Summary
Personal Information
Transportation
Honora Murphy was transported on the Margaret, departing 1st Sep 1838 and arriving 5th Jan 1839 with 170 passengers.
Built 1829 at Chepstow. 365 tons. Female prisoners were transported to New South Wales on the 'Margaret' in 1837, 1839 and 1840. The 'Margaret' was the last convict ship to transport female prisoners to New South Wales. Another voyage to Van Diemen's Land in 1843. The 1840 sailing also carried 17 free female passengers and one male. The registers of persons is not yet complete on this web site, so please note this if researching. (A work in progress.)
Margaret (generic)References
| Primary Source | List of Female Convicts aboard row Ship, Margaret, arrived from Ireland 5th January 1839 |
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Convict Notes
Honora was at the Female Factory at Parramatta in 1845. https://content.archives.nsw.gov.au/delivery/StreamGate?dps_pid=FL11938337&dps_dvs=1778516973340~321 Letter, dated 27 Sept 1845. Female Factory, Parramatta. Recommending that Mary Connor & H. Murphy be allowed to join their respective husbands. Names in the margin: Mary Connor, now Hyland, per Palambam. Honora Murphy, now Lowe, per Margaret 2. I do myself the honor to acquaint you for the information of His Excellency, the Governor, that the two female prisoners named in the margin, were received into this Establishment, the former on the 15th January last, for drunkenness, sentence two calendar months, by the Hyde Park Court, and the latter, on the 19th July, following a like sentence for absconding, and a the same time to recommend that they be now allowed to rejoin their respective husbands who have made repeated applications for their release. Connor has a young family left in the care of her husband only, and Murphy becomes free by servitude on the 16th proximo. (Signed) G. W. Eliott, Visiting Justice.
_________________________ On the voyage to NSW on 'Margaret", the Surgeon was George Todd Moxey. His Surgeon’s medical journal for the voyage recorded Honor Murphy attending his infirmary: Honor Murphy, aged 15, convict; sick or hurt, phlegmon; put on sick list 4 January 1839, discharged 9 January 1839 cured. [per ADM 101/48/5/5 - Folio 5]
honora was only 14 years old when transported. Her mother called herself a widow, so her father (Patrick Murphy) was dead and she probably committed her crime to ensure she was with her family - her mother and sisters all sentenced to transportation already and awaiting their ship. Mother Mrs Ellen Murphy went to trial in Cork City first, in February 1838, followed by her three daughters - in March by Catherine for housebreaking (10 yrs), in April by Mary for stealing boots and August by Honora for stealing clothes. Appears to have been a calculated effort by each of the daughters to get themselves sentenced to transportation as well, all joining the mother on the same ship in September1838. Ship's indent: CanNOT read or write. Roman Catholic. Single. Child’s maid. Native of City of Cork. Tried on 3 August 1838 at Cork City for stealing clothes. Given 7 years. No priors. Brown hair, dark grey eyes.. Horizontal scar over right eyebrow. nose cocked. She must have been sent first to Paterson Plains because in July 1840 she was in Newcastle Gaol, not for any crime, but because she was "returned to government"; "Crime - none" , Admitted at Maitland (one gaol entrance book) and "committed by Edward Johnstone at Paterson" (another gaol entrance book). 1841 Gaol Entrance Description Book - (image 81 of 322) Born 1824 (17 yrs) 5ft 1 &1/2 inches. Slight build. Fair complexion. Brown hair, gray eyes. Marks: 8 small blue dots left hand. “JAMES E JM” Upper right arm (i.e. Tattoos) DISCHARGED - 3rd November1841 to the Factory Parramatta Nov 1841 - Factory at Parramatta. Between 1842 - March 1843 - sent to Goulburn District because Ticket of LEave 43/896 dated 13 march 1843 - permitted to remain in District of Goulburn. Sideways writings over the Ticket: * "Per Col Sec letter 12 date 3rd March /48 no 43/1638" * "Altered to Picton 27th April 1843 per letter from PM Goulburn R. No 43/5509" * "Cancelled for refusing to prosecute a man, committed to ciculence ?? for a attempt at Rape. Gov (man? circ?) 14 June 1843 on letter rec’d 43/7126. ToL torn up" * "Restored vide, 43/254" New Ticket of Leave 43/2541 Dated 31 October 1843 - Allowed to remain in District of Goulburn in lieu of 43/896 dated 13th March 1843 Cancelled. * See sideways note " See Copy Letter from the Colonial Secretary enclosed in letter from the visiting magistrates to Factory per 12746." 1843 MARRIAGE registered at RC Church Goulburn - to MATTHEW LAW Husband Matthew Law - Had Ticket of Leave for District if Goulburn since 26 Feb 1838. Certificate oF Freedom 29 October 1843 Per "Norfolk" (2) arrived 1829. Tried at York Qtr Sessns 22 january 1829. 14 year sentence * From Indent of "Norfolk" Coal Miner, native of Yorkshire. Crime: Asst (?) Stlg. Tried 21 January 1829. had 2 prior convictions. Was 5ft 5 & 1/2 inches, brown hair, hazel eyes, Flat nose and blue marks at lower part of R side Honora got her Certificate of Freedom in 1846: Dated 2 June 1846. Aged 21 Details: She has grown since aged 14 and her height now recorded as 5ft 2 &1/2 inches. Her two middle upper front teeth are apart (i.e. she has a gap inher teeth) . Nose cocked. Seven dots back of left hand.Wife of Matthew Law per Norfolk 2. CHILDREN: none recorded in NSWBDM DEATHS: Not recorded in NSW BDM
Mother Ellen, sisters Catherine and Mary also convicts on the same ship. Brother John already in the colony as a prisoner, convicted 4 years previous.