Summary
Personal Information
Voyage
Transportation
Francis Mcmanus was transported on the Surrey Or Surry, departing 19th Nov 1832 and arriving 9th Mar 1833 with 216 passengers.
Built at Harwich in 1811 a square-rigged transport ship of 443 tons and copper lined she had two decks with a height between decks of 5 ft. 8 ins. In 1818, she had a major refit increasing the decks (and convict carrying capacity) to three. She was owned by the London firm of F. & C.F. Mangles.
Surrey Or Surry (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 89, Class and Piece Number HO11/8, Page Number 475 (238) |
| 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
11th June [1839]. [At Norfolk Island] The spoons and watch stolen from Mr. SHARPE’s Quarters in May last were found in the Civil Hospital and on investigation it was proved that BARTHOLOMEW KELLY who was supposed to be mad and confined in the Hospital had committed the robbery. FRANCIS McMANUS another supposed madman turned apprise and declared they were dissembling to the doctor. On evidence it appeared that FLEMMING a door keeper had assisted KELLY in getting off his irons and to scale the wall and both were sentenced to receive 300 lashes each. McMANUS was sent to work in heavy irons for the deception practised on the Medical Officer. Overseer McDONALD and the cook belonging to the Hospital were dismissed their situations for negligence on the occasion. ('History of Norfolk Island from the period of its Discovery in the year 1774', to-1 August 1854, by Aaron Price)
11th June [1838]. FRANCIS McMANUS was committed to Gaol for attempting to murder his Overseer JAMES MONAGHAN at Longridge. ('History of Norfolk Island from the period of its Discovery in the year 1774', to-1 August 1854, by Aaron Price)
FOOTNOTE: Court documents from Francis McManus's trial in Glasgow give his birth year as 1819 so he would have been 34, not 44, when he was hanged. Documents from his trial are also available online through the Library of Tasmania, at https://stors.tas.gov.au/SC32-1-7$init=SC32-1-7_0064.
1847, 31 May: FRANCIS McMANUS or CAMPBELL was tried in the Supreme Court, Hobart Town. [No details of this case appear on his VDL Conduct Record or in newspapers, but the following article in the Hobart Courier fills in those blanks.] 1853, 2 May: This report was published in the Hobart Courier, p3: "THE NOTORIUS McMANUS.—It is in the highest degree reprehensible that the authorities should let such desperate characters at large amongst the community as the one whose last sin is now to be recorded. He is a man who has been twice on the gallows — his last sentence at Norfolk Island was to be confined in solitary for his natural life for stabbing Mr. Woolnough, a jailor or chief constable there. This man was sent to the service of Mr. Richard Pybus, a settler on Bruni Island, and had been scarcely ten days in his service before he perpetrated one of the most heinous crimes on the wife of a tenant of Mr Pybus. At 11 o'clock at night he went to Mrs. Rocoe's house and demanded admittance, at the same time knowing that her husband was from home, he having a craft trading from Hobart Town to Bruni. After obtaining admittance, this villain presented a carving knife to Mrs. Roscoe, and threatened that if she refused to grant him his desires, he would run her through the heart. He staid until daylight in the house and then decamped, after satisfying his brutal desire. And who is this person? No other than the notorious Francis McManus." ... 1853, 2 June: From the Colonial Times, p3: "SUPREME COURT. CRIMINAL SITTINGS (Before His Honor the Chief Justice) Tuesday, May 31. The criminal sittings commenced on Tuesday, with five prisoners for trial John Barritt and Francis McManus were placed in the dock and arraigned, the former with knowingly uttering a forged cheque with intent to defraud George Belcher; the other with a capital offence. Both prisoners pleaded not guilty... Francis McManus was then capitally indicted for the above offence on Elizabeth Roscoe, on the 18th of April last at Bruni Inland. The prisoner was defended by Mr. Brewer. Mrs Elizabeth Roscoe, wife of James Roscoe, a highly respectable looking young woman of some personal attractions, gave her evidence in a most becoming manner. It revealed an amount of atrocity on the part of the prisoner beyond belief. The particulars are of course unfit for publication. A great number of witnesses were examined, and it was nearly nine o'clock before his honor concluded his summing up. The jury retired, and after an absence of more than an hour returned into court with a verdict of guilty, accompanied by a recommendation to mercy, on the ground that the prisoner had not been able to bring forward two of his witnesses. His honor then passed sentence of death upon the prisoner, holding out to him not the slightest hope of a commutation of sentence." ... 1853, 21 June: Francis McManus was executed at Hobart Town, aged 44 (see Tasmania, Australia, Convict Court and Selected Records, 1800-1899 for Francis McManus; Register; Registers of convict deaths, 1845-1874).
1837, 17 April: He was committed for trial before the Supreme Court in Hobart for assault with intent to murder. According to newspaper reports, he had cut and maimed a Constable named Young at Port Arthur. On 2 June, the Hobart Town Courier (p3) reported that he was tried on 26 May and was "acquitted on the first count, and found guilty of the assault". He was sentenced to life. 1837, 11 June: A notation on his Conduct Record says he was to be sent to Norfolk Island for life. 1837, 13 August: Francis McManus per Surry 3 (1833) and Blenheim (1837) was admitted to Sydney Gaol. He was listed as born in Edinburgh, Catholic, and a labourer (see NSW Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930; Entrance and Description Book; Sydney 1831-1847). 1837, 26 August: Francis McManus or Campbell (per Surry 3 and Blenheim) appears on an assignment list for Norfolk Island, per the Colonial Secretary's Letter No 37/686 (see NSW Convict Records, 1810-1891; Assignment and Employment of Convicts; Miscellaneous Convict Records, 1831-1851). 1837, 15 September: He was sent from Sydney jail to be transported to Norfolk Island (see NSW Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930; Entrance and Description Book; Sydney 1831-1847).
1833: On arrival in VDL, he was 14, single and a labourer's boy. He had two previous convictions for theft. 1834: He was recommended to be sent to Port Arthur, following several incidents (see his Conduct Record for more details). 1836,8 June: He was convicted for stealing 5 shillings and his existing sentence of transportation was extended by 3 years (see https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON32-1-1$init=CON32-1-1p188).
OCCUPATION: Labourer's boy
1831: PRECOGNITION against William Dumigan, Francis McManus, James Gilfillan for the crime of theft, habit and repute at Canal Street & Wardrop’s Street, Paisley. Accused: William Dumigan, Age: 17, rope spinner, Address: Calton, Glasgow; Francis McManus, Age: 12, Address: Calton Mouth, Glasgow; and James Gilfillan, alias Fraser, Age: 16, Address: Paisley, Renfrewshire. Victim: William Brown, Canal Street & Wardrop’s Street, Paisley. —- 1831, 11 January: TRIAL Trial papers relating to William Dumigan, Francis McManus, James Gilfillan for the crime of theft, habit and repute at Canal Street & Wardrop’s Street, Paisley. Tried at High Court, Glasgow. Accused William Dumigan, Verdict: Guilty, Verdict Comments: Guilty in terms of own confession, Sentence: Transportation - 7 years. Francis McManus, Verdict: Guilty, Verdict Comments: Guilty in terms of own confession, Sentence: Transportation - 7 years. James Gilfillan, alias Fraser, Verdict: Guilty, Verdict Comments: Guilty in terms of own confession, Sentence: Transportation - 7 years. Victim William Brown, Canal Street & Wardrop’s Street, Paisley (see National Records of Scotland, JC26/1831/437 at http://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/).