Summary
Personal Information
Voyage
Transportation
Francis Fleet was transported on the John Calvin, departing 9th May 1846 and arriving 21st Sep 1846 with 201 passengers.
Built 1839 at Greenock, Scotland. Wood barque of 510 Tons. The 1848 voyage with Irish female convicts. The John Calvin, with 171 female convicts, arrived yesterday. She left London on the 26th December, and went to Kingston, when she took on board her prisoners, and left on the 24th January. There have been four deaths on board and three births, one infant still born. She did not touch any where and spoke no vessels for this place. Hobart Town Advertiser, 19 May 1848.
John Calvin (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 92, Class and Piece Number HO11/15, Page Number 71 (37). Tasmanian Archives - convict record https://linctas.ent.sirsidynix.net.au. Newspapers online https://trove.nla.gov.au |
| 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
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Convict Notes
MARRIAGE: 5 Feb 1856 - Francis FLEET, aged 28 yrs, bachelor, farmer to Honora ODEA (O'DEA), aged 22 yrs, servant. At Catholic Church of St. Joseph, Hobart Town by Rev. C. Woods, Chaplain. Witnesses - James & Ellen Birchall. (ref. Tas Marriage Index 37/1/15 no. 404) (An Honora O'DEA, aged 18 yrs arrived in VDL (free) on 20 Feb 1853 per the ship Northumberland. (ref. CSO24/1/216 file 8194). Evidence of this being the correct person would need to be further research but she appears to be the only person of this name on the Colony's records.) CHILDREN: 11 Oct 1856: Mary FLEET born Hobart district, Tasmania. Father - Francis FLEET, labourer, Molle Street. Mother - Nora FLEET formerly ODAY(should be Honora O'DEA). (Ref. Tas Birth Index 33/1/6 no. 1741) 11 Oct 1856: Death of baby Mary FLEET, Hobart, labourer's child, prematurely born. (ref. Tas Death Index 35/1/5 no. 1007) It is understood the family moved to New South Wales where further children were born, a second marriage and Francis died there. FURTHER INFORMATION ON CRIME: Newspaper article The Colonial Times, Hobart 18 Aug 1856) (rev. https://trove.nla.gov.au)
Francis FLEET was convicted at Buckingham, England on 3 March 1846 for wilful murder, although there were "special" circumstances, in that he did not intend to cause the death of Ann RAY, a fellow servant where he worked and girlfriend, by giving her poison to induce an abortion but resulted in the young woman's death. Found Guilty and received a Life Sentence, commuted for mercy, in which he was transported to Australia per the ship 'John Calvin' to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) arriving 1846. Ship's surgeon report: "good". Single man; farm labourer; aged 23yrs. Place of birth: Salisbury, England (ref. convict record) VDL: 4 years Probation Period. Assigned to Norfolk Island (off the east coast of New South Wales but at that time administered by Van Diemen's Land Government). 25 Aug 1847: N.I. - Police - neglect of duty. Admonished. 19 Jan 1848: N.I. - Police - neglect of duty. Admonished. 30 March 1848: To be returned to Van Diemen's Land after the expiration of Probation time at Norfolk Island. 10 May 1853: Ticket of Leave granted (meritorious conduct) 27 Sept 1853: Ticket of Leave revoked - because he was absent from Muster. 27 June 1854: Ticket of Leave restored. 17 July 1855: Conditional Pardon approved.