Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
James Sturgess was transported on the Joseph Somes, departing 2nd Jun 1847 and arriving 24th Sep 1847 with 251 passengers.
Built 1845 at London. Wood ship of 780 Tons. The owner was Thomas Colyer of Kent, the son-in-law of Joseph Somes. Two voyages with transport convicts to Australia: 1845/1846: 1847: 248 male people (known as "exiles" landed at Point Henry, Geelong, Victoria and 1 went on to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania). Queen Victoria had decreed that all of these men (many of them youths from Parkhurst, Isle of Wight) should be treated as "free" upon arrival (significant backlash to transported criminals at this time).
Joseph Somes (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 92, Class and Piece Number HO11/15, Page Number 180 Parkhurst Governor's Log 1844 |
| 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
Father James Sturges - Pot seller and Hawker -Macclesfield. Parents both living at Macclesfield, Father a Hawker, - Prisoner has two Brothers & 2 Sisters, one brother was Sentenced with him to transportation and is now in Millbank Prison. Prisoner's Father has been in prison for ill-using his wife, & also for hawking without a licence . Prisoner does not remember ever having been at a day school, but he attended a Methodist Sunday School for some time. Was sent to work in a silk factory, when about 11 years old, worked there about 2 years - could earn latterly 3/- a week - ran away several times from his work and from home - was six times convicted summarily & imprisoned for this Offence at Knutsford.-Had run away from home and was travelling with other boys through the country. At Northwich he stole 3 books from a shop, and went out of the town towards Chester - A Policeman met them and took them into custody on suspicion. Prisoner was tried at the Sessions, convicted and Sentenced to 7 years transportation. Oct 10 1844 - Contined 24 hours - Wasting materials entrusted to him for his work. May 9 1845. Confined 48 hours & Misconduct Class 1 week. Wilfully damaging his breast No. May 20 1845 - Misconduct Class 3 days - Continued unsteadiness at drill. June 10 1845 - Confined 3 days - Unsteady & disobedient in School. June 16 1845. Confined 3 days & 7 in misconduct class - Disorderly in Hall at dinner time. Sept 20 1845 - Confined 3 days - Continued disorder in the Ranks & disrespectful when reproved. May 27 1845 - Solitary Confinement 14 hours - Noisy in the Dormitory at locking up Aug 8 1845. Confined 48 hours & misconduct class - insolent refusal to clean his chamber pot when ordered to do Sept 3 1845 - 48 hours black hole - 12 days Misconduct Class.- Very noisy in the dormitory alter locking up riotous and resisting the officers when ordered into Confinement. Sept 8 1845 - Solitary Confinement 48 hours - Refusing to obey the Penal class officer and very disrespectful when reproved Sept 15 1845 Dark cell 3 days Using disrespectful & threatening language in Misconduct Class & riotous when confined. May 25 1847 - Embarked on board the ship “Joseph Somes” for Port Phillip.