Margaret Marshall

34

Glenda Humes on 31st July 2017

On Margaret's Description Record (CON19/1/17), her name is written as Marchall rather than Machall or Marshall. As it is written, it could also be interpreted as Marchale with the last letter appearing as an 'e" rather than an 'l'. When Catherine Matchell, Margaret's daughter gave birth to Peter Wilton in 1874, the baptism record listed her former name as "McCahill", a closer pronunciation of McCale than Marshall which is likely the married name for Margaret.

34

Glenda Humes on 30th July 2017

Margaret Marshall, born in County Carlow, Ireland was mistakenly listed as Margaret Machall on her convict record; convicted 7 April 1848, sentenced to 7 years Transportation, arriving in Van Dieman's Land on the Kinnear (2) on 7 Oct 1848 after departing Dublin on 16 Jun 1848 for a shoplifting crime (lifting boys'dresses for cotton, property of Mrs. Hickey). The name Marshall appears to be incorrect as well but is part of her records. On her Description record, she mentions a husband Pat and a son left in Ireland, also a brother John Hanlon, transported " 9 years since" (possibly ship Heber 1837 or Calcutta 1837 to NSW) and a sister, Susan Hanlon transported on the Phoebe (unable to locate). Research shows a Margaret Hanlon marrying a Pat McCale in July 1840 in Kilcullen, Dublin. With her Irish accent, it is highly possible, Margaret's married name of McCale could have been mistaken for Marchall by a not so literate clerk completing the documentation. The name Marshall may have been listed as believed to be a corruption of Marchall. Despite the possible marriage in 1840, a record of a Margaret Hanlon being convicted of "Felony Stuff Frock", the property of John Hickey on 1 October 1847 in Newgate Prison points to the likely Margaret Marshall/Marchall, with the name of victims (Mrs. and John) Hickey in common. She received 6 months in the GrangeGormon female prison. This is consistent with her Conduct Record in VDL noting she was twice convicted before and her description is similar but not exact - aged 26 and 4'11 in Oct 1847 but 28 and 5'1 in Oct 1848, both records list her as dark (descriptions were often subjective). Margaret Hanlon is listed as a Hawker, living on Meath St, Kilcullen in Oct. 1847 so it appears this is the same that married Pat McCale. Sent to Launceston July 1849 to Mr. Dean; absconded on 13 July 1850 and was later apprehended after a notice in the 23 Sept 1850 Police Gazette. In May 1851, she gave birth to an illegitimate child listed as Catherine Marshall with father's name not recorded. Catherine later was listed as Matchell and married Orleana passenger John Wilton in 1869 in New Norfolk. Margaret spent time in the Female Factories of Ross, Launceston and the Cascades between 1852 and 1855 when she finally received a Certificate of Freedom (11 April 1855) after initially having a Ticket of Leave revoked in February 1854. She likely returned to Launceston to live but it is unknown what happened to her and why she placed Catherine in the Queen's Orphanage on 2 Oct. 1857 where she remained until 15 June 1864, being released to an apprenticeship in New Norfolk. An 1883? death of a Margaret Marshall, aged 63 in Longford, Tasmania has been suggested as her death however, she was listed as a Lighthouse Keeper's wife so it is unlikely unless he retained her former married name.