Summary
Personal Information
Voyage
Transportation
James Connell was transported on the Duke Of Portland, departing 31st Dec 1806 and arriving 27th Jul 1807 with 203 passengers.
Duke Of Portland (generic)References
| Primary Source | New South Wales, Australia Convict Ship Muster Rolls and Related Records, 1790-1849 |
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Convict Notes
HO-9-8-3 page 16/51. Hulk records at Portsmouth show that on 15 Jan 1807, 11 convicts arrived from Dublin, whose names are given, but with no further information. The same day these 11 men were embarked on board the Duke of Wellington. “Received eleven from Dublin 15 Jan 1807. Bartholomew Biglane Archibald Biglane Jas Kinsey John Kinsey Patrick Hart Patrick Harrydon Patrick Flynn Michael Grant Wm Cortellon Connell Jas Ferguson George Thomas All Sent on board the Duke of Portland, 15 Jan 1807.”
Trial of Threshers - Carrick-on-Shannon - Thursday December 16 1806 - The Court opened at 10 o'clock pursuant to adjournment. Bills of indictment were sent up to the Grand Jury, against James Ferguson, Michael Grant, and James Conolly, when after some deliberations and examining several witnesses, the bills were found against those persons who are charged under four several counts - associating under the name of threshers, dressed in a garb not usual with his Majesty's subjects on their ordinary occasions, dressed in white shirts, armed with guns, pikes, and other weapons - and that they did assemble after such manner on the night of 29th October last, at Gortinmore in the county of Leitrim The prisoners were put to the bar and pleaded not guilty. First witness on behalf of the Crown, Richard Irwin of Dremulla, a Magistrate - Recollects the 29th October last - had heard on that day of an intended meeting of Threshers, was informed they were to come into the Parish he was in (Carrygallan) on that night, to swear in persons to be of their party - went out about twelve or one o'clock on that night, with a party of yeomanry - party consisted of about 14 or 15 - came up with the on the lands of Gortermone - they were marching in regular order - at first took them for a stream of water being dressed white - 150 in number - Threshers stopped at the house off one Castello - brought out a coal and gave a hurra - he supposes to encourage their party - upon this, witness gave orders to fire - Threshers immediately fled - witness not being active enough to join in the pursuit, remained on the field, while the party pursued - witness found some pikes, some pitchforks and a grape, on the ground the Threshers stood on - witness explains to the court, what he meant by a grape 9 a three prong pitchfork) found also a straw bonnet and shirt - party in about fifteen minutes returned with the prisoners Grant and Connolly, had shirts over their clothes - Ferguson had not - knew the latter before - knew Grant and Little but not Connolly - prisoners confessed their being sworn - but in the defence said they had complied through force - but declared that they knew not the person who had compelled them to become Threshers - witness asked the nature of the Threshers oath as he had most depended on him - Ferguson said, it was to observe the Threshers laws, to go out when called upon - to pay no Tythes, except to the Rector, and not to prosecute a Thresher - knew Ferguson to be a protestant - Ferguson said nothing about the dues of the Priest - Connolly acknowledged he carried a grape shaft - Grant carried a pitchfork - Ferguson had a short in his pocket with much bog dirt on it - owned it to be his.......The Jury retired and after about half an hour's deliberation found the three prisoners guilty. Sentence transportation for life. The trial lasted the whole of the day; both the Judges sat on the Bench and the court was greatly crowded. - Belfast Newsletter 26 December 1806.
James Connel was sentenced to Transportation for life at a Commission at Carrick on Shannon, set up to deal with the Thresher movement. 16th December 1806. Jas. Ferguson, Michael Grant, Jas. Connell, were indicted, for that they with many others, on the 29th of October, 1806, with force and arms did rise, assemble and appear in arms, at Gortenmore, in the county of Leitrim, tot the terror of his majesty’s subjects, and did assume the name and denomination of Threshers; and did wear unusual dresses and badges, to wit, white shirts over their clothes, not being their usual dress upon their lawful occasions, against the peace and statue. They were also indicted, for that they, not being thererto compelled by inevitable necessity, feloniously did take an oath, importing to bind them to be of a society and confederacy formed to disturb the public peace, that is to say, “that they should keep secret and obey the laws of the Threshers, and attend when called upon by them,” etc. against the peace and statute. The prisoners pleaded Not Guilty. “Threshers.” They were sentenced to transportation for Life. To read the report of the complete trial: Cobbett’s Complete Collection of State Trials and Proceedings - pages 159/160 and onwards. (This book is available free online.)
New South Wales, Australia Convict Ship Muster Rolls and Related Records, 1790-1849 1807 - Duke Of Portland. Convicts Name; James Connell Age; 23 Where Tried; Leitrim When tried; Dec 1806 Term of Transportation; Life