Summary
Personal Information
Voyage
Transportation
James Matthews was transported on the Chapman, departing 6th Apr 1824 and arriving 27th Jul 1824 with 180 passengers.
The Chapman ship was built at Whitby, England in 1777, rebuilt in 1811 and refurbed in 1815. Tonnage: 558 The 1817 voyage from Ireland to New South Wales, Australia is not yet fully recorded on this web site - currently being updated. A mutiny occurred on this voyage with 7 men killed and many others wounded. (200 male convicts embarked) 1824 voyage from England to Van Diemen's Land (180 male convicts). 1826 voyage from England to Van Diemen's Land (100 male convicts, 2 escaped). Royal Staff guards & 19 private passengers.
Chapman (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 88, Class and Piece Number HO11/5, Page Number 143 (73) |
| 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 |
Claims
"He was my great great great grandfather"
"James was my 4th great-grandfather."
Photos
No photos have been added for James Matthews.
Convict Notes
Tasmanian Records. Marriage Record: https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD36-1-1/RGD36-1-1P263 Marriage by banns, of James Matthews and Elizabeth Pellinger, at New Norfolk, 4 May 1830, (Elizabeth very young- with consent of parents). James signed his mark X, and Elizabeth signed her name. https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD32-1-2/RGD32-1-2-P274 Birth and baptism of daughter Mary Ann Matthews Mary Ann Matthews, born 20 Feb 1833, baptised 7 April 1833, parents, James and Elizabeth Matthews, resident in New Norfolk. Father, a boatman. https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD32-1-2/RGD32-1-2-P348 Birth of Daughter Elizabeth born 27 May 1835. Marriage of Daughter to Thomas Allright; https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD37-1-12/RGD37-1-12P510 16 Sept 1853, Thomas Allwright, of full age, bachelor, and Mary Ann Matthews, under age, spinster. were married by Licence, at the parish church of New Norfolk. Both signed their names. Witnesses were: Letitia Armstrong, William Matthews and John Martin. Death Record: https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD35-1-48/RGD35-1-48P120 James Matthews, died 4 May 1879,aged 73, Licensed Victualler, cause of death, Natural decay, Informant, Thomas Allright, son-in-law, resident New Norfolk
Tasmanian Records. Convict Conduct Record: https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON31-1-29/CON31-1-29P167 No 489 James Matthews. In margin: F & M at Twerton, named Matthews, a weaver, worked last at Mr Nash’s. See record for details.
Portsmouth Hulks, Leviathan HO-9-8_5 page 18. Received from Ilchester, 22 May 1823. Mark Magg, age 19, Stg 50 yards of cloth value 50£, Tried 29 March 1823, 7 years, To Bermuda, 8 Dec 1823. James Matthews, age 18, Stg 50 yards of cloth value 50£, Tried 29 March 1823, 7 years, To NSW, 25 Mar 1824. Charles Slip, age 21, Stg 50 yards of cloth value 50£, Tried 29 March 1823, 7 years, To NSW, 25 Mar 1824. ----------- James Magg went to Bermuda, where convicts were worked very hard to construct the new dockyard there. The work was extremely hard and in boiling hot conditions. The death toll amongst the convicts was great. Those who survived, were shipped back to England, and then on to Australia, where they finally received their freedom.
James was born in Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire on June 2, 1805. He was arrested in Twerton (not Tiverton), Bath, for stealing 50 yards of cloth at the age of 17 years.
James Matthews was born in 1806.He was convicted in 1823 of stealing 50 yds of cloth valued at 50 pounds. He is described as badly connected and as last working for a Mr Nash. He was convicted with Mark Maggs and Charles Slip. James was only 17 years old when convicted, receiving a 7 years sentence on 29th March and was transported on the "Chapman (2)" departing 6th April 1824. Charles Slip was also transported on the Chapman. Jame's gaol record in England states and was sent to Shepton Prison. H is described as 5'7" high, dark complexion, grey eyes, dark brown hair,. His hulk report is orderly. On his record in Tasmania his offence is recorded as stealing 50 yrds of cloth from a T and M at Tiverton. In 1830 he married Elizabeth Pellinger In 1840 he is the licensee of the Blue Anchor Inn at the Falls