Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
John Matthews was transported on the Chapman, departing 25th Mar 1817 and arriving 26th Jul 1817 with 202 passengers.
The Chapman ship was built at Whitby, England in 1777, rebuilt in 1811 and refurbed in 1815. Tonnage: 558 The 1817 voyage from Ireland to New South Wales, Australia is not yet fully recorded on this web site - currently being updated. A mutiny occurred on this voyage with 7 men killed and many others wounded. (200 male convicts embarked) 1824 voyage from England to Van Diemen's Land (180 male convicts). 1826 voyage from England to Van Diemen's Land (100 male convicts, 2 escaped). Royal Staff guards & 19 private passengers.
Chapman (generic)References
| Primary Source | Tasmania, Australia, Convict Court and Selected Records. |
Claims
No one has claimed John Matthews yet.
Photos
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Convict Notes
IN VDL: 3 March, 1823: A charge that he assaulted F Wright (T Wright?), a Sergeant of Marines, was dismissed (https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON31-1-29$init=CON31-1-29p25). --0-- 1823: John Matthews received his Certificate of Freedom, #127, as per the following notice in the Hobart Town Gazette, 13 Sep, p1: "Government Public Notice. THE undermentioned Persons have obtained Certificates during the last Week:— John Matthews | Chapman Patrick Kagan | Ditto William Allen | Indefatigable } Port Dalrymple David Forbes | Shipley } Port Dalrymple Robinson Hindson | Ditto } Port Dalrymple John Biffin | Lord Eldon } Port Dalrymple Winifred McNally | Canada. } Port Dalrymple H. E. ROBINSON, Secretary. Secretary's Office, Sept. 12, 1823."
IN NSW: 1817: On arrival in NSW, John Matthews was listed as 5’6” tall with a dark, pale complexion, brown hair and hazel eyes. The ship's Muster Roll gives his age as 40 but the Convict Indents say he was 32 on arrival (New South Wales, Convict Ship Muster Rolls and Related Records, 1790-1849; 1817; and New South Wales, Convict Indents, 1788-1842; Bound Indentures 1814-1818). 9 August, 1817: He was one of 70 convicts (69 from the Chapman and one from the Pilot) who were forwarded to VDL per the brig Jupiter. --0--
IN IRELAND: 3 September, 1816: John Matthews was tried in Dublin City, convicted and sentenced to 7 years' transportation for stealing money. A shop clerk, he was from Westmeath (New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents, 1788-1842,Bound Indentures; 1814-1818). 21 September, 1816: John Mathews [sic] was admitted to Kilmainham jail in Dublin from Newgate prison, also in Dublin. Listed as #2888, a convict from Newgate, he was sent to board the Chapman on 19 December (Ireland, Prison Registers, 1790-1924; Dublin; Kilmainham, 1815-1910).
Conduct Record;- No; 62 Name; John Matthews Ship; To NSW per Chapman & to Hobart per Jupiter - 1817 Trial; Sept 1816 - 7 years Noted against name; 1823 - 3 March. Offence; Assault Tasmania, Australia, Convict Court and Selected Records. Name; John Matthews. Trial; Dublin City - 3 Sept 1816 - 7 years Cert; 1823 / 127