Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Transportation
John Drummond was transported on the Nile, departing 18th Sep 1857 and arriving 1st Jan 1858 with 271 passengers.
Nile (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 93, Class and Piece Number HO11/18, Page Number 239 (121) |
| 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
IN WA: From his Fremantle jail record: DRUMMOND, John; inmate #4591, arrived 1 Jan 1858 per Nile Date of Birth: 1833 Place of Death: Vasse Marital Status: Unmarried Occupation: Clerk Literacy: Semi-literate Sentence Place: Liverpool, Lancashire, England Crime: Receiving stolen goods Sentence Period: 14 years Previous Convictions: Yes Ticket of Leave Date: 19 Nov 1859 Conditional Pardon Date: 5 Mar 1862 Certificate of Freedom Date: 31 Aug 1870 (https://fremantleprison.com.au/). --00--
10 September, 1857: Sent from Portland to board the Nile for transportation to WA; behaviour on voyage "good" (Western Australia, Australia, Convict Records, 1846-1930; Convict Department, Registers; Convicts Transported Per Nile (R32)). --00--
19 May, 1857: Admitted to Portland jail, in Grove Road, Portland. Portland, Portsmouth, Chatham and Spike Island in Ireland were listed public works stations and the second stage in the penal process. After separate confinement, prisoners were “placed on work parties at various locations, most commonly naval stations, where maintenance of facilities was vital for the effective protection of Britain’s far flung commercial and military influences around the world. While there, attitude and behaviour were monitored closely. In theory, only after consistently positive reports was a prisoner moved on to the third stage of his incarceration—transportation.” (Edgar, p40) John Drummond was listed as inmate #7056; 22 when convicted, single, shoemaker, semi-literate; next of kin, his father John Drummond, 28 Temple Buildings, Dale Street, Liverpool. Health "good". Behaviour "very good" (UK, Prison Commission Records, 1770-1951; Portland Prison; Prison Records to 1875). --0--
JAILS CONT'D.: 20 September, 1856: As John DRUMMOND, he was sent from Liverpool gaol after serving 7 months 28 days, to Wakefield prison. There he served 7 months 28 days in separate confinement; behaviour "very good". “After a sentence of transportation was handed down, the prisoner entered into a separate stage where he was placed into an individual cell, isolated from others, apart from brief periods of exercise and attendance at chapel. However, no communication of any kind with other prisoners was permitted at any time. The philosophy behind this penal methodology had its provenances in the religious, monastic traditions; i.e., that in the isolation of his cell the malefactor would be able to contemplate the errors of his way, unadulterated by the negative influences of former contemporaries, and be reformed.” (Edgar, 2018, pp39-40) When first put into practice, the mandated period of separate confinement was 18 months. By the late 1840s, authorities had conceded that such conditions of imprisonment were “injurious to many prisoners’ mental health” and the stint was reduced to 12 months. Periods of separate confinement were reduced further “as a prisoner displayed good behaviour tendencies” (Edgar, p40). Millbank, Pentonville, Wakefield and Mountjoy in Ireland were the “Probation” or “Separate” prisons, as were some local jails. --0--
COMMITTAL & JAIL: 11 August, 1856: Committed for trial by G Maxwell Esq, Liverpool, on a charge of "breaking and entering the warehouse of one Francis Peek [sic], and stealing therein 14 pounds weight of tea, the property of the said Francis Peek". Held at Liverpool Gaol from 7 August until after his trial. Listed on the jail record as John Drummond, alias John Hughes, 22, shoemaker, illiterate (UK, Prison Commission Records, 1770-1951; Liverpool Gaol; Calendar of Trials to 1874). --00--
ADDENDA: PREVIOUS CONVICTION & TICKET OF LEAVE 15 December, 1851: As John HUGHES, he was sentenced at Liverpool Sessions to 7 years' transportation for stealing two coats, taking into account a previous conviction. 7 April, 1852: As John Hughes, admitted to Wakefield Gaol; served 9 months in separate confinement. 29 December, 1852: As John Hughes, admitted to Portsmouth prison, inmate #1349, 19 years old when convicted, shoemaker, "intelligence better than the average", semi-literate; next of kin -- his parents John and Mary Ann Drummond, 10 Temple Street, Liverpool. Notation: "Character a thief" (UK, Prison Commission Records, 1770-1951; Portsmouth Prison; Register of Prisoners; to 1879). 25 June, 1855: Granted a Licence (Ticket of Leave) #3404 -- "Reference: PCOM 3/33/3403; Licence number 3403: John Hughes. Convicted of Larceny and of having been previously convicted of felony at the Quarter Sessions at Liverpool, Lancashire, 15 December 1851. Then aged 19 years and by trade a Shoemaker. Sentence: 7 years' transportation. Licence granted: 25 June 1855, for early release from Portsmouth prison" (https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C10243210). 3 July, 1855: Discharged from Portsmouth jail as per Ticket of Leave provisions (UK, Prison Commission Records, 1770-1951; Portsmouth Prison; Register of Prisoners; to 1879). --00--
NEWSPAPER reporting of his court appearances: 4 August, 1856: From the Liverpool Albion, p10: A returned convict, John Drummond by name, was, on Thursday morning, apprehended with eight sample parcels of tea in his possession, which were afterwards ascertained to have been stolen from the warehouse of Messrs. Peake Brothers and Winch, No.7 North John-street. He was taken before the magistrates the same day, and remanded for a week. 11 August, 1856: John Drummond, remanded from Thursday week [31 July] for stealing a number of sample parcels of tea from the premises of Messrs. Peake Brothers and Winch, in North John-street, was, on Thursday [7 August], committed for trial. --00--
TRIAL: 25 August, 1856: John Drummond was convicted at the Quarter Sessions, Liverpool, of receiving stolen property and sentenced to transportation for 14 years; a previous conviction for stealing coats (in 1851) was taken into account (England & Wales, Criminal Registers, 1791-1892; England; Lancashire; 1856). --0--