Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
Thomas Kelsall was transported on the John Renwick, departing 24th Nov 1842 and arriving 10th Apr 1843 with 161 passengers.
1842-43 Journey. THE John Renwick, with the new Colonial Secretary, J. C. Bicheno, Esq., arrived at Hobart Town the 10th instant. The John Renwick left London the 7th December, with 161 male convicts, under the care of D. Ring, Surgeon Superintendent; E. M. O'Connell, Commanding Officer; and 31 rank and file of the 99th regiment, three women, and two children. J. C. Bicheno, Esq., and F. Seymour, Esq., Assistant Colonial Secretary, passengers, with three servants. The John Renwick put into the Cape, and sailed thence on the 10th February. On the 26th, in latitude 37 ° 43* S., longitude 25 ° 40' E., she experienced a sudden gale, which rent all her sails to pieces, and carried away the cutter, from the larboard quarter. The Teetotal Advocate (Launceston) Mon 17 Apr 1843. 74 of the men were transported at the Special Commission held at Staffordshire in 1842, having been engaged in the riots in the Potteries at that time. There were 79 convict boys on board. From the Surgeon’s Report, National Archives. ADM 101/39/41842-1843.
John Renwick (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 91, Class and Piece Number HO11/13, Page Number 247 (125) |
| 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 |
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Convict Notes
National Archives. ADM 101/39/41842-1843 Medical and surgical journal of Her Majesty's hired convict ship John Renwick for 4 November 1842 to 15 April 1843 by T E Ring, Surgeon, during which time the said ship was employed taking convicts from England to Van Dieman's Land. (Described at item level) Folios 18-22: Surgeon's general remarks. Folio 19: 74 of the men were transported at the Special Commission held at Staffordshire in 1842, having been engaged in the riots in the Potteries at that time. Those breaches of the Law, I am informed were chiefly the result of political infatuation when the passions were influenced and misguided by designing men. In the confinement and discipline of a convict ship, the idle dream and wild vision of power to effect their criminal and insane purposes passed away, and the recollection of distant homes and those endearing ties of nature and affection, severed so suddenly, and perhaps for ever, crowded upon them, and produced a marked and almost general despondency. My attention was first called to this fact at Spithead, by the tone of their letters which it was my duty to read before they were sent to the Post. I have thought it necessary to mention this circumstance, as I believe the condition of the mind, to exert a powerful influence upon health and was especially connected with those deviations from it. [The Surgeon makes further remarks about the treatment on board ship of 'convict rioters of Staffordshire' and the conduct of 79 convict boys].
10/10/1842 London Evening Standard London, England: SPECIAL COMMISSIONS. The jury returned the following verdict :— Thomas Kelsall, Charles Simpson, John Parkes, and Thomas Banks, Guilty of the whole charge, breaking, entering, &c. Thomas Kelsall was listed as 24 years old on arrival, (his conduct records says 21) he was born in Handley. Thomas was 5'3 1/2" tall, sallow complexion, dark brown hair, very light grey eyes, literate, protestant. Wife: Isabella Father: Thomas Mother: Mary (parents at native place) Brothers: Richard, John, William, Daniel, Nathaniel, Elijah. Sister: Betsy. 2/4/1840: TOL 4/10/1850: TOL revoked - absent from muster. 4/3/1851: TOL restored. 14/9/1852 TOL revoked - absent from muster. 2/11/1852: TOL restored. 8/8/1854: CP No marriage found. 16/12/1883: Thomas Kelsall died at the age of 67, from Brain Disease, at the New Town Pauper Establishment and he was buried at the Cornelian Bay Cemetery. Listed as a Groom and Carter.