Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
John Seals was transported on the St Vincent, departing 28th Dec 1852 and arriving 26th May 1853 with 214 passengers.
St Vincent (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 92, Class and Piece Number HO11/17, Page Number 627 (316). Tasmanian Archives - convict record http://search.archives.tas.gov.au/ImageViewer/image_viewer.htm?CON33-1-115,227,173,L,46. |
| 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
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Photos
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Convict Notes
Death Notice: COLONIAL NEWS.(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) TASMANIA. 25 Oct 1880. HOBART TOWN, Oct. 24. Mr John Seals, for many years dispenser at the General Hospital here, died yesterday.
VDL records: In 1853: Aged 32yrs; single; 5'3 3/4"; trade - a wine cooper; fair complexion; dark hair; grey eyes; Protestant. Native place of birth: Chatham, England. Brothers: Henry, Joseph, James. (ref. Convict Indent) 18 Dec 1853: Ticket of Leave granted. 28 Aug 1855: Conditional Pardon approved. Wife/partner: Mary Jane CUMMINS CHILDREN (registered): 11 Dec 1861 - Florence Eleanor. At Hobart. Father - John Seals, dispenser. Mother - Mary Jane Seals, formerly Cummins. (ref. 33/1/8 no. 4901) 10 Feb 1864: Henrietta Isabel. At Hobart. Father - John Seals, dispenser. Mother Mary Jane Seals, formerly Cummings. Liverpool St. Hobart. (ref. 33/1/8 no. 6692) 25 May 1866: Edwin Henry. At Hobart. Father - John Seals, dispenser at General Hospital. Mother - Mary Jane Seals formerly Cummins. (ref. 33/1/9 no. 8538) 28 Oct 1880: Death. Liverpool St. Hobart. Born England. Male 59yrs. Dispenser at General Hospital. Cause - apoplexy. (ref. 35/1/9 no. 2761) 1881: Will. (ref. AD960/1/13)
John Seals was convicted of Theft of an embroidered waistcoat' from a pawnbroker's shop, belonging to a Mrs. Loveday Ward, in the main street in Bath. When asked why he has stolen it, newspapers at the time reported that he said. 'I was used to it'. Wether this meant he was used to the life of crime, or meant that the jacket had been his own, is unclear. Previous convictions for similar thefts as alias Edwin Wickham occurred previously. It is thought Seals came from Kent, England, however this is still being investigated. After his trial he was transported to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) and was placed at the Hobart Hospital as a wardsman. From there he was placed as the dispenser of medications, and remained in this responsible position until 2 weeks before his death in 1888. He stated that he was married in his will, to Mary Jane Cummings, however no marriage certificate can be found. He had four children, all born in Hobart. His son, Edwin Henry Seals, later became the well known actor Edwin Campbell, touring extensively with theatre companies around the world, as well as appearing in some of Australia's first silent films. Seal's eldest daughter, Henrietta, married the Australian editor and author Henry Mortimer - Franklyn; they moved to London where she was widowed, then married the engineer John Ruddle- Brown. John Seal's direct descendants today live in Beaumaris, Victoria, Australia. John Seals died after a brief illness in Hobart, in 1888. His home is presently the ABC TV studios.