Summary
Personal Information
Voyage
Transportation
John Torrance was transported on the Surrey Or Surry, departing 13th Jul 1829 and arriving 14th Dec 1829 with 200 passengers.
Built at Harwich in 1811 a square-rigged transport ship of 443 tons and copper lined she had two decks with a height between decks of 5 ft. 8 ins. In 1818, she had a major refit increasing the decks (and convict carrying capacity) to three. She was owned by the London firm of F. & C.F. Mangles.
Surrey Or Surry (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 89, Class and Piece Number HO11/7, Page Number 123 (64) |
| 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
Tasmanian Convict Records. Conduct Report. https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON31-1-42$init=CON31-1-42P161 No 474, John Torrance. John was punished many times by 25 Lashes, 50 Lashes , etc. Last entry dated Feb 12 1834. Description Record. https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON18-1-19$init=CON18-1-19P104 John Torrance, age 16, Labourer, Native place , Stranrare, Wigtown. Description. https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON23-1-3$init=CON23-1-3-P109 Approbation Record. https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON27-1-4$init=CON27-1-4P56 John Torrance, 16, labourer, was assigned to Mr R.P. Stewart, (Talisker). See records for full details. Burial Record in parish of St John, Launceston. https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD34-1-1p161j2k John Torrence, abode, Launceston, was buried 12 December 1834, age 26. per ship Surrey. Convict boatman employed in the Marine Department. Accidentally drowned. Burial ceremony, carried out by W. H. Browne, Chaplain. There is also a record of his Inquest.
On Monday the Court was opened at ten o’clock and proceeded to the trial of John Torrance, a miserable looking lad, about 17, accused of breaking into the house of William Carnochan at Clayhole of Stranraer and stealing a mahogany tea-chest or caddy, one shilling and sixpence in silver, and twopence in copper, and various papers belonging to Carnochan or his wife. He was found guilty, and sentence of banishment for 14 years was pronounced by the Lord Justice Clerk. When the jury  returned their verdict, and whilst the Judge was pronouncing sentence, the boy wept bitterly. Edinburgh Evening Courant, 30 April 1829. ---------------------------------------------------------------- National Archives. Criminal Petitions. HO 17/12/66. Prisoner name: John Torrance. Prisoner age: 15. Prisoner occupation: Former cabin boy. Court and date of trial: Ayr Spring Circuit [Ayrshire], 1829. Crime: Theft of tea caddy, papers and one shilling and eight pence, by housebreaking by entering ground floor window of house. Initial sentence: 14 years transportation. Gaoler's report: Unknown. Annotated: Nil. Petitioner(s): John Torrance, the prisoner, William Fullarton, Provost, and Hugh Miller and Andrew Williamson, baillies from Ayr, with copy certificates from magistrates and minister of Stranraer [Wigtownshire], and Captain William Anderson, ship owner. Grounds for clemency: The prisoner is young and of previous good character; this is his first offence; he is weak-minded and is likely to have been influenced by others; these facts were not known at his trial. Other papers: Certificate from John Forsyth and William Black, magistrates, and David Wilson, Minister of Stranraer, testifying to the prisoner's previous good character and his weakness of mind. Certificate from William Anderson, ship owner and captain, Stranraer, the prisoner's former employer and neighbour, testifying to his honesty and weakness of mind. Additional Information: Prisoner is son of John Torrance, weaver in Clayhole of Stranraer. Held in Ayr gaol. Date: 1829 Apr.