Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
John Smith was transported on the Sir William Bensley, departing 9th Oct 1816 and arriving 10th Mar 1817 with 201 passengers.
Sir William Bensley (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 88, Class and Piece Number HO11/2, Page Number 301 (152) |
| 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 |
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Convict Notes
John Smith, aged 25, seaman, native of Portsmouth, 5 ft. 7 1/2 in. high, sallow complexion, black hair and eyes, came per ship Sir William Bensley ; lately returned from Newcastle.
Hobart Town Gazette, 11 April 1818 POLICE OFFICE, HOBART TOWN, 9th APRIL 1818. WHEREAS the Six Convicts hereinafter described did on the Night of Wednesday last, the 8th of this Month, feloniously carry away Two Government Boats from their moorings in Sullivan’s Cove, in the River Derwent, and are now supposed to be lurking about some of the Bays in the lower part of the Harbour. All Constables and others are hereby commanded to use every Exertion in their power to apprehend the said Felons, and lodge them in His Majesty’s Goal at Hobart Town; and all Persons are cautioned not to harbour, maintain, conceal, or in any way aid or comfort the said Felons, on pain of Penalties that will thereon ensue. ... John Smith, 22 years of age, fresh complexion, tried at Edinburgh 1816, Sentence 14 years, Came from England in the Sir William Bensley, here in the Elizabeth Henrietta, was formerly a bush-ranger and was wounded and taken at the time Geary was shot at the Black Brush, have absconded from Hobart Town, and are now at large without passes. The whole of the crown Servants who took away the Government launch on the 8th ult. have been brought in, under an escort of the 48th Regiment, commanded by Lieutenant LEROUX, with the exception of Le Gart; who, we are happy to say, is the only absentee now at large, and who is most probably taken ‘ere this. Hobart Town Gazette, 16 May 1818. The prisoners who lately carried away the Government launch from her moorings in the harbour, and who we reported in our last Paper to have been conveyed hither under an escort of the 48th Regiment from Port Dalrymple, were on Saturday last brought before a Bench of Magistrates, and severally convicted and sentenced as follows:- John Briggs, 200 lashes, and 5 years to Newcastle; John Richards, George Edwards, Robert Dye, John Smith, and James Jenkins; 100 lashes each, and 3 years to Newcastle; James Flynn, John Johnson, and David Kelly, 50 lashes each, and 12 months in the Gaol Gang. The lenity shown the above misguided men, whose daring and atrocious crime might have been made a capital felony, and caused the forfeiture of their lives, we sincerely hope will operate as a warning to others, who may be persuaded to attempts of a similar nature. Hobart Town Gazette, 23 May 1818. --------------------------------------------------- Colonial Secretary Index. 9 June 1818, On list of prisoners sent to Newcastle per "Lady Nelson" Per Ship Sir Wm Bensley, Jno. Smith, convict, Pirates from VDL by His Ex. The Gov. 6 June 1818, 3 years, sentenced to Double Irons. Letter to Capt Wallis Commandant at Newcastle, dated 9 June 1818, by Lady Nelson. Informed him that the Lady Nelson was to be laden with coals & cedar, that she carried down 19 prisoners, five of whom, being Pirates from VDL were to be kept at the Settlement and wrought in double irons and strictly watched & being dangerous of desperate characters, refused to Sailors list, approved by His Excellency the Governor herewith for the names & sentences of the convicts now sent. From J. J. Campbell, Sec.
Irish Convict Database, by Peter Mayberry. John Smith, alias Smyth, Age on arrival: 21. Calling/trade: Weaver. Born: 1796, Native place, Armagh. Tried: 1816, Edinburgh Court of Justiciary Scotland, Sentence: 14 or 7 years. Ship: Sir William Bensley (1817). Spouse: m. Mary unknown.