Summary
Personal Information
Voyage
Transportation
Mary Byrne was transported on the John Calvin, departing 24th Jan 1848 and arriving 18th May 1848 with 92 passengers.
Built 1839 at Greenock, Scotland. Wood barque of 510 Tons. The 1848 voyage with Irish female convicts. The John Calvin, with 171 female convicts, arrived yesterday. She left London on the 26th December, and went to Kingston, when she took on board her prisoners, and left on the 24th January. There have been four deaths on board and three births, one infant still born. She did not touch any where and spoke no vessels for this place. Hobart Town Advertiser, 19 May 1848.
John Calvin (generic)References
| Primary Source | Libraries Tasmania's Online collection CON15-1-4 Image 238 |
Claims
No one has claimed Mary Byrne yet.
Photos
No photos have been added for Mary Byrne.
Convict Notes
Relationship at age 21yrs 1845 - Co Wicklow Ireland Patrick Kinchley father of Catherine Byrne Transportation 7 years at age 23yrs 28 June 1847 - Co Wicklow Ireland Stole 5 stone of potatoes IMPRISONMENT 1847 - Grangegorman Gaol, Dublin, Ireland "Married surname Kinsella on Grangegorman Gaol" records. (Information obtained from Friends of the Orphan Schools St John's Park Precinct website) Departure at age 24yrs 24 Jan 1848 - John Calvin (2) from Dublin 171 Females Arrival 18 May 1848 - John Calvin (2) Served 6 months " probation" on the "Anson" prison hulk, Hobart. OCCUPATION 1849 - New Town, Hobart, Tasmania Muster shows hired by Mrs M. Boyes, New Town TICKET-OF-LEAVE at age 26yrs 31 Dec 1850 CONDITIONAL PARDON 21 June 1853 at age 29yrs Says 5 yrs 2 mths since conviction Occupation Plain Cook/Laundress
An inquest was held at Hobart Town, on the 13th ultimo, upon the body of Mary Byrne uxor Whittaker, per John Calvin, C.P., aged 47 years. Verdict--Manslaughter. Abraham Whittaker committed for trial. Tasmania Police Gazette, 3rd Nov 1871, p177.
Launceston Examiner (Tas. : 1842 - 1899) Sat 4 Nov 1871 Page 4 NEWS OF THE MONTH. NEWS OF THII MONTH. On the 11th alt, at about seven pm, Mary Whitaker, the wife of a quarryman named Abraham Whitaker, residing at the corner of Bathurst and Molle Streets, Hobart Town, died under circumstances of so suspicious a character that her husband has been apprehended on a charge of wilful murder. On that evening the husband re- turned home at the close of his day's work when he found his wife under the influence of liquor, and no tea had been prepared. He is said to have struck her in the face with his fist, severely blacking the right eye, her left eye having been similarly Injured a day or two pre- viously. Whitaker has been since committed for trial on a charge of manslaughter.
Status; Single - 1 child on board Father of child; Pat Kinckley Roman Catholic Offence; Stealing 5 stone of potatoes FRIENDS OF THE ORPHAN SCHOOL Orphan Number: 725 Orphan: Catherine BYRNE Mother: BYRNE, Mary Father: KINCKLEY, James Mother's ship: John Calvin Father's ship: Age when admitted: 4yrs Date admitted: 22 May 1848 Date discharged: 7 Jan 1851 Institution(s): Queens Orphan School Discharged to: mother, Ticket of Leave and married Remarks: surname Kinsella on Grangegorman Gaol records References: SWD7, 28 https://www.orphanschool.org.au/showorphan.php?orphan_ID=725 1852 - 30 March 1852. Child Catherine Whittaker died. Vide Coroners Letter 31 March 1852 This orphan has been claimed by: Margaret Soliatis Catherine Byrne's mother Mary married Abraham Whitaker/Whittaker and I am a direct descendant through their son John who came to NSW after marrying Eliza Goyen. This Whittaker family had a tragic life. Catherine died from burns received when her clothes caught fire from candle when she was placing sugar on a shelf. (She was only 7 years old). Mary came from County Wicklow, Ireland and was sentenced to 7 years for stealing 5 stone of potatoes in 1848. I have located both Mary & Abraham in the historical newspapers. It appears they both had a drinking problem. Abraham was also charged with the murder of Mary, found not guilty but guilty of manslaughter with a strong recommendation for clemency. He was sentenced to one year in gaol. Abraham was from Yorkshire, England and was sentenced to 15 years for highway robbery. He spent 2 years on Norfolk Island, arriving on the Blundell in 1844. He came to Hobart on the Lady Franklin. Abraham is buried in Cornelian Cemetery (as well as his son Joseph) https://www.orphanschool.org.au/showorphan.php?orphan_ID=725