Judith Millard

53

Beth Taylor on 9th February 2026

TIMELINE NOTES: BC: 1794 (baptised 26 June 1794 at Flamstead, Hertfordshire, daughter of Richard & Frances (nee Hall) Millard) Sentenced: 14/01/1814 St Albans Quarter Sessions, Hertfordshire to transportation for 7 years Crime: Stealing Previous Occupation: Straw worker Age on Convict Indent: 19 1814 Muster: No record found for Judith Millard or James Doherty 1815, 16 May - Judith (as Miller), spinster, wed James Doherty, bachelor, carpenter, on 16 May 1815 at St Philips Church Sydney. (James signed, Judith X, witnesses were Elizabeth Sibley (nee Male. Elizabeth Male per Brox.) & James Boyle). (Source: St Philip's Church of England, Sydney NSW: Church Register - Marriages; ML ref: Reel SAG 90) 1815, 18 July – Wife of James Doherty, Government artificer. On list of convicts to embark on Emu for the Derwent. (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, (NRS 937) Copies of letters sent within the Colony, 1814-1825, 4/3494, p126) Also - James Dogherty, carpenter, and wife. James was tried at Madras on 12/03/1811 & had a 7 year term. He had sailed on the ship Britannia from India. (Source: Archives Office of Tasmania, Assignment lists and associated papers, CON13/1 p45) 1816 – “Judith MILLER” (sic) per ship Brox, was recorded as a “prisoner” in a Muster at New Town (VDL)( Tasmanian Colonial Index CD-ROM, Reel P3-2, Film CY 957, frame 92) 1818 – “Judea DOGHARTY” (sic) per ship Brox, was recorded as a “convict” in a Muster at Hobart Town (VDL)( Tasmanian Colonial Index CD-ROM, Reel P3-2, Film CY 957, frame 197) 1819 - “Judia (Sic) MILLARD or Dogharty” (sic) per ship Brox, was recorded as holding a TOL in a Muster (VDL)( Tasmanian Colonial Index CD-ROM, Reel P3-2, Film CY 957, frame 240) 1826 – “CAUTION.- I hereby Caution the Public against giving Trust or Credit to my Wife Judith Doherty, as I will not be responsible for any Debts she may Contract after this Notice. - James Doherty.” (Source: Hobart Town Gazette, 28/01/1826, p1) 1837 – Juliet (sic) Miller (sic) died at Port Sorell (Tas) in 1837, aged 45. (#5158/34) [Note: Did Julia return to her maiden name (or similar) when she separated from James in 1826?] 1839 – James Doherty, per ship Emu, received a Conditional Pardon in Tasmania. (Source: Hobart Town Crier, 07/06/1839, p4) 1845 – The following list of names were migrants from Tasmania, who were brought to Victoria by the Geelong, Portland Bay (& Port Fairy) Emigration Society. They arrived between 1845 and 1846 per the vessel's David, Scotia, Julia, Platina, and Shamrock. Doherty, James, 1845 (Source: GEELONG AND PORTLAND BAY, Emigration (Immigration)Society (including Port Fairy) 1845 - 1846. Index of Migrants. Website http://www.hotkey.net.au/~jwilliams4/geelong2.htm ) 1874 – “Death of an Old Peninsular Hero.-James Dougherty, a man who has figured prominently on the battle-field for the glory of old England, died at the Brickfields' Invalid Depot on Monday. Dougherty was well-known to many of our readers. He was a soldier of the true British stamp, and could relate tales of the stirring scenes that had passed before his life half a century ago, which1 would engage the wrapt attention of a crowd of listeners. Of late years he has become very feeble and infirm, but he retained his faculties to the last, taking his departure to another world at the ripe old age of 94 years. Dougherty was familiar with the exciting events of the war in Spain and Portugal, and many a story he has told about that famous Peninsular War. He was present at the disastrous retreat from Corruna in 1809, and was present at the burial of the gallant Sir John Moore, an event commemorated in verse, which every schoolboy knows by rote. In 1811 Dougherty arrived in Sydney with the 3rd Regiment, and after remaining there about five years he came to this colony in 1816, and has lived here ever since, so that he may rightly be considered one of our oldest colonists. Shortly after becoming a resident here he left the army, and built, and was for many years host of, the old Brown Bear Hotel, at the corner of Harrington and Bathurst-street.” (Source: The Mercury (Hobart), 25/11/1874, p1) NSW BDM: James Doherty, aged 25, Bachelor, Abode: Sydney, Carpenter, Signed; & Judith Miller (sic), aged 22, Spinster, Abode: Sydney, Signed X; married 16 May 1815, registered St Philips Church of England Sydney by Banns by William Cowper, Assistant Chaplain; Witness: Elizabeth Sibley, Signed X; Witness: James Boyle, Signed X (Source: St Philip's Church of England, Sydney NSW: Church Register - Marriages; ML ref: Reel SAG 90) Tasmanian BDM: Children born to Judith and James Doherty: • Elizabeth DOHERTY born c1817 Tasmania, died ? • John DOHERTY born c1820 Tasmania, died 19/09/1821 Hobart, Tasmania • Mary Ann DOHERTY born c1822 Tasmania, died 25/11/1849 Hobart, Tasmania • John DOHERTY born c1825 Tasmania, marr 1853 Geelong, Victoria, Bridget McInerney, died 06/08/1861 Geelong, Vic. • James DOHERTY born c1819 Tasmania , died 21/02/1845 Hobart, Tasmania 1) Juliet (sic) Miller (sic) died at Port Sorell (Tas) in 1837, aged 45. (#5158/34) [Note: Did Julia return to her maiden name (or similar) when she separated from James in 1826?] 2) James Doherty died at the Brickfields' Invalid Depot in 1874. Jess’ Girls – SAG:  Occupation – straw worker  1820 – Muster, TL, wife of James Doghart (sic), Hobart  1821 – COF issued  Mutch – as Miller, married James Doherty in 1815 at St Philips  Reel 1028 – sent to Derwent VDL in 1815 on Brig Emu “Notorious Strumpets & Dangerous Girls” page 146 – • Transported for larceny (Eng) & Thomas & William Millard also transported • Trade – straw worker • 1815 – 30 July, arr at the Derwent from Sydney on the Emu • 1820 Muster – Holds a TOL, wife of James Dogharty (sic), Hobart Town • 1821 – free certificate issued Convict Indent and Tasmanian Records for James Doherty/Dogerty: • Physical description Calculated Age: 1783 (Estimated from age 30 as at 1814) c23a3039 Body Marks: Small Scar left eyebrow, Slightly pockpitted c23a3039 Eyes: Brown c23a3039 Hair: Blk c23a3039 Height: 5/5 1/4 in c23a3039 Height Calculated in Inches: 65.25 c23a3039 Trade: Carpenter (1830) c23a3039 1816, June – Improper conduct during Divine Service – 1 week 1816, July – Assault his overseer – 2 months work for Govt. in his own time 1816, December – Assault James Meehan – Gaol for 1 month 1817, May – Disobey orders – to work for Govt. in his own time 1817, June – Going on board a ship without a pass - 2 months work for Govt. in his own time 1817, August – Neglect of duty – 1 week work for Govt. in his own time 1817, Sept. – Slaughter a sheep – Acquitted 1817, Oct. – Refusing to pay E. Costello ₤1, 5s - to work for Govt. in his own time for 1 week & nights & to pay 1825 – Having illegal weights in his possession – Fines 40 shillings & cost 1826, January – To keep the Peace for 12 months “towards Judith his wife”. 1826, December – Bound over to keep the peace towards John Farrell for 6 months 1827, July – Harbouring a prisoner - Acquitted 1830 Colonial Conviction: Hobart Town 28 Sept 1830 14 years c23a3039 1830 Muster: Public Works 1832 Muster: Public Works 1833 Muster: Assd. to Lieut. Cosley 1835 Muster: Assd. to R. OConnor Esq. 1836, April – Being in a public house at 8pm – Admonished 1837 – Drunk – Fined 1839, March – Drunk - Fined 1839, May 24 – James Doherty received a Conditional Pardon #2014 1843, Oct – Insolent 1843, November - Idleness – 5 days solitary confinement Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office References • CON13/1 p45 • CON31/9 p2 (image 9) Record Number: ai19085 (Source: Founders and Survivors website http://foundersandsurvivors.org/ & Archives Office of Tasmania) Notes from the book “Journey to a New Life…” the story of the ships Emu & Broxbornebury by Elizabeth Hook (3rd ed. 2014). I am the author & can be contacted on tbeth3370@gmail.com for further info

81

Gail Robyn Newman on 27th May 2024

Judith, one of 14 children, was baptised on 26 June 1794 at St Leonard's Church in the small village of Flamstead in Hertfordshire, where her parents had settled 2 years before from the village of Great Gaddesden. She was the eighth child of Richard and Frances (Hall) Millard - born into a poor family of very limited means and scarce opportunities. Richard (her father) was born in Hemel Hempstead in 1755, the fourth of five children of John and Judith (Davis) Millard (married 22 February 1747 at North Church) and Frances (her mother) was born in Great Gaddesden in 1759, the third of six children of Thomas and Mary Hall (married 28 November 1748 at Bovingdon). Judith's childhood was not unlike most children in her village - not for them the refinement of schooling or education - only her father eking out a living as a hired agricultural labourer trying to keep food on the table and fill the hungry mouths of his ever increasing brood. These were hard and burden- some times for the likes of Richard and Frances - their sons Richard, Thomas and William, not yet old enough to be indentured or put to labouring work and more unplanned additions to the household. (From 1700-1850 the population had begun to increase in the countryside - the post Napoleonic period in England was one of acute misery for the poorer rural class. It was not until the 1830s when the growth of industrial employment began to slowly draw off the rural labour surplus, that the situation improved). The world outside her village was going through dramatic changes: the industrial revolution which was transforming the history of agriculture; the war with revolutionary France which had been fought since her year of birth and would last with only brief intermission until 1815; changes which would ultimately affect her future forever. How could she have known that 12,000 miles away a new British colony was being settled under the harshest and most deprived conditions and that one day the Millard name would be written into the annals of the history of that far off land. Judith was almost 10 when she joined the other girls of the poor neighbouring families harvesting the flax - monotonous and poorly paid work. Her eldest brother, Richard, found work where he could - at times labouring and ploughing the fields; and Thomas and William too toiled as labourers, all of them contributing when and where they could to the family table. Perhaps fate did deal them a bitter blow - or perhaps luck had finally deserted them...At the Epiphany Sessions of the St Albans Liberty Quarter Sessions on 14th January 1814 the following entry tells the story... "On 12 January 1814 Thomas Millard and William Millard, late of the parish of Redbourn, labourers and Judith Millard, later of the same parish, spinster did "with force and arms at the parish aforesaid...(feloniously steal, take and carry away) four Bushels of wheat of the value of 30 shillings of the Goods and Chattels of one John Lines". Richard Brewer, servant to Stephen Raggett of Redbourn, miller, informed the Court that about 3am on 12th January, Richard, Thomas, William and Judith Millard came to the mill which he ground for them into flour. Joseph Whitlock, tasker to John Lines of Redbourn, farmer, informed the Court that on the night of 12th January his master's barn belonging to Foster's Farm in Redbourn was broken open and about 4 bushels of wheat taken. From footsteps in the snow he observed from the smallness of the foot that one of the persons present at the theft was a woman. The plea - NOT GUILTY, and the verdict - GUILTY! SENTENCED TO 7 YEARS TRANSPORTATION! Within 3 weeks Thomas and William were taken on foot in irons and disgrace from St Albans Gaol to Maidstone Gaol near London, and then shortly afterwards to Woolwich to languish from February to September with almost 500 other prisoners in the infamous foul-smelling hulk JUSTITIA. Finally on 1st September 1814 they set sail on the convict ship MARQUIS OF WELLINGTON and almost five months later on 27th January 1815 stepped ashore at Botany Bay and into colonial history. Thomas was now 25 years old, 5'7-1/4" tall, of muddy complexion, sandy hair and hazel eyes; and William was 23 years old, 5'6-1/4" tall, also of muddy complexion, sandy hair and hazel eyes. Almost one month after the crime, on 11th February Richard Millard too was captured and consequently tried at the Easter Sessions on 21st April 1814. John Lines of Redbourn, farmer, 4 bushels of wheat were taken from Foster's Farm. He heard that four persons viz Thomas, William and Judith Millard, already convicted, and Richard Millard, now in custody, had a like quantity ground at a nearby mill and suspected them of theft. The Plea - NOT GUILTY - and the verdict - GUILTY! SENTENCED TO 7 YEARS TRANSPORTATION! Judith was delivered, shamed and ironed in an open cart to Northfleet and placed aboard the convict ship BROXBORNEBURY, and with 119 other female prisoners and settlers, sailed on 22 February 1814 in convoy with the SURRY, carrying 200 male convicts and settlers, for Port Jackson. What fear, trepidation and utter despair she must have felt in her heart as she began the long five months voyage into the unknown; knowing she would never see her beloved family or village again. She would begin her journey an innocent country lass, not knowing the likes of her 'travelling companions' - well seasoned and 'on the town' most of their young and old lives, who would fight tooth and talon, without fear or favour for stolen rations of food and ale. She would end her journey of lost innocence much hardened and experienced in the art of mere survival. The ship encountered, at times, brutal weather and unrelenting seas and claustrophobia was a rampant feeling amongst the women remaining so long confined below decks as they were battened day after fearful day. Finally on 27th July 1814 the Broxbornebury landed her exhausted cargo into Sydney. Richard remained incarcerated in the St Albans Gaol until January 1815 when he and another prisoner, John Hough, were fettered and carted from St Albans to Woolwich, to board the same hell-hole as his brothers almost one year earlier. There he worked a daily 10-hour shift in the government dockyards, stared and gawked at by tourists and townspeople and suffering the same shame, degradation and fate of 400 other "compulsory passengers". Eight months later, on 25 August 1815 Richard was e mbarked on the FANNY I with 173 other male prisoners, and a detachment of the 56th Regiment and sailed, via Rio for Sydney arriving on 18 January 1816. Richard by now was 27 years old, 5'10" tall, of sallow complexion with black hair and hazel eyes.

342

Maureen Withey on 18th February 2021

CAUTION.- I hereby Caution the Public against giving Trust or Credit to my Wife Judith Doherty, as I will not be responsible for any Debts she may Contract after this Notice. James Doherty. Hobart Town Gazette, 29 Jan 1826.

342

Maureen Withey on 18th February 2021

Tasmanian Record: https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON13-1-1$init=CON13-1-1p44 List of Names of male and Female convicts, proceeding to the Derwent in H.M. Colonial Brig Emu. Sydney 17 July 1815. Under the heading " Government Artificers" James Dogherty, (wife), carpenter, per Britannia from India, Madras, 12 April 1813, 7 years. and under the heading " Servants, etc" Judith Millard, wife of James Dogherty, Broxbornebury, 1814, Hertford, 14 Jany 1814, 7 years. -------------------------------------------------- Judith's Tasmanian Conduct record gives no further information about her. https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON40-1-7$init=CON40-1-7p10 There is a reference to her in her husband's conduct record. https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON31-1-9$init=CON31-1-9p9 Jan 14 1826. Bound for £100 and 2 sureties each to keep the peace for 12 mos towards Judith his wife. James and Judith had several children baptised in VDL. Baptisms 10 Aug 1817, Elizabeth, daughter of James and Judith Dogherty, abode, Hobart, married (Sydney) 14 Nov 1822, at Hobart Town, born 5 November, Mary Ann Dockerly, daughter of James and Judith, married in Sydney. 24 May 1829, John, born 5 Jan 1825, son of James and Judith Docherty, abode, Sorrell, carpenter 24 May 1829, James, 29 April 1819, born son of James and Judith Docherty,