Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
Stephen Togher was transported on the Westmoreland, departing 27th Apr 1838 and arriving 22nd Aug 1838 with 112 passengers.
The Westmoreland was a 405-ton sailing ship built in 1832 at Lynn, Norfolk, England. Four (4) sailings listed for her to transport convicts (and some free settlers and soldiers) to Australia - New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania). (Voyage in 1838 from Ireland to NSW is currently being compiled, incomplete list of persons to date.)
Westmoreland (generic)References
| Primary Source | New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents, 1788-1842 |
Claims
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Convict Notes
The two reports above refer to a “Popish Plot” Miss Agnes Catherine Byrne wrote a letter, which was published in the local press in July, which caused some outrage at the time. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2551862?searchTerm=Agnes%20Byrne To read article published 18 July 1839 in the Sydney Gazette.
The late Popish Atrocity. SINCE the publication of our last number some additional particulars have reached us touching the two misguided wretches concerned in the late atrocious outrage at Parramatta. Both men, it seems, are convicts. assigned to private service in the district of Kissing Point, and both belong to the lowest class of Irish Roman Catholics. Their names are STEPHEN TROUGHAN, per ship Westmoreland, a native of County Cavan, Ireland, and PETER KELLY, also per ship Westmoreland, a native of the County of Dublin. Some disclosures made by the men since their confinement in Jail have created a strong suspicion that they were set upon their work of blood by a Popish fanatic resident in Parramatta, who was observed in earnest conversation with them on the morning of the day on which the outrage was committed, and who is known to have made use of threats against Miss BYRNE, which give a strong confirmation to the suspicion. Under these circumstances, and considering how desirable it is that the real culprit, and not his besottedly ignorant instruments, should be brought to punishment, we trust that the Magistrates of Parramatta will see it to be their duty to prevent Roman Catholic priests, or any other persons likely to exercise an influence on the minds of the prisoners, inimical to the interests of justice, from obtaining access to their cells until after their trial. We do not go quite so far as our contemporary The Australasian Chronicle in considering men all but caught in the fact " innocently accused," nevertheless we should be sorry to shut the prisoners out from the means of proving that they are so, or from providing for their defence. For this purpose it may be necessary that their friends should have access to them, but under the circumstances it seems to us desirable that no one should be allowed to see or converse with them unless in the presence of an officer of the Jail, and we cannot conceive that there is any necessity for clergymen of any persuasion, either Roman Catholic or Protestant, to have access to them at all. Sydney Gazette, 28 Sep 1839. Supreme Court. Stephen Trougher was indicted for an assault with intent to commit a rape on Agnes Catherine Byrne, at Parramatta, on the 22nd September last; and Peter Kelly was indicted for being present, aiding and abetting. A second count charged the prisoners with an intent to rob ; and a third was for a common assault ; to which latter count the prisoner Trougher pleaded guilty. Kelly pleaded not guilty. … The jury retired for nearly an hour, and found the prisoners guilty upon the third count. … The sentence of the Court was that they be worked in irons upon the roads twelve months each. The Australian, 7 Nov 1839.
Stephen Togher. - OFFENCE; THREATING NOTICE Certificate of Freedom; 46/732 New South Wales, Australia, Certificates of Freedom, 1810-1814, 1827-1867 Name: Stephen Togher Age: 32. Birth Year: 1814 Native Place: County Cavan, Ireland Arrival year: 1838. Vessel: Westmoreland Certificate Date: 1 Aug 1846 Cancelled as the holder. Clarence River. Dead ------------------------- New South Wales, Australia, Convict Death Register, 1826-1879 Name: Stephen Togher Date of Death: Oct 1846. District: Grafton- Drowned Used 15/10/1846 as no exact date in October
Stephen Togher. - OFFENCE; THREATING NOTICE New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents, 1788-1842 Age: 24. Estimated birth year: abt 1814 Date of conviction: 1838 Place of Conviction: Cavan Vessel: Westmoreland (2). Port of Arrival: New South Wales Date of Arrival: 22 Aug 1838 Certificate of Freedom: Yes Read & Write. Rom. Catholic. Married. No children. Native Place: County Cavan. Trade or Calling: Laborer. OFFENCE; THREATING NOTICE 5 Ft 7 inches. Ruddy and pockpitted. Brown: Hair. Hazel: Eyes Certificate of Freedom; 46/732