Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
Margaret Lawless was transported on the Mexborough, departing 12th Aug 1841 and arriving 26th Dec 1841 with 147 passengers.
DEC. 26 - Arrived the barque Mexborough, 376 tons, Bridgman master, from Kingston (Dublin) 12th Aug., with 143 female convicts and 35 children. Surgeon Superintendent- Dr. Hampton, R.N. Passengers- Mary Penner, Mary and Jane Carroll, Ann Fox and 5 children, Hannah Murphy and 2 children, Jane and Catharine Nowlan. Colonial Times, 28 Dec 1841.
Mexborough (generic)References
| Primary Source | Van Diemen’s Land Return of Male and Female Convicts shewing their distribution throughout the Colony on the 31 st December 1841 (AJCP, HO 10/51) CON40-1-6 Image 236 |
Claims
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Photos
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Convict Notes
Anne Ward, junior, and Anne and Margaret Lawless, for stealing one bank note, one promissory note, value … on ? March last, the property of Bernard Smith. Bernard Smith, very old, mean looking fellow, deposed that lives near the demesne of Seaforde; recollects the three prisoners and old woman, who proposed to their mother, corning to look for lodgings, they remained with witness four nights; has only one apartment in his house; and one bed in the room for his sister and himself; sold pig on the March, when the prisoners were lodging with him got gold sovereign for it ... ; had 5s in the house, together with a promissory note for £4, 5s; was going to lay by the gold sovereign, and thought the notes were got damp; held them to the fire, in consequence, air them ; prisoners were all in the house then. Put the notes in the same box again, and locked it, and hung the key to his button. The box was a wee small one, you could hold in your hand.” Cannot tell what hour he went to bed that night, but when he went the prisoners were preparing to too. Fell asleep, unfortunately, when went to bed, and when he awoke in the morning they were all gone, and the box too; it was found afterwards, empty; it was the fourth night they had been in the house. The witness was cross-examined by the prisoners, but nothing material was elicited. Ann Ward, sen., examined by Mr Rothven.—. Went to the house of last witness, with her daughter and the and stopped about ten nights; recollects seeing the old man air the money at the fire; the prisoners were present; saw the box, but cannot tell which of the prisoners took it away; got money from Margaret Lawless afterwards, towards the morning ; got pound ; they both (the Lawlesses) told witness not to discover on them, nor to tell the way they went; the prisoner Ann Ward was not present at this time; saw them throw the box out of their hands over ditch, into a field, little piece from the door; saw more money in their hands ; saw notes with them, but saw no gold : knew that they had robbed the house; they said the box was Barney’s, and laughed at it. To his Worship.— Cannot read; knows just they had five notes; the prisoner Ward her daughter. Patrick Smith examined Mr. Rothven old Ward’s Landlord; found the little box in the field empty; saw person near the place; went and awoke the old man; the door of the house was not barred when he went. Sarah Smith, the sister identified the prisoners those who lodged the house; knows that the door was barred that night. All guilty; transported for 7 years. Newry Telegraph, 19 Jan 1841.
Note there were two margaret Lawless convicts on the Mexborough in 1841, one from Down and one from Dublin. there appears to be some confusion as to which one is referred to here.
Native Place; Co. South. Height; 4 ft 11 inches Age; 31 years old Dark Brown hair and blue eyes
Indent No; 239 Transported with Ann Lawless Status; Single Surgeon's report; Very will behaved. 1845 - 11 March. Ticket of Leave 1848 -25 January. Certificate of Freedom
Married James McCarthy on 12 March 1844 in Tasmania, Australia.
Convicted 9/1/1841.