Thomas Kennedy

26

Darren Mansfield on 11th February 2023

By September 1796 Thomas Kennedy was in Cork awaiting transportation when it was reported that: "A letter from Cork mentions that a few days since, a mutiny was discovered amongst the convicts on board on of the transport ships for Botany Bay. They had found means to disengage themselves from their irons and were on the point of rising on the ship's company whom they proposed to murder in case of resistance, and either to run away with the vessel or sieze on the boats and avail themselves of the might to escape on shore - Kennedy, one of the 'innocent children' who had some time since been sentenced to be hanged in Dublin for High Treason but who was respited thro' the lenity of the Government, and his punishment commuted for transportation, was the leader of the mutiny." 1796: On board the Britannia a few days after departure from Cork, Thomas Kennedy and Edward Fitzpatrick (q.v.) charged John Browne alias Johnson alias Mills, John May and Thomas Murphy (q.q.v.) with" stealing bread from their companions". They received one dozen lashes each. There was no record of Kennedy taking part in the planned (later) uprising on the Britannia for which many convicts were harshly punished. Thomas arrived in Sydney aboard the Britannia II at the age of 14 on 27th May 1797. 1800: When Joseph Holt arrived in Sydney as a prisoner on the Minerva, he noted in his journal that on disembarking: "There was a young man standing by....the young man's name was Thomas Kennedy, nephew to Henry, glassblower of Dublin, who was serving his time to his uncle when your Smart was in confinement for Defenderism." Kennedy lived with Mary Durham after her arrival on the Minerva in January 1800. Their children were Catherine (1801), Ann, Mary, Elizabeth (although there may have been two of this name, one dying in infancy) and Rebecca. 1806 Muster: He was probably the Thomas Kennedy who was employed as a carpenter by Henry Kable. 1809: He was pardoned on June 3rd by Colonel Patterson and on the 18th November he was granted 100 acres in the Cabramatta district. This he surrendered on 2nd February 1810 in accordance with Macquarie's order. 1810: Kennedy submitted a memorial requesting that the pardon he received in 1809, given illegally, be affirmed by Governor Macquarie. He wrote: " Permit me then respectfully to state that at the early age of 14 years I was by improper (?) companions seduced to those indiscretions which are often fatal to youth. In consequence thereof I was sent under hopeless sentence (?) to this colony (?) in the Britannia fifteen years ago. During which long period my conduct has been distinguished for rigid (?) propriety and industry. Petitioner being particularly recommended by the Rev. Mr Marsden to the notice of Governor King......he has a wife to whom he is married, has four children to support and provide for solely by his efforts of his personal labour. That in compliment to the merit of his industry, Colonel Paterson was pleased to grant him an Absolute Pardon. All which prospects are now blighted for the apparent preservation of himself, wife and offspring...."

54

Phil Hands on 21st March 2017

Thomas was tried and convicted of High Treason in Dublin in 1796, because of his age (he was just 13 years old) the death penalty was not imposed, instead he was sentenced to transportation for life. Left Cork on 10th December 1796. Ship:- the 'Britannia' sailed with 144 male and 44 female convicts on board of which 10 males and 1 female convict died during the voyage. Arrived on 27th May 1797. HIGH TREASON. DUBLIN, December 22nd The Court sat at a quarter past 12 o'clock to proceed upon the trial of James Weldon, who stood indicted on a charge of high treason, for compassing the King's death, and for adhering to the King's enemies. The length of this trial renders it impossible for us to give a full sketch of the proceedings. The principal evidence was William Lawler, an approver, who swore that the oath, called the Defender's Oath, and another called the Test, in form of a catechism, was administered to him by the prisoner, at a public house in Barrack-street, in the presence of two persons, one named Kennedy, the latter of whom was sworn along with him.... Mr. Oliver Carleton proved the apprehension of Kennedy and Brady, in the house of Mr. Kennedy, glassman, in the fob of his breeches pocket, the printed copies of the oath and test before-mentioned, and which the first swore were identically the same on which he had been sworn by the prisoner. No other evidence has adduced on the part of the prosecution... December 23rd The trial of Brady, Kennedy and Hart were postponed to next Commission, upon affidavit of the absence of the material witness, Leblanc, a Frenchman, an embroiderer at Belfast, late of Dublin, the necessity of whose testimony the prisoners did not know, until they heard the evidence of Lawler yesterday. Text: ...Thomas Kennedy of the city of Dublin and county of the said city, yeoman...to depose and deprive and put our said King to death and final destruction...adhering to the enemies of the King... The prisoners pleaded - NOT GUILTY... About 2 o'clock in the morning of the 23rd, the Jury retired, and after deliberating for twenty minutes, brought a verdict of Guilty; but recommended the prisoner as an object of mercy, on account of his youth. The Court then adjourned... Saturday February 27th. The grand juries of the city and county of Dublin were called over. Thomas Kennedy and Patrick Hart were put to the bar. Their indictments were read, and they were severally asked, why judgment of death and execution should not be awarded against them according to law. Thomas Kennedy - I hope from the recommendation of the jury that you will have compassion upon me, and I hope for a long day. - A man who was not recommended had twelve weeks.... Kennedy and Hart were respited until the 19th of March, when Hart was executed. A farther respite has been granted to Kennedy. Thomas lived with Irish convict Mary Durham ('Minerva' 1800) from 1800, they had 5 children between 1801-1815.