Summary
Personal Information
Transportation
James Stacey was transported on the Asia 1, departing 29th Sep 1831 and arriving 13th Feb 1832 with 200 passengers.
Built by A Hall & Co at Aberdeen in 1818. A Brig of 536 tons. (Wikipedia) 1830 - Voyage. Asia from Ireland. Female Convict Ship; Stead; Master, Alexander Nesbit M.D. Surgeon Superintendent. Arrived in Sydney Cove 13 Jan 1830. Mustered - 186. Died on Voyage - 3. Disembarked - 1. Total Embarked - 200
Asia 1 (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 89, Class and Piece Number HO11/8, Page Number 171 (88) |
| 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 |
Claims
"James Stacey (1801-1855) was my 3rd great-granduncle. His brother Thomas (1799-1868) was my 3rd great-grandfather on my mother's side."
Photos
No photos have been added for James Stacey.
Convict Notes
After his trial for murder and conviction for manslaughter, James held in the prison hulk "Hardy" in Portsmouth Harbour awaiting transportation. "Hardy” was one of approx. 150 ex RN warships converted into floating prisons. It was built in 1804 and recommissioned as a store ship in 1814. It was earmarked as a hospital ship in 1821 but became a prison hulk moored at Tipnor, Porstmouth Harbour.
At the time of his trial, James Stacey was described as: Ht. 5ft 4.5in. Complexion ruddy. Hair brown and thin. Gen Rmks. Lost part of a front tooth in upper jaw, scar under right eyebrow, 2 small scars back of finger of rt hand, scars back of finger of left hand.
Inquest of 18 Apr 1831 at Reading: inquest jury returned a verdict of "wilful murder" against him. He was committed by the Coroner to Reading gaol for trial at the ensuing Assizes.
Of note, James' wife Harriot remarried 13 Jul 1834, 3 years after his arrest and transportation for manslaughter. She married Edward Hughes (widower)(1795-1848). She had 6 more children and moved with her husband to live in Sunbury, Middlesex. It is not clear whether Harriot's marriage to James was annulled or they divorced. In the circumstance, it may just have been ignored (bigamy?)
James Stacey died 12 Feb 1855 aged 53 in Bray, Berkshire, England. From his Death Certificate, cause of death was given as: Bronchitis, Diseased Heart. Occupation: Journeyman Shoemaker. Thomas Stacey (brother) (Holyport Bray) present at death. Registered 27 Feb 1855. He was buried at St Michael, Bray 15 Feb 1855.
Agincourt arrived Dartmouth 7 May 1848 then anchored off Gravesend 11 May 1848. Based on his residence in the 1851 census - Holyport Street, Bray Berkshire - we can surmise James was given a home and work by his brother Thomas (shoemaker) on return from Australia. James' own occupation in Census given as shoemaker.
10 Jan 1848. Reported in Sydney Morning Herald under "Clearances". Mr James Stacey and 5 Canadians. In AGINCOURT (Capt Henry Neatby). Departed for London. Not yet verified that this was James Stacey Asia 9 but it was the only departure report found in the correct timeframe. Laing & Co shipowners.
He received his Certificate of Freedom (Australia) No. 46/799 dated 24 Aug 1846.
On arrival in Sydney, James was assigned to William Cromarty at Port Stephens in the County of Gloucester, NSW. Source: New South Wales Government Gazette Indexes 1832-1863. Issue No.18 Wed 4 Jul 1832, Page 166, Line No. 1086. "Stacey, James, Asia (9), ploughs and milks to William Cromarty, Port Stephens. Later in January 1834, in a swap for another convict - Joshua Mears - he was reassigned to the Australian Agricultural Company (AGC). Source: Letters of Sir Edward Parry, Volume II June 1832 - March 1834 Letter 1060a.
James left England on the 6th convict voyage of the convict transport vessel "Asia" (ASIA 9) under master Thomas Stead on 11 Oct 1831, having embarked 29 Sep 1831. They arrived in Sydney 13 Feb 1832. Given his previous agricultural background, he was assigned to William Cromarty at Port Stephens. Thereafter he was recorded as James Stacey Asia 9 in all Colony documents and correspondence. His prisoner numbers was 32/206.