Free Settler or Felon
Convict and Colonial History




Convict Ship Guildford - 1824


Embarked: 160 men
Voyage: 190 days
Deaths: 1
Surgeon's Journal: no
Previous vessel: Castle Forbes arrived 15 January 1824
Next vessel: Brothers arrived 7 May 1824
Captain Magnus Johnson
Surgeon James Mitchell
Convicts and passengers of the Guildford identified in the Hunter Valley

The Guildford was built on the Thames in 1810. [1]

This was her sixth voyage bringing convicts to New South Wales. The others being in 1812, 1816, 1818, 1820, 1822, 1827 and 1829.

Military Guard

The Guard consisted of a detachment of the 40th Regiment, under orders of Lieutenant Richard Thornhill. The 40th had been serving in Ireland.......

Following is an excerpt from Historical Records of the 40th (2nd Somersetshire) Regiment By Raymond Henry Raymond Smythies listing the ships that brought detachments of the 40th regiment to New South Wales in 1823 and 1824..........

Early in March 1823, the commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Thornton received an intimation that it was intended to send the regiment to New South Wales. In the meantime it was ordered to proceed to Dublin, thence by sea to Liverpool, and after that by road to Chatham, in order to form guards for convict ships when required.
The head quarters reached Dublin on 15th March and occupied the Royal Barracks. On the 30th the whole regiment embarked at Pigeon House, in eight small vessels, and reached Liverpool the following day.

A twenty eight days march, including three Sundays, brought the regiment to Chatham. The Regiment marched in three divisions; the first arrived at Chatham on 21st April; the second, consisting of two companies, halted, and remained at Deptford; and the 3rd reached Chatham on 23rd April.

During the next year the 40th was sent out, in small detachments, as guards on board convict ships to Australia. This was after several years rough service in Ireland, and but a short period of rest in England........


Embarked; 25th April 1823 on ship Albion. Lieutenant Lowe
Embarked; 5th July 1823 on ship Asia Captain Bishop
Embarked 10th July 1823 on ship Isabella. Lieutenant Millar
Embarked 18th July 1823 on ship Sir Godfrey Wilestoe. Captain Hibbert
Embarked 29 July 1823 on ship Guildford. Captain Thornhill
Embarked 31st July 1823 on ship Medina. Lieutenant Ganning
Embarked 5 August 1823 on ship Castle Forbes. Lt.- Col. Balfour
Embarked 29 December 1823 on ship Prince Regent. Captain Stewart
Embarked 5th February 1824 on ship Chapman. Captain Jebb
Embarked 25 February 1824 on ship Countess of Harcourt. Captain Morow
Embarked 14 June 1824 on ship Mangles. Lt.- Col Thornton
Embarked 14 June 1824 on ship Princess Charlotte. Lieut Neilley

Other ships bringing detachments of the 40th regiment included the Minerva and Ann and; Amelia.

Embarkation

Sir Francis Forbes - Chief Justice- Sir Francis Forbes


In August 1823 Jackson's Oxford Journal reported -


On Thursday, 160 convicts were transhipped from the Hulks at Portsmouth for the Guildford bound to New South Wales, and placed under the superintendence of Mr. J. Mitchell, Surgeon, R.N. The rapid increase of emancipated convicts, the last returns being 7556 and 5859 children has determined Government to establish a Court of Judicature in the colony.
Chief Justice Sir Francis Forbes and family go out in the Guildford. As well as Chief Justice Forbes, Lady Amelia Sophia Forbes and their three children, passengers included Mr. James Glennie.

Two sons of surgeon John Dulhunty, Robert Venour Dulhunty and Lawrence Vance Dulhunty also came passengers.

Lady Amelia Sophia Forbes kept a brief diary on the voyage. [2]

Departure

The Guildford arrived at Portsmouth from the Downs on 13th August and departed Portsmouth on 18 August 1823 in company with the Asia which was taking convicts to Van Diemen s Land.

Rio de Janeiro

The Guildford sprang a leak after leaving Teneriffe and was compelled to put into Rio for repairs. Probably she was fortunate to make the south American port, as the leak necessitated continuous pumping. She was hove down and rendered watertight, the guard and convicts being transferred to a hulk lent for the purpose by the Brazilian government. Her two months sojourn at Rio caused considerable sickness among the convicts but the only man to die on the passage was accidentally killed when, in the high southern latitudes, he was flung into the hold and pitched on his head. The Guildford did not leaving there until December 1823.[3]

Select Movement of the 40th regiment to find out more about the voyage.

Port Jackson

On arrival of the Guildford in Sydney on 5 March 1824 with 159 male prisoners, the Sydney Gazette reported:

Arrived on Friday last to the joy of the whole Colony, alarming apprehensions being entertained of her safety, the ship Guildford, Captain Johnson, from England. She brings 159 male convicts: the original complement was 160, but one was accidentally killed.[4]

Convicts Disembarked

The prisoners were landed on 8th March 1824. Fifty-seven men were forwarded by water to Parramatta for distribution to Liverpool, Airds, Appin, Minto, Windsor and Bathurst. The following day another thirty one men were sent to Parramatta, twenty-four to Liverpool, sixteen to Bathurst and five to Windsor.

Departure from the Colony

The Guildford departed Sydney for England via Hobart in June with invalids from the 48th regiment on board viz 3 serjeants and 28 privates with 7 women and 14 children under the charge of Lieutenant Croasdaile of the Buffs.

Convicts of the Guildford identified in the Hunter Valley :

John Alden
Born in Norfolk in 1801. According to convict indents, he had been employed as a shepherd. He was 5ft 7 inches, hazel eyes, brown hair with a pale complexion. On 15 March 1823 age 22 he was convicted at Thetford of stealing a horse and sentenced to transportation for life. He was sent to Norwich gaol and then transferred to the Leviathan Hulk on 17 May 1823. He was embarked on the transport ship Guildford on 13 August 1823. On arrival in the colony John Alden was assigned to Lieut. Robert Johnston, son of Lieutenant-Colonel George Johnston of Allandale. Although he was recorded mustered in the service of Lieut. Johnston in 1825, he was reported to have absconded from the Bathurst Road Party in January 1825. His name was posted in the wanted lists for many months. He was convicted of perjury at Penrith in 1830. His name appears in the Sydney Gaol Entrance Books dated 7 October 1830 under sentence to a penal settlement for 3 years. He was forwarded to the Hulk almost immediately. John Alden was granted a Ticket of Leave for the district of Muswellbrook in January 1842. Over the years it came to be understood that his crime was one of poaching rather than the more serious one of horse stealing. In 1895 it was reported in the news that an old man by the name of John Alden had been brought in to Mudgee from Inglewood near Cassilis. He was terribly feeble and his voice had almost failed him. He was admitted to the Mudgee hospital for treatment however died soon afterwards.


Barnes, William
Age 16, was employed as an errand boy at the Isle of Wight. He was convicted at Sussex Assizes on 24 March 1823 and sentenced to 14 years transportation. He was sent to Horsham gaol and from there taken to the Leviathan Hulk at Portsmouth on 22 April 1823. On 13 August 1823 he was transferred from the hulk to the Guildford. He was reported to have been very well behaved on the voyage out. He was assigned to John Gaggin on arrival in March 1824. He was assigned to Robert Crawford in Sydney in April 1824. He was assigned to government service at Newcastle where he probably worked for Rev. Middleton. He was sentenced to 25 lashes for neglect of duty, refusing to work and using improper language to the Rev. Middleton in July. In September 1824 he was assigned to Alexander McLeod. In December 1824 he was again returned to government service. He was punished at that time with 50 lashes for refusing work and insolent conduct towards his overseer James Gallaghan. The punishment was mitigated to 25 lashes. In July 1825 he was employed in service of government at Rev. Middleton's parsonage at Newcastle. He was charged with neglect of duty and improper language towards his master. The Rev. Middleton states .......the prisoner works in my garden. It is of a soft sandy soil and easily worked. For some day past I have noticed the prisoner to be very idle and frequently absenting himself. Yesterday I remonstrated with him about it when he desired me to mark out his government task and he would do it. I told him task work had nothing to do with him and that it was his duty to work from sun rise to sun set upon which he made several insolent observations. He was very impertinent. The prisoner in his defence states that the Rev. Middleton having told him he did not do enough work he desired him to measure out his daily task and he would do it. Denies having used any improper language. Sentenced to 25 lashes and return to the parsonage.. William Barnes was resident at the Hyde Park Barracks in November 1828 when the Census was taken. He was punished with 50 lashes in September 1829 for running away from the ironed gang at Parramatta. He about 34 years of age when he was granted a Certificate of Freedom in 1841.


Blackman, John
John Blackman was 17 years of age when he was convicted at Shrewsbury on 19 March 1823 of stealing in a house. He was sentenced to transportation for life. He was admitted to York Hulk on 6 June 1823 and transferred to the transport ship Guildford on 13 August 1823 for transportation to NSW. He was reported to be very well behaved on the voyage out. So much so that on arrival he was assigned to Sir Francis Forbes who sailed on the Guildford with his family to take up his appointment as Chief Justice of New South Wales. John Blackman was still in the same employ in November 1828 when the Census was taken. He resigned from the position of constable at Patrick Plains in September 1828. He married Kitty Lawless in Sydney in January 1829. John Blackman was granted a Conditional Pardon in 1836


Brooks, Thomas
Thomas Brooks was employed as a stone quarrier in Bradford Wiltshire. He was 23 when he was convicted of a felony at the Wiltshire Assizes on 8 March 1823 and sentenced to 14 years transportation. He was sent to the Leviathan hulk from Fisherton on 12 May 1823 and transferred to the Guildford for transportation on 13 August 1823. The Indents describe him as having blue eyes, brown hair, a cut over the left eyebrow and above the left ear. He was one of the men noted as having been badly behaved on the voyage out. He was assigned to Robert Crawford on arrival in March 1824. He absconded from Mr. Crawford and was punished with 25 lashes in October 1824. This did not deter him and in 1826 he was one of five men accused of piratically stealing the vessel Gurnett from Newcastle. In a twist of fate Thomas Brooks with the other four men were acquitted of the crime and discharged from court and the two approvers were held in custody instead. Thomas Brooks was forwarded to the Hyde Park Barracks.


Bugden, John
Born in Farley, Wiltshire in 1798. He was convicted of a felony on 8 March 1823 at New Sarum and sentenced to 14 years transportation. He was taken to Fisherton gaol and then admitted to the Leviathan hulk on 13 June 1823. He was transferred to transport ship Guildford on 13 August 1823. His occupation was recorded as groom and ploughman. He was assigned to William Kearnes in Pitt St. Sydney on arrival. In November 1828 he was employed as a labourer with William Kearns at Lower Minto. He was granted a ticket of leave on 14 February 1831 for the district of Goulburn Plains. At the Supreme Court, Sydney in November 1834 he was acquitted on a charge of cattle stealing. His Ticket of Leave was cancelled when he neglected to turn up for Muster in May 1835. He married free immigrant Margaret Roach at Maitland in August 1837. John Bugden died at Richmond River in May 1876


Bugg, David
Born in Suffolk. Convict indents indicate that he was 26 years of age and had been a brickmaker and ploughman. He was 5ft 3in with grey eyes, brown hair and a sallow complexion. On 21 March 1823 at Bury St. Edmonds, he was convicted of burglary and sentenced to transportation for life. He was sent to the Leviathan hulk on 18 April 1823 and from there transferred to the Guildford on 13 August 1823. It was noted that he had behaved very well on the voyage out. He was assigned to settler Thomas Crawford at Ellalong in whose service he mostly remained until at least 1828 although in 1824/25 he was assigned to Robert Crawford. He was granted a Ticket of Leave for the district of Prospect dated 26 May 1834. Robert Crawford reported that David Bugg died suddenly in October 1836 at Prospect.


Butcher, John (1)
Born in Salisbury in 1801. He was a writing assistant and cabinet maker. He was tried at the Wiltshire Assizes and sentenced to 14 years transportation. He was admitted to the Leviathan Hulk on 12 May 1823 and transferred to the Guildford on 13 August 1823. On arrival in the colony John Butcher was assigned to Edward Hunt in George St. Sydney. He died at Newcastle on 10 December 1831 and was buried in the old Christ Church Burial Ground


Butcher, John (2)
Born in 1802 at Sheffield and was a cutler by trade. He was tried at the Essex Assizes on 10 March 1823 and sentenced to transportation for life for rape. He was admitted to the York hulk and transferred to the Guildford for transportation to NSW on 13 August 1823. On arrival he was assigned to James McClymont at Newcastle. In November 1828 he was assigned to John Blaxland at Newington and employed as a soap boiler. He received a Ticket of Leave in 1836. The Ticket was cancelled in 1838 and he was admitted to Parramatta Gaol and forwarded to Hyde Park Barracks. He was granted a Ticket of Leave for the district of Goulburn in January 1840. He was granted a Conditional Pardon in January 1850


Castleton, William
Born in Norfolk and employed as a weaver. He was 17 years of age when he was convicted of Burglary at Thetford on 15 March 1823 and sentenced to transportation for life. He was sent to the Gaol at Norwich and then to the Leviathan hulk at Portsmouth. He was transferred to the Guildford on 13 August 1823. On arrival in the colony he was forwarded to the Minto district for distribution. In November 1828 he was recorded in the Census assigned to Archibald Bell at Segenhoe. He was sent to Sydney Gaol in April 1833 having been sentenced to 12 months in an ironed gang for larceny. He was sent to Berrima to work in the ironed gang in December 1835. William Castleton was granted a Conditional Pardon in October 1848


Coates, Thomas
Tailor from Scarborough. Assigned to Chief Justice Sir Francis Forbes on arrival


Cox, Henry
Porter and tailor aged 20. Native place Hackney. Assigned to John Cobb on arrival


Crossman, Allen
Ploughman aged 24 from Harwick. Assigned to Rev. Middleton on arrival. Died at Newcastle in August 1828


Danford, John
Ploughman aged 26 from Gloucestershire. Assigned to Richard Pritchett on arrival. Sentenced to work in irons for four months in January 1827 for absconding from Emu Plains. Married Elizabeth Smith at Glendon in July 1833. Sent to Newcastle gaol from Patrick Plains, for trial at the Quarter Sessions. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Maitland district in 1843


Dunn, Joshua
Weaver from Leeds aged 18. Bad conduct on the voyage out; sent to Carters Barracks on arrival. William Smith applied to have Dunn assigned to the Parramatta Female Factory as a weaver in June 1824. He was assigned to Francis Shortt in February 1825. Absconded from Wallis Plains in November 1827 and sent to Sydney Gaol before being returned to Wallis Plains. Absconded from the A.A. Company in January 1829


Edmonds, William
Waiter aged 22 from Salisbury. Assigned to Mr. James in King St. Sydney on arrival. Assigned to James McGillivray at Newcastle in March 1824. Assigned to Emanuel Hungerford at Lochdon, Wallis Plains in 1828. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Maitland in 1830. Applied to marry Edith O'Neill (ship Pyramus) in June 1841.


Ellston, Francis
Watch polisher aged 16 from London. Very bad conduct on the voyage out. Sent to Carters Barracks on arrival. Assigned to the A.A. Company at Port Stephens in 1828. Granted a Certificate of Freedom in 1830. Sent to Newcastle gaol from Paterson in January 1835; committed for trial at the Supreme Court, Sydney


Fenton, Samuel
Nail maker aged 19 from Leeds. Sent to Bathurst for government service on arrival. Ticket of leave holder residing at Paterson in 1837


Fitt, Samuel
Reaper age 41 from Norwich. Assigned to James McClymont on arrival


Fitzpatrick, Francis
Reaper age 23 from Co. Cavan. Assigned to James McClymont on arrival. Assigned to William Dun in 1824. Died in June or July 1825 at Newcastle age 23


Gibbs, Thomas
Ploughman age 30 from Warwickshire. Assigned to Dr. Douglas on arrival. Assigned to William Todhunter at Paterson in 1837. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Maitland in 1840


Goodman, John
Indoor servant age 17 from Thorp. Assigned to D.A.C.G. Howard on arrival. Absconded from John McLaren in Sydney in June 1839 and supposed to have headed to Invermein. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Invermein in 1842


Gregg, Richard
Groom age 28 from London. Assigned to Chief Justice Sir Francis Forbes on arrival


Gwilliam, John
Ploughs and shears. Age 50. Native place Gloucestershire. Very mutinous and insolent on the voyage out. Assigned to Rev. Middleton on arrival. In April 1825 sentenced to 50 lashes for participating in a robbery


Haigh, William
Ploughman aged 28 from Yorkshire. Assigned to Mr. Wells in George St. Sydney on arrival. Assigned to John Pike in June 1832


Hughes, John
Weaver aged 22 from Manchester. Received 1 dozen lashes for striking the boatswain. Sent to Appin for distribution on arrival. Ticket of Leave holder age Raymond Terrace in 1837. Died at Tarban Creek in 1839


Jones, John
Shoemaker age 26 from Abervagenny.. Assigned to Waterloo Co., on arrival. In 1832 he was assigned to T.W.M. Winder when he was sentenced to 12 months in an iron gang and then to be returned to his master for illicitly retailing spirits and harboring prisoners of the Crown. Applied to marry Unity Dever at West Maitland in January 1844


Jonkins, Robert
Plasterer age 18 from Bath. Assigned to Alexander McLeod on arrival


Lane, Joseph
Errand boy age 17 from Bath. Assigned to Mr. Busby on arrival. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Port Stephens 1828 - 1833. Ticket of Leave cancelled for being absent from his district and drunkenness in June 1835


Lea, Thomas
Shoemaker age 28 from Northampton. Assigned to John Campbell at Prospect on arrival. Assigned to William Hicks near Newcastle when he died of a ruptured blood vessel in December 1824.


Leonard, Thomas
Ploughman age 36 from Suffolk. Assigned to Chief Justice Sir Francis Forbes on arrival. Assigned to George Forbes in 1828. Granted Ticket of Leave for Merton in 1832


Lewis, Henry
Button burnisher age 19 from Birmingham. Received 30 lashes for theft on the voyage out. Assigned to Joseph Thew in 1825. Absconded but was forgiven by the Magistrates. At Newcastle in December 1826, sentenced to three years to a penal settlement for theft


Lilley, William
Nailor age 20 from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. Sent to Bathurst for government service on arrival Granted Ticket of Leave for Cassilis in November 1834. Assigned to James Bellamy at Cassilis in 1837. Ticket cancelled for illegally selling spirits in September 1840. Died at Cassilis in February 1848


Lock, John
Sailor, R.N. age 64 from Long Island. Sent to Minto district on arrival. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Maitland in 1833. Assigned to Houston Mitchell at Maitland in 1837


Maher, James
Cabinet maker age 26 from Kilkenny. Received 5 dozen lashes on the voyage out for attempting to escape. Assigned to Thomas White Melville Winder on arrival.


Martin, Robert
Errand boy age 18 from London. Sent to Carters Barracks on arrival. Son of John Martin who arrived on the same vessel. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Patrick Plains in June 1829


Mears, James
Age 20. Occupation wood turner. Native place Birmingham. Received 1 dozen lashes for theft on the voyage out. Assigned to Vicars Jacob on arrival


Moore, James
Age 23. Occupation groom. Native place Oxfordshire. Good conduct on the voyage out. Assigned to Mr. Crawford on arrival. Assigned to John Smith at Wallis Plains in 1828. Died age 56 at Newcastle hospital in April 1846


Morley, Robert
Age 23. Occupation ploughman. Native place Norwich. Very well behaved on the voyage out. Assigned to Vicars Jacob on arrival. Sentenced to 75 lashes by the Wallis Plains Bench for absconding from his Master's service and threatening his overseer Assigned to James Reid near Newcastle in 1825. Assigned to Alexander McLeod at Luskintyre in 1828. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Maitland in 1832


Nash, Thomas
Age 24. Occupation groom. Native place Shropshire. Assigned to John Atkinson in George St. Sydney on arrival. Very well behaved on the voyage out. Granted Ticket of Leave for Patrick Plains in 1832. Ticket cancelled for being absent from muster in 1834. Assigned to John Smith at Maitland in 1836.


Newnam, Robert
Age 32. Occupation butcher. Native place Tunbridge Wells. Insubordinate conduct on the voyage out. Assigned to James McGillivray on arrival. In January 1826 charged with absconding from his master s service at Wallis Plains and proceeding overland to Sydney from whence he was sent by the principal overseer of convicts to be dealt with accordingly. The prisoner states his reason for running from his master s service was that he did not like the situation and that he wanted to get to Sydney. Sentenced to 50 lashes.


Norton, Isaac
Age 27. Occupation house carpenter. Native place Norfolk. Very well behaved on the voyage out. Assigned to Captain Piper on arrival. Free by servitude in 1828 and residing at Wallis Plains. Married Mary Ann Wicker, 16, from Newcastle in 1833.


Paine, William
Ploughman age 25 from Somerset. Assigned to Mr. Dickson at the steam engine on arrival. Ticket of Leave holder at Patrick Plains in 1837


Pestell, Henry
Groom, carter and gardener age 20 from London. Assigned to Mr. Garling on arrival. Ticket of leave holder at Patrick Plains in 1837. Sent for trial on a charge of stealing from a dwelling house at Singleton in August 1842


Price, Aaron
Bricklayer and stone mason age 20 from Oxford. Assigned to Vicars Jacob on arrival. Sentenced to death for burglary, larceny and putting in bodily fear in 1825 when he was a member of the Jew boy gang of bushrangers. Reprieved and sent to Norfolk Island where he became a convict overseer


Scott, John
Waggoner age 21 from Leeds. Assigned to Vicars Jacob on arrival. Ticket of Leave holder at Invermein in 1836


Steel, William
Groom and carter aged 18 from Boston. Assigned to Captain Holt on arrival. Sentenced to 50 lashes for neglect of work and absenting from his gang at Newcastle in March 1825. In February 1840 admitted to Newcastle gaol from Patrick Plains. Charged with having a stolen horse in his possession and knowing it to stolen. Sent for trial and sentenced to transportation. Absconded from Cassilis district in March 1840


Waples, Joseph
Shoemaker aged 18 from Northampton. Sent to Hyde Park Barracks on arrival. Punished at Emu Plains in September 1824. Ticket of leave holder at Patrick Plains in 1837


Watts, William
Groom and carter aged 18 from Leeds. Assigned to H. O'Brien at Abotsbury on arrival. Married Ann O'Brien (ship Hooghley) from Darlington in June 1833. Ticket of leave holder at Patrick Plains in 1837


Wilkes, Oliver
Locksmith and blacksmith aged 28 from Wolverhampton. Assigned to Mr. Raine on arrival. Assigned to William Ogilvie at Merton in 1828. Absconded from Peter Cunningham for the 3rd time in July 1830. Sent to Cockatoo Island for 2 years in irons and two years after that having absconded from William Ogilvie and joined a bushranging gang. He was captured at the Lower Hawkesbury in 1832.

Notes and Links

1). James Mitchell was also surgeon on the convict ships Neptune in 1820 and Guildford in 1822

2). In 1837 Sir Francis Forbes was examined by the Select Committee on Transportation.

3). Find about bushranger Aaron Price who arrived on the Guildford

4). Death of Richard Thornhill Colonial Times 20 February 1829

5). Return of Convicts of the Guildford assigned between 1st January 1832 and 31st March 1832 (Sydney Gazette 14 June 1832; 21 June 1832)
Isaac Eaton - Ploughman assigned to George Bunn in Sydney; and Thomas Bray at Concord William Hague - Blacksmith assigned to John Pike at Hunter s River


References

[1] Bateson, Charles Library of Australian History (1983). The convict ships, 1787-1868 (Australian ed). Library of Australian History, Sydney : pp.344-345, 384

[2] State Library of New South Wales

[3] Bateson, Charles Library of Australian History (1983). The convict ships, 1787-1868 (Australian ed). Library of Australian History, Sydney : p. 232

[4] Sydney Gazette 11 March 1824