Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
Thomas Fletcher was transported on the Scindian, departing 27th Feb 1850 and arriving 1st Jun 1850 with 77 passengers.
Scindian (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 92, Class and Piece Number HO11/16, Page Number 176 The Perth Gazette and Independent Journal of Politics and News 1850 Jul 26 p/4: List of convicts per Scindian given Ticket of Leave. --00-- The Perth Gazette and Independent Journal of Politics and News, p2 at https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3171648 |
| 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: FLETCHER, Thomas; inmate #18, arrived 1 Jun 1850 per Scindian Date of Birth: 10 Apr 1826 Marital Status: Unmarried Occupation: Collier Literacy: Semiliterate Sentence Date: 19 Feb 1848 Sentence Place: Lancaster, Lancashire, England Crime: Robbery with violence Sentence Period: 15 years Ticket Leave Date: 23 Nov 1851 Conditional Pardon Date: 13 Aug 1859 (https://fremantleprison.com.au/). —00—
NEWSPAPER REPORT OF THE SHIP’S ARRIVAL: 7 June, 1850: “Arrival of the ‘Scindian’ with Convicts. The arrival of the Scindian with the first batch of convicts and the staff of officers for the formation of the Penal Establishment, took place on Saturday last, the 22nd anniversary of the foundation of the colony-a curious coincidence and a very fit day for the commencement of the new order of things. She has had a quick passage of 88 days from Portsmouth, which she left on the 4th March. The number of passengers is 277, of which seven are cabin, including Dr. Gibson, R.N., Surgeon Superintendent, Capt. Henderson, R.E., Superintendent of the Convict Establishment, lady and child, Mr. and Mrs. Dickson and two children. Mr. and Mrs. Manning and two children; steerage, 75 convicts, 54 pensioners with wives and families and 14 emigrant young women. The Scindian is the first of four vessels taken up by the Home Government for the conveyance of convicts hither, one to sail each month during the three following months… On Tuesday His Excellency proceeded to Fremantle, for the purpose of arranging, in concert with Capt. Henderson [Superintendent of the Convict Establishment], for locating the prisoners, and an agreement was made with Capt. Scott to take his premises upon lease for five years, at a rental of £250 per annum, to expend £1,000 in improvements for which interest at the rate of 4 per cent is to be allowed out of the rent. We understand, that after the erection of their own buildings, the first public work proceeded with will, in all probability, be the erection of a Pier to run out from Arthur’s Head, for the protection of Gage’s Roads. We also hear that the Scindian has on board 400 tons of Government stores, including tools, iron-work, and everything the establishment is likely to require for the erection of gaols, carrying on works, &c.” (The Perth Gazette and Independent Journal of Politics and News, p2 at https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3171648). —00—
SCINDIAN TO WA: THE FIRST CONVICTS: 1 June, 1850: “On this day in 1850, the first convict transport ship Scindian arrived in Fremantle to great surprise, as she had managed to overtake the ship carrying news of her arrival. There was no prison capable of holding the convicts, so a local warehouse was rented and quickly converted into a temporary prison. Convicts remained there for five years, whilst building their new home, The Convict Establishment, later renamed Fremantle Prison.” (https://www.facebook.com/fremantleprison) —0—
NEWSPAPER COVERAGE: 19 February, 1848: "Thomas Fletcher, 21, Henry Fletcher, 19, and Henry Abraham, otherwise Abram, 22, are charged with having, at Shevington, stolen a bag, a hundred half-crowns, and a hundred shillings, the property of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Company, and with having, at Shevington aforesaid, attempted to drown Richard Molyneux. They also stand charged with having, at Wigan, feloniously assaulted Richard Latham, and with having robbed the said Latham of a pencil case, a sovereign, and fifteen shillings.” (Lancaster Gazette, p3) --00--
TRIAL: 19 February, 1848: THOMAS FLETCHER was convicted at Lancaster and sentenced to 15 years' transportation for robbery with violence (https://fremantleprison.com.au/). --0--
TRADE: Collier [not available in the options above] -- this is a broad term encompassing many jobs in coal mines or in transporting coal, according to the Dictionary of Old Occupations (https://www.familyresearcher.co.uk/). --0--
Convict Index: "Said to have escaped 31 Dec 1856"
Collier