Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
John Martin was transported on the Joseph Somes, departing 2nd Jun 1847 and arriving 24th Sep 1847 with 251 passengers.
Built 1845 at London. Wood ship of 780 Tons. The owner was Thomas Colyer of Kent, the son-in-law of Joseph Somes. Two voyages with transport convicts to Australia: 1845/1846: 1847: 248 male people (known as "exiles" landed at Point Henry, Geelong, Victoria and 1 went on to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania). Queen Victoria had decreed that all of these men (many of them youths from Parkhurst, Isle of Wight) should be treated as "free" upon arrival (significant backlash to transported criminals at this time).
Joseph Somes (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 92, Class and Piece Number HO11/15, Page Number 178 Parkhurst Governor's Log 1844 |
| 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
Father Henry Eaton. Bookkeeper - X Keys, Wood St.Cheapside, London. Parents living in London, (Somers Town) Father is bookkeeper in the X Keys Coach office, Cheapside. Has 5 children of whom prisoner is the eldest. He was at 3 private schools for about 6 years altogether, learnt to read and write well. Was afterwards employed as an errand boy at a outfitting warehouse in Fenchurch Street, Had been in prison when about ten years old for robbing his aunt. Detained a week in prison and then discharged. Was apprehended in March 1843 for stealing some gloves and silk handkerchiefs from his master. Sentenced to 3 months imprisonment in Newgate. After his release he went home and remained with his parents till his father broke his leg by falling off a coach and was removed to the hospital. Prisoner then ran away. He went to a man who had received the goods which prisoner stole from his master on the previous occasion. He passed six months in street robbery sleeping at lodging houses. Was apprehended 1844 for stealing a purse from a woman's pocket near the Mansion House, convicted at the Central Criminal Court, and Sentenced to 10 years transportation. Conduct Sept 25 1844. Confined 24 hours - Concealing in the ventilator of his cell some of the work issued to him for knitting, and denying having done so. Dec 28 1844. Contined 48 hours - Insolence to assistant warder Wills in dormitory. May 30 1845 - Confined 3 days. - Disrespect to assistant warder Swansone. May 25 1847. Embarked on "JOSEPH SOMES" for Port Phillip.