Summary
Personal Information
Voyage
Transportation
William Lucas was transported on the Bussorah Merchant, departing 16th Aug 1831 and arriving 14th Dec 1831 with 100 passengers.
The Bussorah Merchant was built at Calcutta in 1818, 531 tons. The ship transported convicts from England in 1828 to New South Wales, from Ireland in 1829/30 to Hobart, Van Diemen's Land and in 1831 another voyage to Sydney, New South Wales. (The ship also made voyages to Australia, in 1837, 1839 & 1845 with free immigrants.)
Bussorah Merchant (generic)References
| Primary Source | NSW Gov Records. Irish Convicts. |
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Convict Notes
MAITLAND. Quarter Sessions-May 8, l835. 'The Court of Quarter Sessions finished this day, after five days sitting, the calendar was one of the heaviest, there being forty-eight cases. Present - The Chairman, Captain Hungerford, J. P., James Reid, Esq. J. P., James Mudie. Esq. J.P. and Lieutenant, Gibson, J. P. The following were the most important cases. William Lucas, charged with stealing a bullock, the property of some person unknown. The first witness called was Robert Fish, who proved the killing of the bullock by the prisoner, and that Mr. Cory was from home. Thomas Priest proved the same. John Taylor proved that he had positive orders from Lucas, to keep that particular bullock in the yard; although the strange cattle that had been brought in from the bush had been turned out, and if he (the witness) let that bullock go, he (the prisoner) would get him punished for it. Mr. Cory clearly proved that he did not give him (Lucas) orders to kill the beast; - and that the prisoner did it from vindictive motives. Daniel Keating proved that he was working for Mr. Cory about four months ago, when the prisoner, one evening, came to the hut in a sullen mood; that deponent Keating, asked what was the matter with him; prisoner said that he would rather be in an iron-gang, or road party, than on the farm. He further stated that if Mr. Cory did not fulfil his promise of bringing out his wife and family, he would very soon nail him (Mr. Cory)! The deponent then asked how he could do that, and was answered "he would get a bullock in from the bush, and kill it, and put the hide in such a place that would put him (Mr. Cory) in for it; and that he would bring some of the boys forward to back him in it." This was the case for the Crown. The prisoner called George Cumberlige, who corroborated John Taylor's evidence as to keeping the bullock in the stock-yard. Thomas Holland knew nothing. The Bench found Lucas guilty of stealing the bullock, to criminate his master. The learned Chairman on passing sentence, expressed his horror at the infamous conduct of the prisoner, and stated that he considered him worse than a murderer, and had he succeeded in his diabolical conspiracy, that he would have destroyed the reputation of an honourable man ; and that he hoped that the sentence he was about to pass upon him, would act as a caution to others in his situation. The Chairman then sentenced the prisoner to a Penal Settlement for life. Sydney Herald, 11 May 1835.
111346 Lucas William - Bussorah Merchant 1831. 1835 26 February Newcastle Gaol NGE. Ploughman/Weaver from Co. Tyrone. Admitted to Newcastle gaol from Paterson. Committed for trial at the QS. Sent to Paterson to give evidence on the examination of E.G. Cory 111882 Lucas William - Bussorah Merchant 1831. 1835 9 May Newcastle Gaol NGE. Ploughman/Weaver from Co. Tyrone. Admitted to Newcastle from Maitland Quarter Sessions. To be transported to a penal colony for life.
Born - Tyrone Ireland. Married 7 children - Norfolk Island.