Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
James Underwood was transported on the Tortoise, departing 28th Sep 1841 and arriving 19th Feb 1842 with 401 passengers.
Rig: HMS 1000 tons Voyage 1841/1842 from Plymouth, England to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) Australia. Capt J. Hood. Surgeon: Thomas Brownrigg. 394 - 400 male convicts listed.
Tortoise (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 91, Class and Piece Number HO11/12, Page Number 387 (195). Tasmanian Archives - convicts http://search.archives.tas.gov.au/ImageViewer/image_viewer.htm?CON33-1-17,411,363,L,80. |
| 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
Dreadful Murder of a Gamekeeper. —On Tuesday last, one of assistants of Mr. Longstaffe, gamekeeper to the Marquis of Northampton, named John Dunkley, left bis borne in the pursuit of bis calling and did not return either that day or the next. lie was seen in Yardley Wood about six o'clock, but no tidings of him subsequently could obtained, until Thursday about two o'clock, when he was found in one of the woods about a mile from the village of Yardley, murdered and shockingly mutilated, his head being completely beaten in. His gun, which bad not been discharged, was found some some yards from him, the stock shattered to pieces, part of the lock was sticking the wounded skull. Dunkley was a tall, powerful, and very active man; he had latterly detected many poachers and was known to have been threatened with mischief. There is every reason believe lhat several persons were concerned in his murder. The ground for some yards round was dabbled with blood; and there was every indication of a severe struggle having taken place. The body bad been dragged into a ditch. We regret add that the poor fellow has left a widow and four children. At present we are not aware that suspicion rests upon any one, but the enquiry is in the hands of the active and and efficient Superintendent of Police, Goddard, and it scarcely probable that the perpetrators of so foul a deed should long remain undetected. Northampton Mercury, 10 Oct 1840. Commitments to the County Gaol. —Joseph Bedford, William Downing, & James Underwood, charged with having, on the 6th inst., at Yardley Hastings, killed and murdered John Dunkley. Northampton Mercury, 17 Oct 1840. Joseph Bedford, aged 31, William Downing, 31, & James Underwood, 21, charged with the wilful murder of John Dunkley, at the parish of Yardley Hastings, on the 6th of October last. Northampton Mercury, 27 Feb 1841. The under-mentioned convicts were removed from our County Gaol on Monday last to the Leviathan Hulk, Portsmouth :— Joseph Bedford, William Downing, James Underwood, George Johnson, William Botterill, Chas. Allen, Charles Boddington, Thomas Hammond, George Walker, & Thomas Dadley. Northampton Mercury, 8 May 1841.
James Underwood was convicted at Northampton on 01/03/1841 for manslaughter, together with Joseph Bedford (also transported on this ship) - shot a game keeper at Lord Northampton,whilst we were poaching. Life sentence. Transported to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) on the 'Tortoise', arriving 19/02/1842. Bricklayer/farm labourer; aged 22yrs; 5'4"; married; Protestant; read & write; fresh complexion; black hair; Hazel eyes. Native Place - East Yardly Station Gang: Impression Bay. 3yrs Probation. Remarks: good, quiet, orderly. Ticket of Leave 16/04/1850 Conditional Pardon 07/02/1854