Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
John Sweeny was transported on the Henry Porcher, departing 5th Aug 1825 and arriving 3rd Dec 1825 with 176 passengers.
1825 Journey. On Saturday morning (3 Dec) arrived from London and Dublin, the ship Henry Porcher, Captain John Thompson, with 175 male prisoners, having lost one man - the rest in good health. She sailed from London the 10th of July, and Dublin the 5th of August. The guard comprises a detachment of the 47th Regiment, under the orders of Captain Donaldson. The Surgeon Superintendent is Dr. CARTER, R. N. Sydney Gazette, 5 Dec 1825.
Henry Porcher (generic)References
| Primary Source | Irish Convicts to NSW, by Peter Mayberry at http://members.pcug.org.au; and NSW Convict Indents, 1788-1842; Bound Indentures 1823-1826 |
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Convict Notes
1828, 31 August: He was sent from the Phoenix Hulk per “Borodino” to Moreton Bay (see NSW Convict Records, 1810-1891; Phoenix Hulk: Discharge Book, 1825-1830). 1828, September: He arrived at Moreton Bay per “Borodino” (see Kenneth J Lamb, Canberra 2013, Moreton Bay Convict Movements). 1828, 12 November: John SWEENEY absconded from Moreton Bay and was absent for 11 days; he was returned to the settlement on 23 November (see Kenneth J Lamb, Canberra 2013). 1831, 5 August: He was sent from Moreton Bay to Sydney, for admission to the Hulk (see Kenneth J Lamb, Canberra 2013). 1831, 24 October: He was sent from the Phoenix Hulk to the Hyde Park Barracks; characterised as “good” (see NSW Convict Records, 1810-1891; Phoenix Hulk: Discharge Book, 1831-1833). 1832, 22 March: John Sweeney was granted a Certificate of Freedom No 32/200; he was 5’10¼” tall, sallow complexion, brown hair and grey eyes with a large pock mark on right cheek, and scar on back of forefinger of right hand; baker; native place Belfast; born 1807 (see NSW Certificates of Freedom, 1810-1814, 1827-1867; (NRS 12210) Butts of Certificates of Freedom, 1832, March).
1827, November: John SWEENEY per Henry Porcher is one of more than 40 convicts on the No 5 Iron Gang, under charge of John Newland, and stationed at Baulkham Hills, Windsor Road (see NSW Convict Records, 1810-1891; Assignment and Employment of Convicts, Road Gang Report, 1827-1830). 1827, 24 September: He is on a list of prisoners “having absented themselves from their respective employments”, and described as: “Sweeney John, Henry Porcher, Baker, 20, County Antrim, 5feet 8½in, grey eyes, brown hair, fresh comp, from No. 5 Iron Gang, 2nd time of Running” (see The Sydney Gazette and NSW Advertiser, p4). 1828, 31 March: This time, he absconded from a different work gang: “Sweeney James, or John, Henry Porcher, 20, Baker, County of Antrim, 5 feet 8 ½, grey eyes, brown hair, fresh comp, from No 1 Iron Gang” (see (see The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser, p1). 1828, 19 May: John SWEENEY was convicted at the General Sessions, Sydney, of running away from his gang; three years’ transportation (see Kenneth J Lamb, Canberra 2013, Moreton Bay Convict Movements).
CRIME: Stealing bank notes (see Irish Convicts to NSW, by Peter Mayberry at http://members.pcug.org.au)
1825, 3 December: On arrival John SWEENY/SWEENEY, 18, was 5’6½”, with a fresh complexion, brown hair, grey eyes and a large pit on the right cheek bone. His native place was Belfast, Co Antrim, and he was a baker by trade. He was described as being “very well” physically and was assigned to F. Gerard at Hunter’s Hill (see NSW Convict Indents, 1788-1842; Bound Indentures 1823-1826).