Summary
Personal Information
Voyage
Transportation
William Spain was transported on the Borodino, departing 11th Feb 1828 and arriving 12th Jul 1828 with 206 passengers.
Tons: 615, built at Thames, England 1810.
Borodino (generic)References
| Primary Source | Irish Convict Database by Peter Mayberry. NSW Death Registration No. 5879/1870 Shoalhaven News, Sat., July 2, 1870, p.2 Find a Grave, database and images memorial page for Catherine Walsh Spain, Memorial ID 190754351, Nowra Catholic Cemetery Old, Nowra, Shoalhaven City, NSW. |
Claims
"Son John Spain, his daughter - Ethel Spain Callaghan, her son = John Spain Callaghan, my Dad."
Photos
No photos have been added for William Spain.
Convict Notes
In Memoriam. WILLIAM SPAIN, LATE OF THE DEPOT, SHOALHAVEN. A narrow sloping sandy mound That lies in consecrated ground, Is all that now remains to tell Of him who lived his life so well Around the spot wild songsters sing, And tender velvet mosses cling, And wattle flowers perfume the air With many a tint of sweetness there. I know it well, that spot of rest, The home of many a weary breast When fain of peace with baffled breath, They found it in that field of DEATH. There fathers lie in dreamless sleep, There mothers rest as long and deep, There children gather round unknown, And careless as the still white stone. His life was such as good men praise, And crowned with full and honored days, A strong true man! yet soft and mild, With yearnings like a tender child. Well God knows best! This purpose wise, Seek not to scan with earthly eyes, But bow the head to Power Divine, And say, "Thy will be done—not mine!" Forget his faults—if such we trace— They dwell before our Father's face; And He, though high and grandly just, "Remembers that we are but dust." For him the storm and strife are o'er, The wind shall vex his face no more, But we must stand without the gate, And beat against the tides of fate. Kind deeds of his remembered long, Calls up for him this wayside song, With many a deep and true regret, From one who will not soon forget. When princes die, their ashes turn— To dust, in proudly sculptured urn. But what is all that wealth can yield To match the lilies of the field? MIMOSA. Broughton Vale, August 19, 1870. Published in News, Shoalhaven and Southern Coast Districts Advertiser (NSW: 1867 - 1871), Saturday 20 August 1870, page 4
William Spain described his occupation as ‘farmer’ once he arrived in the Shoalhaven area. “The Spain family features prominently among the pioneer Catholic families of the Shoalhaven mission and parish. He was born in Galway …, was transported as a convict to Australia in 1828. Assigned to work for Berry and Wollstonecraft, he arrived in the Shoalhaven area around 1830. … he married Catherine Walsh at Wandandian in 1852. The Depot became their home, where they raised their eleven children. William Spain appears to have acquired a significant acreage in the region. He was known for being most helpful and munificent in enabling other families to produce food from land he made available to them. The Depot was also used as a “holding station” for cattle as it was naturally fenced in and accessible mainly by boat. He was respected as a generous and committed churchman. William Spain died … aged 64, as a result of a tragic accident while felling timber with his son. He was laid to rest in the Old Catholic Cemetery. The Shoalhaven News wrote, “the funeral procession was considered to be one of the largest that had ever taken place in Shoalhaven.” From such a large family of origin, the Spain family descendants and connections throughout the region were to be many, including Walsh`s and McGrath’s. Catherine, his wife, died on 25th March 1892 and is also buried in the Old Church Cemetery. The strip of land south-west of the Shoalhaven River as viewed from the Nowra Showground is frequently referred to as the Depot Farm. However, the southern section was the “Depot”. Here fruit, vegetable, and milk were collected for markets; it was also the holding station for cattle being brought to the Sydney Markets. The western section became known as the Depot Farm. The whole property was originally owned by William Spain and proportioned out in lots to family members. Eventually some sections were leased and gradually sold. The Strong family bought the Depot Farm from members of the Spain family in1921. The Depot section of the property has changed hands a number of times over the years”. Extracted from: The St Michael`s Parish Sesquicentenary Committee (2013), A Faithful people. The story of St Michael`s Catholic Parish in Shoalhaven 1863-2013. Nowra, NSW. St Michael`s.
William & Catherine Spain had 11 children, 9 of which come up on a search of the NSW BMD. John was born in 1853 and Alice was born in 1854. John`s entry is a transcription error and Alice`s entry was missed altogether. I have provided proof of their births to the NSW BDM and have requested that they correct the Birth Register.
The name of the Dr who treated William was Pickburn - there is no 'F'
NSW BMD Births of 9 children of Catherine and William Spain registered at Shoalhaven district between 1856 and 1869. Names: Ellen, Patrick, Catherine, Mary, Mararet, Bridget, William, Thomas, Richard. In the Supreme Court of New South Wales. PBOBATE JURISDICTION. In the will of Catherine Spain, late of Depot, near Nowra, in the Colony of New South Wales, widow, deceased. APPLICATION will be made, after fourteen days from the publication hereof, that probate of the last will of the above named deceased may be granted to Peter Walsh, of Nowra, storekeeper, the executor named in the said will. THOMAS MARRIOTT, By his Agents,— Proctor, Nowra. Leyy, Hemsley, & Perkins, 122, Pitt-street, Sydney. NSW Govt Gazette, 8 Apr 1892. NSW BMD Death of Catherine Spain, Reg: 9975/1892. Father’s name, Patrick, Mother’s name, Alice, District, Nowra. DEATH OF A GOOD SAMARITAN NUN. Sister Mary Dympna (Miss Catherine Spain, of Nowra) died on Thursday, 11th instant, at the Good Samaritan Convent, Pitt-street, in the fourth year of her religious life and the first year of her holy Profession. His Lordship the Right Rev. Dr. Higgins, Auxiliary-Bishop of Sydney, presided at the Dirge and Requiem in the convent chapel last Friday morning. Among the assisting clergy were the Very Rev. P. Treand, M.S.H. ; Fathers Phelan, O'Regan, J. Dwyer (Goulburn), Dunne (West Balmain), T. Long, P. L. Coonan, Hogan, FitzPatrick (East Balmain), and J. Collins. Freeman’s Journal, 20 July 1895.
John Forde, also convicted with William, submitted an appeal: Irish Archives. Ireland-Australia transportation database Document Date: 5/9/1827 Doc Ref: PPC 3226. Convict, Petitioner, John Forde, Tried Galway, Sentence, Transportation for Life, Crime, a Rape on Bridget Cunniffe. Comment: Convict has a wife and a family (no details given). Several character references. Requests reply to the petition be sent to a merchant in Loughnea, Co Galway
I have to record the death of a very old resident, Mr. William Spain, of the Depot, near Nowra. His death was the result of a sad accident. His eldest son was falling a tree, when the axe came off and struck poor Spain in the thigh, inflicting a deep cut. Dr. Fickburn was in attendance, who stitched up the wound. The sufferer died on the Thursday following, six days after the accident. The body was consigned to its last resting-place on earth on Friday, being followed to the grave by a numerous procession of mourners. People of all creeds showed by their attendance how deeply they respected the remains of him who in life was an honest man, of sterling worth, and as a good, obliging neighbour he had few equals. Peace to his ashes. Australian Town and Country, 9 July 1870. In the Supreme Court of New South Wales. ECCLESIASTICAL JURISDICTION. In the goods of William Spain, late of the Depot, Shoalhaven, in the Colony of New South Wales, deceased. NOTICE is hereby given, that at the expiration of fourteen days from the publication hereof, application will be made to this Honorable Court for letters of administration of the goods, chattels, credits, and effects of the abovenamed William Spain, deceased, to be granted to Catherine Spain, of the Depot, Shoalhaven aforesaid, the widow of the said deceased.—Dated this 25th day of July, A.D. 1870. T. M. RICHARDS, Proctor, Shoalhaven. By Iceton & Son, Sydney. NSW Govt Gazette, 26 July 1870.
William bought land in the Shoalhaven area and developed a farm, called "The Depot" at Nowra. He married Catherine Walsh and had 11 children. He died as a result of an accident while felling trees.
GALWAY ASSIZES. The following convictions took place in the County Court :—John Forde, William Mercer, and William Spain, to be hanged on Saturday, September 2; Limerick Chronicle, 29 Aug 1827. At Galway Assizes, John Forde, William Mercer and William Spaine, for rape, to be executed Saturday the 2 of September. Enniskillen Chronicle, 6 Sep 1827. The convict named Spain, found guilty of a rape, and sentenced to death at the late Galway Assizes, has been reprieved by his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant. Limerick Chronicle, 8 Sept 1827.
Irish Convict Database by Peter Mayberry. William Spain, age on arrival, 23, Per Borodino, 1828. Tried Galway, 1827, Life for Abduction or rape. Irish Whiteboy rebel. DOB 1805, native place, Galway Co. Single. Catholic. Ploughman shepherd herdsman.