Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
James Shea was transported on the Westmoreland, departing 27th Apr 1838 and arriving 22nd Aug 1838 with 112 passengers.
The Westmoreland was a 405-ton sailing ship built in 1832 at Lynn, Norfolk, England. Four (4) sailings listed for her to transport convicts (and some free settlers and soldiers) to Australia - New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania). (Voyage in 1838 from Ireland to NSW is currently being compiled, incomplete list of persons to date.)
Westmoreland (generic)References
| Primary Source | Family Search has the record available online. Assisted immigrants inwards to Sydney, 1828-1890 17 Jan - 17 Dec 1849 S., T., U., V., W. Citation "Australia, New South Wales, Assisted Immigrants Inwards, 1828-1890", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSJY-8Y2L?cc=3661064 : 18 July 2022), > image 1 of 1. |
Claims
No one has claimed James Shea yet.
Photos
No photos have been added for James Shea.
Convict Notes
Note: Hospital is a in County Limerick not a medical building. Emly is the Country in Limerick.
Andrew O'Shea I believe your ancestor may have been a different James. According to the immigration and shipping record for Honora Shea aboard the 'Success' in 1849, she refers to her husband as James Shea, not O'Shea, and her surname is written as Shea. This James Shea arrived on the Westmoreland in 1838. Honora, James' wife has identified the man in this record as her husband - with notations saying he arrived on the Westmoreland and now livng in Yass and working for Mr Brassels(?). Honora arrives in Australia with three children - Johanna Shea (18), Stephen Shea (15) and Sarah Shea (13). The record also shows Honora's parents as William and Johanna NUGENT. Honora's mother Johnanna IS in a hospital in Limerick - and it appears Honora was also working in a hospital in Limerick. Looking at the shape of the two counties of Limerick and Tipperary, there are sections of Tipperary which border parts of Limerick on three sides, but a border is not physical. Living in Tipperary - if you live near the border, it would be easy to work in Limerick. But the record shows the children Johanna, Stephen and Sarah, which are her children with James, as living in Tipperary, I believe the location is Irbey - the writing is hard to decipher the actual townland, but the county is visible. LIMERICK FOOD RIOTS There were multiple riots in Limerick, with the first major food riot around June 1830. The next major riot was in June 1840 - when this James Shea was already in Australia.
The story that has been handed down to me is that my 2x great grandfather James O'Shea was involved in a tenant uprising sometime before the famine. He was arrested and charged with "receiving stolen property" having not paid his rent. At time wife and 5 children. As the story goes he was sentenced to 7 years transport to Australia leaving behind his wife, Honora Haye O'Shea and 5 children, one of whom was sent to live with cousins in the United States and that was my great grandfather, James O'Shea. I don't for certain this is my 2x great grandfather as my great grandfather came from Croom, Co. Limerick. I note that this James was convicted in Limerick. So maybe?
Died in Yass NSW Australia
James O'Shea was listed as 35 years old on arrival. Native Place: County Tipperary. James was literate, RC, 5'7½" tall, ruddy complexion, brown hair, grey eyes, slight cast outward in right eye, and blind of same, small mole on each cheek, scar on left shin.
Ticket of leave for Mudgee NSW ref 42/2299 granted 8.10.1842, altered for Yass NSW ref 43/9477 11.8.1843. Certificate of freedom ref 45/72 granted 15.1.1845. Wife and children arrived in Australia on ship SUCCESS under the Convict Family Reunion scheme on 18th December 1849.
James O'Shea was convicted at Limerick, Ireland in 1838 for receiving stolen goods. 7yr transportation sentence. Sent to New South Wales, Australia per the 'Westmoreland' arriving Aug 1838. Aged 35yrs; labourer; Roman Catholic. Married man - 1 male & 2 female children Native Place - Co. Tipperary, Ireland. Ticket of Leave granted 1843, Mudgee, NSW.