James Kennedy

CRIME: 1856: National Records of Scotland—Reference AD14/56/25 Precognition against Robert Docherty and James Kennedy for the crime of theft by housebreaking and opening lockfast places, and previous conviction, and housebreaking with intent to steal. Accused: Robert Docherty, alias Docherty, John, Age: 23, moulder, Address: High Street, Glasgow, Origin: Native of Glasgow. Accused: James Kennedy, alias McClymont, John, Age: 20, puddler, Address: High Street, Glasgow, Origin: Native of Ireland. Note: A puddler participated in the making of iron, and later on, steel. The process of puddling, developed towards the end of the 18th century, involved stirring molten iron inside the furnace with rods. These rods were used up during the process (Dictionary of Old Occupations at https://www.familyresearcher.co.uk/). --0--

TRIAL: 10 January, 1856: National Records of Scotland—Reference JC26/1856/231 Trial papers relating to James Kennedy and Robert Docherty for the crime of theft by housebreaking and opening lockfast places, and previous conviction, and housebreaking with intent to steal. Tried at High Court, Glasgow (Second Court). Accused: James Kennedy, alias McClymont, John, Verdict: Guilty, Verdict Comments: Guilty - first charge, Sentence: Transportation - 21 years Previous convictions: theft. Accused: Robert Docherty, alias Docherty, John, Verdict: Guilty, Verdict Comments: Guilty - first charge, Sentence: Transportation - 21 years Previous convictions: theft. --00--

NEWSPAPER reporting of his trial (compiled from the Glasgow Sentinel, Scottish Guardian and Glasgow Courier on 12 January, 1856): “James Kennedy and Robert Docherty, returned convicts, were found guilty of having on 29th September broken into a house in Glebe Street, and carried off a quantify of clothing; further, with having on 1st October, broken into the porter’s lodge at Garngad House Lunatic Asylum, and stolen several coats, vests, trousers, and other articles of clothing; also with having on 3rd October entered a house in Mason Street, and taken a considerable quantity of wearing apparel. Previous convictions were proved against both prisoners, and they were each sentenced to 21 years’ transportation.” --00--

IN WA: 3 July, 1857: On arrival in WA, he was listed as James Kennedy, #4341, aged 20 when convicted, a puddler, able to read well and write imperfectly (Western Australia, Australia, Convict Records, 1846-1930; Convict Department Registers (128/38 - 39)). No mention on this record of his alias. --0--

From his Fremantle jail record: KENNEDY, James; #4341, arrived 3 July 1857 per Clara (1) Date of Birth: 1835 Marital Status: Unmarried Occupation: Striker [Change of trade to an assistant to a blacksmith] Literacy: Literate Sentence Date: 10 Jan 1856 Sentence Place: Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland Crime: House breaking Sentence Period: 20 years Previous Convictions: Yes Ticket of Leave Date: 18 Apr 1860 Conditional Pardon Date: 9 Dec 1864 (https://fremantleprison.com.au/). --00--

FOOTNOTE: Robert Docherty was also transported to WA, arriving in January 1858 per the Nile. See his bio at https://convictrecords.com.au/convicts/docherty/robert/59252.