Summary
Personal Information
Transportation
Thomas Irvine was transported on the Boyne, departing 29th Jun 1826 and arriving 28th Oct 1826 with 207 passengers.
Boyne (generic)References
| Primary Source | Irish Convict Database by Peter Mayberry. |
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Convict Notes
Thomas Irvine, aged: 24 years arrived on ship ‘Boyne’ on 28 Oct 1826. He was a native of Born at Kerry, Roman Catholic; unmarried, could both read & write; and was a farmer's labourer by occupation when he embarked. He was tried on 20 March 1826 at Kerry, for manslaughter, found guilty and given a sentence of transportation for life. On arrival he was assigned to D Maguire who lived at Sydney (possibly Denis Maguire originally a convict per Minerva in 1800) By the time of the census of November 1828 Thomas “Irvin” was aged 27 and assigned to George Windham at his farming property “Dalwood” in the Luskintyre district in the Hunter Valley. His master, George Wyndham had arrived in Sydney (aged 27) in December 1827 with his wife, having brought livestock with them intending to farm. They proceeded to settle in 1828 near Branxton in the Hunter River valley, naming their 2,000 acre property 'Dalwood', and began experimental farming with various crops. Wyndham had tens of convicts assigned to him. George Wyndham kept a diary [held in State library of NSW] with a simple record of the weather, visitors, farming activities and anything notable. On Wednesday 26 May, 1830, he recorded in his diary: “Sent Irvin to the Hospital at Sydney with £1.” He does not record beforehand what was wrong with Irvine. On Thursday 3rd June, he wrote: “Fine again. Repaired fence. Began splitting for a new fence. Irvine returned.” On Monday 7 June, Wyndham turned another convict, Davis, back to government. In 1835, Thomas Irvine got Ticket of Leave Number: number 35/0915 and was allowed to remain in the District of Maitland. In 1837 he wanted to marry Joanna Tierney, aged 33 years who had arrived free per ship Pyramus. As a convict, he made application through Rev. Dowling at Maitland, and was granted permission, and was married in 1837. On 1 Jul 1842 it was recommended that he be granted a Conditional Pardon. Recommenders were W Hirdon; J L Lynch RCC; and E D Day (Police Magistrate). And this was granted him, dated 1 July 1842, on 11 August 1843 [NSW Gov Gazette, 11 August 1843, p. 1022]
Murder. Tralee, Wednesday Feb. 1. —Amongst the traits which distinguish the Irish character, there are none which unhappily marks its features, as that disgraceful spirit of factioneering, which has, from the remotest period of our history, proved so destructive to our national character, well as to our domestic peace. An instance of the misfortunes which, more or less, must always attend such dispositions, has been exemplified in the murder of individual, near O’Dorncy, about four miles hence. If the spirit of feud and riot, lately manifested at several of the fairs held in that neighbourhood, be not speedily checked, fear it may lead to still more disastrous consequences, and that the last act of this tragedy has not yet closed. The individual in question, John O’Brien, accompanied by two uncles, returning from the market of Tralee, late the evening of Saturday last, was waylaid by a party, who, from the evidence elicited on the Inquest, it would appear, premeditatedly murdered him. The necessity a careful selection in the individuals of the Constabulary could not have been more obviously illustrated, than by the promptitude with which Constable Samuel Haggard, through his firm and judicious conduct, It seemed two persons (Thomas Irwin and John Leahy) suspected of bearing a principal part in this horrible outrage: and there is no doubt, he would have apprehended the two others (Edward and Thomas Leahy) included in the verdict, but for the imprudent disclosure of the evidence. He, however, lost no time in communicating the circumstances to that active man Captain Collis, Fort William, who (accompanied the horse police from Lixnaw) scoured the country, every direction where it was thought the two who had absconded were most likely to be found ; but we regret to say, hitherto, without success. Southern Reporter, 4 Feb 1826. Tralee ASSIZES. Wednesday, March 22.— The following convictions have taken place since Saturday last:— Monday, Thomas Irwin and John Leahy, indicted for the murder of John O’Brien, at O’Oorney, on Saturday, the 28th of Jan. last, were found guilty of Manslaughter and sentenced to transportation for life. Southern Reporter, 25 March 1826.
Irish Convict Database by Peter Mayberry. Thomas Irvine, age on arrival, 24, per Boyne (1826) Tried at Kerry, 1826, Life for Manslaughter. No former convictions. DOB, 1802, Native place, Kerry. Single. Catholic. Trade, Labourer Farmers.