Summary
Personal Information
Voyage
Transportation
Robert Kirkwood was transported on the Isabella, departing 22nd Nov 1831 and arriving 15th Mar 1832 with 226 passengers.
The Isabella was built in London in 1818. She was owned by William Wiseman, Patrick Chalmers and James Wallace. The Isabella transported convicts to Australia in 1818 (NSW), 1822 (NSW), 1823 (NSW), 1832 (NSW), 1833 (VDL) and 1842 (VDL).
Isabella (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 89, Class and Piece Number HO11/8, Page Number 237 (121) |
| 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
"Relation"
Photos
No photos have been added for Robert Kirkwood.
Convict Notes
BEFORE HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO VDL: In 1831, the Kirkwoods petitioned for clemency. The following summary record from the National Archives outlines that process: "HO 17/36/64 ... Prisoner name(s): Robert Kirkwood and James Kirkwood. Prisoner age: Robert Kirkwood aged 46 and James Kirkwood aged 20. Prisoner occupation: Millwright (Robert Kirkwood). Court and date of trial: Lancaster Summer Assizes, August 1831 [or 6 March 1831]. Crime: Forgery (Robert Kirkwood); uttering forged notes (James Kirkwood). Initial sentence: [Death], commuted to transportation for life. Gaoler's report: Robert in custody before for forgery. Both very bad characters. Annotated (Outcome): Nil. Petitioner(s): Robert Kirkwood and his son, James Kirkwood, the prisoners, undersigned by Sarah Kirkwood, [Robert Kirkwood's wife], and five other people. Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): This is the prisoner's first offence; Robert Kirkwood has a wife and ten children dependent upon him. Additional Information: Prisoners both tradesmen in Liverpool [Lancashire] at time of crime." (see https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14596883)
New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents, 1788-1842. Name; Robert Kirkwood No; 32-511. Indent No; 102 Age; 47 Est birth Year; 1795 Read & Write; Married; four male and 3 female children Religion; Protestant Native Place; Belfast Calling; Millright (complete) Offence; Engraving plate for forged notes Date of Trial: 8th Aug 1831 Sentence; Life Height; 6 ft. 0 1/2 Complexion; Ruddy Hair; Brown Eyes; Hazel Noted against name; SON here "James" Per Portland ------------------------------------
Robert Kirkwood was 50 years old on arrival in NSW. He was convicted along with James Kirkwood, 20, who was tried for the same crime on the same date, and arrived in NSW on the 'Portland 1831'. 1840: TOL Muswellbrook 3/1/1845: TOL Passport, Muswellbrook Bench. 30/9/1847: CP 16/3/1806: Married Sarah Jane Simpson - born 1785 and died 1858 in Uralla NSW. They had 7 children, all born in Ireland. Wife Sarah and the other children also came to NSW. Robert came to the New England area from the Hunter in the 1840s. A master millwright, Robert established steam-powered mills in the area, the first person to do so, and in 1847 was granted permission to erect a steam powered mill on William Dumaresq's "Heifer Station". The cost was 800 pounds. The family acquired land on Dumaresq Creek near the centre of Armidale, Kirkwood Street taking its name from their property. Robert moved to Uralla during the time of the Rocky River gold rush and with his son Paul, established another flour mill. 25/7/1859: Robert died at Uralla.