Summary
Personal Information
Voyage
Transportation
William Fitzgerald was transported on the Minerva, departing 24th Aug 1799 and arriving 11th Jan 1800 with 240 passengers.
The Minerva was built at Lancaster, England in 1804. 4 voyages bringing convict transportees to Australia.
Minerva (generic)References
| Primary Source | http://srwww.records.nsw.gov.au Belfast Newsletter 1738-1890, Friday, October 19, 1798; Page: 3 |
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Convict Notes
William Fitzgerald was aged about 21 when in 1798 he raped a married woman on a march after the battle of Vinegar Hill, together with Henry Grady. Both were found guilty at the Limerick Assizes in October 1798, ordered for execution one week later but reprieved to be transported for life, sailing on "Minerva" in 1799: "At the assizes in the County Kilkenny, Henry Grady and William Fitzgerald, privates in the Limerick Militia, were convicted on the clearest evidence for a rape on the body of Joan Doyle. It appeared that on the night of 20th August last [ i.e. 1798] as they were on their march after the battle of Vinegar Hill, they halted at a little town called Gowran. They went into the house the prosecutrix and demanded a drink of milk; the poor woman with great cheerfulness went into her room to get it, when she was immediately pursued by the prisoners, seized and carried into a haggard, and there each of them abused her - it appeared they were both armed, and that each stood guard for the other, and held the unfortunate husband - they were ordered fore execution the 17th instant (October). [Belfast Newsletter 1738-1890, Friday, October 19, 1798; Page: 3]