swore to being present, when Bellinger and Trueman bought the 2 pair of the trowsers found, ready made up, of two tailors in the street here but as the proof against the prisoners was as to 8 pair of trowsers, all alike, being found in their possession, as also certain pieces of the same cloth, which could not, as suggested, evidently have been the remains of cloth cut from trowsers, too large only in size, for the prisoners; they were acquitted of the felony, but found Guilty of the misdemeanor, with a sentence of transportation to Macquarie Harbour for two years. Hobart Town Gazette, 15 Feb 1823. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Death. Burial Reg: https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD34-1-1/RGD34-1-1P138 John Ballinger, resident at New Town, buried 3 Dec 1833 in parish of Hobart Town, age 51 years, Accidentally killed, Farmer. Ceremony by Wm Bedford. We are happy to observe, that the Attorney General has not found a bill against Walton, charged, on the Coroner's warrant, with the 'Manslaughter in a minor degree of John Bellinger." From particulars which have come to our knowledge, during the week, it appears we were in error in stating, that Walton jumped upon Bellinger. The fact of any violence further than a scuffle was not proved on the Inquest ; nor could it be supposed, from any appearance on the post mortem examination. On the contrary, in the opinion of the medical witnesses, the deceased died of inflammation of the intestines— mortification having taking place. The Colonist, 10 Dec 1833. A Coroner's Inquest was held yesterday, upon the body of a person named John Billinger, who met his death at the hands of an individual of the name of Walton, who, having found him ill-using his wife in the bed-room, under peculiar circumstances, was so aggravated as to throw him down, and jump upon him; from the effects of which he died the following day. Walton is an industrious man, with an excellent character, and had just obtained a spirit license, for the new building at O'Brian's Bridge. Mr. Gellibrand attended the Inquest, on behalf of Walton. Verdict — Manslaughter. The Colonist, 3 Dec 1833. -------------------------------------------------------------- The Will of John Ballinger: https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/AD961-1-2/AD961-1-2-67_1 https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/AD961-1-2/AD961-1-2-67_2 https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/AD961-1-2/AD961-1-2-67_3 This Document refers to letters of Adminstration of the Will of John Ballinger, granted to Ann Ballinger. (With the will of the said John Ballinger annexed) “Know all men By these present that we, Ann Ballinger of O’Brien’s Bridge Van Diemen’s Land, widow and Relict of John Ballinger, late of O’Brian’s Bridge aforesaid, Farmer, deceased; Noah Mortimer, of O’Briens Bridge aforesaid, yeoman, and Charles Flegg of Hobart Town, aforesaid, shoemaker; are and each of us is held and firmly bound unto ….”
At Bristol Assizes, … and John Ballenger, for stealing 20 yards of cloth, 12 handkerchiefs, stockings, &c. in the shop of Mr. Dean, received sentence of death — … Shrewsbury Chronicle, 27 April 1804.
Ann Thompson-Spouse
1807 Jul John Ballenger, Court: Oyer & Terminer & Gaol Delivery, Tried: 7 Apr 1804, at Bristol [SOM ENG], Sentence: 14 years, Certificate issued: Absolute Pardon number 116 -Free Pardon: Date of Pardon: 31 Jan 1812;