Convict Ship Countess of Harcourt - 1828
Embarked 184 men
Voyage 128 days
Deaths 0
Surgeons Journal - Yes
Previous vessel: Bussorah Merchant arrived 25 July 1828
Next vessel: Competitor arrived 10 October 1828
Captain William Harrison
Surgeon John Drummond
Convicts of the Countess of Harcourt identified in the Hunter Valley
The Countess of Harcourt departed London on 3rd May 1828. Convicts were transported to Van Diemen's Land on the Countess of Harcourt in 1821 and to New South Wales in 1822 1824, 1827 and 1828.
The convicts on this voyage mostly came from counties in England and Scotland and many of them had been transported for crimes such as pick pocketing, stealing, embezzlement, house breaking and highway robbery.
Surgeon John Drummond
John Drummond kept a Medical Journal from 29th March to 22 September 1828. Shortly after embarkation many of the prisoners became affected with slight bowel complains and catarrh.The surgeon attributed these complaints to the change in diet and clothing. Illness was increased by the extremely cold and damp weather that took place during the first two weeks after leaving Port. As they advanced further southwards cases of fevers and dysentery began to arise.
St. Jago
They called at St. Jago and departed there 5th June 1828.Ship Conditions on the Voyage
During the latter part of the voyage the weather remained cold and damp with frequent gales. The men suffered much from the continual wet state of the prisons and sleeping berths. Owing to the faulty state of the ships decks, the prisons were often completely flooded. John Drummond made every attempt at cleanliness, scraping the decks each day and encouraging the men to keep themselves and their clothing clean. Any indulgence possible was granted to them which the safety and duty of the ship could allow.Schools were established and attended and with much good effort John Drummond had the satisfaction of landing all the convicts at Port Jackson, none having died on the voyage.
Port Jackson
The Countess of Harcourt arrived in Port Jackson on Monday evening, 8th September 1828, a voyage of 128 days. On making the harbour she collided in Neutral Bay with the Bussorah Merchant carrying away the latter's jib boom.Convict Muster
A muster was held on board by the Colonial Secretary Alexander McLeay on 12th September. 183 men were mustered, one man having been re-landed in England and one sent to the hospital at Sydney on arrival. The indents reveal name, age, education, religion, marital status, family, native place, trade, offence, date and place of trial, former convictions, physical descriptions and where and to whom the prisoners were assigned on arrival. There are also occasional notes re tickets of leave, colonial sentences and dates of death.The youngest prisoners were sixteen years of age and there were quite a few 17 year olds as well.
Military Guard
The Guard consisted of the first detachment of the 63rd regiment under command of Lieutenant Christopher Dexter. Mrs. Dexter came as cabin passenger. Select here to find convict ships bringing detachments of the 63rd regiment.Lieutenant Dexter was later stationed in Van Diemen's Land in command of the Westbury Garrison. He died in Madras after only one hours illness in 1834.
Convicts Disembarked
The prisoners were landed on Monday 22nd September. The Australian reported that the prisoners of the Bussorah Merchant and the Countess of Harcourt were distributed amongst persons in town and up country who had found it convenient to make requisition for their services. Several of the men were assigned to the Australian Agricultural Company.Departure
The Countess of Harcourt was re-fitted with a new main mast at Fowlers yard in Cockle Bay before departing the colony for Singapore.Convicts of the Countess of Harcourt identified in the Hunter Valley :
Adams, William
William Adams aged 21. Farm labourer from Stafford. Tried at Warwick 25 March 1826. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing copper. Assigned to T. A. Scott at Pitt Water on arrival. Applied to marry Catherine Mitchell at Maitland in March 1836
Bagot, Edward
Edward Bagot aged 24. Dyer and labourer from Manchester. Tried at Manchester 30 April 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing clothes. Assigned to Peter Sinclair at Patterson's Plains on arrival. Granted a Ticket of Leave for the district of Paterson's Plains in 1832
Bain, William
William Bain aged 21. Farm servant from Inverness. Tried at Inverness 21 September 1827. Sentenced to 14 years transportation for highway robbery. Assigned to Thomas Hyndes in Sydney on arrival
Beer, John
John Beer aged 26. Shoemaker and seaman from Kent. Married with 1 child. Tried in Kent 27 December 1827. Sentenced to 14 years transportation for house breaking. Assigned to Alexander McLeod at Luskintyre on arrival
Boulton, Thomas
Thomas Boulton aged 17. Chimney sweep from Maidstone. Tried at Gloucester 10 July 1828. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing clothes from a dwelling house. Assigned to Samuel Marshall at Patrick Plains on arrival
Brewer, Cornelius
Cornelius Brewer aged 25. Clerk in a warehouse. Stockman. Married with 1 child. Tried at Kent 4 January 1823. Sentenced to transportation for life for house breaking. Assigned to James Chilcott at Falbrook, Hunter River on arrival
Brown, John
John Brown aged 28. Labourer from Dublin. Tried at Manchester 15 January 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing jewelry. Assigned to Peter Sinclair at Patterson's Plains on arrival. Note - brother of William Brown who arrived on the same vessel
Brown, William
William Brown aged 25. Porter and labourer from Manchester. Tried at Manchester 13 January 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing jewellery. Assigned to Catherine Hunt at Patrick Plains on arrival. Note - brother of John Brown who arrived on the same ship
Cadwick, Erskine
Age 20. Reads and writes. Pattern drawer and calico printer from Lancashire. Tried in Preston 16 January 1828 and sentenced to transportation for life for embezzlement and burglary. Assigned to Robert Cross at Wallis Plains on arrival.
Carpenter, John
John Carpenter aged 18. Straw bleacher from Bath. Tried at Bristol 16 January 1827. Sentenced to 14 years transportation for stealing handkerchiefs. Assigned to James Bradley at Windsor on arrival
Clifton, Thomas
Thomas Clifton aged 33. Farm labourer from Oxfordshire. Tried at Warwick 23 August 1829. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for perjury. Assigned to George Thomas Graham at Hunter River on arrival
Coates, John
John Coates aged 20. Farm labourer from Sussex. Tried at Kent 1 August 1826. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for ass stealing. Assigned to John Rotton at Patrick Plains on arrival
Coleman, John
John Coleman aged 17. Harness maker from London. Tried at London 6 December 1827. Sentenced to 14 years transportation for robbery. Assigned to John Blaxland on arrival
Collison, Thomas
Thomas Collison aged 22. Tailor for 5 years. Native place Surrey. Tried in London 10 January 1828. Sentenced to transportation for life for burglary. Assigned to John Simpson at Penrith on arrival. Note - died 17 January 1845
Cope, Joseph
Joseph Cope aged 19. Silk weaver from Manlisfield. Tried at Chester 3 September 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life for burglary. Assigned to William Cox junior at Hobartville on arrival
Coulson George
George Coulson aged 21. Brick maker from Wakefield. Tried at Wakefield 11 January 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for house breaking. Assigned to William Cape at Wyong on arrival
Daly, Bernard
Barnard Daley aged 17. Carpenter and top sawyer from Dublin. Tried at Kent 4 January 1828. Sentenced to transportation for life for stealing a watch. Assigned to Dr. Francis Moran at Hunter River on arrival
Dean, William
Age 17. Native of Bristol. Occupation Painter's boy. Tried in Kent 18 August 1827 and sentenced to transportation for life for picking pockets. Assigned to William Carter at Hunter River on arrival
Dobson, John
John Dobson aged 29. Loom maker from Yorkshire. Married with 3 children. Tried 23 April 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing boots. Assigned to Timothy Nowlan on arrival
Evans, Jenkins
Age 48. Married with two children. Native place Glamorganshire. Occupation Tailor. Tried at Cardiff and sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing clothes. Assigned to John Smith at Newcastle on arrival
Fletcher, Richard
Richard Fletcher aged 21. Labourer from Nottingham. Tried 24 April 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing pans. Assigned to John Slade in Sydney on arrival
Francis, Benjamin
Benjamin Francis aged 53. Farm servant and shepherd from Shropshire. Tried at Shrewsbury 21 March 1828. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing money from a letter. Assigned to Leslie Duguid in Sydney on arrival
Fretwell, Joseph
Joseph Fretwell aged 43. Weaver from Warwick. Married with 4 children. Tried 1 April 1828. Sentenced to transportation for life for stealing wool. Assigned to Elizabeth Wilson in Sydney on arrival
Harborne, John
John Harborne aged 16. Brass founders boy from Birmingham. Tried at Stafford 6 August 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life for house breaking. Assigned to James Chilcott at Falbrook on arrival
Harding, James
James Harding aged 23. Farm servant from Essex. Tried at Essex 12 October 1827. Sentenced to 14 years transportation for robbery. Assigned to T. H. Bloomfield at Wallis Plains on arrival
Haynes, Thomas or John
Thomas or John Haynes aged 19. Labourer from Surrey. Tried at Stafford 9 January 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing a shawl. Assigned to Willoughby Bean at Brisbane Water on arrival
Henry, Daniel
Daniel Henry aged 23. Farrier from Antrim. Tried in Glasgow 12 September 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life for passing forged notes. Assigned to Rev. J. J. Therry at Sydney on arrival
Hinchcliffe, John
John Hinchcliffe aged 36. Weaver from Yorkshire. Tried at Manchester 16 July 1837. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for house breaking. Assigned to William Ogilvie at Merton on arrival.
Hollis, Edward
Edward Hollis aged 24. Farm steward from Stafford. Tried 7 March 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing a cock. Assigned to James Dodd at Patrick Plains on arrival
Howarth, William
William Howarth aged 20. Labourer from Manchester. Tried at Manchester 23 October 1826. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for house breaking. Assigned to George Townshend at Paterson River on arrival
Hunt, Alexander
Alexander Hunt aged 38. Shoemaker for 7 years. Native place Waterford. Married with 2 children. Tried at Middlesex 6 December 1826. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for embezzlement. Assigned to James Busby at Sydney on arrival
Jones, John
John Jones aged 35. Slater from Denbeigh. Tried at Flint 23 August 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life for house breaking. Assigned to Alexander McLeod at Luskintyre on arrival
Jubb, Thomas
Thomas Jabb aged 28. Shoemaker from Nottingham. Tried 15 August 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for house breaking. Assigned to John Blaxland on arrival
Kelly, Owen
Age 29. Farm servant from Roscommon. Tried at Chester 3 September 1827 and sentenced to transportation for life for burglary. Assigned to Edward Sparke at Sydney on arrival
Kerr, Duncan
Age 16. Shoemaker's boy from Glasgow. Tried 10 September 1827 and sentenced to transportation for life for housebreaking. Assigned to John Smith at Newcastle on arrival
King, Robert
Age 20. Carter from Greenock. Tried in Glasgow 10 September 1827 and sentenced to transportation for 14 years for stealing coats. Assigned to Willoughby Bean at Brisbane Water on arrival
Kircher, Thomas
Thomas Kircher aged 22. Ploughs and a hop grower from Surrey. Tried at Surrey 9 January 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing potatoes. Assigned to Alexander McLeod at Luskintyre on arrival
Laing alias Mitchell, Andrew
Age 21. Reads and writes. Tried in Perth and sentenced to 14 years transportation for house breaking. Assigned to Richard Binder at Newcastle on arrival.
Lea, Thomas
Age 24. Reads. Brickmaker from Stafford. Tried on 10 January 1827 and sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing copper. Assigned to William Cape at Brisbane Water on arrival
Mack, William
William Mack aged 17. Fisherman from Lambeth. Tried in Middlesex 12 July 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing boots. Assigned to Robert Farlow at Wilberforce on arrival
Mackie, William
Convict Indents. State Archives NSW; Series: NRS 12188; Item: [4/4013]; Microfiche: 669 Details: William Mackie aged 27. Sailor from Tobago. Tried at Aberdeen 26 September 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for house breaking. Assigned to George Stone at Wallis Plains. Description Mullutoe, dark copper complexion, black curly hair
McDonald, James
James McDonald aged 24. Slater from Argyleshire. Tried in Edinborough 25 November 1827. Sentenced to 14 years transportation for stealing clothes. Assigned to Edward Sparke in Sydney on arrival
McDougall, Alexander
Alexander McDougall aged 23. Tailor from Greenock. Tried at Glasgow 12 September 1827. Sentenced to 14 years transportation for house breaking. Assigned to William Carter in Sydney on arrival
McKenna, Henry
Age 37. Reads and writes. Married with 5 children. Farm servant from Tyrone. Tried in Glasgow 2 May 1827 and sentenced to transportation for 14 years for passing bad notes. Assigned to 'Gentleman' John Smith at Newcastle on arrival
Meldrum, John
John Meldrum aged 32. Sailor from Aberdeen. Tried at York 26 September 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for house breaking. Assigned to Robert Scott at Hunter River on arrival
Moore, John
John Moore aged 32. Seaman and labourer from Manchester. Tried 15 January 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for embezzlement. Assigned to Samuel Drew in Sydney on arrival
Moss, William
William Moss aged 18. Locksmith from Wolverhampton. Tried at Stafford 22 January 1828. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for shop lifting. Assigned to Thomas Meehan at Macquarie Fields on arrival
Mullen, David
David Mullen alias Bryan aged 45. Farm servant from Co. Derry. Tried in Glasgow 8 May 1827. Sentenced to14 years transportation for passing bad notes. Assigned to Edward Spark in Sydney on arrival
Nash, Stephen
Stephen Nash aged 27. Farm servant and herdsman from Kent. Tried Kent 4 January 1828. Sentenced to transportation for life for sheep stealing. Assigned to William Carter in Sydney on arrival
Pacey, William
William Pacey aged 19. Pitt Sawyer from Nottingham. Tried 25 April 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing handkerchiefs. Assigned to the Engineers Dept on arrival
Parsons, George
George Parsons aged 26. Stock manager and farm servant from Leicester. Married with 2 children. Tried at Leicester 22 March 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing fowls. Assigned to Benjamin Singleton at Patrick Plains on arrival
Perdey, Edward
Edward Perdey aged 22. Waterman from Bermondsey. Tried in London 6 December 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life for returning from transportation. Assigned to T. H. Bloomfield at Wallis Plains on arrival..
Perrin, Joseph
Joseph Perrin aged 19. Labourer from Maidstone. Tried at Kent 17 March 1828. Sentenced to transportation for life for house breaking. Assigned to Benjamin Singleton at Patrick Plains on arrival. Note - died at Newcastle Hospital 3 April 1835.
Picton, John
John Picton aged 33. Farm servant from Enfield. Married with 2 children. Tried in London 21 February 1828. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing oats. Assigned to William Carter in Sydney on arrival
Pilkington, Joseph
Joseph Pilkington aged 26. Stockman and dairy man from Lancashire. Married with 4 children. Tried at Lancaster 15 January 1828. Sentenced to 14 years transportation for stealing fowls. Assigned to Robert Scott at Hunter River on arrival
Reeves, James
James Reeves aged 16. Errand boy from Lambeth. Tried in London 25 October 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing hats. Assigned to T. V. Bloomfield at Hunter River on arrival. Note - died at Moreton Bay 21 February 1830
Robinson, Peter
Peter Robinson aged 33. Shepherd from Lancashire. Tried at Chester 3 September 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing in a dwelling house. Assigned to Timothy Nowlan on arrival
Robinson, William
William Robinson aged 17. Farm boy from Birmingham. Tried at Stafford 5 August 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life for house breaking. Assigned to Timothy Nowlan on arrival
Sadler, Caleb
Caleb Sadler aged 17. Butcher for 5 years. Native place Colchester. Tried at Lynn 22 October 1827. Sentenced to 14 years transportation for house robbery. Assigned to John Blaxland at Newington on arrival
Scott, John
John Scott aged 34. Farm servant from London. Tried London 21 February 1828. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for robbing a cart. Assigned to Alexander McLeod on arrival
Slater, James
James Slater aged 18. Farm servant, ploughs, milks. Tried at Leicester 15 January 1828. Sentenced to transportation for life for highway robbery. Assigned to James King at Williams River on arrival
Smart, James
James Smart aged 21. Farm labourer from Sussex. Tried at Kent 6 January 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for house breaking. Assigned to George Townshend at Paterson River on arrival
Smith, John
John Smith aged 23. Law writer from London. Tried 25 October 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life for robbing person. No place of assignment recorded on arrival. Note - Sent to Cockatoo Island for 12 months 13 April 1843
Stack, John
John Stack aged 19. Labourer from Co. Cork. Tried in London 6 December 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life for highway robbery. Assigned to John Smith at Newcastle on arrival. Note - sent to Cockatoo Island for 2 years in 1844
Stanley, Charles
Charles Stanley aged 19. Porter from London. Tried 6 December 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life for burglary. Assigned to James Mudie at Castle Forbes on arrival. - Note died at Richmond 10 September 1845
Stone, William
William Stone aged 23. Biscuit baker from London. Tried at London 21 February 1828. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing linen. Assigned to Francis Girard in Sydney on arrival
Swan, Robert
Robert Swan or Swiney aged 14. Errand boy from Edinboro. Tried 9 November 1827. Sentenced to 14 years transportation for shop robbery. Assigned to George Brooks at Newcastle on arrival
Tapp, John
Age 20. Reads and writes. Married. Hackney coach man from London. Tried in London 15 February 1827 and sentenced to 7 years transportation for robbing a wagon. Assigned to William Dun on arrival
Thomas, John (1)
John Thomas aged 27. Farm servant, ploughs, milks. Native place Glamorganshire. Tried 7 September 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life for stealing in a dwelling house. Assigned to Joseph Thorp in Sydney on arrival
Thomas, John (2)
Age 16. Blacksmith s boy from Bristol. Tried in ?Bridgwater on 18 August 1827 and sentenced to transportation for life for house breaking. Assigned to Robert Scott at Hunter River on arrival. Died in Hospital in Sydney 7 January 1837 (Two convicts by this name by this ship)
Walton, Jasper
Jasper Walton aged 30. Pianoforte tuner and hospital assistant from Preston. Married with 4 children. Tried at Manchester 13 January 1827. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing cloth. Assigned to the Australian Agricultural Company on arrival
Williams, William (1)
Age 21. Reads and writes. Pearl button maker from Warwick. Tried 25 March 1826 and sentenced to 7 years transportation for street robbery. Assigned to Alexander Livingstone at Sydney on arrival
Williams, William (2)
Age 25. Reads and writes. Farm servant and soldier from Herefordshire. Tried in London 14 August 1827 and sentenced to transportation for life for desertion. Assigned to William Carter at Hunter River on arrival
Withycomb, Joseph
Joseph Withycomb aged 16. Tailor s boy from Bristol. Tried at Bridgewater 18 August 1827. Sentenced to transportation for life for house breaking. Assigned to Richard Brooks at Denham Court on arrival
Wood, Thomas
Age 27. Reads. Groom and weaver from Preston. Tried 16 January 1827 and sentenced to transportation for life for stealing hats. Assigned to Alexander McLeod on arrival
Woolridge, Joseph
Age 21. Reads and writes. Potter from Stafford. Tried in Stafford 16 January 1827 and sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing handkerchiefs. Assigned to Alexander McLeod on arrival
Notes and Links
1). Convict David Morris was employed as scourger at Bathurst prior to 1831.2).Seventeen convict ships arrived in New South Wales in 1828 - Florentia, Elizabeth, Marquis of Huntley, Hooghly, Morley, Asia, Mangles, Borodino, Phoenix, Bussorah Merchant, Countess of Harcourt, Competitor, Marquis of Hastings, Albion, City of Edinburgh, Eliza, Royal George
3). Return of Convicts of the Countess of Harcourt assigned between 1st January 1832 and 31st March 1832 (Sydney Gazette 14 June 1832; 21 June 1832; 28 June 1832; July 1832).....
Thomas Bailton , occupation sweep, assigned to Cooper and Levy at Liverpool
John Gregory, occupation farm servant, assigned to Cooper and Levey in Sydney
John Jones, occupation slater, assigned to William O'Donnell at Maitland
Philip Lee, occupation blacksmith's boy assigned to William Somerfield at Sydney
John McPherson, occupation smith. Assigned to Thomas Hore at O'Connell Plains
William Robinson, occupation farmer's boy assigned to Robert Uther in Sydney
4). John Drummond was also surgeon on the convict ship Prince Regent in 1830 (to Tasmania)
5). Convict ships bringing detachments of the 63rd regiment -
Albion departed Sheerness 1 June 1828 - Lieutenant M. Vickery
Eliza departed London 29 June 1828 - Major Sholto Douglas
Marquis of Hastings departed 30 June 1828 - Ensign Stulbmer
Royal George departed Spithead 26 August 1828 - Captain J. Briggs
Vittoria departed Devonport1 September 1828 - Lieutenant Aubyn
Governor Ready departed Cork 21 September 1828 - Lieutenant J. Gibbons Lane
Ferguson departed Dublin 16 November 1828 - Captain Darcy Wentworth
Mellish departed Falmouth 2 January 1829 - Captain Baylee
Lord Melville departed London 5 January 1829 - Lieut-Col. Burke
Waterloo departed London 14 March 1829 - Lieutenant T. Grove
America departed Woolwich 8 April 1829 - Adjutant T. Montgomery
Norfolk departed Spithead 22 May 1829 - Ensign W.J. Darling
Guildford departed Dublin 12 July 1829; - Lieut McLean 89th
Larkins departed Cork 16 August 1829 - Captain Mahon
Claudine departed London 24 August 1829 - Captain Paterson
Sarah departed London 29 August 1829 - Lieutenant Croly
Dunvegan Castle departed 30 September 1829 - Lieutenant John Gray
Katherine Stewart Forbes departed Spithead 14 October 1829 - Major Fairtclough
6). National Archives - Reference: ADM 101/18/5 Description: Medical journal of the Countess of Harcourt, convict ship, for 29 March to 22 September 1828 by [John] Drummond, Surgeon and Superintendent, during which time the sad ship was employed in conveying convicts to New South Wales.
References
[1] Ancestry.com. UK, Royal Navy Medical Journals, 1817-1857 Ancestry.com Operations. Original data: Admiralty and predecessors: Office of the Director General of the Medical Department of the Navy and predecessors: Medical Journals (ADM 101, 804 bundles and volumes). Records of Medical and Prisoner of War Departments. Records of the Admiralty, Naval Forces, Royal Marines, Coastguard, and related bodies. The National Archives. Kew, Richmond, Surrey.[2] Bateson, Charles Library of Australian History (1983). The convict ships, 1787-1868 (Australian ed). Library of Australian History, Sydney : pp.348-349, 386
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