Summary
Personal Information
Voyage
Transportation
James Whitney was transported on the Tottenham, departing 31st Dec 1817 and arriving 14th Oct 1818 with 201 passengers.
Tottenham (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 88, Class and Piece Number HO11/3, Page Number 3 (3) |
| 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 |
Claims
"James Whitney was my 4 x Great Grandfather. He and Elizabeth had 12 children together."
Photos
No photos have been added for James Whitney.
Convict Notes
Description - James was 5 ft 8 1/2 in. tall; he had dark brown hair, hazel eyes and a ruddy complexion
Finally, on 5th October, at daylight, they saw land about Port Jackson. Four days later, the prisoners' boxes were brought out of the hold in readiness for their disembarkation. They finally dropped anchor at Sydney at 4p.m. on 14th October, just 10 months after James Whitney and the other prisoners from the hulk "Justitia" had been embarked for the voyage and 201 days since they set sail At least he survived the privations after his bout of illness and his name never appeared among the offenders who were flogged for the various misdemeanours committed during the voyage.
JAMES WHITNEY ON THE SICK LIST On Wednesday, 6th January, 1818, James Whitney, aged 26, complained of "general languour headache pain of back and loins, skin hot and dry, tongue clean but parched, pulse 98 and hard, has had no stool these last 48 hours, says he has been rather unwell these last 2 days but as he supposed his complaints had originated from a cold and would soon wear off, did not complain." The surgeon administered what amounted to a good dose of Epsom salts and although he did not record it at the time, he must also have "bled" his patient, as the following day, (7th January) he notes,"Whitney has had several copious stools during the day, says his headache is easier since the bleeding. Pulse 100 and hard. Skin dry. Heat steadily above the standard of health. Tongue parched. Thirst." Armstrong prescribed, "the whole body to be sponged with cold water", obviously to reduce the fever, but January in England is, of course, mid winter and there was very little heating on the ship. On 8th January, the entry in the Journal states, "Whitney has passed a tolerably good night and feels better. Has had loose stools and perspired some during the night. Pulse 90 and firm. Headache less severe and more confined to the forehead. Heat but little increased." That night, the Surgeon recorded that "Whitney had a slight febrile paroxism
Tried and convicted at the Hereford Assizes on 5th August 1817 for stealing a sheep, sentenced to transportation for life. Left England on 27th March 1818. ship:- the 'Tottenham' sailed with 200 male convicts on board of which 10 died during the voyage. Arrived on 14th March 1818 Hereford Journal Wed 9 Apr 1817 p. 3 Committed to our Gaol. - James Whitney, for stealing a sheep from Mrs Weaver of Bunsill... Married Elizabeth Pearce (daughter of convict Thomas pearce and his wife Mary Ann) in 1825 at Liverpool, NSW, they had 11 children between 1825-1854. James died on 13th October 1873 at Liverpool, Greater Sydney, New South Wales age 79. Elizabeth died in 1888 at Granville, Greater Sydney, New South Wales, age 80.