Robert Orford

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 17th July 2025

New South Wales, Australia Convict Ship Muster Rolls and Related Records, 1790-1849 Trial; 28 July 1818 Age; 47 years old [born abt 1771] years old. Native Place; Norfolk Trade; Butcher

Christened, Cranworth, Cum Letton, Norfolk, 11 Dec 1772, St. Mary's Church. Buried Methodist Cemetery, Hill St, Hobart. Occupation-Yeoman (Stated on Will) Robert Orford was convicted at the Summer Assizes, Tuddenham Norfolk on 28th July 1818, aged 47, along with Henry Pope, aged 31, born Abbots Langley, Farmer's Labourer, for sheep stealing. Robert's occupation at time of conviction is listed as being a Butcher. Original sentence - Death, later commuted to Life and transportation to the colonies. Held at Norfolk Gaol. Convict number 54005 Robert Orford was transported on the "Hibernia", under Master John Lennon, leavng Portsmouth on the 20th November 1818, arriving Hobart on 5th May 1819, after a voyage of 172 days. With an all male convict cargo, the "Hibernia" was the third convict vessel to sail direct to Hobart. Rev Robert Knopwood's diary refers to there being 160 men embarked from Portsmouth, 157 on arrival in Hobart, of these 105 were landed in Hobart, the remainder travelling with the vessel to Sydney. There were two deaths on the voyage to Australia. The "Hibernia" was a 430 ton ship, built at Cowes in 1810. The Surgeon was Charles Carter. It made just the one voyage as a convict vessel. Charles Carter had a strong dislike towards members of the clergy. On the voyage to Australia with the Hibernia he came into dispute with the Rev. Richard Hill on a number of occasions. Hill had complained that Carter had prevented him from visiting the ship's sick-bay without his permission and had ridiculed his efforts at the moral instruction of the prisoners. Carter admitted having refused Hill permission to visit the hospital quarters without his permission, but justified his actions by stating that "nothing more tends to depress the spirits of the sick than such untimely visits", and had accused Hill with "extreme officiousness in regard to all matters relating to the management of the prisoners". Carter spent most of the seven and a half years from 1818 working on convict ships or returning to England after delivering his charges. He was eventually dismissed after the Rev. John Espie Kean complained of his conduct on board the Irish transport vessel "Henry Porcher". - Notes from "The Convict Ships 1787-1868" by Charles Bateson Governor Lachlan Macquarie's diary, dated Saturday 29th May 1819 - I this forenoon returned to Sydney with Mrs M. and Lachlan in the Carriage; leaving Mrs Wylde and her Husband and son, and Mrs King at Govt. House Parramatta till our return thither early next week. On our arrival at Sydney at 12, O'clock, learnt that the ship "Mary" commanded by Capt. Orman from Bengal had anchored in Sydney Cove about Half an Hour before. - This ship touched at the Derwent, where She left the "Hibernia" Male Convict Ship, which had arrived there from England on the 12th. Inst. with 157 Male Convicts for the Settlements in Van Dieman's Land, and which have been accordingly landed at the Derwent. - It appears the "Hibernia" has had a very tedious Passage from England, having Sailed from that Country on the 18th of November last.- The "Hibernia" brings the afflicting accounts of the Death of the Queen, which mournful event took place at Kew on the 17th of November last. As none of my Public or Private Letters from England manke any mention of this mournful event, and as the Ship "Baring" may now be daily expected with the Official accounts of this Public Calamity, I have determined on taking no notice of this event till the arrival of this Ship; the more especially as the Anniversary of the Birth of our beloved Sovereign is so very near at Hand. - The Dispatch Bag which came for me by the "Hibernia" was forwarded to me by Lt. Govr. Sorell per the Ship "Mary" Capt. Orman. FRIDAY 18 JUNE 1819 - At a late Hour this Evening The Ship "Hibernia" Commanded by Capt. Lennon, entered the Heads, and anchored in Port Jackson Harbour; having on board the Revd. Richard Hill recently appointed a Chaplain for this Colony, his wife Mrs. Hill, Lieut. Mee of the 83d. Regt in command of the Detachments. of that Corps and the 47th Reg. forming the Guard over the Convicts which came out on board of this Ship to the Derwent, Mr Carter R. N. Surgeon Supdt. of the same Ship, Mr Wm. Smith Settler from England, as Passengers, together with several other Passengers, from the Derwent, whence the "Hibernia" Saile on the 7th Inst. Source - Macquarie, Lachlan. Diary 10 April 1816 - 1 July 1818. Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney. Convict Records State - Transported for sheep stealing. Gaol Report - None. Hull Report - Good. Captain's report - Good Character. No Confession Taken Sept. 11th 1828 - Absent from muster and church Sunday last Sunday Rept? (J. Shode) 1825 - Two unclaimed parcels at Hobart Town Post Office. 16 May 1826 - Viciously assaulted by Richard Robertson at Clarence Plains. Trail went to the Supreme Court, Robertson aquitted, both men had been slightly intoxicated. July 1831 - Granted a Conditional Pardon. Assessmant and Valuation rolls for the City of Hobart 1847; Owner R. Orford - 164 Liverpool St, Fitzroy Ward, House, occupier Bryan, value 15 pounds. Owner R. Orford - 164 Liverpool St, Fitzroy Ward, House, occupier R. Orford, value 15 pounds. 1855 - At the time of his death total value of goods sold came to 130 pounds.