Summary
Personal Information
Voyage
Transportation
James Freeman was transported on the Alexander, departing 13th May 1787 and arriving 26th Jan 1788 with 27 passengers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Fleet http://www.jenwilletts.com/convict_ship_alexander_1788 The Alexander was built at Hull in 1784 by Walton & Co. She was taken up by the East India Company in 1786. Convict Transport-Barque built Ship. 452 tons, 114ft long, 31ft wide. Arrived with 177 male Convicts (14 dv) Carried 30 Crew + 41 Marines Master: Duncan Sinclair She was the largest of the eleven vessels of the historic First Fleet to Australia. The First Fleet consisted of two Royal Navy escort ships, HMS Sirius and HMS Supply accompanied by six convict transports, the Alexander, Charlotte, Friendship, Lady Penrhyn, Prince of Wales and the Scarborough, and three store ships, the Borrowdale, Fishburn and Golden Grove. Convicts on the 1st Fleet Alexander are listed under Lady Penrhyn, Scarborough & Alexander.
AlexanderReferences
| Primary Source | Convict Indents & Ship Musters 1788-1812 & 1813-1828 https://mhnsw.au/stories/general/29-february-1788 |
Claims
"My Direct ancestor via Berthia, his daughter"
Photos
No photos have been added for James Freeman.
Convict Notes
James Freeman served his 7 year term and was then life emancipated, living a much quieter existence as a landholder in Richmond and later a labourer in Windsor. He died in 1830 having escaped two death sentences.
James initially received a capital conviction which was later reprieved to 7yrs 29 February 1788 the first pardon was granted to James Freeman by Governor Arthur Phillip. Freeman had been found guilty of stealing flour in the fledgling Colony and his pardon was conditional on him becoming the Colony's public hangman. Life continued to be difficult for Freeman and in the Proceedings [Judge Advocate's Bench] of 11 December 1789, he was sentenced to 100 lashes and a stoppage of his grog for being drunk and insolent and out of hut after 10.45pm.
James Freeman, Trial Crime: Felony, Trial Court: Session, Tried: 3 Mar 1784; Tried at Hertford, Hertford, [HRT ENG], Trial Sentence: 7 years; Ship of arrival: Alexander 26 Jan 1788; at Sydney