Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
John Robinson was transported on the Hougoumont, departing 10th Oct 1867 and arriving 9th Jan 1868 with 281 passengers.
875 ton ship was built at Moulmein in 1852. http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/journal/on-this-day-in-history-australias-last-convict-ship-docks.htm ---------------------------- Incorrect Image ....This is a four masted steel hulled Barque in the drawing , im surprised Australian Geo didn't do a bit more research on this .......The Hougoumont was a works ship on the Forth Bridge Project in 1885 ....the one potrayed as a drawing in Aust Geo is the later version of this ship.....the photograph i have attached is the correct and original convict vessel. --00-- 1867 "The hired convict ship Hougoumont, which has been taken up by the Government for the conveyance of a numerous party of convicts to Freemantle, Western Australia, left the Nore on October 1, and proceeded down Channel, after receiving on board 150 convicts from the establishments at Chatham and Millbank. The convicts from the Chatham establishment, at St. Mary's, embarked from the dockyard on board the paddle-wheel steamer Adder, Mr. W. J. Blakely, and were in charge of a numerous party of convict guards and wardens, all heavily armed. Among the convicts shipped were a party of fifteen Fenians, who were engaged in the late conspiracy in Ireland, together with the officers and crew convicted of scuttling the ship Severn, and some others who have achieved notoriety from their crimes. The Fenian convicts, like the remainder of the prisoners, were chained together in gangs, but it was observed that they were kept apart from the other convicts in a portion of the vessel by themselves. The steamer Petrel also took down a number of convicts from the establishment at Millbank for shipment on board the Hougoumont, in charge of a strong escort and convict guard. On Tuesday, October 8th, the Hougoumont arrived in Portland roads. Shortly before midday ninety convicts were marched down to the Government pier at Portland under a strong escort of the 12th Light Infantry. The party included twenty-three Fenian convicts, among whom it was said, was Moriarty. The Government steamer employed in the breakwater service was used for conveying the convicts on board the Hougoumont transport ship. The convicts were chained together on embarking, and on board the steamer a strong guard of marines from her Majesty's ship St. George was formed, and saw the convicts safely placed on board the Hougoumont. The Governor of the penal settlement at Freemantle, Captain Young, is on board the Hougoumont, and returns in that ship to his sphere of duty after paying a visit to his native land." Source: Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 19 Dec 1867, p4, English Shipping, available on Trove at https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/28608271?searchTerm=hougoumont.
HougoumontReferences
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 93, Class and Piece Number HO11/19, Page Number 242 --0-- https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C10137552 --0-- https://fremantleprison.com.au --0-- England & Wales, Criminal Registers, 1791-1892 for John Robinson; England; Yorkshire - North Riding; 1848; image 28 |
| 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 |
Claims
"2nd G Grandfather"
Photos
No photos have been added for John Robinson.
Convict Notes
NOTE: Year of Birth is taken from official records but day and month are not known. The latter dates have been entered as 01/01 because the site does not allow those fields to be left empty.
A PUBLIC DENIAL: From the Inquirer and Commercial News, 6 April, 1881, p3: “NOTICE.— This is to whom it may concern. I have heard it rumoured that I was a party concerned in the late cattle robbery. Now, if any person says such to me, or casts any slurs on any of my sons, they will be brought before the Police Magistrate to answer to the charge. Such persons might find they might have to pay dear for it. What parents are they that will not look after their own? Those that think otherwise are fools. There are two other persons whom I have got to contend with yet, and their names will be given in full at a future date. Let us see if we can't stop these slurs cast on us. John Robinson was not the first man that brought villainy into the district. It was another J who brought villainy in the district, and broke the peace of others. F. ANDREWS. Wanneroo, April 6, 1881.” (https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/65958314) --0--
From the Inquirer and Commercial News, 23 March, 1881, p3: “Perth Police Court... On Monday last... In the case of John Robinson, charged with cattle stealing at Wanneroo, the Attorney General having decided that the country would be saved a great expense by summarily trying the accused, the case will come for hearing today. The same course will be pursued in regard to Edward Carlton, who is jointly charged with Robinson in another case of cattle stealing. The female prisoner, Sarah Robinson, was discharged from custody.” --0-- ACQUITTAL: From the Inquirer and Commercial News, 30 March, 1881, p3: Wanneroo Cattle Stealing Case -- The Wanneroo cattle stealing cases were concluded last week. John Robinson, and his wife Sarah Robinson, were acquitted, but the other male prisoner, William Carlton, was sentenced to fourteen years’ imprisonment. Perhaps it is as well to state that the male prisoners were ticket-of-leave holders. It was, therefore, within Mr. Loftie’s province to summarily inflict the sentence of fourteen years upon Carlton.” (https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/65958725) --0--
COLONIAL TRIAL: From the Inquirer and Commercial News, 23 February, 1881, p3: “Cattle Stealing. — Last Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday were occupied by the Perth Police Court in hearing several charges of cattle stealing preferred against Edward Carlton, better known as ‘Bombastes Furioso’, John Robinson, and his wife, Sarah Robinson [second wife?]. The position of the female prisoner — who, with a baby a month or six weeks old, was courteously favoured by Mr. Loftie with a seat during the proceedings — was of a character calculated to evoke sympathy for her. As the case is sub judice, we refrain from commenting upon the proceedings. The three prisoners were committed to take their trial at the next criminal sittings of the Supreme Court, which will be held in April.” (https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/65960377) --0--
FREMANTLE JAIL RECORD: ROBINSON, John; inmate #9857, arrived 10 Jan 1868 per Hougoumont Date of Birth: 1812 [1828, according to UK court/police records] Marital Status: Married, 2 children Occupation: Butcher Literacy: Literate Sentence Place: Liverpool Crime: At large before expiry of sentence Sentence Period: Life Previous Convictions: Yes Ticket Leave Date: 8 Dec 1872 Comments: Remission Certificate 1 March, 1898. General servant, fence maker, cook, labourer, self-employed, 1878, 1880, wood cutter (https://fremantleprison.com.au/history-heritage/research/convict-database/). --0--
IN WA: 1868: On arrival, JOHN ROBINSON, 48, was listed as convict #9857; sentenced to life, at Liverpool, December, 1860, for "being found at large without lawful excuse in the United Kingdom before due expiration of the term of 20 years for which he had been ordered to be transported, and cutting and wounding with intent to resist lawful apprehension"; butcher, married, two children; literate; Protestant; family – wife, Ann, 49 Gordon Street, Liverpool; character “indifferent”. Described as 5'4½" tall, grey hair, blue eyes, long visage, fresh complexion, healthy appearance; scar left cheek, ruptured right side, mole right breast. Other: Ticket of Leave granted 8 December 1872 (Convicts to Australia at https://www.perthdps.com/convicts/con-wa42.html; and Western Australia, Australia, Convict Records, 1846-1930; Convict Department, Registers; General Register for Nos 9599-10128 cont. (R16)). --0--
EMBARKATION: 1867, 8 October: John Robinson, behaviour and heath "good" in previous quarter, was sent from Portland to board the Hougoumont for WA (England, Criminal Lunatic Asylum Registers, 1820-1876; Quarterly Returns of Prisoners in Convict Prisons/Lunatic Asylums; 1867, December; image 229). “The hired convict ship Hougoumont, which has been taken up, by the Government for the conveyance of a numerous party of convicts to Freemantle, Western Australia, left the Nore on October 1, and proceeded down Channel, after receiving on board 150 convicts from the establishments at Chatham and Millbank. The convicts from the Chatham establishment, at St. Mary's, embarked from the dockyard on board the paddle-wheel steamer Adder, Mr. W. J. Blakely, and were in charge of a numerous party of convict guards and wardens, all heavily armed. Among the convicts shipped were a party of fifteen Fenians, who were engaged in the late conspiracy in Ireland, together with the officers and crew convicted of scuttling the ship Severn [only two were on the Hougoumont – Thomas Berwick and Lionel Holdsworth, each sentenced to 20 years for fraud], and some others who have achieved notoriety from their crimes. The Fenian convicts, like the remainder of the prisoners, were chained together in gangs, but it was observed that they were kept apart from the other convicts in a portion of the vessel by themselves. The steamer Petrel also took down a number of convicts from the establishment at Millbank, for shipment on board the Hougoumont, in charge of a strong escort and convict guard. On Tuesday, October 8th, the Hougoumont arrived in Portland roads. Shortly before midday ninety convicts were marched down to the Government pier at Portland under a strong escort of the 12th Light Infantry. The party included twenty-three Fenian convicts, among whom it was said, was Moriarty [not the senior Fenian, Captain Moriarty; rather, this was Bartholomew Moriarty, aged 17]. The Government steamer employed in the breakwater service was used for conveying the convicts on board the Hougoumont transport ship. The convicts were chained together on embarking, and on board the steamer a strong guard of marines from her Majesty's ship St. George was formed, and saw the convicts safely placed on board the Hougoumont. The Governor of the penal settlement at Freemantle, Captain Young, is on board the Hougoumont, and returns in that ship to his sphere of duty after paying a visit to his native land.” (Sydney Morning Herald, 19 Dec 1867, p4, at https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/28608271). --00--
JAILS: 1860, September-December: John Robinson was held at Kirkdale County Gaol and House of Correction, North Dingle Lane, Liverpool, while awaiting trial. Opened in 1819, Kirkdale’s capacity from 1823 to 1842 was between 300 and just over 600 prisoners. It had one of the highest death rates in the country for a prison. Sixty-seven executions were carried out there, the highest number being four at one time in 1861. Prisoners had to work, and the treadmill used for grinding corn was the largest in the country, needing the efforts of 130 prisoners a day to keep it running. The prison closed in 1893 and was demolished shortly after (https://www.prisonhistory.org/2020/03/kirkdale-house-of-correction/). It’s not clear if John Robinson was transferred directly from Kirkdale to Portland jail, or if he was held elsewhere before arriving at Portland. --0-- 1865, December quarter: Portland Prison, Grove Road, Portland – John Robinson, inmate #4854, 32, “larceny” [note crime]; convicted Liverpool, 11 December, 1860 [sic], life; surgeon’s report “good”, behaviour “very good” (England, Criminal Lunatic Asylum Registers, 1820-1876 for John Robinson; Quarterly Returns of Prisoners in Convict Prisons/Lunatic Asylums; 1865; December; image 308). 1866, March quarter: As above. 1866, June quarter: As above; crime – “cutting and wounding” [note change] (England, Criminal Lunatic Asylum Registers, 1820-1876 for John Robinson; Quarterly Returns of Prisoners in Convict Prisons/Lunatic Asylums; 1866; June; image 331). 1866, September quarter: Portland Prison, Grove Road, Portland – John Robinson, inmate #4854, 32, “being at large before expiration of sentence” [note change in crime]; convicted Liverpool, 11 December, 1860 [sic], life; surgeon’s report “good”, behaviour “good” (England, Criminal Lunatic Asylum Registers, 1820-1876 for John Robinson; Quarterly Returns of Prisoners in Convict Prisons/Lunatic Asylums; 1866; September; image 228). 1866, December quarter: As above; behaviour “exemplary”. 1867, March quarter: As above; behaviour “very good”. 1867, June quarter: As above; behaviour “good”. 1867, September: As above; behaviour “very good”. --0--
From the Liverpool Mercury, 20 December 1860, p3: “WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19. SENTENCES John Robinson, the escaped convict, charged with an assault upon a police-officer at Newton-Heath, and whose case was heard on the previous day, was sentenced to penal servitude for life. As soon as the learned judge had pronounced sentence, the prisoner uttered the most abusive language, insinuating that he intended to attempt another escape. George Robinson, brother to the prisoner, who was also included in the charge, being subject to epileptic fits, was sentenced to imprisonment for two years, the labour to which he was to subjected being regulated with due consideration to the state of his health. This prisoner was seized with a fit before be left the dock, and had to be carried away by two officers.” (https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000081/18601220/013/0003) --00--
NEWSPAPER REPORT OF TRIAL: From the Liverpool Mercury, 19 December 1860, p2: “WINTER ASSIZES. SOUTHERN DIVISION OF LANCASHIRE. CROWN COURT. BEFORE MR. JUSTICE KEATING. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18... ASSAULT UPON POLICE OFFICERS AT NEWTON HEATH. John Robinson (aged 32) and George Robinson (aged 20) were charged with assaulting two police officers in the discharge of their duty, in August last. Mr. Pope conducted the case for the prosecution; Dr.Wheeler defended George Robinson; and the other prisoner was undefended. The prisoners are brothers, and John, the elder, was sentenced in 1856 to 20 years' transportation. He escaped from his confinement, and went to stay with his mother, who keeps a beerhouse at Newton Heath, near Manchester. The police having been apprised of the escape of the convict, and suspecting that he was at his mother's, the two officers in question went there for the purpose of apprehending him. One of them, Sergeant Bent, entered the house and found the man they were looking for under the sofa, grasping in his hand a loaded cane. The convict, on coming from his hiding place, struck Bent and the other officer, who had followed him into the house, with the loaded cane. Whilst the officers were attempting to secure the convict, his sister Jane called to her brother George the other prisoner, to fetch the poker and knock out the brains of the officers, and George seized the poker and struck Bent on the head. The dog was then set upon the officers, and whilst the oficers were trying to keep off the dog and at the same time struggling to retain their prisoner, the latter snatched the staff from the hands of Bent’s companion, Shirley, and struck Bent on the head with such violence as to knock him down. The prisoner then escaped, but was subsequently apprehended in Sheffield. For the defence it was contended that the officers had no right to enter the house, having no magistrate's warrant. The prisoners were found guilty; sentence deferred. Before leaving the dock the returned convict made a long rambling speech, complaining of the injustice of the verdict, concluding with the following doggerel:- It was determined beforehand, I gravely pretend, To ask the opinion and thoughts of a friend. Should you differ from mine on any pretence, I pity your want of good judgment and sense; But if you fall into and hold it, I ken, I really would call you sensible men. Jack Robinson... [There are four more verses, each ending with "Jack Robinson", and then the final lines...] Every word I’ve said they will not fail, For at the present I must lie in Kirkdale gaol.” (https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000081/18601219/006/0002) --0--