Summary
Personal Information
Voyage
Transportation
Jonathan Spencer was transported on the Calcutta, departing 31st Jan 1803 and arriving 4th Oct 1803 with 305 passengers.
HMS Calcutta was the East Indiaman Warley (1795), converted to a Royal Navy ship. This ship of the line served for a time as an armed transport. She also transported convicts to Australia. The French Magnanime captured Calcutta in 1805. In 1809, after she ran aground during the Battle of the Basque Roads and her crew had abandoned her, a British boarding party burned her. In 1803 the Calcutta sailed into Port Phillip bay where at least 4 convicts escaped , in Sydney in April 1804 it was reported that 8 had died on the trip. Of the four known escapees one was shot on escape, 2 turned back after 2 days to reattach to the group at the camp in bay before the boat left , one continued on ...into Australia's history books. At least 13 convicts were transferred on to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania), Australia.The ship also carried officers, wives and free settlers.
Calcutta (generic)References
| Primary Source | Tasmanian Libraries. Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 87, Class and Piece Number HO11/1, Page Number 343 (171). Tasmanian Archives - convict records |
| 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
Deaths at Camp Sullivan Bay, River Derwent, Van Diemens Land. https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD34-1-1p002j2k Jonathan Spencer, Buried 5 Mar 1804, age 22, Ceremony performed by R. Knopwood.
At Okeham Affizes, Jonathan Spencer, alias John Smith, for stealing forty-five sheep; and as many lambs, of different persons, at Braunston, was capitally convicted of of stealing and six lambs, of Nathaniel Bates, part of the above, and was left for execution. Norfolk Chronicle, 14 Aug 1802. Tasmanian Records. https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON22-1-2P344JPG Per Calcutta, Jonathan Spencer, alias John Smith, Tried at Rutland, 30 July 1802, Life.
Jonathan Spencer was one of four convicts who died and were buried at Risdon Cove, the site of first European settlement in Tasmania.
Conduct Record: https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON22-1-2$init=CON22-1-2P344JPG Death Record: death 5 March 1804, aged 22, Registered in Hobart https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD34-1-1$init=RGD34-1-1P002
Jonathan was suspected of attempting to steal a total of 45 sheep and as many lambs "of different persons" - said to be "part of the drove", suggesting that the animals may have been entrusted to his care to be driven to the market, probably Smithfield Market in London. Instead, he was apprehended selling them at nearby Oundle.
He died at St David's Hobart, Tasmania on the 5th March 1804, aged 22. So sadly he didn't last long after arriving in Tasmania. Source: Tasmanian Convict records: RGD34/1/1 no 30
He was born in Braunstone, Rutland in 1781 to Jonathan Spencer and Frances Fowkes. He stole six sheep and 4 lambs and was originally sentenced to death, but after an appeal by high officials of the area, his sentence was changed to transportation.
Jonathan SPENCER (alias John Smith) was convicted at Rutland on 30 July 1802. Life Sentence. Transported to Australia per the 'Calcutta'.