Summary
Personal Information
Voyage
Transportation
John Best was transported on the Minerva, departing 1st Jan 1818 and arriving 7th Jun 1818 with 167 passengers.
The Minerva was built at Lancaster, England in 1804. 4 voyages bringing convict transportees to Australia.
Minerva (generic)References
| Primary Source | Irish Convict Database, by Peter Mayberry. |
Claims
"I am descended from John Best."
Photos
No photos have been added for John Best.
Convict Notes
MURDER.— A young woman, the wife of a settler, near New Norfolk, named Doran, was found murdered last week, not far from her husband’s house— suspicion has fallen on her own father, and he is now in Hobart Town Gaol, committed to take his trial for the murder, We cannot learn that there is any direct evidence against the old man, and we are surprised to find, that no reward has been offered for the discovery of the murderer. Trumpeter, 19 Dec 1834. New Norfolk. John Best committed for trial, for wilfully murdering Ellenor Doran. Morning Star, 23 Dec 1834. MURDER !—A poor woman named Doran, was found murdered near New Norfolk. The father, John Best, is in custody, charged with having some knowledge of the dreadful affair. We have no doubt, for the honor of human nature, the charge will be unfounded. The Tasmanian, 26 Dec 1834. Verily, the Grand Jury is now a responsible body. A man named John Best was committed for trial by that wisest of Justices, Mr. Justice Dumaresq, charged with a serious offence. Mr. Gellibrand being, of course, employed to defend him, and seeing from the depositions themselves that the man's innocence was apparent, applied to the Attorney General (the Grand Jury) to know whether he meant to find a bill. The Grand Jury wrote Mr. Gellibrand a note to the effect that Best would be discharged. Fourteen days elapsed, during every one of which, Mr. Gellibrand, who was anxious that an innocent man, who was to be discharged (charged, too, with such an offence) should not pass the Christmas in gaol, called at the office of the Grand Jury ; but that body was always engaged, either at private parties, or upon private business, or with private practice, or with dejeuners a la fourchette, so that poor Best remained in prison. Mr. Gellibrand happening to meet Mr. George Stephen, the Clerk of the Court, in the Gaol-yard one day last week, requested him, in presence of Captain Bannister, to mention Best's case to his brother (the Grand Jury) and received for answer, that he, (Mr. George Stephen) had himself read over the papers, and he thought he should recommend his brother not to discharge the man, but to put him upon his trial! Verily, the Grand Jury is now a truly responsible body. Colonial Times, 6 Jan 1835. A free pardon, or conditional pardon, or ticket of leave, and twenty pounds, is offered for any information, which may lead to the conviction of the person or persons, who committed the murder on the body of Eleanor Doran, the wife of John Doran, on the night of the 10th of December last, on the road between Hobart Town and New Norfolk. The True Colonist Van Diemen’s Land Political Despatch, 24 Jan 1835.
Tasmanian Records. Conduct Record. https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON31-1-1/CON31-1-1P123 No 100. John Best. Tried Trim, Aug 1817, Life. Dec 13 1834. C.E. Wilfully murdering Ellenor Doran on the evening of 10 Dec 1834. Comm’d. For Trial at the Sup. Court. Conditional Pardon, No 179, 25 Sept 1830. ------------------------------------------------------
Crime Burglary and robbery
Irish Convict Database, by Peter Mayberry. John Best, age on arrival, 36, per Minerva I (1) 1818, Tried Meath, 1817, Life, DOB 1782, Native place, Kinnegad? Westmeath Co., Trade, Labourer.