Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
Denis Finn Snr was transported on the St Vincent, departing 13th Sep 1836 and arriving 5th Jan 1837 with 119 passengers.
St Vincent (generic)References
| Primary Source | NSW Convict Indents, 1788-1842; Non-Annotated Printed Indentures 1837 |
Claims
No one has claimed Denis Finn Snr yet.
Photos
No photos have been added for Denis Finn Snr.
Convict Notes
1845, 23 September: Admitted to Bathurst Jail – Dennis [Denis] FINN, bond, free by servitude, per St Vincent 1837, born 1785; 5’6”, stout build, fresh complexion, grey hair, hazel eyes; Catholic; native place Carlow; labourer; received from Bathurst; drunkenness, 48 hours in the cells (see NSW Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930; Entrance Book, Bathurst 1841-1845). 1853, 16 November: Dennis [Denis] FINN died at Bathurst (see Illustrated Sydney News, 3 Dec 1853, p2 at https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/63613736). 1853, 26 November: From the Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal, p2: “Sudden Death: An inquest was held on the body of Denis Finn on Thursday the 17th last, before the District Coroner Dr Busby, when it transpired in evidence that deceased was attacked with a fit whilst in a state of intoxication on the previous day and died suddenly. Dr Connell conducted a post mortem examination, from which it appeared that serious apoplexy [stroke] was the cause of death – Verdict accordingly.” (see https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/62051183)
1841, 15 February: Ticket of Leave 41/302 – Denis FINN, employed by William Suttor; issued for Bathurst District (see NSW Tickets of Leave, 1810-1869; Tickets of leave, 1827-1850: Descriptions, Muster Rolls, Lists; Bathurst, Brisbane Water, Moruya; 1827-1850). 1841, 5 March: Replacement ToL issued to Denis FINN, No41/566, for District of Yass (see Tickets of Leave, 1810-1869; Ticket of leave butts, Dec 1840-Mar 1841). 1843, 22 September: Denis FINN Snr – Certificate of Freedom – No43/1582; labourer; born 1779; 5’5¼”, dark sallow complexion, a little pockpitted; light brown hair, mixed with grey; bluish eyes; whiskers, scars and diseased leg as per Convict Indents (above). Notes: “At Bathurst. Held a ToL No41/566 dated 5 March 1841” (see NSW Certificates of Freedom, 1810-1814, 1827-1867; Butts of Certificates of Freedom 1843). 1844, 28 September: From the Sydney Morning Herald, 4 October 1844, p2: “Francis Read was indicted for uttering a forged order for the payment of money, with intent to defraud Dennis Finn at Bathurst on the 4th April last. From the evidence it appeared that the prisoner on the day named went into the shop of the prosecutor, and bargained for a pair of boots, and tendered in payment an order purporting to be drawn by W. Lee for £1/6s on the Union Bank; the prosecutor went to a neighbour's to ascertain if the cheque was good, and on his return found that the prisoner had absconded. But the prosecutor apprehended him the same day. “One of the Jury in whose employ the prisoner had once been, gave him the character of a notorious pilferer. The case was clearly proved against the prisoner who stated himself to be seventy years old. Verdict Guilty. Transportation for life.” (see https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/28651295)
1836, 22 July: Denis FINN Snr, 58, tried for larceny at Co Wexford, on 7 July 1836, and sentenced to transportation 7 years, is detained on board the hulk “Essex” (see Ireland-Australia transportation database at http://findingaids.nationalarchives.ie/). 1837, 5 January: Denis FINN Snr, 58, arrives per St Vincent; prisoner No 37-69, cannot read or write, Catholic, married – 2 sons, 3 daughters; native place Carlow County; labourer; stealing a cloak; tried at Wexford, 7 July 1836, sentenced to 7 years, no previous convictions; 5’5½”, dark sallow and a little pockpitted complexion, dark brown mixed with grey hair, bluish eyes, whiskers turning grey; scars left side of mouth, outside lower right arm, below the elbow joint; hair thin on crown; small of left leg diseased. Son [Patrick] per Earl Grey, and wife convicted of same offence. Father of prisoner No 37-136 (see NSW Convict Indents, 1788-1842; Non-Annotated Printed Indentures 1837). 1837: General Muster 1837 – Denis Finn Snr, 58, is assigned to WH Suttor, Bathurst (see NSW and Tasmania, Australia Convict Musters, 1806-1849; NSW; General muster D-J 1837).
THE START: Four members of the FINN family were transported to NSW in the 1830s - father and son Denis Finn Snr and Jnr on the St Vincent; Jane Finn, mother of Denis Jnr and wife of Denis Snr, on the Margaret (1837); and Patrick Finn, son of Denis Snr and Jane Finn, on the Earl Grey (1836). What havoc this must have wreaked on the family. That Denis Snr, Jane and Denis Jnr should be transported for seven years for the same, single crime - stealing a cloak - seems extremely harsh. That this sentence left three daughters behind in Ireland, without parents or siblings, seems abominable. Each of the Finn's stories can be found - in brief - under their respective ships.