Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
Robert May was transported on the Hougoumont, departing 10th Oct 1867 and arriving 9th Jan 1868 with 281 passengers.
875 ton ship was built at Moulmein in 1852. http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/journal/on-this-day-in-history-australias-last-convict-ship-docks.htm ---------------------------- Incorrect Image ....This is a four masted steel hulled Barque in the drawing , im surprised Australian Geo didn't do a bit more research on this .......The Hougoumont was a works ship on the Forth Bridge Project in 1885 ....the one potrayed as a drawing in Aust Geo is the later version of this ship.....the photograph i have attached is the correct and original convict vessel. --00-- 1867 "The hired convict ship Hougoumont, which has been taken up by the Government for the conveyance of a numerous party of convicts to Freemantle, Western Australia, left the Nore on October 1, and proceeded down Channel, after receiving on board 150 convicts from the establishments at Chatham and Millbank. The convicts from the Chatham establishment, at St. Mary's, embarked from the dockyard on board the paddle-wheel steamer Adder, Mr. W. J. Blakely, and were in charge of a numerous party of convict guards and wardens, all heavily armed. Among the convicts shipped were a party of fifteen Fenians, who were engaged in the late conspiracy in Ireland, together with the officers and crew convicted of scuttling the ship Severn, and some others who have achieved notoriety from their crimes. The Fenian convicts, like the remainder of the prisoners, were chained together in gangs, but it was observed that they were kept apart from the other convicts in a portion of the vessel by themselves. The steamer Petrel also took down a number of convicts from the establishment at Millbank for shipment on board the Hougoumont, in charge of a strong escort and convict guard. On Tuesday, October 8th, the Hougoumont arrived in Portland roads. Shortly before midday ninety convicts were marched down to the Government pier at Portland under a strong escort of the 12th Light Infantry. The party included twenty-three Fenian convicts, among whom it was said, was Moriarty. The Government steamer employed in the breakwater service was used for conveying the convicts on board the Hougoumont transport ship. The convicts were chained together on embarking, and on board the steamer a strong guard of marines from her Majesty's ship St. George was formed, and saw the convicts safely placed on board the Hougoumont. The Governor of the penal settlement at Freemantle, Captain Young, is on board the Hougoumont, and returns in that ship to his sphere of duty after paying a visit to his native land." Source: Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 19 Dec 1867, p4, English Shipping, available on Trove at https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/28608271?searchTerm=hougoumont.
HougoumontReferences
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 93, Class and Piece Number HO11/19, Page Number 262. --0-- Keneally, T. (1998), “The great shame and the triumph of the Irish in the English-speaking world”, Random House, New York. --0-- http://www.jbhall.clahs.ie/1285-1932_drogheda_mayors.htmhttp://www.jbhall.clahs.ie/1285-1932_drogheda_mayors.htm --0-- |
| 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 |
Claims
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Photos
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Convict Notes
SOURCES: Keneally, T. (1998), “The great shame and the triumph of the Irish in the English-speaking world”, Random House, New York. Waters, Ormond D.P. (1996-97), “The Escape of the Fenians, Western Australia, 17 April 1876”, in Seanchas Ardmhacha: Journal of the Armagh Diocesan Historical Society, Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 95-107. --0--
DEATH OF ROBERT MAY: 1918: The man called Robert May who was a long-serving councillor and former Mayor of Drogheda, as well as a businessman in Drogheda (wholesale merchant), died at his home at 13 Fair Street, Drogheda on 29 March. Family records say he was born in 1840 (but FindAGrave gives his birth year as 1831, which is more than 10 years before "our" Robert May who was transported to WA); and he married Eliza (Elizabeth) Collins in 1878, at St Peter's, Drogheda. The couple had seven children. Robert May was buried at Hill of Slane, Slane Abbey, County Meath on Easter Sunday, 31 March. (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/193102465/robert-may#source) -- From the Drogheda Independent - Saturday 06 April, 1918, p2: "MR. ROBERT MAY, DROGHEDA. By the death of Mr. Robert May, Fair St., Drogheda has lost one of her most upright and respected citizens. For well over half a century the late Mr. May was prominently connected with the Commercial and Civic life of the Borough—he filled the office of Mayor in the year 1878—and during all that long period he won the esteem and respect of all who knew him or had business relations with him for his probity and cordiality. The esteem in which he was held was manifested on the day of his funeral by the large and representative cortege that accompanied his remains to their last resting place in the family burial ground on Slane Hill. —R.I.P. The chief mourners were J. A. May, Lieutenant J. P. May and Dr. R. J. May (sons); A. May (brother); James Collins (brother-in-law); J. J. Farrell, Solicitor (son-in-law); Eugene and Bob Farrell (grandsons); J. McLoughlin (relative). The clergy attending were: Right Revd. Monsignor Segrave, P.P. V.G.; Very Revd. D. Flynn, P.P., V.F.; Revd. J. O'Rafferty, P.P.; Rev. A. McDonnell, C.C.; Rev. J. Lavelle, C.C.; Rev. T. Woods, C.C.; Very Revd. Dr. Bowen, O.S.A.; Very Revd. D. Crotty, O.S.A.; Very Revd. A. P. Mullan, O.F.M.; Revd. P.A. Corish, O.F.M.; Very Revd. T. Crofts, O.P.; Revd. A. Keane, D.D., O.P.; Revd. F.J. Powell, O.P.."(https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002320/19180406/032/0002) --00--
SUCCEEDED AS MAYOR: 1879, 1 January: Robert May was succeeded as Mayor by John Chadwick. From the Drogheda Conservative - Saturday 04 January 1879, p5: "DROGHEDA CORPORATION – INSTALLATION OF MAYOR FOR 1879. A special meeting of the municipal body was held on Wednesday last to install Alderman Chadwick as Mayor of Drogheda for the current year… … When the members had taken their seats, Alderman Daly rose and said he had the high honour and pleasure of proposing that the warm and cordial thanks of the Corporation be tendered to Robert May, Esq., the late mayor. He (Alderman Daly) was one of those who believed that a Mayor who ruled over a town of the importance of Drogheda, with a population of 16,000, in such a manner as that at the close of his year in office, he had achieved the rare accomplishment of pleasing everybody by his zeal and efficiency, the warmest thanks were due him not alone by the Corporation, but by the public at large (applause). It did not look well to say much of a flattering nature in the presence of a party to whom the observations applied, and, therefore, in the presence of Mr. May he should say no more than to propose that a very warm vote of thanks be passed to him, for the manner in which he discharged his duties as mayor during the past year (cheers). Alderman Ternan in seconding the vote of thanks, said he believed Mr. May was not a whit less deserving of the compliment than even the most favoured of the mayors who had proceeded him (hear, hear.) As a magistrate he always endeavoured to temper justice with mercy, and his decisions gave universal satisfaction; in the Court of Conscience his painstaking and impartial decisions gave equal satisfaction, whilst as chief of the Corporation his sound judgment, assiduity, and close attention to affairs met with the warmest approval of every member of the body (hear, hear). Most individuals were so constituted that when a certain question came before them for the first time they couldn't see their way very clearly to a satisfactory solution of it. Whoever had watched Mr. May's career closely during the past year should give him the credit which could seldom be given to others in that he invariably chose the right path at the right moment. Under all the circumstances he had great pleasure in seconding the well-merited vote of thanks that had just been proposed to him (applause). The Mayor, in conveying the vote of thanks, expressed his own concurrence. Mr. May said he felt exceedingly obliged for the kind sentiments not alone of Mr. Ternan and Mr. Dale but of the entire Council. When he accepted the position which he so unexpectedly found himself called on to occupy towards the close of the year 1877, he accepted it not to be Mayor of any sect or party, but to be Mayor of the entire town (hear), and now at the close of his official year it was exceedingly gratifying to him to find that he had succeeded in his purpose. In the discharge of his municipal duties he had to thank the Council for the many facilities they accorded him; and with reference to his magisterial duties he had to specially thank Ald. Casey J.P. for the great assistance that he gave him on all occasions (applause). Mayor—I hope he will be as considerate to me (laughter)…” (https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000792/18790104/049/0005) --00--
From the Drogheda Conservative - Saturday 05 January 1878, p4: "THE MAYORALTY FOR 1878. New Year's Day was signalized here as usual by that periodic digression in municipal life which gives birth to the daring [?] ceremonial that enwraps the installation of Mayor, and affords an open convivial indulgence and post-prandial speech-making, which, despite nearly a century of repetitions, seems to be still heartily enjoyed by those who partake as well as those who merely witness the time-honoured custom [which] was observed with full eclat on this occasion. A special meeting of the council was held for the purpose of installing Robert May, Esq., TC., as Mayor of the ancient borough for the year 1878. There was a full attendance. The members, having robed in the Assembly Room, marched in procession to the Crown Court where a vast throng of citizens had assembled as spectators. Preceding the long file of scarlet-robed gentlemen were the sword and mace bearers with Mr. Killeen, Clerk. The usual formalities were quickly gone through. The oaths of and allegiance were administered by the Town Clerk and subscribed by the Mayor-elect, Aldermen Chadwick and Casey being the witnesses. Alderman Knaggs, the outgoing Mayor, then took the official chain (which has been lengthened one link by him to commemorate his year in office) from his own neck and placed it round that of his successor, congratulating Mr. May as he did so for being elected to the high position of Mayor of Drogheda. The old practice of touching the sword and mace having been gone through the members retraced their steps to the Assembly Room amid the deafening cheers of the multitude. Mr. May, the newly crested Mayor, who was warmly greeted on entering the room, presided..." (https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000792/18780105/032/0004) --
LOCAL POLITICS: Did Robert May get involved in local government in Drogheda, as suggested by his Fremantle jail record? Certainly, a man called Robert May was active in the area's political scene in the 1870s. He was one of two Town Councillors for the ward of Fair Gate, in the Borough of Drogheda, and was re-elected on 26 November 1877. At the first meeting of the Corporation after the election, his fellow councillors elevated him to the Mayoralty for 1878. He served one term in that position. -- From the Drogheda Argus and Leinster Journal - Saturday 01 December 1877, p4: "SATURDAY, DECEMBER, 1, 1877. SUMMARY. At a special meeting today of the Corporation, Councillor Robert May was elected Mayor of Drogheda for the ensuing year." (https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001445/18771201/047/0004) --0--
FOOTNOTE: OCCUPATION: Robert May's occupation of "spinning master" is not listed in the options in the summary section above. Spinners worked in the textile industry, spinning yarn. Presumably, Robert was a supervisor in the flax mill where he worked for Mr. Chadwick, the "proprietor of the extensive flax-mills in Drogheda". --0--
BACK IN DROGHEDA: 1870, 22 February: "RELEASED FENIAN.—At the annual soiree of the Roman Catholic Young Men's Society, held in the Mayoralty Rooms of Drogheda on Tuesday night, the Rev. Mr. McKee, C.C., presiding, a man named Robert May, one of the released Australian prisoners, who arrived here a few days ago, was present, and received an enthusiastic welcome. His health was subsequently proposed, and he returned thanks. I understand that it is contemplated by the sympathisers with the Fenian prisoners to entertain May at a public banquet in the Mayoralty Rooms in a short time. It is not likely, however, that the Mayor will grant the use of the Mayoralty House for such a purpose, inasmuch as some time ago, the Corporation refused to give the use of the lecture-room to Mr. Stephen Joseph Meany, to deliver a lecture on "The Poets of Ireland." There are other places in town, however, available for the purpose. May was convicted of having taken part in the Fenian rising at Drogheda, in March, 1867." (Cork Daily Herald - Saturday 26 February 1870, p3, at https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003182/18700226/027/0003) --00--
From the Cork Daily Herald - Monday 21 February 1870, p3: “RELEASED FENIANS IN DUBLIN. A Banquet in honour of the Political Prisoners released from imprisonment in Australia was held on Saturday evening at Hood's Hotel, Brunswick-street, Dublin. The idea of paying them this compliment was only about 24 hours' conceived, and, its main purpose was to avoid the public displays which present circumstances rendered injudicious, it was determined to restrain the banquet within the bounds of a private entertainment. It was likewise decided that long speeches should be excluded from the programme, and, in fact, everything was done to make the affair a dignified compliment, which should, without unnecessary display, convey to the prisoners the sentiments of the citizens in their regard. Such being its object, the banquet may be looked upon as having been amply successful. Over sixty gentlemen sat down to dinner in the large coffee-room of the hotel. His engagement at the trial of Barrett in the Four Courts prevented Mr. Butt, President of the Amnesty Association, from being present at the commencement of the proceedings; but, as will be seen by the report, he arrived in time to take part in the latter portion of the evening's entertainment. The proceedings were conducted with the utmost propriety and dignity, and reflected very great credit on the originators of the project. The chair was occupied by T. Ryan Esq. The guests of the evening were—Messrs. J. S. Casey (the Galtee Boy) of Mitchelstown; J. C. O'Donovan, Blarney; Thomas Cullinane, Ballymacoda; Eugene Lombard, Cork; Morgan McSwiney, Cork; Simon Downey, Cork; Thomas Daly, Kilmallock; Michael Noonan, Kilmallock; Patrick O'Reardon, Kilmallock; and ROBERT MAY [my emphasis], Drogheda. Amongst the other guests were the following political prisoners, recently released from custody:—William Moore Stack, James O'Connor, Terence Byrne, Martin Hanley Carey; Gunner Flood; with Master O'Donovan Rossa, son of the late M.P. for Tipperary; and Master James Luby, son of Mr. Thomas Clarke Luby… … The dinner, which was served up in first-class style, having been disposed of, the Chairman commenced the business of the night by returning his most grateful thanks for the very high compliment they had paid him in asking him to preside over this great national demonstration (cheers). All he had to say was to impress on them the necessity of recollecting that notwithstanding the joy they felt at having with them there tonight the returned exiles, there was yet a sadness at heart none of them for a moment could forget—a sadness inseparable from the thought that some of the best, the bravest, and the truest were still suffering (hear, hear). While that was so it would be unbecoming in them to give vent to the feelings of pleasure, natural to the present occasion. He should, therefore, ask each and every one of them to endeavour to keep their feelings of indignation or joy within proper bounds in order not to give the enemies of their country, the opportunity they so much desired, and which they so eagerly availed of on a former occasion when certain language was used at a meeting similar to the present (hear, hear). They should at the same time bear in mind that there was not a shred of foundation on which to base the argument put forward with reference to that language, (hear, hear). For his part he (chairman) thought it was the merest want of study or reflection that caused it at all to be put forward. In reference to this very matter he had been speaking to some men, and he asked them how many of the prisoners had been released. They could not tell him, and he was obliged to supply the answer—thirty-nine. Again he asked them of these thirty-nine, how many had what they termed "misbehaved" themselves. They were unable to reply, and he had to tell them that there were thirty-seven men released, to a single one of whose acts no one could point as likely to jeopardise the chances of their imprisoned companions (cheers). Each of them refused public demonstrations in their honour. There were two others to make up the thirty-nine. Who were they? Were they British slaves, or British subjects? (loud cheers and cries of no no). No, they were the free citizens of a free country, America (cheers). He (chairman) asserted they had every right to express themselves as they pleased (applause), and therefore, he said it was cowardly and unjust to say that the men who were released were ungrateful or that by the intemperance of their language they endangered the liberties of their companions (cheers). The reason he (chairman) spoke thus was to put them on their guard lest they might give even a fictitious argument to the enemy to carry out their vengeance (applause). Therefore, he implored of them to be temperate in their language so that nothing might issue from their meeting which would in the slightest degree tend to the detriment of those in prison, whose absence tonight is the only drawback to the success of this banquet (cheers)…” (https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0003182/18700221/021/0003). --0--
BACK IN IRELAND: 1870, 18 February: Robert May returned to Ireland. From the Cork Daily Herald - Saturday 19 February 1870, p2: “THE RELEASED FENIANS. ARRIVAL OF THE PRISONERS IN DUBLIN. On yesterday morning about eight o'clock, ten of the Fenian prisoners who had been liberated in Australia, arrived at the North-wall, in the Countess of Erne steamer from Holyhead. A number of the police of the G and C divisions were present as the vessel came alongside the wharf, where a large crowd had collected and cheered the released prisoners vehemently as the steamer approached. The released prisoners stood together on the deck, and appeared to be in the possession of excellent health. Anything in shape of a demonstration was -- wisely — prevented by the committee who had been appointed to receive the returned prisoners, and who were now present with four carriages to convey them to their hotel, where they arrived before nine o'clock. The following are the names of the prisoners who have arrived, with their sentences:-- J.S. Casey (the Galtee Boy), five years; J. C. O'Donovan, Blarney, county Cork, five years; Thomas Cullinane, county Cork, sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered (sentence commuted); Eugene Lombard, City of Cork, seven years ; Michl. Noonan, Kilmallock, five years; Thomas Daly, Kilmallock, five years; Patrick O'Reardon, Kilmallock, seven years; Morgan McSwiney, City of Cork, seven years; S. Downey, City of Cork, seven years; ROBERT MAY [my emphasis], Drogheda, five years. The above-named released prisoners are to be entertained at a dinner to be given at Hood's Hotel this evening at eight o'clock.” (https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003182/18700219/022/0002) --0—
RETURN TO IRELAND: "The Liberated State Prisoners.— The whole o£ the lately liberated State Prisoners who came amongst us a few weeks ago from Western Australia, have left the colony, some for California, and others for Ireland. Those who have gone to the former place piled on board the Baringa, a magnificent ship, which promises to make a rapid voyage to San Francisco; the remainder left Sydney on Saturday last for Melbourne, where passages were secured for them on board the Suffolk, which was to sail immediately on their arrival." (Freeman's Journal (Sydney), Saturday 30 October 1869 - Page 2, at https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/115431037) --0--