Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
William Cummerford was transported on the Surrey Or Surry, departing 13th Jul 1829 and arriving 14th Dec 1829 with 200 passengers.
Built at Harwich in 1811 a square-rigged transport ship of 443 tons and copper lined she had two decks with a height between decks of 5 ft. 8 ins. In 1818, she had a major refit increasing the decks (and convict carrying capacity) to three. She was owned by the London firm of F. & C.F. Mangles.
Surrey Or Surry (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 89, Class and Piece Number HO11/7, Page Number 118 |
| 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 |
Claims
"I'm researching William."
Convict Notes
Research by Sandie McKoy. William Cummerford - key events ENGLAND 1812: Born around 1812. According to prison and convict records, was a native of Liverpool, England. I can find no evidence of this or a birth/baptism record for England. According to Ganymede Hulk description list, was born at King Street, London. Couldn’t read or write. 4 May 1827: charged with stealing a snuff box from Henry Coates with William Simpson. Information taken: 15 years old, surname Comerford, native place – Liverpool. Held in Newgate Prison. The Bill couldn’t be found and he was released. 6 November 1828: stole a handkerchief worth 5s ‘from the person’ (George Howell). 7 November 1828: bought into custody and placed in Newgate Prison. Remained there until transferred to the Ganymede Hulk in December 1828. Information taken: 16 years old, surname Cummerford, native place – Liverpool, labourer. 4 December 1828: Middlesex Sessions, Old Bailey - Pled guilty and sentenced to transportation for life. 16 December 1828: received on either the Ganymede or the Dolphin Hulk at Chatham. Features in description books for both. December and June 1829 reports – health and behaviour good. 8 July 1829: moved from the Dolphin Hulk onto the Surrey. 11 August 1829: left England on the Surrey. TASMANIA 14 December 1829: arrived at Van Diemens Land. Police number - 1005. 18 December 1830: Master – Williamson. Charged with neglecting to attend muster at Church. 4 July 1831: Master - Williamson. Charged with being out of his lodgings after dark and engaging in riotous conduct. 1832: assigned to Captain Alexander Davidson. Stationed at his farm Cashmere near Ross Bridge. 10 July 1832: Neglect of duty in losing 100 sheep belonging to Captain Davidson. Was supposed to drive them to the farm at Ross. 31 July 1832: Cashmere farm held up by bushrangers. Henry Smith and his wife lived there and were attacked. On 3 August 1832, William was charged with gross misconduct in refusing to assist Smith and his wife and his masters property. 2 yrs imprisonment with hard labour and returned to the Crown. 23 January 1833: Chain gang. Charged with neglect of duty. 1833 Muster: public works. 17 April 1834: chain gang. Neglect of duty – 25 lashes. 14 December 1835: Master - J. Atkinson, Launceston. Charged with drunkenness and insolence. 25 lashes. 28 December 1835: Master - J. Atkinson. Absent from his master's premises and in a house of bad characters. 25 lashes, sentence remitted at the request of his master. 4 January 1836: Launceston Petty Sessions, returned to Government. Had been in service to J. Atkinson. Surgeon General certificate stated he was currently unfit for service. 14 August 1838: Ticket of Leave awarded. 4 February 1839: charged with being drunk and fighting. 1-month hard labour. Ticket of Leave suspended during the month and ordered not to reside in Launceston during this time. 1841: Ticket of Leave. 22 May 1842: Conditional Pardon. Number 383. 29 March 1843: Launceston Police Court - fined £1 and costs for unlawfully assaulting Mr. Alexander Matthysssens. 10 April 1843: Fined 5 shillings for being drunk. 22 August 1843: Conditional Pardon granted. 2 November 1844: M. Forster, Comptroller General, advertised in newspapers that it was the intention of the Lieutenant Governor to recommend William for an absolute pardon. 25 February 1846: full pardon approved. After 1846 – I can’t find any records beyond this year. SOURCES London, England, Newgate Calendar of Prisoners, 1785-1853. UK, Prison Commission Records, 1770-1951. Criminal Entry Books, 1786 – 1871, (HO 13). Old Bailey Online - t18281204-15. Convict Prison Hulks: Registers and Letter Books, 1802-1849 (HO 9). Description book of convicts in the hulk 'Ganymede', moored at Chatham, 1814-1831, ADM 6/422. Registers of convicts in the hulk Dolphin', moored at Chatham, with gaoler’s reports, 1823-1833, ADM 6/420. England, Criminal Lunatic Asylum Registers, 1820-1876. Australian Convict Transportation Registers – Other Fleets & Ships, 1791-1868 (HO 11). Description List CON18-1-19, Image 66. Description List CON23-1-1-P091. Conduct Record, CON31-1-6-340. Appropriation List CON27-1-4P48. 1830 Muster: Hospital. New South Wales and Tasmania, Australia Convict Musters, 1806-1849. Tasmania, Australia, Insolvency and Petty Sessions, 1829-1902. New South Wales and Tasmania, Australia, Convict Pardons and Tickets of Leave, 1834-1859. Trove Digitised Newspapers. Tasmania, Australia, Hobart Town Gazettes, 1844-1906. Tasmania, Australia, Convict Court and Selected Records, 1800-1899.