Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
George Black was transported on the St Vincent, departing 28th Dec 1852 and arriving 26th May 1853 with 214 passengers.
St Vincent (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 92, Class and Piece Number HO11/17, Page Number 634. --00-- Piper, A., “The dregs of a criminal population”, pp39-40, at https://eprints.utas.edu.au/8306/3/02_ch2_Piper_Thesis.pdf |
| 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
No one has claimed George Black yet.
Photos
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Convict Notes
27 June, 1853: George Black was admitted to Hobart hospital - no other details given. 22 July, 1854: He was listed as a Passholder. 1 March, 1855: Absent without leave – punished with 6 months’ hard labour at Impression Bay Probation Station. 9 August, 1855: For “concealing himself in the stone shed yard under suspicious circumstances” he was sentenced to 9 months' hard labour at Impression Bay. 4 May, 1857: George Black received his Certificate of Freedom (https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON33-1-115$init=CON33-1-115p25). --00--
OTHER: His Conduct Record states he was to undertake 1 year 2 months' Probation. In VDL, after November 1839, all arriving convicts were subjected to the Probation system. "They were initially worked in gangs on the public works for a period of time determined by the length of sentence passed upon them by British and Irish courts. Those who satisfactorily passed this probationary test were placed in loan gangs where their labour could be hired out to the private sector. Further good behaviour would earn a ticket-of-leave which would enable the convict to earn a wage. The transition from assignment to probation saw the construction of dozens of new stations throughout much of Van Diemen's Land including a number on the Tasman's and Forestier's Peninsulas. Agricultural probation stations were built at Saltwater River and Wedge Bay, and timber getting stations were set up at Flinders Bay and the Cascades, while a combined agricultural and timber getting station was established at Impression Bay. It was intended that these probation stations would house some 4000 convicts by the end of 1841. Although generally referred to as the Impression Bay Probation Station this convict establishment was far more than just a repository of gang labour. It was also a charitable institution serving the needs of invalid convicts, free pauper invalids and both emancipist and convict lunatics. In its heyday, during the 1840s and 1850s, it was one of the largest and most important establishments administrated by the Convict Department." (Piper, A., "The dregs of a criminal population", pp39-40, at https://eprints.utas.edu.au/8306/3/02_ch2_Piper_Thesis.pdf). --0--
IN VDL: 26 May, 1852: On arrival in VDL, he was listed as #27871, 20 years old, single, a labourer from Aberdeen; illiterate and Protestant. Described as 5’3½” tall with brown hair, grey eyes and a fair complexion. Surgeon’s report from the voyage: behaviour “very good”. This document also notes that he was “deaf” with “hesitation in speech” (https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON33-1-115$init=CON33-1-115p25). Family: Father Ernest, brothers William and James, and sisters Margaret and Elizabeth at his native place (http://foundersandsurvivors.org/pubsearch/convict/chain/ai05209). --0--
DEPARTURE: 24 November, 1852: The St Vincent sailed for VDL. --0-- VOYAGE: 28 January, 1853: From the medical journal of the St Vincent, by Thomas Somerville, Surgeon Superintendent, Folio 1: “John Black [sic], aged 30, convict; sick or hurt, nausea abundens; put on sick list, 28 January 1853, discharged duty 1 February 1853.” (https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/browse/r/h/C4106910) --00--
1851/52: He was transferred to Dartmoor prison, at Yelverton in Devon. Dartmoor, originally built in 1809 and first used for prisoners of war until about 1816, was reopened as a male convict public works prison in November 1850. Within five years the prison became reserved for less able-bodied convicts (https://www.prisonhistory.org/prison/dartmoor-prison/). --0-- 7 August, 1852: He was sent from Dartmoor and admitted to Pentonville prison, Caledonian Road, London. At Pentonville, male convicts served their probationary term of 9 months, after which they would be transported or sent to a public works prison (https://www.prisonhistory.org/prison/pentonville-prison-2/). George Black was listed as inmate #4532, 18 years old, weighing 9 stone 11 lbs on admission, 5’3½” tall with brown hair, grey eyes and a sallow complexion. He was partially literate, single, had no trade, and was from Aberdeen. His "character" in Dartmoor was “very bad”. In contrast, his behaviour at Pentonville was “very good”. --0-- 1 December, 1852: George Black was sent from Pentonville to embark for transportation to VDL (UK, Prison Commission Records, 1770-1951; Pentonville Prison; Register of Prisoners; 1852-1854). --00--
JAILS: 30 March, 1851: England Census – George Black was an inmate of Millbank prison, London; listed on the Census as 18, born Aberdeen, Scotland; position in institution – convict; rank/profession/occupation – thief (1851 England Census for George Black; Middlesex; Westminster; St John the Evangelist; ALL; Millbank Prison). --0--
PRECOGNITION: 1850: National Records of Scotland; Reference AD14/50/98 Title: Precognition against Matthew Crowley, John Eddie and George Black for the crime of theft Accused: Matthew Crowley, Age: 33, weaver, Address: Victoria Lodging House, Exchequer Row, Aberdeen Accused: John Eddie, Age: 23, Address: Victoria Lodging House, Exchequer Row, Aberdeen Accused: George Black, Age: 15-16, Address: Victoria Lodging House, Exchequer Row, Aberdeen (https://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/). -- TRIAL: 11 April, 1850: National Records of Scotland, Reference JC26/1850/11 Trial papers relating to John Eddie, Matthew Crowley and George Black for the crime of theft, habit and repute, and previous conviction. Tried at High Court, Aberdeen. Accused: John Eddie, Verdict: Guilty, Sentence: Transportation - 7 years Accused: Matthew Crowley, Verdict: Guilty, Sentence: Imprisonment - 12 months. Note: Pannel to serve sentence in the general prison at Perth. Accused: George Black, Verdict: Guilty, Sentence: Transportation - 7 years (https://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/). --00--
CRIMINAL HISTORY: PRECOGNITION: 1848: National Records of Scotland; Reference AD14/48/175 Precognition against George Black and Alexander Forbes for the crime of theft, habit and repute, and previous conviction Accused: George Black, Address: Berryland, Aberdeen Accused: Alexander Forbes, Address: Leaside, Gilmaston, Old Machar, Aberdeenshire (https://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/). -- TRIAL: 10 April, 1848: National Records of Scotland, Reference JC26/1848/11 Trial papers relating to Alexander Forbes and George Black for the crime of theft, habit and repute, and previous conviction. Tried at High Court, Aberdeen. Accused: Alexander Forbes, Verdict: Guilty, Verdict Comments: Guilty in terms of own confession, Sentence: Imprisonment - 18 months. Note: Pannel to serve sentence in the general prison at Perth. Accused: George Black, Verdict: Guilty, Verdict Comments: Guilty in terms of own confession, Sentence: Imprisonment - 18 months. Note: Pannel to serve sentence in the general prison at Perth (https://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/). --00--