Charles Kavanagh

46

Heather Stevens on 15th August 2021

Birth About 1814 • Dublin, Ireland. (born 1820 Dublin according to his death certificate, however 1814 Dublin from his convict indent, 1814 in the permission to marry). Conviction and transportation: Charles Kavanagh was convicted at Dublin on 14 October 1836 for stealing money and he was sentenced to seven years transportation. The trial was reported in the newspaper The Pilot on 17 October 1836: Robbery "Utrum horum mavis accipe" A man named Charles Kavanagh was tried for a robbery, the facts of which are as follows:- The prosecutor was a man named George Byrne, who resides at a place called Ticknock, near Rathfarnham: and, having some slight acquaintance with Kavanagh, he have him a night's lodging and entertainment, the return for which was, that Kavanagh got up in the night and stole 3£ .10s from Byrne, together with a fine new outside coat. He was shortly afterwards taken up through the activity of some of the police, and the coat found with him. The facts were proved against the prisoner, and he was at once convicted. His worship proceeded to pass sentence on him, and dwelt upon the aggravation of the crime by the ill-return he gave to the hospitality which he had been treated, and said that he deserved transportation for the offence; but, as it was his first, he would only sentence him to six months' imprisonment and hard labour. Kavanagh - Can your worship transport me? Mr. Blacker - I can. Kavanagh - Very well, your worship, will you give me my choice? Mr. Blacker - Take care of what you say. Whether would you rather be transported or imprisoned for six months? Kavanagh - Your worship, I'd be a d---d deal worse at the end of the six months than ever I was; so transport me, if your worship pleases. Mr. Blacker - Very well; the sentence of the court is, that you be transported for seven years! Kavanagh (bowing) - Thank you your worship. If ever it's in my power I'll oblige you. Arrival 12 July 1837 New South Wales,on the the convict transport Heber. (Note there are two Charles Kavanaghs on this ship). Charles was 23, a widower, he was a labourer and gardener, could read and write, religion Roman Catholic, native place County Dublin, had a previous conviction of 6 months, was 5ft 4 ½in (according to Irish Warrants, however 5ft 3in in the printed indent), with brown hair, "hazel grey" eyes, fair skin when he left Ireland, ruddy and freckled skin when he arrived in NSW. He had a scar over the right eyebrow, and a large wound on his left shin. Residence 29 March 1838 Newcastle gaol, New South Wales, Australia: Admitted for the purpose 'returned to government', however the 'disposal' details are too faint to read. Marriage to Mary Loughman (1810–1891) 1841 at Seaham, near Morpeth, New South Wales, Australia. Permission for the marriage was applied for by Rev. W Lynch of West Maitland because Charles was still a convict. Strangely, Mary's name was recorded as "Mary Brererton", free, ship Besomie in the Registers of Convicts' Applications to Marry. Permission was granted on 22 April 1841. They were probably married soon after, but their marriage registration has not been found in the index for the NSW registry of births, deaths and marriages. Charles received his Certificate of Freedom on 15 December 1843. Their five (or six) children were born between 1842 and 1850 at Seaham. At some stage, Charles and Mary settled at Wallorabba about nine miles from Dungog and fifteen miles from Clarence Town. Death 20 March 1891 Wallarobba, near Dungog, NSW, Australia. Death certificate: Charles Cavanagh, age 71 farmer, Cause of death chronic bronchitis. Born Dublin Ireland, father Denis, married at Seaham to Mary Loughman, children living: Eliza, Dennis, Charles, John. Burial 21 March at Hanley's Flat Cemetery near Dungog.