Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
Michael Fraer was transported on the Buffalo, departing 28th Sep 1839 and arriving 12th Feb 1840 with 90 passengers.
1833 - Voyage. Transported; 179 Female Convicts and 25 Children 1839 - Voyage. On 28th September 1839, the Ship Buffalo left Quebec, Canada, taking 144 prisoners to Van Diemen’s Land and New South Wales, following the Patriot War in Canada in 1837-38. Some of the prisoners were French Canadians patriots and others were American patriots, captured after the Battle of the Windmill. The Ship went first to Van Diemens Land, arriving at Hobart on 11th February 1840, where most of the American prisoners were landed, and then went on to Sydney, arriving on 26th February 1840, where the 58 French speaking prisoners were landed. They were separated mainly because there was hostility between the Americans from Lower Canada and the Canadians from Upper Canada. The prisoners were in the main, literate, idealistic and honest men.
BuffaloReferences
| Primary Source | Tasmanian Convict Records, Libraries Tasmania's Online collection CON27-1-8 Image 29 |
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Convict Notes
Tasmanian Convict Appropriation record. https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON27-1-8$init=CON27-1-8p29 Michael Fraer, 5ft 7. age 23, Cooper, tried at Upper Canada, life, native of New York State. ---------------------------------------------------- Michael was born in Clay, New York in 1816 to parents Michael and Catherine Gee Fraer. He was the third of eight known children. After his involvement in the Patriot War of 1837, and his capture at the Battle of the Windmill, he was sent aboard the prison ship H.M.S. Buffalo from Quebec in Oct 1839 to the penal colonies in Tasmania. The ship arrived in Hobart Feb 1840. In August of 1843, he married Jane Bryan. These Patriot prisoners were pardoned in June of 1845. In 1848 Michael, Jane, and four of their children relocated to Geelong, Victoria, Australia. Australia Death Index, 1787-1995, Reg.# 6907 shows Michael George Fraer's death as 1870 in Victoria, Australia. source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/147874026/michael-george-fraer
Tasmanian Conduct Record: https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON31-1-12$init=CON31-1-12p180 2579 Michael Fraer, Buffalo, 12 Feb 1840, Province of Upper Canada, 10 Dec 1838, Life. Transported for Piratical Invasion of Upper Canada. single. 16 Nov 1840, Destroying his slop clothing & saying he wanted a trial, with insolence to Mr Hook, 3 days solitary confinement. T.L. 10.2.42. March 7 1843, T.L., Knowingly and maliciously supplying unwholesome provisions to the Ross. Ch. Gang. Committed for trial. S. Court 17 April 1843 , ?? Free Pardon, 1 July 1845. -------------------------------------------------- https://stors.tas.gov.au/SC32-1-5$init=SC32-1-5p026jpg Court Proceedings. Oatlands, Monday 17 April 1843. The following prisoners were then placed at the bar and disposed of as opposite their names: Michael Fraer, T.L. Buffalo, 977, Discharged by proclamation. -------------------------------------------------- Marriage Permission, 977. Michael Frear, Buffalo, and Jane Bryan, Free, Permission date 3 May 1843. -------------------------------------------------- Marriage Record, district of Avoca, 1843. https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD37-1-3p168j2k At St Lukes, Campbell Town, 8 August 1843, Michael Fraer, age 27, Cooper, bachelor, and Jane Bryan, age 19, spinster. Both signed their names. Witnesses were Edward Wilson and Daniel Heustis. -------------------------------------------------- Tasmanian Records list the birth of 2 children Births: Parents Michael Fraer and Jane Bryan. Michael Fraer, born 19 May 1844, Registered at Avoca. Catharine Mary Fraer, born 30 Oct 1845, Registered at Great Swanport. The 1848 Census suggests they had 4 children by that time. -------------------------------------------------- 1848 Census, https://stors.tas.gov.au/CEN1-1-78-117 dated 1 Jan 1848, at Riverdale, Great Swan Port, shows Mr Michael Freer, living in a brick house belonging to George Meredith Esq., with 6 other persons, who were all resident at the house the night of the 31 Dec. Six of the residents, including himself, were free. There was 2 married male between 21 and 45, and 1 single male of the same age, as well as a male between 2 and 7, and 1 between 7 and 14. 1 female married, aged between 21 and 45, and 2 female children , 1 under 2 and 2 between 2 and 7. All the children were born in the Colony, as was the married female. The married male was free, but not born in Colony and did not arrive free, and the other male held a ticket of leave. Religion of all residents was Church of England. Occupation of the married male was farmer, and the other male, in category, Gardener, Stockman and farm servant. -------------------------------------------------- Listed as a Passenger per Swan, for Port Phillip, Michael Fraer, Jane Fraer and 4 children. Cornwall Chronicle, 3 May 1848.