Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
Thomas Stockton was transported on the Buffalo, departing 28th Sep 1839 and arriving 12th Feb 1840 with 90 passengers.
1833 - Voyage. Transported; 179 Female Convicts and 25 Children 1839 - Voyage. On 28th September 1839, the Ship Buffalo left Quebec, Canada, taking 144 prisoners to Van Diemen’s Land and New South Wales, following the Patriot War in Canada in 1837-38. Some of the prisoners were French Canadians patriots and others were American patriots, captured after the Battle of the Windmill. The Ship went first to Van Diemens Land, arriving at Hobart on 11th February 1840, where most of the American prisoners were landed, and then went on to Sydney, arriving on 26th February 1840, where the 58 French speaking prisoners were landed. They were separated mainly because there was hostility between the Americans from Lower Canada and the Canadians from Upper Canada. The prisoners were in the main, literate, idealistic and honest men.
BuffaloReferences
| Primary Source | Tasmanian Convict Records |
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Convict Notes
Tasmanian Conduct Record: https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON31-1-41$init=CON31-1-41p122 2765. Thomas Stockton, Buffalo,12 Feb 1840, Province of Upper Canada, 8 Dec 1838, Life. Transported for Piratical Invasion of Upper Canada. No Gaol or hulk report. Single. T.L. 10.2.42. Free Pardon 1 July 1845. -------------------------------------------------- Tasmanian Appropriation Record: https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON27-1-8$init=CON27-1-8p32 2765. Thomas Stockton, 5 ft 6. age 27, Blacksmith & Shoeing smith, tried at Upper Canada, life. Native of New York State. ---------------------------------------------------- However, not all of the Patriots, formerly from Upper Canada and counties in Upper State New York, chose to or were able to return home. While working at Ballochmyle, James MacLanachan’s midland estate near Tunbridge, blacksmith Thomas Stockton, a native of Rutland, Jefferson County became ill and died. Dr. F.J. Park sent the following letter from the Oatlands Hospital on September 9, 1844: “Received of I. Polly the sum of eight shillings, amount of fees due to Government for medicine & attendance on Thos. Stockton, from 1st to 4th September inclusive, 1844”. Stockton’s mates John Chester Williams (Rochester, Monroe Co.), John Gilman (Brownsville, Jefferson Co.), Ira Polly (Lyme, Jefferson Co.), Leonard Delano (Watertown, Jefferson Co.), George Brown (Evans’ Mills, Jefferson Co.), Riley M. Stewart (Avon, Ohio) and Henry Shew (Philadelphia, Jefferson Co.), paid this bill as well as expenses associated with Stockton’s death and burial. Blacksmith Henry John Simmons from Lockport, Niagara County, also died in the Oatlands Hospital. Both Simmons and Stockton were buried in unmarked graves in the Oatlands Cemetery. From an article by Dr George C. Carter, http://tilife.org/BackIssues/Archive/tabid/393/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/1469/They-left-Jefferson-County-Foreverhellip.aspx -------------------------------------------------- Thomas eventually received his pardon, but too late, as it was after his death. GOVERNMENT NOTICE. No. 78. Colonial Secretary's Office, 27th June, 1845. The Queen has been pleased to grant Absolute Pardons to the under-mentioned prisoners, who were convicted at Courts Martial held in Upper Canada, in the years 1838 and 1839, of high treason, and of feloniously invading the Province of Upper Canada, and sentenced to death, but which sentences were commuted to transportation for life: Thomas Baker, Jehiel H. Martin, John Berry, Andrew Moore, Chauncey Bugby, Michael Morin, Michael Fraer, Thomas Stockton, William Gates, Riley M. Stewart, Joseph Leforts, John C. Williams. By His Excellency's Command, J. E. BICHENO. The Courier, 2 July 1845.