Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Transportation
George Commuford was transported on the Hive, departing 24th Aug 1835 and arriving 10th Dec 1835 with 52 passengers.
Hive (generic)References
| Primary Source | New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents, 1788-1842 . Annotated Printed Indentures 1835 |
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Convict Notes
George Comerford was assigned to work for Ambrose Wilson of Penrith, but absconded from his service within less than six months. He assumed the name William Cooper and claimed that he had been born in New South Wales. He was engaged as a shepherd by a Mr. Ebden, and sent him to work in the Port Phillip District, later the colony of Victoria. In May 1837, Comerford left Ebden’s station with two assigned servants, one known as Joseph Dignum and the other simply as Smith. Little is known about Smith; Dignum – whose real name was thought to be Hugh Jennings who was transported as Hugh Jelling/s on the Bussorah Merchant 1831, he was about 33 and ferocious in both nature and appearance, although he often pretended to be weak-minded. 'Dignum' had escaped with earlier with two other convicts from Yass in New South Wales before they were joined by Comerford and five other escaped convicts. Comerford and Dignum picked up axes and they attempted to kill all the others with a blow to the head, four men died immediately and the others were finished off with either further blows or shot. They then burned the bodies. Comerford was executed and buried early on Wednesday morning, 30 May 1838, as the Chief Justice had directed. In light of his murder charge, Comerford could not, under the law at that time, give evidence against Dignum in the Port Phillip murder cases. Without any other evidence on which to build a case against him, Dignum only faced charges for some of the robberies committed while he was at large. He was found guilty of these lesser crimes, and was sentenced to imprisonment on Norfolk Island penal settlement. Many years later, Dignum was finally hanged for the murder of a police sergeant who was killed during an attempted escape.
George Comerford – 30 May 1838 – Bushranger. Hanged at Sydney for the murder of Constable Matthew Thompkins at Deep Creek, near Eganstown in the Port Phillip District. Comerford had murdered (or been involved in the murder of) at least seven men.[77]
Australia, Convict Index, 1788-1868 Name: George Commuford Age: 20 Birth Year: abt 1815 Birth Place: Tipperary Co Arrival year: 1835 Arrival State: New South Wales Ship: Hive 2 Occupation: Servant/soldier No; 35 -3423 252 Native Place: County Tipperary Date of Trial: 16/04/1835 Calling; Soldier and Servant Height; 5 ft. 7 1/2 Complexion: Sallow Hair: Dark Brown Eyes; Dark Hazel General Remarks; Executed for murder 30 May 1838