Summary
Personal Information
Voyage
Transportation
John Crothers was transported on the Tottenham, departing 31st Dec 1817 and arriving 14th Oct 1818 with 201 passengers.
Tottenham (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 88, Class and Piece Number HO11/3, Page Number 5 (4) |
| 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 Pro |
| Original Source | Great Britain. Home Office |
| Compiled By | State Library of Queensland |
| Database Source | British convict transportation registers 1787-1867 database |
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Convict Notes
His original conviction: On Tuesday morning last, John Crothers, Thomas Wright, and John Blinkhorn, alias Kendrick, were committed to our Castle, the former charged with uttering and having in his possession a considerable quantity of forged Bank of Ireland Notes, and the two latter charged with committing burglaries in Liverpool. Lancaster Gazette, 12 July 1817. Lancaster Assizes. John Crothers, uttering forged Bank notes. Lancaster Gazette, 23 Aug 1817.
Launceston. John Crowther alias James Crowther alias John Crothers  feloniously receiving various articles of wearing apparel, the property of Margaret Page, above the value of five pounds. Trumpeter General. 19 Aug 1834.
Tasmanian Records. Conduct Record. https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON31-1-6/CON31-1-6/CON31-1-6P227 No 665, John Crother, per Tottenham and Woodlark. See for details. Convict Description Record. https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON23-1-1/CON23-1-1/CON23-1-1-P080 Age 35, native of Armagh. Farm labourer, plough. Tried Lancashire Aug 1817. 14 years, and Launceston Q.S. 18 Aug 1834, 14 years. See record for full details.
The following case is the one when John Crothers was the Approver. (informer), which is reported in full in the Sydney Gazette, 2 Oct 1823. (available on TROVE) The prisoners were all found guilty and sentenced t o 14 years transportation. Criminal Court. Monday. William Brown Halden, Michael Crawley, William Vaughan, James Johnston, George Seagar, and John Lawes, were indicted for stealing from the stores of Mr. John Dickson, of the Steam Engine, on or about the 18th of May last, various quantities of gin, flour and wheat, together with several bags. …. The approver, John Crothers, now came to be examined. He was the government servant of one Thomas Russel, who resided in the vicinity of the Market-wharf. About 12 days prior to his apprehension on the present charge, he had changed his lodgings at the suggestion of Crawley,—with whom he had been previonsly well acquainted,—the boat being nearer the Steam Engine, to convey the property from Mr. Dickson's clerks. The first spoliation consisted of 5 bags of flour and wheat ; Halden was then the clerk of the watch. The robberies were planned by Johnston, who was the messenger on every occasion. On the first night Johnstontold them, if customers were to be found, plenty of flour could be got with the aid of the clerk : this was related in the presence of Vaughan, who assisted to bring the flour from the mill. Most of the bags belonged to Williams, the baker, who had all the spoil on that occasion. Two nights after they went again, and Johnston and Vaughan carried the sacks to the boat ; the prisoner Halden aiding to fill the sacks. Crawley paid Halden two dollars a bag for the flour, and advised them to come whenever they required a fresh supply ; and that, should they like a few cases of gin, they were to be had ; for which Crawley offered £2 a case, containing 15 3-pint bottles. Halden said he would let him know next day by Johnston. The latter accordingly apprised Crawley and Crothers; who went in the night as usual, and found 2 cases ready at the wharf. Halden received £4 for them. In about 3 weeks after this, Vaughan told the witness (Crothers) that Johnston was gone up the river, but if he would come that night flour would be ready as usual. They were directed to take 9 or 10 bags, there being a new fire-man as well as a new clerk, who was much better fitted for the purpose than the old one. The new fire-man, Lawes, was on the wharf in waiting ; he took the bags to the mill, and in a short time Lawes and Vaughan returned loaded : on this occasion, they secured 8 bags of flour, and 1 of wheat. The prisoner Seagar, the new clerk, came down, and Crawley paid him 2 dollars for each bag, requesting him not to tell Johnston. Seagar also told him that he would send word by Johnston, when the time was ripe for the gin. Accordingly Johnston saw the witness, who shewed him a new key that had been made for the spirit store. They were to be supplied with brandy, gin, tea, sugar, or any other merchandize the stores afforded. Another nocturnal voyage was decided on, and the little bark was again laden with 6 cases of gin, which were shipped by Lawes. Johnston and Seagar were present ; and the latter received the money from Crawley, who was the treasurer upon all occasions. In a few days after 7 bags of flour were brought away ; when the witness saw Seagar, Vaughan, and Lawes. [It may be as well to remind the Reader here, that Halden had left Mr. Dickson's about a month, and was succeeded by Seagar.] Four sacks belonging to Mr. Dickson were taken away this time. When the constable (Lane) came to McKinley's, Johnston only had time to make his escape, having called for a sum of money said to be owing to him by Crawley. Relative to the disposal of the gin, this witness corroborated the testimony of the foregoing witnesses, and enumerated the various parties who had bought this high-priced gin. He said that Crawley had sold one of the cases to Elizabeth Fowler, near the Market-wharf, to the truth of which she deposed. Mr. Dunn, Chief Constable, deposed, that there was little, if any, variation in the testimony given by the approver before the Court, and that which he advanced at the Police Office.
Colonial Secretary index. CROTHERS, John. Per "Tottenham", 1818 1818 Oct 20 On list of convicts disembarked from the "Tottenham" and forwarded to Parramatta for distribution (Reel 6006; 4/3499 p.110) 1819 Oct 14 On list of prisoners sent to Newcastle per "Lady Nelson" (Reel 6006; 4/3500 p.295) 1823 Nov 17 Requesting to be transferred (Reel 6057; 4/1766 p.72) 1824 Feb 5 On list of persons proposed to be sent to Hobart (Reel 6012; 4/3510 p.289) 1824 Feb 9, Mar 15 Had testified before the Court of Criminal Jurisdiction. Embarked on "Woodlark" to serve remainder of sentence in Hobart (Reel 6019; 4/3522 pp.14, 28) 1824 Feb 9 Prisoner to proceed to Hobart per "Woodlark" (Reel 6012; 4/3510 p.303) 1824 Feb 10 Prisoner embarked on board the "Woodlark" for Hobart (Reel 6060; 4/1776 p.27a) -------------------------------------------------------------- Date. November 17 1823. Please, your Honor, We unfortunate men as taken the liberty of addressing these few lines unto your Honour hoping favour … will be given unto your Honour this request for to send us away as soon as possible you can and also for send word unto the Barracks for us men for to stop in until such time as we do go away, as our Lifes are in danger when we go out of the Barracks to work We remain your Humble Petitioners, John Crothers James Brown. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Letter dated 9 Feb 1824.To Lieut. Gov. Soull, Van Diemens Land. Sir, I have the honor to acquaint you that the Prisoners named on the margin, having given their testimonial before the Court of Criminal Jurisdiction as Approvers, have been embarked on board the Woodlark for the purpose of serving the remainder of their sentences, to be forwarded by the next opportunity, at Hobart Town. Signed, F. Goulburn. Colonial Secretary. Names on Margin: John Crothers, Tottenham. Hugh Ryan, Brampton. Mark Westwood, Mangles. Jas. Browne, Hebe. Jas. Gorst, Mary Henry Hughes, Isabella (crossed out) Wm Scarfe, Mary 1, (crossed out).
1826 - New South Wales and Tasmania, Australia Convict Musters, Tasmania. 1826 No; 665 Name; John Crothers Ship arrived by; Tottenham To whom assigned/Occupation; CONSTABLE
Tasmanian Record: CON13-1-3 Image 26 List of 5 convicts who having given their testimonies before the Court of Criminal Jurisdiction as Approvers, were embarked on board the Brig Woodlark on the 9th ultimo for the purpose of serving the remaider of their sentences at Hobart Town in V. D. Land. Signed by J. Goulburn, Colonial Secretary’s Office, at Sydney, and dated 15 March 1824. John Crothers (1831/296) Ship: Tottenham; Trade, Farmer; Tried Lancaster Ass. 27 Aug 1817; Sentence, 14 years.