Summary
Personal Information
Transportation
John Moah was transported on the Nile, departing 18th Sep 1857 and arriving 1st Jan 1858 with 271 passengers.
Nile (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 93, Class and Piece Number HO11/18, Page Number 232. --0-- Edgar, W. (Bill) (2018), “The precarious voyage of her majesty’s convict ship ‘Nile’ to the Swan River colony, late 1857 – and the unexpected aftermath.” The Great Circle, 40(1), 20–43. |
| 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
DEATH OF JOHN MOAH: He died on 11 September, 1892. Name John Moah Age 82 Estimated Birth Year 1810 Registration Quarter Jul-Aug-Sep Death Registration Place Cockermouth, Cumberland, United Kingdom Death Date Sep 1892 Inferred Death Place Cumberland, United Kingdom Volume 10b Page 318 (England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1837-1915).
FOOTNOTE: By 1871, John Moah had returned to England, and was living in West Derby, Lancashire. He worked as a commission agent and an accountant, according to 1861 and 1871 Census returns. --0--
IN WA: From his Fremantle jail record: MOAH, John; inmate #4569, arrived 1 Jan 1858 per Nile Date of Birth: 1811 Marital Status: Married Occupation: Clerk Literacy: Semiliterate [obviously an error] Sentence Place: Chester, Cheshire, England Crime: Embezzlement Sentence Period: 14 years Ticket of Leave Date: 7 Mar 1859 Conditional Pardon Date: 12 Feb 1861 (https://fremantleprison.com.au/). --00--
10 September, 1857: He was sent from Portland, convict #62/6946, to board the Nile for transportation to WA. On the voyage his behaviour was described as “very good” (Western Australia, Australia, Convict Records, 1846-1930; Convict Department, Registers;Character Book for Nos 4508-5585 (R8)). --00--
6 April, 1857: He was admitted to Portland prison, Dorset -- inmate #6946. Details as above; state of health "good" (UK, Prison Commission Records, 1770-1951 for John Moah; Portland Prison; Prison Records to 1875). Portland, Portsmouth, Chatham and Spike Island in Ireland were listed public works stations and the second stage in the penal process. After separate confinement, prisoners were “placed on work parties at various locations, most commonly naval stations, where maintenance of facilities was vital for the effective protection of Britain’s far flung commercial and military influences around the world. While there, attitude and behaviour were monitored closely. In theory, only after consistently positive reports was a prisoner moved on to the third stage of his incarceration—transportation.” (Edgar, p40) --0--
25 June, 1856: He was admitted to Pentonville prison, Caledonian Road, London -- inmate #6803. He served 9 months 11 days in separate confinement; behaviour "good". John Moah was listed as 45 years old when convicted, married, Church of England, a collector of inland revenue; superior ability to read and write; 5'10" tall with light hair, blue eyes, fair complexion and stout build. Next of kin -- his wife Mrs John Moah, c/o Thomas Norfolk, Lockwith, near York. No previous convictions. --0--
5 May, 1856: He was admitted to Millbank prison, Westminster, London -- he served 1 month 20 days in separate confinement; behaviour "good". “After a sentence of transportation was handed down, the prisoner entered into a separate stage where he was placed into an individual cell, isolated from others, apart from brief periods of exercise and attendance at chapel. However, no communication of any kind with other prisoners was permitted at any time. The philosophy behind this penal methodology had its provenances in the religious, monastic traditions; i.e., that in the isolation of his cell the malefactor would be able to contemplate the errors of his way, unadulterated by the negative influences of former contemporaries, and be reformed.” (Edgar, 2018, pp39-40) When first put into practice, the mandated period of separate confinement was 18 months. By the late 1840s, authorities had conceded that such conditions of imprisonment were “injurious to many prisoners’ mental health” and the stint was reduced to 12 months. Periods of separate confinement were reduced further “as a prisoner displayed good behaviour tendencies” (Edgar, p40). Millbank, Pentonville, Wakefield and Mountjoy in Ireland were the “Probation” or “Separate” prisons, as were some local jails. --0--
2 April, 1856: He was admitted to Chester Castle gaol -- served 1 month 5 days; behaviour "good". --0--
JAILS: 29 September, 1855: Following his committal to stand trial, he was admitted to Chester City gaol -- he served 6 months 2 days, the extended duration presumably the result of his awaiting the outcome of an appeal against his conviction; behaviour "good". --0--
OCCUPATION: Inland Revenue Collector (not listed in the options above). --00--