James Blake

46

Heather Stevens on 27th August 2018

Born about 1801 County Limerick. Tried 21 Feb 1823 at Rathkeale under the Insurrection Act, sentenced to 7 years transportation. "Limerick Chronicle" 26th February 1823: "On Friday last, Serjeant Terreens opened the Sessions under the Insurrection Act at Rathkeale and closed on Monday. There were thirty three for trial, two of whom, named James Blake and John Mulvihill, were fully convicted and sent off from thence on Monday to Cork for transportation - the latter had in his possession when taken some seditious material. The Learned Serjeant addressed the prisoners at great length, and he humanely admonished those who were acquitted." Irish Archives PPC 1934: Date of document 9/4/1823. Petition of 21 convicts confined at Cork under the Insurrection Act: "That Petitioners were Tried before the Honourable Sergt Torrents and the Honourable Sergt MCartney in the County of Limerick and County of Kerry under the insurrection act the whole for being absent from their Dwelling houses and according the Sentence of transportation being passed on them" ..."that on trial no Charge of importance could be preferred against them, save that but being absent from their Dwelling houses mostly Transacting their lawful business" ..."that your Excellency will lend them part of your accustomed Clemency in restoring them to their forlorn families who are in that State of famine and will in future be an incumberance on the Counties..." 29 Apr 1823 left Cork on the Earl St Vincent. 157 male convicts, one death on the voyage. Surgeon was Robert Tainsh. James was treated at various times for catarrh, scurvy, 'slight pectoral complaints', and diarrhoea during the voyage. Arrived Sydney 9 Sep 1823 Description from convict indent: age 22, trade or calling ploughman, height 5ft 7 ¼ in, complexion fresh, brown hair, hazel eyes. 1823 Sep 15 on a list of convicts landed & forwarded to Liverpool for distribution. Assigned to William Cordeaux Esq of Leppington. 19 Mar 1825 trial at Liverpool Courthouse: On St Patrick's Day he was given a half-day off as long as he stayed on Cordeaux's farm, but he and 3 others left and went to a pub. Sentenced to 50 Lashes 'over his head' for being absent without leave, threatening his master and falsehood. Oct 1827 Douglas Hill near Stonequarry (Picton): He is on Road Gang No 18 for striking Thomas True 'under circumstances of great provocation'. He worked on the Great Southern Road (now known as Menangle Road). He was not in chains. 5 Apr 1828 Petition to Governor Darling asking him to grant ‘such indulgence as your Excellency may think him entitled to’. The subinspector of roads Mr W.A.Thompson added that Blake had ‘conducted himself with propriety’. 4 Mar 1830 Certificate of Freedom. Trade or calling: Labourer and carpenter. Description: 5 ft 8 in, sallow, dark brown hair, brown eyes, ‘nose rather inclining to the right side’ 17 Apr 1833 Marriage "James Blake per the Earl St Vincent to Rose Hynes per the John Bull in presence of Denis Burk, John Hopkins & Ann Kearns".[St Marys RC parish records, Sydney. Rose 'Mynes' in NSW BDM index] Rose was from Moate, County Westmeath and had accompanied her mother Mary ‘Hines’, convict with a 7 year sentence on the John Bull which arrived Sydney 18 Dec 1821. On the same day, 17 Apr 1833, their daughter Ellen was baptised: Ellen Blake, parents James Blake & Rose Hynes, sponsors John Hopkins & Ann Kearns - by Rev John McEnroe. 1841 census: James was living at Castle Hill. Apparently his wife Rose had died by then and he was living with his daughter Ellen and two boys (names unknown) 10 May 1842 marriage James Blake to Mary O’Hara, both 'of Dural'. Witnesses James O'Hara and Mary Bentley, both of Dural. Married by Nicholas Joseph Coffey, St Patricks Parramatta RC register. Mary was the daughter of James O’Hara, farmer of Little Dural (Kenthurst). Mary previously had a child, George Kennedy at Moreton Bay. James Blake had 5 acres of wheat, 10 acres of maize and 5 acres of oats growing in 1842. In 1846 Mary's father, James O'Hara transferred ownership of some land (25 acres) to Mary. 8 Apr 1880 Death. Death certificate has age'75', Cause of death 'senile decay'. This is the only source of his parents' names: father John Blake (publican) mother Ellen Cockler. Wife 'Mary Kennedy'. Children 5 males and 4 females living, one male deceased. Informant son in law H Thiele. 10 Apr 1880 Burial St Patricks RC Cemetery, Parramatta