Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
John Forsyth was transported on the Isabella, departing 11th Jul 1833 and arriving 14th Nov 1833 with 299 passengers.
The Isabella was built in London in 1818. She was owned by William Wiseman, Patrick Chalmers and James Wallace. The Isabella transported convicts to Australia in 1818 (NSW), 1822 (NSW), 1823 (NSW), 1832 (NSW), 1833 (VDL) and 1842 (VDL).
Isabella (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 90, Class and Piece Number HO11/9, Page Number 176 |
| 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
No one has claimed John Forsyth yet.
Photos
No photos have been added for John Forsyth.
Convict Notes
In February 1833 the accused John Forsyth (reported as about 14 year of age)appeared at the High Court of Justiciary charged - having over the weekend 31 October/2 November 1832 broken into the shop of Ford, Tobacconist in the Canongate by breaking through a brock partition into the cellar. When arrested the accused had '23/- in silver, 9/- in copper, snuff boxes and tobacco'. Having three previous convictions for theft he was sentenced to 14 years' transportation - see Scotsman newspaper 6 February 1833 p 4 on 'High Court of Justiciary' for trial details. See also McGowan, John (2022) Policing the Metropolis of Scotland, 1833-1861 (Edinburgh City Archives) Volume 1, p 1290.
1849, 25 March: John Forsyth, 26, died from "epilepsia" at New Norfolk. He was listed as "free". The informant was Mr Marriott, clergyman at New Norfolk (see https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD35-1-19p36j2k).
1845, 8 December: A second ToL was issued to him. 1846, 2 January-9 October: He was assigned to the Invalid Party. 1846: Muster - listed as holding a Ticket of Leave (see New South Wales and Tasmania, Australia Convict Musters, 1806-1849). 1848, 23 March: John Forsyth received his Free Certificate (see https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON34-1-4$init=CON34-1-4P427). 1849: Muster - John Forsythe [sic] per Isabella - listed as free (see New South Wales and Tasmania, Australia Convict Musters, 1806-1849).
1841, 15 July: He was admitted to hospital after being assaulted - no other details are provided about this other than a note that he was discharged. 1841: Muster - he was assigned to the New Norfolk Party (see New South Wales and Tasmania, Australia Convict Musters, 1806-1849). 1842, 2 June: He received a Ticket of Leave. However, a notation on his Conduct Record says: "This man being afflicted with fits is unable to support himself he relinquishes his T of L is returned to Gaol and forwarded to the Invalid Pty [Party]."
1833: On arrival in VDL, he was single. He said he had been transported for housebreaking: "Two men who ran away and were not taken" had put him "into the house through the wall". 1833: Muster - he was assigned to Public Works (see New South Wales and Tasmania, Australia Convict Musters, 1806-1849). 1834, 17 January: His Conduct Records shows that he was at Port Arthur from around this time until at least the end of 1838, and possibly up to mid-1839 (see https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON31-1-14$init=CON31-1-14p92). 1835: Muster - listed as transported to Port Arthur (see New South Wales and Tasmania, Australia Convict Musters, 1806-1849).
1832: Precognition against John Forsyth for the crime of theft by housebreaking Accused: John Forsyth, junior, Age: 12-13, weaver, Address: Nicolson Street, Edinburgh (see National Records of Scotland; Reference AD14/32/392). --0-- 1833, 4 February: Trial papers relating to John Forsyth for the crime of theft by housebreaking. Tried at High Court, Edinburgh. Accused: John Forsyth, junior, Verdict: Guilty, Sentence: Transportation - 14 years (see National Records of Scotland; Reference JC26/1833/541). --00-- 1833, 1 April: John Forsyth, 13, was received the Justitia prison hulk at Woolwich. He was sent from there for transportation on 11 June 1833 (see UK, Prison Hulk Registers and Letter Books, 1802-1849).