Summary
Personal Information
Transportation
Helen Mcghie was transported on the Buffalo, departing 4th May 1833 and arriving 5th Oct 1833 with 183 passengers.
1833 - Voyage. Transported; 179 Female Convicts and 25 Children 1839 - Voyage. On 28th September 1839, the Ship Buffalo left Quebec, Canada, taking 144 prisoners to Van Diemen’s Land and New South Wales, following the Patriot War in Canada in 1837-38. Some of the prisoners were French Canadians patriots and others were American patriots, captured after the Battle of the Windmill. The Ship went first to Van Diemens Land, arriving at Hobart on 11th February 1840, where most of the American prisoners were landed, and then went on to Sydney, arriving on 26th February 1840, where the 58 French speaking prisoners were landed. They were separated mainly because there was hostility between the Americans from Lower Canada and the Canadians from Upper Canada. The prisoners were in the main, literate, idealistic and honest men.
BuffaloReferences
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 90, Class and Piece Number HO11/9, Page Number 92 |
| 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
In November 1832 Helen McGhee, Margaret Campbell (both described young women) and Mary Smith or Hill (old woman)appeared at Edinburgh High Court of Justiciary charged with theft of £9 notes and 3 x half-crowns from Anthony Illery Ballot, medical student. After a trial (fully reported) that included some stolen notes being recovered by a 'William Kelman, policeman' being identified, the three accused found guilty. McGhie a 'habit & repute' thief received 14 years transportation and other two accused received 7 years transportation - see Scotsman newspaper 10 November 1832 p 3 on 'High Court of Justiciary'. Note: Helen McGhie was one of 23 females convicted at Edinbuirgh High Court and transported in May 1833 on convict ship Buffalo - see McGowan (2022) Policing the Metropolis of Scotland, 1833-1861 (Edinburgh City Archives) Volume 1, p 122 on convict ship Buffalo.
New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents. No; 596 - 33. Indent No 139 Name; Helen McGhie alias McGie. Age; 20 Reads, Single, Native County; Portugal Trade; Laundry maid, needlewoman, Offence; Stealing money Trial; 9 Nov 1832 Height; 4 ft. 8 1/4 in Complexion; Ruddy freckled and little pock pitted Hair; Red Eyes; Grey. Remarks; Daughter to Catherine Ross alias McGee ----------------------