Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Transportation
Michael Griffiths was transported on the Eliza, departing 19th Jul 1827 and arriving 8th Nov 1827 with 194 passengers.
The Eliza was a 511-ton (later 538 ton) merchant ship built in British India in 1806. She made five voyages transporting convicts from England and Ireland to Australia.
Eliza (generic)References
| Primary Source | Mayberry, Peter; Comp. Irish Convicts to NSW 1788-1849. Sainty, Malcolm & Johnson, Keith; 1828 Census of New South Wales. |
Claims
"Michael is my 3rd great grandfather"
"Michael Griffin / Griffiths, a house servant and native of County Cork, Ireland, was tried at Cork on April 4, 1827 for the crime of stealing clothes. He was tried with his wife Ellen (nee Healy), aged 20 and his sister Mary aged 14. Like the majority of Irish trials of that era, records have since been destroyed. However there exists a petition in relation to the sentences they received, written in relation to the youthful age of Mary. The petition dated, May 8, 1827 was unsuccessful and their sentence of transportation for seven years remained. Michael arrived in Sydney on board the ‘Eliza’ on November 8, 1827. The ship’s indent describes him as being 5 feet, 3 and 3/4 inches in height, with a sallow complexion, with freckles, dark brown hair and hazel eyes. Ellen and Mary arrived two months later on January 12, 1828 on board the convict ship, “Elizabeth’. Ellen was described as being a native of Cork, and her birth date as 1808. She was 4 feet 11 inches tall, of pale complexion with dark brown hair and brown eyes, and identifiable by a scar on her forehead. Ellen was assigned to be a domestic servant to James “Brakenreg” of Philip Street, Sydney. Ellen earned her ticket of leave for good conduct on June 18 1830. The ticket of leave was first granted for Sydney only and then was changed after a letter of petition dated, December 22, 1830 to include the Richmond area, where Michael had been assigned. Michael’s sister was sent to the service of Archibald Bell of Windsor. This was where Michael was located, so it seems that he must have petitioned the authorities for this to occur so that he could keep an eye on her. Owing to the geographical visitation rights of at least Ellen’s Ticket of Leave they were able to see their first two children James and Mary’s birth occur in Sydney. Michel and Ellen eventually settled on land at Kurrajong. Land that Ellen laid claim to after Michael’s death. The land was lot 152 of the Parish of Kurrajong, County of Cook and consisted of 50 acres, recorded on the parish map as being owned by Robert Howard, then sold to John Wills which he left to his wife and then obtained by Michael Griffiths. Michael also operated a punt across the Nepean River, as well as farming his land at Kurrajong (see Memories article in chapter 4). Michael died at Kurrajong on August 8, 1856, aged 52, and was buried in the local Catholic cemetery. An extract from his will stated that the land was to be left to Ellen, to be held for sons William and Thomas, with instructions that, “my wife is not to have strange husbands, also all men and women when married are not to live upon this farm”. With only fifty acres of farm and ten children, the second half of the request seems quite reasonable. Ellen sold the land in 1889 to William Lamrock for 295 pounds. The majority of their children did marry and move west to the Hartley / Lithgow area. Ellen died from influenza on October 11, 1894 at Antonio’s Creek, near Hartley and was buried at the Catholic cemetery at Rydal."
Photos
No photos have been added for Michael Griffiths.
Convict Notes
CORK ASSIZES. COUNTY CRIMINAL COURT, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4. Michael Griffin and Ellenar Holy were indicted for stealing several articles Furniture, the property of J. Bennett Gibbs, Esq. Both prisoners it appeared had been one time in Mr. Gibb’s service at his residence at Derry. Griffin had been discharged. Mr. Gibbs having been directed by his Physician to remove to Cove during last summer, the house was in the care of Ellen Haly, and in his absence a robbery was effected, but several of the articles were found the possession of both pnsoners at house in the City—Guilty. To be transported for 7 years. Southern Reporter, 7 April 1827. Michael Griffin, and Eleanor Healy, for stealing two feather-beds from John B. Gibbs, Esg to be transported for seven years; Limerick Chronicle, 7 April 1827.
Irish Convict Database, by Peter Mayberry. Michael Griffin, alias Griffen, age on arrival, 22, per Eliza II 1827, Tried at Cork, 1827, 7 years, for stealing clothes. DOB, 1817, native place, Cork Co, married. Catholic. Servant house.
New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents. Eliza; 12 Jul 1827. Indent No; 92 Name; Michael Griffin Read & write. Trial Date; 4 April 1827. Stealing clothes Height; 5 ft. 3 3/4 in Eyes; Hazel Hair; Dk. Brown Completion; Sallow, freckled
Colonial Secretary's Office, Sydney, June 10, 1834 CERTIFICATES OF FREEDOM THE undermentioned Persons have obtained Certificates of Freedom since last publication— Eliza 3; Michael Griffin Sydney Herald, 16 Jun 1834.
Sainty & Johnson; 1828 Census of New South Wales: Page 171… [Ref G1338] Griffiths, Michael, 22, Government Servitude, Eliza, 1827, 7 years, Labourer to Andrew bell at Windsor. Page 187… [Ref H1300] Hely, Ellen, 20, Government Servitude, Elizabeth, 1828, 7 years. Catholic, Servant to James Brackenrig at Phillip Street, Sydney.
Michael Griffin alias Griffen was tried in 1827 at Cork and sentenced to seven years' transportation for stealing clothes. He was transported aboard the ship Eliza II (1). He was described as a house servant, married, Catholic, native place Cork age 22 on arrival. He was married to Ellen Healy. It would appear that Michael and Ellen Healy, had recently been married in Cork. Ellen was also a transported convict, she arrived on the Elizabeth, 1828. Michael and Ellen had at least 5 children all born in the colony.