James Jordan

75

iain Frazier on 19th February 2024

Family connections for James (Jordan) are: JORDAN James (Jordan/Sheridan/Gordan) was born in 1756. He married firstly Jane (???). He was tried w/his wife & 1other for burglary & stealing candlesticks etc of Mr (Parker) of Rosslene at Dublin city Quarter Sessions at The Tholsel in March 1789, sentenced to 7years (his wife was acquitted) & arrived in NSW as a convict on 26 9 1791 after a voyage of 5months on Fleet ship QUEEN. On 26 8 1792 he was sent to Norfolk Island on ATLANTIC. He had a second relationship with Mary (Butler her second). In 1800 he sold 100acres to John (Barnes), land that he had bought from George W (Witticar/Whittaker)-including perhaps 10acre plot No.56 at east Queensborough which was in possession of George Whitacre) in 1796. He was issued his Conditional Pardon on 1 2 1797 & his Ticket of Leave in August 1801. He became a pilot & coxswain on ships between Sydney & NI & was pilot of the HMS PORPOISE in March 1802. He was recorded as Free by Servitude on Government boat crew in 1805. In 1810 he is recorded as farming 12acres. He moved with his children, including his stepson, to Port Dalrymplet Tasmania, as part of the second evacuation, thence to Norfolk Plains/Longford Tasmania on 18 2 1813 on MINSTREL via Sydney & settled on Esk River. In 1819 he is recorded on 90acres at Port Dalrymple Tasmania. In 1830 he sold 60acres. He died on 6 2 1840 age84 father of perhaps 5children at Talisker White Hills & was buried at Christ Church Longford. [Some details taken from this Website] Mary (Butler) was born on 23 9 1769/1772. She was tried w/4others, prostitutes, for assault at a house of bad repute, on 10 11 1787, & stealing of Joseph (Clarke) at Old Bailey on 12 12 1787, sentenced to 7years. held at Middlesex Gaol Delivery & Newgate Goal until 12/3/1789 & arrived in NSW as a convict on 3 6 1790 after a voyage of 6months on Fleet ship LADY JULIANA-a ship with 228females who easily entertained the whole crew & also sailors at Teneriffe stopover. She was sent to Norfolk Island on SURPRISE, arriving on 7 8 1890. She is recorded as sentence expired on stores in February 1805. [Noted a Mary (Butler) married William (McDonald) who arrived in NSW as a convict on 26 6 1790 after a voyage of 6months on Fleet ship NEPTUNE; this Website provides no clarification as yet.] She had a firdt relationship with William (Saltmarsh his second (2of3) relationship) & produced 1child. She left Norfolk Island on 18 2 1813. She was Free by Servitude by 1801. She is recorded on stores in 1812 on Norfolk Island. Mrs (Jourdan) is recorded as admitted to hospital 15 7 1812 , sang effus/bloodshed/haemorrhage, & discharged on 30 7 1812. She died on 31 8 1812 age42 mother of perhaps 6children at Emily Bay Norfolk Island; Smees records show her death as 30 11 1817 age35 & burial at St Johns CofE Parramatta. [Some details taken from this Website] James (Jordan) & Mary (Butler) produced 5children: mainly boys 1.Richard (Jordan) was born on 25 12 1794 on Norfolk Island. He used the surname (Butler) from about 1811. He is recorded in 1812 on Norfolk Island. He moved with his father to Norfolk Plains/Longford Tasmania as part of the second evacuation on 18 2 1813 on MINSTREL, where he was later granted land. He died in 1854 age about59. 2.Catherine (Jordan) was born about 1801 on Norfolk Island. She used the surname (Butler) from about 1811. She moved with her father to Norfolk Plains/Longford Tasmania as part of the second evacuation on 18 2 1813 on MINSTREL. She married James (Davey/Davie) on 18 1 1819 at St Johns CofE Launceston & produced 4children. She died on 5 12 1839 age39 childbirth. ..James (Davey) was born about 1791. He was tried in Essex on 28 7 1802, sentenced to 7years, held at Essex Gaol Delivery & arrived as a convict at Port Phillip NSW on 4 10 1803 after a journey of 7+months on HMS CALCUTTA (an expedition that settled in Tasmania). He was free when departing Norfolk Island to Port Dalrymple Tasmania as part of the second evacuation on HMS LADY NELSON on 20 1 1813, arriving on 1 3 1813. [Noted a James (Davie), on 20 11 1813]. He was Free by Servitude by 1816. He died on on 14 1 1820 age about28 & was buried at St Johns CofE Launceston. Noted a James (Davey) is recorded as dying on 13 10 1828 age40. ..Some details taken from this Website] .. 3.James (Jordan) was born on 19 11 1802 on Norfolk Island. He used the surname (Butler) from about 1811. He moved with his father to Norfolk Plains/Longford Tasmania as part of the second evacuation on 18 2 1813 on MINSTREL, where he was later granted land. He died in 1888 age about85. 4.Thomas (Jordan) was born on 13 8 1792 or in 1807 on Norfolk Island. He used the surname (Butler) from about 1811. He moved with his father as part of the second evacuation to Norfolk Plains/Longford Tasmania in 1813 on MINSTREL, where he was later granted land. He died in 1888also age about81. 5.John (Jordan) was born in 1809/10 on Norfolk Island; [noted a John (Jordan) is recorded as born in 1811 at VDL.]. He moved with his father as part of the second evacuation to Norfolk Plains/Longford Tasmania in 1813 on MINSTREL & later became a publican. He died in 1879 age about70. [Noted a Susannah (Jordan) is recorded as born in 1817.] References: Craig James Smee 'Births and Baptisms Marriages and Defacto Relationships Deaths and Burials New South Wales 1788-1830' ..a complete listing from church & other records in the early colony. Irene Schaffer & Thelma McKay 'Exiled Three Times Over! Profiles of Norfolk Islanders Exiled in Van Diemens Land 1807-1813' James Hugh Donohoe 'Norfolk Island 1788-1813-The People and Their Families' Reg Wright 'Forgotten Generation of Norfolk Island & Van Diemens Land'

54

Phil Hands on 12th March 2017

James Jordan, also known as Sheridan, was tried and convicted in Dublin in March 1789 for robbing the house of Mr Parker of Rosslene and feloniously taking from him a number of notes, some candlesticks and other articles of value, sentenced to 7years transportation. Left Cork Ireland in April 1791. Ship:- the 'Queen' sailed with 133 male and 22 female convicts on board of which 7 males died during the voyage. Arrived on 26th September 1791. Transfered to Norfolk Island on 26th August 1792, and when the Island ceased to be a Peinal settlement he was transfered to Tasmania in 1814. James Jordan was born circa 1765/6 in Ireland. He was tried in Dublin in March 1789 and sentenced to 7 years' transportation. Nothing have been found on James' previous life or the reason for his conviction as many of the early Irish records have been destroyed. On James' Convict Records in Australia he was recorded as Jordan alias Sheridan. Research has revealed that the name Jordan in Ireland was in Gaelic Siurtain - from MacSiurtain a Gaelic patronymic adopted by the Norman d'Exeter family who acquired estates at Connaught after the Anglo-Norman invasion in 1172. This was the Barony of Gallen in Mayo County and later known as MacJordan's country; this Sept became known as the "wild Irish". One of Launceston's old historians says that in his home the name was always pronounced Jurdan. With an Irish accent the name could sound completely different from the way it was spelled, therefore giving the impression that an alias was being used. This is only an assumption and could well be proven wrong. Aged 25, James embarked on the "Queen" on 11th April, 1791; the first Irish Transport to leave Ireland and travel directly to Australia, she sailed from Cork carrying 133 men, 22 women and 4 children. She was a Georgia built ship of 400 tons with Master Richard Owen and her own naval agent, Lieutenant Samuel Blow. The aim was to rendezvous with the Portsmouth division of the Third Fleet at St. Jago. The "Queen", along with the "Active", entered Port Jackson on 26th September, 1791. She had lost 7 men on the voyage and the rest of her convict crew was in a feeble state due to not having received their allotted rations. The convicts managed to persuade Governor Phillip to hold a magisterial enquiry which disclosed that the Second Mate had ordered the weights used to be reduced in size and the large weights substituted for smaller ones, thus reducing the ration of meat due to each prisoner by a considerable amount. Of 132 lbs. of beef provided only 60 lbs. were issued but the people responsible for this were never punished. James must surely have been a hardy individual to have survived this and lived a long life as many of the passengers were fatally weakened by the experience, one claim being that only 50 of the mean were still alive in May, 1792. James arrived at Norfolk Island aboard the "Atlantic" on 26th August, 1792, where he formed a defacto relationship with convict Mary Butler ('Lady Juliana' 1790), as a convict and he received rations until 31st December, 1795. The couple had 5 children all born on Norfolk Island between 1794-1810. James looked after Government boats and had a farm of his own. He was granted a Conditional Pardon along with several other convicts on 1st February, 1797, by Governor John Hunter. The relevant portion of James Jordan's Conditional Pardon is as follows: - "By virtue of the power and authority vested in me, as aforesaid, I, John Hunter, Esq., His Majesty's Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over the said Territory and its Dependencies taking into consideration the good behaviour of .......................James Jordan............... at the recommendation of Lieutenant Governor King, do hereby in consequence of these circumstances, and to enable them to become settlers, conditionally remit the remainder of the term or time which is yet unexpired of the original sentences or order of transportation, passed on the said ..........James Jordan........, provided and on condition that if the said ....James Jordan......... do return to, and appear within any part of the Kingdoms of Great Britain or Ireland, during the Terms of their respective sentences, the remission of such sentences so to them hereby conditionally granted, shall in such case, be wholly null and void. "Given under my hand, and the seal of the Territory at Sydney in New South Wales, this 1st day of February, in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and ninety seven. Signed....Jno. Hunter." In August 1801 he was granted a Ticket of Leave, he was a successful farmer and that he piloted the ship, Porpoise, on the eight-day journey to and from Sydney Town. James sold some of his surplus wheat to the government store. By 1810 he owned twelve acres of land, all in maize, as well as two cows, seven ewes, two male and six female goats, 45 male and five female hogs. His store held eighty bushels of wheat and 2000 of maize. Two years later he had fourteen acres in wheat and eight in maize and his menagerie comprised one male and three female horned cattle, twenty male and twenty-five female sheep, ten male and fourteen female swine; a male and two females goats. In 1814 Norfolk Island was to be abandoned as a Peinal settlement, Mary had died just before the transfer to Tasmania. On 18 February 1813, James Jordan and four children embarked on the 'Minstre'l for Port Dalrymple, as part of the arrangements to close the first settlement on Norfolk Island. James's eldest son, Richard, now independent, was also on board, the 'Minstrel' arrived at George Town in April after first calling in to Sydney to offload military personnel. The settlers removed from Norfolk Island were entitled to a package of goods compensating them for the land and belongings they had left behind. A list compiled by Commandant Crane on Norfolk Island shows that James was entitled to receive twelve full grown wethers, 29 full grown ewes, a half grown wether and two half grown ewes, two cows, one cow in calf, one ox and one calf. A later list adds nine acres (213 bushels), 6 acres (171 bushels), 4 stools, 1 table, 1 chest. These were valued at two pounds and sixteen shillings, an amount that was paid at Port Dalrymple. By 1819 James Jordan was living at Port Dalrymple on 90 acres of land, growing eighteen acres of wheat. He had 72 acres of pasture, nine cattle and a hundred sheep, thirteen swine and grain in hand. The 1820 muster indicates that James was living with and supporting his three children and two crown servants, or convicts. In 1828 James Jordan and George Radford, both of Norfolk Plains, were fined 50/- each for retailing spirits without a license. James had six gallons of rum condemned and George lost forty of wine. According to the report in the Hobart Town Courier, the supplies were found in their respective homes. Another local, Thomas Faro was fined with purchasing spirits from James, an unlicensed victualler. A fortnight later a lengthy letter from Thomas is published in the same newsletter explaining the circumstances of his visit to James' house and proclaiming his innocence. He certainly seems to have been convicted on flimsy evidence! In any event, I think this incident relates to James' son James Jnr. It is unusual that the paper did not make this clear because they generally differentiated between father and son. However, a later article relating to son John's insolvency suggests that it was John's brother James who was fined for supplying liquor without a license. In February 1830 James's farm was advertised for sale: A farm containing 65 acres, 45 of which are in the highest state of cultivation and drained with two large drains, situated at Norfolk Plains. Bound on one side by a four rail fence of Mrs Smith, on the front by a five rail fence of Mr W Saltmarsh, on the back by a three rail fence of Lt Dyball, a paddock containing four acres fenced with a three rail fence. A neat weatherboard house in excellent repair containing six good sized rooms, a garden of half an acre, well stocked with choice fruit trees and vegetables, 60 rods of fencing would enclose the whole farm. Further particulars may be known by applying to Mr James Jordan on the farm or to Mr J Solomon at Launceston. 4 Feb 1830. James died a decade later, on 4th February 1840. The Cornwall Chronicle reported: Mr James Jordan, aged 84 (at the residence of his son, Mr Richard Jordan at Talisker.) one of the last surviving Norfolk Island settlers. He gradually sank to rest from a general decay of nature, and his remains were interred at Norfolk Plains, alongside those of his daughter (Mrs Davey) whose decease was announced in this journal on the 15th of December last. James was buried two days later at the Anglican Church cemetery at Longford.

221

D Wong on 13th February 2015

James Jordan aged 25 years was tried in Dublin in March 1789. Freeman’s Journal dated 26-28 March 1789. James it seems was known as James Sheridan and was tried: ‘At an adjournment of the quarter Sessions, which was held before the Recorder of the city of Dublin at the Tholsel, on the following days, the under-named persons were put on their trials, viz Tuesday March 24: James Sheridan, Jane Sheridan his wife and Dominick Gaffney were put to the bar charged with robbing the house of Mr Parker of Rosslene and feloniously taking from him a number of notes, some candlesticks and other articles of value. Jane Sheridan and Dominick Gaffney were both acquitted and discharged; and James Sheridan, being found guilty, was sentenced to be transported’ Not only do we now know his crime was stealing goods and money and the myth that he was thought to be a political prisoner, has been put to rest. We also know he was married and that his wife’s name was Jane. What we don’t know was if they had any children, and what happened to them after James was transported across the seas. James Jordan, alias Sheridan, sailed on board the Queen, departing Cork in April 1792, and arriving in NSW on 26 September. The following year he was sent to Norfolk Island on the Atlantic. Here he appears to have become a respected settler. Before settling on his 12 acre grant of land in 1810, he was appointed a pilot and coxswain on ships between Sydney Cove and Norfolk Island. He is recorded as being on the Porpoise in 1802 for 8 days, earning 2 pounds. Mary Butler aged 15 was tried for stealing and sentenced to 7 years transportation at Middlesex on the 12 December 1787. Arriving on the Lady Juliana she was sent with other women from that ship to Norfolk Island on the Surprise in August 1790. Soon after her arrival on Norfolk Island Mary’s son William was born 13 August 1792. He was the son of William Saltmarsh (First Fleeter) The father left the island on the Pitt, without seeing his son and was never seen again. James it seems took Mary and her son into his home and they later had 4 sons and a daughter of their own. Mary died (31/8/1812)a short time before James and the family boarded the Minstrel and sailed to Port Dalrymple in 1813. The youngest son John was only 4 years old. James took up land at Norfolk Plains (Longford) along the banks of the Esk River. Three of his sons Richard, James and Thomas were also granted land in the same area. Their daughter Catherine married James Davey (Calcutta 1803) in 1819. Catherine died having their sixteenth child in 1839 aged 39. John the youngest son of James and Mary became a publican. James Jordan died at Talisker, White Hills, on 6 February 1840 and was buried with his daughter Catherine, at Christ Church Longford.

4

Malcolm John Donovan on 10th February 2015

1. Freeman’s Journal dated 26-28 March 1789 ‘At an adjournment of the quarter Sessions, which was held before the Recorder of the city of Dublin at the Tholsel, on the following days, the under-named persons were put on their trials, viz Tuesday March 24: James Sheridan, Jane Sheridan his wife and Dominick Gaffney were put to the bar charged with robbing the house of Mr Parker of Rosslene and feloniously taking from him a number of notes, some candlesticks and other articles of value. Jane Sheridan and Dominick Gaffney were both acquitted and discharged; and James Sheridan, being found guilty, was sentenced to be transported’