Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
Thomas Kerr was transported on the Merchantman, departing 10th Oct 1862 and arriving 14th Feb 1863 with 192 passengers.
1018 ton ship built in Sunderland 1852/53. Two (2) voyages to Australia with convict transportee's - both to Western Australia. On these voyages, she also carried 'Pensioner Guards' and their families, a few free passengers and soldiers. The 1862 voyage went via Bermuda and picked up British and local prisoners.
Merchantman (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 93, Class and Piece Number HO11/18, Page Number 505 (254) |
| 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 |
Claims
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Convict Notes
Between November 1856 and February 1857 there were five (similar) housebreakings into shops by use of false keys in Edinburgh with large amounts of watches and gold chains stolen. Latterly there was a development in the enquiries, when two Police Constables called at a house in Crosscauseway and through an ajar front door heard the 'sound of metal filing' inside. The accused Thomas Kerr and Thomas Gilbertson were found in possession of a newly made false key. Edinburgh Police Detective Peter Maloney continued the enquiry that included the recovery of numerous 'Pawn Tickets' for six Pawn Brokers in the City. His diligent enquiries recovered many stolen items linked to both accused. The Jury at the High Court of Justiciary took 10 minutes to convict both accused of three of the housebreakings. Both accused received 'penal servitude for 21 years' - although there is no trace of Thomas Gilbertson on Convict Records - see Scotsman newspaper 22 July 1857 p 4 for 'Trial of Kerr and Gilbertson for theft by Housebreaking'. See also McGowan, John (2022) Policing the Metropolis of Scotland, 1833, 1861 (Edinburgh City Archives) Volume 1, pp 1307-1309 for a fuller account of the Police enquiries.