Michael Coughlan

Michael Coughlan, one of 172 convicts transported on the Florentia, 14 August 1827

Name, Aliases & Gender

Name:	Michael Coughlan
Aliases:	Coghlan, Coughlin
Gender:	m

Birth, Occupation & Death

Date of Birth:	1810
Occupation:	Shoemaker
Date of Death:	1855
Age:	45 years

Life Span

Male median life span was 56 years*

* Median life span based on contributions

Conviction & Transportation

Sentence Severity

Sentenced to Life

Crime:	Pocket picking
Convicted at:	London Gaol Delivery
Sentence term:	Life
Ship:	Florentia
Departure date:	14th August, 1827
Arrival date:	3rd January, 1828
Place of arrival	New South Wales
Passenger manifest	Travelled with 172 other convicts

References

Primary source:	Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 89, Class and Piece Number HO11/6, Page Number 267 (135)
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 Project.

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Community Contributions

D Wong on 17th February, 2016 wrote:

Old Bailey:
WILLIAM RICHARDS, MICHAEL COUGHLAN, Theft > pocketpicking, 12th July 1827.

Reference Number: t18270712-31
Offence: Theft > pocketpicking
Verdict: Guilty; Guilty
Punishment: Transportation

WILLIAM RICHARDS and MICHAEL COUGHLAN were indicted for stealing, on the 5th of June , 1 handkerchief, value 3s., the goods of William Giles , from his person .
WILLIAM GILES. I live at Mitcham, and am private secretary to Mr. Hoare, the banker . On the 5th of June, about the middle of the day, I was going up Fetter-lane , near Rolls-buildings; I did not miss my handkerchief, but the witness Reeve told me it was gone - I had used it an hour before; I then felt in my pocket, and missed it; I returned with him into his mother’s shop - he said he had sent the shopman after the thieves, and in five minutes both the prisoners were brought in; my handkerchief was not found - it was worth 3s.
CHARLES POLLETT . I am shopman to Mrs. Reeve, No. 118, Fetter-lane. On the 5th of June I was dining in the parlour; my young master called me out, took me to the corner of Rolls-buildings, and pointed out the two prisoners; they turned a corner into White’s-alley - I followed, and turned round; Coughlan was going up a place which is no thoroughfare - I collared him, and called Stop thief! after the other; I dragged him after me, and caught hold of Richards, who was about ten yards off - they were both close together before; I charged them with picking a pocket; they said they were innocent, that they were both looking for work, and were strangers to each other. They were running close together when I first saw them.
Prisoner COUGHLAN. Q. Was not I looking into a
window, reading a bill? A. He just turned his head round towards a window, whether there was a bill in it I do not know.
WILLIAM THOMAS REEVE . I am fourteen years old, and live with my parents, in Fetter-lane - they keep an oil and Italian warehouse. On the 5th of June I saw Mr. Giles at the corner of Rolls-buildings; the prisoners were close to him; I saw them draw a pocket-handkerchief out of his pocket - Coughlan was the one who drew it out; he put it into his breast pocket; I was four or five yards off; they turned down Rolls-buildings. I went into the parlour, and called out Pollett; I then went and told Mr. Giles what I had seen; I did not pursue; I afterwards saw them in Pollett’s custody, and was quite sure of them - they were taken in four or five minutes.
Prisoner RICHARDS. He said at first that I was not with Coughlan. Witness. No; I said there was a third one behind them.
THOMAS TOOVEY . I am a contable. The prisoners were delivered into my custody on this charge - I took them to Hatton-garden.
COUGHLAN’s Defence. I was coming up Fetter-lane, and on turning down Rolls-buildings it came on very wet - I ran; a man came and pursued me; I stopped at a window to look at a bill, and he said I had picked a gentleman’s pocket - I said I was innocent. They searched me three times, but could not find the handkerchief; I never saw the other prisoner before in my life.
RICHARD’s Defence. I heard a gentleman halloo Stop thief! I immediately stopped; he took Coughlan towards me, and said it was for picking a pocket.
RICHARDS - GUILTY . Aged 17.
COUGHLAN - GUILTY . Aged 18.
Transported for Life.

Ship not found for William Richards.

3/1/1828: Aged 18, Could read and write – assigned to William Bucknell, Hunter’s River on arrival.

27/8/1834: Aged 24 from London. 5’ tall, ruddy fair complexion, light brown hair, hazel eyes, small scar over corner of right eye – Absconded from Wollombi Bridge Party 17th August.

30/1/1835: Admitted to Newcastle Gaol from Sydney. To be sent to Maitland to be dealt with.

18/3/1837: TOL Maitland.

1839: Application to marry Ann Kershaw (came free).
1839: Married and they had 8 children.

30/6/1847: Extended CP granted.

1855: Michael died aged 45 – Listed as Coghlan.

21/8/1855: Ann married William H Bunn at Wollombi and she died in 1902 at Singleton aged 80.

Convict Changes History

D Wong on 17th February, 2016 made the following changes:

alias1: Coghlan, alias2: Coughlin, date of birth: 1810 (prev. 0000), date of death: 1855 (prev. 0000), gender: m, occupation, crime