Summary
Personal Information
Transportation
Joanna Kelleher was transported on the Maria, departing 4th May 1849 and arriving 23rd Jul 1849 with 72 passengers.
Built 1836 at Yarmouth. Wood barque of 460 Tons
Maria (generic)References
| Primary Source | https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON41-1-22$init=CON41-1-22p85 --0-- http://foundersandsurvivors.org/pubsearch/convict/chain/ai39102 |
Claims
"GGG Grandmother on my mother's side"
Photos
No photos have been added for Joanna Kelleher.
Convict Notes
Joanna's daughters, Mary and Johanna, were both with her on board the 'Maria'. The ship's Surgeons report records Johanna as being put on the sick list with Tuberculosis on 14th April 1847 and unfortunately passed away on 13th June 1847. Surgeons report: https://www.femaleconvicts.org.au/docs/ships/SurgeonsJournal_Maria_1849.pdf
29 January, 1879: Hobart Mercury, p4 "WEDNESDAY, February 5. Stock, Hay, Farming Implements and Furniture, etc., etc., at Hamilton, without reserve. ROBERTS & CO., Have received instructions from H. J. Buckland, Esq., Curator of Intestate Estates, to sell by public auction at Hamilton, on WEDNESDAY, February 5, at 12, sharp, ALL THE STOCK AND EFFECTS, the property of the late Mrs. Kelleher, comprising stack of wheat and oat hay, estimated to contain about 20 tons, a draught mare and foal. ALSO, Milch cows, 3-year-old heifer, box dray and harness complete, wooden plough, pair harrows and trees, tools, water-cart, grindstone, dairy utensils and the household effects, consisting of chairs, tables, bedsteads, crockery, culinary utensils, and flour, etc., etc. Terms at Sale." (https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8973133)
14 December, 1878: "NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Curator's Office, December 13, 1878. In the matter of the Estate and effects of JOHANNA KELLEHER, late of Hamilton in Tasmania, widow, deceased intestate. ALL PERSONS having claims against the Estate of the above-named Johanna Kelleher, deceased, are required to come in and prove their respective debts before me at my office, Macquarie-Street, Hobart Town, on or before the 13th day of February next, or in default thereof they will be peremptorily excluded from all benefit accruing from the said Estate. Accounts must be verified by affidavit. H. J. BUCKLAND, Curator of Intestate Estates duly appointed to administer the said Estate." (https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8971464) --00--
DEATH: 15 November, 1878: Johanna Kelleher, "female, 73 years, widow, died of typhlitis and peritonitis", at Hamilton (https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD35-1-47p94j2k). Typhlitis is an inflammation of the cecum, which is the beginning of the large intestine. It's a serious illness that affects people who have a weak immune system (https://www.webmd.com/). --00--
FOOTNOTE: Joanna's son Cornelius was also sent to VDL, arriving on 2 January 1849 per Pestonjee Bomanjee (see his bio at https://convictrecords.com.au/convicts/kelleher/cornelius/147356).
The only other entries on her Conduct record concern the milestones of the Probation system set out below. That is, Joanna Kelleher’s behaviour must have been exemplary as there is not one “offence” (real or imagined) listed against her name. 5 August, 1851: Granted a Ticket of Leave. 4 May, 1852: Recommended for a Conditional Pardon. 23 July, 1854: Conditional Pardon approved. 27 November, 1857: Certificate of Freedom issued at Hamilton (https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON41-1-22$init=CON41-1-22p85). --0--
IN VDL: 23 July, 1849: On arrival in VDL, Joanna Kelleher was listed as convict #350, 21 [clearly an error; see below], a country servant, married with two children – one, Mary aged 15, was on board with her. Other: Roman Catholic, 4’9” tall [see below], brown hair, grey eyes, sallow complexion; native place Co Cork. Jail report: “very good”. Behaviour on voyage “good” (https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON41-1-22$init=CON41-1-22p85). Note: Her Convict Indent record gives her age on arrival as 50, height 5’2”, illiterate. It also gives some family details. Her son, Cornelius, had been transported per the Pestonjee Bomanjee (sailed 20 September, 1848; arrived VDL 2 January, 1849). Her husband, John, a prisoner sentenced to 7 years, had served 2 years on Spike Island (https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON15-1-5$init=CON15-1-5P219). --0--
HER CHILDREN'S PETITION: “In 1848 the petition of Mary and Johanna Kelleher from Bantry, both serving 12-month imprisonment sentences, was investigated. It was found they had committed the offence in order to be transported, as they wished to go with their mother [Joanna] who had been given a seven-year sentence. When the real motive was discovered they were discharged and placed on the ship with their mother as free settlers” (CRF 1848/K39). (Lohan, R., “Convict Reference Files and Prisoners’ Petitions and Cases” at https://www.nationalarchives.ie/topics/transportation/Ireland_Australia_transportation.pdf) Note: According to Joanna’s VDL Conduct record, only one of her children was aboard the Maria (2) with her – Mary, aged 15 (https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON41-1-22$init=CON41-1-22p85). --0--
TRIAL: February, 1848: Convicted in Cork and sentenced to 7 years’ transportation for stealing clothes from Jane/James Horton [different prosecutor names in her Conduct and Indent records], County Cork; she had a previous conviction, also for stealing clothes, and had served 12 months in jail (https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON41-1-22$init=CON41-1-22p85 and https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON15-1-5$init=CON15-1-5P219). --0--