Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
George Loveless was transported on the William Metcalf, departing 23rd May 1834 and arriving 4th Sep 1834 with 241 passengers.
William Metcalf (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 90, Class and Piece Number HO11/9, Page Number 365 (184) |
| 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 |
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Convict Notes
National Archives. Criminal Petitions. HO 17/42/36 Prisoner name: James Brine, George Loveless, James Loveless, James Hammett, Thomas Standfield and John Standfield [the 'Tolpuddle Martyrs']. Prisoner occupation: Agricultural labourers. Court and date of trial: Dorset Assizes at Dorchester, March 1834. Crime: Administering an unlawful oath. Initial sentence: Seven years transportation. Petitioner(s): The inhabitants of the village of Loche, near to Dundee, assembled at a public meeting, signed by James Lawrence, Chairman, with a covering letter from Joseph Hume [MP]. Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): The petitioners regard the proceedings which produced this result as a direct violation of the sacred rights of the citizens of a country boasting of its just, free and liberal Institutions. The actions of the six men, useful members of society, must have been rendered legal by the repeal of the Combination Laws. Date: 1834 Apr 7.
George Loveless a co-Founder of a group of the 'Friendly Society of Agricultural Labourers' was also the brother-in-law of the other co-founder Thomas Standfield. Betrayed by a fellow farm worker Edward Legg, Loveless and his co-accused were charged with swearing a secret oath to the society which was in effect a trade union. This group became known as the Tolpuddle Martyrs and were tried and convicted to be transported under the unlawful oaths act of 1797.George Loveless was too ill to travel with the others and left later on the "William Metcalfe" to van Diemen's Land. In England they became a cause célèbre and 800,000 signatures were collected for their release. All were pardoned in March 1836 with the support of the home secretary Lord John Russell, on condition of good conduct. His return to England was delayed while he waited for news of his wife, he returned home on the 13 June 1837. Later he and his family emigrated to Canada with four of his fellow martyrs and their families. He wrote two books outlining the groups struggles, 'The Victims of Whiggery' and 'The Church Shown Up'