Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
James Gowans 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 |
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Convict Notes
1852, 26 March: James Gowens [sic], per Isabella, and free by servitude was a steerage passenger out of Launceston on the Mariposa. He sailed to Melbourne (see https://stors.tas.gov.au/POL220-1-3). 1853, 1 October: James Gowans was a steerage passenger out of Launceston on the Yarra Yarra. He was bound for Melbourne (see https://stors.tas.gov.au/POL220-1-3). 1854, 28 May: James Gowans sailed on the Clarence as a steerage passenger, from Launceston to Melbourne (see https://stors.tas.gov.au/POL220-1-3).
1833: On arrival in VDL, James Gowans was single. He said he had been transported for housebreaking and had no previous convictions. Both his jail and hulk reports were favourable, describing him as "good" and "orderly". Although his court record lists the offence as housebreaking (along with co-accused James Wright), a petition for clemency lodged by James Wright -- who was also sentenced to 7 years' transportation -- describes their crime as "the theft of 8 sheep carcasses... on 29 November 1832" (see https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C10340467). 1833: Muster - James Gowans was assigned to Public Works (see New South Wales and Tasmania, Australia Convict Musters, 1806-1849). 1835: Muster - as above, but he is called James Gowan. 1838, 26 March: He was granted a Ticket of Leave. 1840, 20 July: James Gowan received his Free Certificate No.200. 1841: Muster: James Gowan -- free by servitude (see New South Wales and Tasmania, Australia Convict Musters, 1806-1849).
1833: Precognition against James Gowans and John Wright for the crime of theft by housebreaking. Accused: James Gowans, Age: 33, labourer, Address: Auchendinny Bridge, Lasswade, Origin: Born in Colinton, Edinburgh. Accused: John Wright, son of Rankin Wright, labourer, Age: 26, carter, Address: Gilmerton, Edinburgh, with father, Origin: Born in Liberton (see National Records of Scotland; Reference AD14/33/489). --0-- 1833, 28 January: Trial papers relating to John Wright, James Gowans for the crime of theft by housebreaking. Tried at High Court, Edinburgh. Accused: John Wright, son of Rankin Wright, labourer, Verdict: Guilty, Verdict Comments: Guilty in terms of own confession, Sentence: Transportation - 7 years. Accused: James Gowans, Verdict: Guilty, Verdict Comments: Guilty in terms of own confession, Sentence: Transportation - 7 years (see National Records of Scotland; Reference JC26/1833/538). --00-- 1833, 1 April: James Gowans was received from Edinburgh aboard the prison hulk Justitia, at Woolwich. He was sent from there for transportation on 11 June (see UK, Prison Hulk Registers and Letter Books, 1802-1849). NOTE: John Wright and five others petitioned, successfully it seems, against his sentence of transportation on the grounds of his "previous good character, main support to aged and infirm father and ill sister, loss of his horse reduced his ability to carry on his trade. Gaoler's report: good character, decent connections" (see https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C10340467). There is no record of John Wright being on a prison hulk or of his transportation to NSW or VDL.