Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Transportation
John Saunders was transported on the Boyd, departing 10th Mar 1809 and arriving 14th Aug 1809 with 144 passengers.
395 ton ship. Departed Cork, Ireland for New South Wales, Australia 1809. After leaving Australia, for New Zealand, the vessel was set upon by natives from Bay of Islands and most onboard the ship were massacred (including cannibalization). The boat was captured and towed to Motu Wai (Red Island) were it was totally destroyed.
Boyd (generic)References
| Primary Source | Irish Convict Database by Peter Mayberry. Solonial Secretary Index. |
Claims
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Convict Notes
On list of prisoners to be sent to Newcastle per "Governor Hunter" John Saunders, per Boyd, convict, tried by D. Wentworth, Esq. Time: during the pleasure of His Honour the Gov, sent by vessel Gov. Hunter John. Doc, dated 20 Dec 1811. -------------------------------------------------- On list of prisoners to be sent to Newcastle per "Estramina", 11 Feb 1812. To Commandant of Newcastle, Lieut. Skottowe, Since closing my letter of yesterday I have recd. His Hon. The Lieut Gov’s instructions to inform you that he has ordered three prisoners, namely, John Saunders, Mary McClean and Ann Butcher to be put on board the Gov. Hunter for Newcastle to be employed there during his Honor’s pleasure. I enclose herewith a list of these prisoners with the necessary particulars respecting them. Signed, J. J. Campbell, Sec. John Saunders, convict, per Boyd, Sentence by Gov. Macquarie, during pleasure, per vessel Estramina. --------------------------------------------------- 8 May 1812. List of Prisoners Run from Newcastle. Thomas Coin, came by Ann, convict, Sent by Gov. Macquarie’s pleasure, received at Newcastle 13 Dec 1811, per ship, Gov. Hunter. John Saunders, convict per Boyd, Sent by Gov. Macquarie’s pleasure, received at Newcastle, 22 Dec 1811, per Estramina. Remarks: 2 time. Thos Campbell, convict per D. Portd. sent by Bench Magistrates, arrived at Newcastel 13 Dec 1811, per Sally. To Franc(?) Nicholls. The above mentioned convicts absconded from Newcastle where they were lately sent as a punishment, it is His Excellency the Governor’s desire that you make use of all the means in your power for their apprehension and when secured you are to report the same to this office on order to His Exy. giving such further directions reporting them as may he may deem requisite. Signed T.J. Campbell, Sec. -------------------------------------------------- Letter to Major Gordon, 75 Regt or other Officer Commanding at Port Dalrymple. 26 July 1812. The strong southerly winds which prevailed since the return of the Lady Nelson to Harbour have prevented her from resuming her voyage to Port Dalrymple until the present time. The wind now shifting to the Northward the prospect of the Lady Nelson sailing in the co? of the present day and in addition to my former communications by her which you will receive, I have the honor to inform you that the convict Bartholomew Foley, whose escape I have noticed to you in my letter of the 18th Inst. Has been retaken and is now re-embarked on board the Lady Nelson. The other fugitive convict John Fitzgerald whom I noticed to you in my letter of the 18th Inst. Still at large, but it is expected he will soon be apprehended, in which case, he will be sent by the earliest opportunity to your Settlement pursuant to His Excellency’s original intention. In the mean time and in lieu of him, another convict is sent. His name, age, place and time of trial, and sentence as now extracted from the Indents are: John Saunders, aged 25 years, tried in the County of Kilkenny in April 1807 and sentenced to Transportation for life. He arrived in the year 1809 on board the Boyd Convict ship, Thompson Master. … Signed J. T. Campbell, Sec. ---------------------------------------------------- At a bench of Magistrates held on Tuesday the 19th Inst , George Simpson, (a free man) was brought before a Bench of Magistrates, the 21st Inst. charged with Wilful and corrupt Perjury The circumstances attending this case are of a most singular nature and have attracted considerable attention ; we shall give a brief sketch of the whole—Some time ago, John Saunders a prisoner from Port Dalrymple being at this Settlement, was seen by Simpson with a great coat on, which he claimed as part of the property stolen from his house, (previous to Saunders arrival at this Settlement.) On this charge, Saunders was apprehended and brought before the Sitting Magistrate, on the 24th of May last, when Simpson positively swore to the coat found on the person Saunders as bein his property. The Magistrates sentenced Saunders to receive 50 lashes and to work in the Gaol Gang for 6 Months. After His Majesty's Schooner ESTRAMINA, arrived from Port Dalrymple George Robley of Hobart, (a free man) being on board the Schooner and having, the coat in question on his person It was immediately recognized by Mr. B. Overhand Master, as being stole about 3 months ago from the Boat of the Estramina at Port Dalrymple, after landing Capt. McKenzie Commandant ; and while the boats crew were carrying some luggage from the waterside to Government House. Robley refered Mr. Overhand to Simpson, as the person who lent him the coat.— Mr. Overhand positively swore to the working of a button-hole under the collar, and other evident marks of its being his property, that left no doubt on the minds of the Court, of the said George Simpson being guilty of the Wilful and corrupt Perjury, with which he stood charged. The Court ordered him to pay a fine of £20 to the Crown ; and to labour for Government for 6 calender months, and to be imprisoned till the said fine be paid. The Van Diemen’s Land Gazette, Hobart, 16 July 1814. -------------------------------------------------- Tasmanian Convict Conduct Record. https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON31-1-38$init=CON31-1-38P139 No 405. John Saunders, Boyd & Ly. Nelson. Tried 1804 – Life. May 31 1817. P.W. Stealing a bed tick, the prop. Of Jno. Armstrong. Acqd. April 20 1822. Absentg. himself from his work & abscondg. into the woods. 100 Lashes. & labor 6 mos in Irons. May 21 1822. Disobce. & Insolence to J.Anderson the overseer. 25 Lashes- thro’ the interference of the overseer & assurances of future good conduct, punishment remitted by Commandt. June 28 1822. Neglect of duty, 25 Lashes. July 12 1822. Making away with or losing a shirt served him for his use on acct. of Govt. - 50 Lashes. ------------------------------------------------- https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON13-1-1$init=CON13-1-1P28 List of 30 Male and 13 female convicts embarked for Port Dalrymple on board the Lady Nelson, Overand Master, 29th June 1812, etc. John Saunders. --------------------------------------------------
Colonial Secretary Index. SAUNDERS, John. Per "Boyd", 1809. 1811 Dec 20 On list of prisoners to be sent to Newcastle per "Governor Hunter" (Reel 6003; 4/3492 p.86) 1812 Feb 11 On list of prisoners to be sent to Newcastle per "Estramina" (Reel 6003; 4/3492 p.101) 1812 May 8 On list of runaways from Newcastle (Reel 6002; 4/3491 p.245) 1812 Jul 26 Sent to Port Dalrymple per "Lady Nelson" (Reel 6003; 4/3492 p.149)
Irish Convict Database by Peter Mayberry. John Saunders, age on arrival, 22, per Boyd (1809), Tried at Kilkenny Co., 1807, Life sentence. DOB 1787.