Convict Ship Lady Feversham
1830
Embarked 180 men
Voyage: 112 days
Deaths 2
Surgeon's Journal - Yes
Tons: 430
Crew: 32 men
Previous vessel: Roslin Castle arrived 29 June 1830
Next vessel: Adrian arrived 20 August 1830
Captain Stephenson Ellerby
Surgeon Superintendent Andrew Douglas Wilson
Prisoners transported on the Lady Feversham had been convicted in counties in England - Essex, Sussex, Norfolk, Southampton, Wiltshire, Middlesex, Surrey, Chester, London, Warwick, Oxford, Lancaster, Stafford, Bucks, Lincoln and Cambridge. They were held on various hulks before being embarked on the vessel.
Benjamin Bartington, George Carman and James Mitchell were held on the Hardy hulk.
Joseph Percox, Robert Reynolds, John Wood, Benjamin Smith, Samuel Amis and Charles Clarke Edmund Nye, Robert Bell, Stephen Norman, Robert Robinson, John Simmonds, William Hawkins, James Fibbons, Charles Minall, James Harris, Daniel Jones and James Riley were all held on the Leviathan Hulk moored at Portsmouth.
They were all embarked on the Lady Feversham on 29th March 1830.
John Frederick Mortlock described the Leviathan Hulk as it was in 1843 in his publication Experiences of a Convict ..........
A fortnight having elapsed, during which, with all my philosophy, I was fairly stupefied; they conveyed me (chained hand and foot to a man now driving a cab in Tasmania) by railroad to the hulk Leviathan at Portsmouth; and quickly transmogrified me into a strange-looking object, whom no one could recognize. This was some comfort; moreover, I derived a little satisfaction from the knowledge that my dreary abode had once been occupied by gallant fellows who, under the same provocation, would have acted as I did. At any rate, I was no longer shut up in gaol, to me the most dreadful of punishments, now, I hoped, done with for ever.
This, however, as will be seen, turned out to be a mistaken expectation. The hulk, an old (Trafalgar) ninety-gun ship, being very full, contained more than six hundred convicts (from starvation and discipline, tame as rabbits), housed on the three decks, which were divided into compartments, separated from each other by bulkheads, and from the gangway down the centre, by iron bars, giving the appearance of a menagerie. Owing to the height of the wharf, alongside of which she lay, the larboard row of cells, on the lower deck, was nearly in darkness, and insufficiently ventilated. New chums, therefore, in their location down below, breathed very foul air; surely this might have been easily remedied, by removing her a few feet further off.
A pernicious habit also existed of sluicing out all the decks every morning, with salt water, instead of dry rubbing with holystone. The chilly dampness arising from this, proved a fertile source of sickness. Good blood is only produced by wholesome food, pure air and exercise; while the two first essentials were wanting, we took too much of the latter. I swung my hammock on the starboard side, in number nineteen cell, crammed with thirty degraded objects, many of them persons of some education.
Military Guard
The guard consisted of two sergeants, two corporals and 25 privates of the 17th Regiment under command of Lieut. Harvey of the 29th regiment.Departure
The Lady Feversham departed Portsmouth on 8th April 1830Surgeon Andrew Douglas Wilson
Andrew Douglas Wilson kept a Medical Journal from 1st March 1830. He included a general report of the voyage in his journal.....The cases contained in the journal are the whole which occurred in the ship during her passage to New South Wales, consequently the amount of sickness was not great. There were two deaths. The first died from the effects of having led a most dissolute and intemperate life; the other apparently from disease of the lungs. In some few cases where incipient appearances of scurvy presented themselves, I found the exhibition of the nitrates potasse as recommended by Mr. Charles Cameron, surgeon, to be uniformly efficacious and I consider the general good health of the convicts was greatly attributable to well ventilated and cleanly condition in which I was enabled to keep the ship.
Andrew Douglas Wilson was also employed as surgeon superintendent on convict ships Princess Royal in 1829 and the Asia in 1832.
Port Jackson
The Lady Feversham arrived in Port Jackson on 29 July 1830.Convict Muster
Prisoners were mustered on board on 31st July 1830 by Colonial Secretary Alexander McLeay. The youngest prisoner on board was Martin McCarthy who was 14 years old. He was sent to Carters Barracks on arrival. Others sent to the Carters Barracks included William Copping 16, Isaac Davis 17, Joseph Dudley 17, Richard Daws 15, Richard Haggatt 17, Charles Minall 16, Joseph Percox 16, James riley 15, William Ross 16, Thomas Smith 16, and John Simmonds 16.Departure From Sydney
The Lady Feversham was to leave Port Jackson for Bombay in September.Lady Feversham Convicts in the Hunter Valley region:
Allen, Robert
Farm labourer from Brighton. Assigned to William Twiss Forster in Sydney on arrival. Sent to Newcastle Gaol in October 1839
Amis, Samuel
Weaver and labourer from Norwich. Assigned to J. Townsend at Wollombi on arrival
Andrews, Joshua
Shepherd and tanner from Oxford. Married with 10 children. Assigned to John Busby in Sydney on arrival. Ticket of Leave Cassilis 1834
Atkins, Walter
Ploughs, reaps, shears, sows. Native place Norfolk. Assigned to J. Townshend at Wollombi on arrival however returned to Newcastle Gaol as there was no agent to receive him. Ticket of Leave Maitland 1834
Ayres, Thomas
Carpenter and joiner from Somerset. Assigned to Dept. of Public Works on arrival. Assigned to Thomas Valentine Bloomfield in 1832
Baker, George
Gardener from London. Assigned to J. Horsley at Liverpool on arrival. Prisoner in No. 3 Stockade at Newcastle. Sentenced to 50 lashes for having a knife in his possession March 1836
Banks, Joseph
Solicitor's clerk from Surry. Assigned to Robert Crawford at Prospect on arrival. Ticket of Leave Cassilis 1834
Barnett, Charles
Cotton factory worker from Stockport. Assigned to Joseph Weller in Sydney on arrival
Batchelor, John
Clothier's boy from Wiltshire. Assigned to Edward C. Close on arrival. Ticket of Leave Maitland 1834. Sentenced to 2 years in irons at Cockatoo Island in 1845
Bell, Robert
Weaver from Norwich. Assigned to William Innes at Hunter River on arrival. Died at Liverpool Asylum 1846 - 48.
Bradley, James
Boatman from Southwark. Assigned to the Dock Yard on arrival. Sent to Newcastle Gaol from Murrurundi in 1847
Challis, Joseph
Ploughs, milks, sows, reaps. Assigned to William Caswell at Port Stephens on arrival. Ticket of Leave Raymond Terrace 1839
Clegg, William
Foot boy from London. Assigned to William Ogilvie at Merton on arrival. Granted Ticket of Leave Muswellbrook 1842
Cole, William
Shoemaker from Essex. Assigned to William Dangar on arrival.
Colson, William
Apprentice from London. Assigned to William Cox junior at Hobartville on arrival. Ticket of Leave Invermein 1839
Copping, William
Errand boy from London. Assigned to Carters Barracks on arrival. Assigned to Andrew Lang in 1832
Coxhead, Robert
Carter's boy from Colchester. Assigned to John Maughan at Maitland on arrival. Sent to Newcastle Gaol 1832
Davis, Benjamin
Baker from London. Assigned to William Sims Bell at Richmond on arrival. Sent to Newcastle Gaol from Patrick Plains 1834. Assigned to James Reid at Newcastle 1837
Davis, Isaac
Errand boy from London. Assigned to Carters Barracks on arrival. Granted Ticket of Leave Cassilis 1840
Drinkwater, Thomas
Rope maker and sacking maker from London. Assigned to A.A. Company on arrival. Ticket of Leave Port Stephens 1834
Duckett, Charles
Basket maker and hawker from Oxford. Assigned to James Bowman in Sydney on arrival. Sent to Newcastle Gaol from Patrick Plains 1836
Dugdale, John
Alias Duglas. Dyer and weaver from Norwich. Assigned to John Watson at Hunter River on arrival
Elmes, Thomas
Ploughman from Sussex. Assigned to Edward Close on arrival. Married Margaret Anderson in Maitland in 1834
Farley, Henry
Seaman and ropemaker from Plymouth. Assigned to A.A. Company on arrival
Flight, John
Waterman from Norfolk. Assigned to George Blaxland at Hunter River on arrival. Ticket of Leave Cassilis 1841. Died at Bow Creek Cassilis in 1842
Gates, Joseph
Alias Thomas. Ploughs, shears, milks. Native place Essex. Assigned to John Wilde at Camden on arrival. Ticket of Leave Brisbane Water 1834
Gillis, John Andrew
Coachman and horse dealer from Southwark. Assigned to Robert and Helenus Scott on arrival
Hampton, William
Baker and cattle dealer from Essex. Assigned to G. Vine at Kirkham, Camden on arrival. In Newcastle Gaol in March 1836
Hawkins, Thomas
Butcher from Stafford. Assigned to John Blaxland at Newington on arrival. Ticket of Leave Merton 1839. Ticket of Leave Port Stephens 1843
Hawkins, William
Seaman and groom from Sussex. Assigned to George Bowman at Richmond on arrival
Hill, John
Miller and farm labourer from Hertford. Assigned to Alexander McLeod at Luskintyre on arrival. Assigned to the A.A. Company at Port Stephens in 1836 - 37
Holt, Joseph
Ploughman from Lincolnshire. Assigned to George Blaxland at Merton in 1836-37
Jones, Daniel
Sweep and stableman from Kent. Assigned to George Blaxland at Hunter River on arrival
Kirkham, Laxton/ Robert
Ploughman, milks, reaps. Native place Lincolnshire. Assigned to W. Hutchinson at Sydney on arrival. Granted Ticket of Leave Paterson 1834
Knowlton, James
Labourer, milks. Native place Hants. Assigned to Henry Badgery at Bong Bong on arrival. Assigned to George Boyle White in 1833.
Luxford, William
Bricklayer and stone mason from Sussex. Assigned to Dept. of Public Works on arrival. Granted Ticket of Leave for Invermein in 1834. Sent to Newcastle Gaol on a charge of larceny in 1844
Marchant, George
Ploughs, reaps, sows. Native place Sussex. Assigned to Robert Cooper in Sydney on arrival. Granted Ticket of Leave for Maitland 1839
Moon, Edward
Ploughman from Sussex. Assigned to William Innes at Hunter River on arrival. Ticket of Leave Maitland 1838
Moon, Edward
Bricklayer's labourer from Sussex. Assigned to John Watson at Lower Branch on arrival. Granted Ticket of Leave for Patrick Plains in 1838 cancelled in 1845
Morris, George
Gunlock filer from Battersea. Assigned to Col. Allen of 57th regiment on arrival. Sent to Newcastle Gaol in September 1832. Granted Ticket of Leave Maitland 1840
Norman, Stephen
Silk weaver and farm labourer from Norfolk. Assigned to Joseph Daley at Maitland on arrival. Ticket of Leave Scone 1842
Nye, Edmund
Butcher and ploughman from Sussex. Assigned to John Marshall on arrival
Percox, Joseph
Stable boy from Cambridge. Assigned to Carters Barracks on arrival. Later employed as a coach driver in Maitland
Piers, Abel
Boot and shoemaker. Assigned to Hyde Park Barracks on arrival. Assigned to Thomas Bartie at Paterson in 1832. Granted Ticket of Leave for Paterson 1836
Pinkney, William
Ploughman, milks, reaps. Assigned to A.A. Company on arrival. Ticket of Leave for Cassilis 1838
Potts, Edward
Carrier from Suffolk. Assigned to Thomas Potter Macqueen on arrival. Died in 1841
Purnall, John
Weaver and brick maker from Wiltshire. Assigned toA.A. Company on arrival. Ticket of Leave holder at Dungog in 1836 - 37
Read, Thomas
Combmaker from Lambeth. Assigned to William Innes at Hunter River on arrival. Granted Ticket of Leave for Maitland 1838
Reynolds, Robert
Biscuit baker from Cambridge. Assigned to Col. Wall at Prospect on arrival. Ticket of Leave holder at Maitland in 1836 - 37
Richards, John
Blacksmith from London. Assigned to Dept. of Public Works on arrival.
Richards, John
Coachsmith from London. Assigned to Dept. of Public Works on arrival
Ross, William
Chimney sweep from Greenwich. Assigned to Carter's Barracks on arrival. Sent to Newcastle Gaol in 1841
Rowe, Henry
Coach man from London. Assigned to Mrs. Abell at Liverpool on arrival. In service to William Cox in 1839. Granted Ticket of Leave for Patrick Plains 1842
Shaw, William
Labourer from Essex. Assigned to John Maughan at Maitland on arrival. Granted Ticket of leave for Maitland 1834
Simpkins, Thomas
House painter and groom from London. Assigned to A.A. Company on arrival. Ticket of Leave holder at Merton in 1836 - 37
Smith, Edward
Stonemason's labourer from Liverpool. Assigned to James Busby at Hunter River on arrival
Smith, Joseph
Blacksmith from Wiltshire. Assigned to Dept. Public Works on arrival. Assigned to Archibald Bell in 1836 - 37
Smith, Richard
Ploughs, shears, milks. Native place Hertfordshire. Assigned to William Dun at Patterson Plains on arrival. Died October 1830
Smith, William
Stonemason from Wiltshire. Assigned to Dept. of Public Works on arrival. Granted Ticket of Leave for Maitland 1834
Spebzino, Antonio
Tailor from Milan. Assigned to James Bowman at Hunter River on arrival
Stevens, John
Tanner and labourer from London. Assigned to A.A. Company on arrival. Granted Ticket of Leave Maitland 1834
Sullivan, Daniel
Blacksmith from London. Assigned to Dept. Public Works on arrival. Granted Ticket of Leave for Scone 1840
Watson, John
Ploughman, reaps. Native place Lincolnshire. Assigned to John Johnstone at Darlington on arrival. Granted Ticket of Leave for Patrick Plains 1834. Assigned to Newcastle Gaol in 1836 - 37
Weldish, William
Tailor and soldier from Kent. Assigned to Archibald Innes on arrival. Ticket of Leave for district of Tenterfield cancelled in 1849 for being absent from district
Wickham, Robert
Ploughman and rough carpenter from Norfolk. Assigned to Dept. of Public Works on arrival. Ticket of leave holder at Paterson 1836 - 1837
Wicks, Matthew
Ploughman and rough carpenter from Norfolk. Assigned to Dept. of Public Works on arrival. Granted Ticket of Leave for Maitland in 1834
Williams, John
Coachman and potter from Bristol. Assigned to Alexander Park on arrival. Granted ticket of leave for Paterson in 1834. Assigned or employed by James King in 1836 - 37
Worley, Henry
Bricklayer, stonemason and indoor servant from Uckfield. Assigned to Dept. of Public Works on arrival. Granted Ticket of Leave for Brisbane Water in 1838
Wright, Lonsdale
Miller and baker from Huntington. Assigned to John Laurio Platt on arrival. Sent to Newcastle Gaol from Patrick Plains in 1835. Assigned to John Larnach in 1836 - 37
Notes and Links
1). National Archives - Reference: ADM 101/41/2 Description: Medical and surgical journal of the convict ship Lady Feversham from 1 March 1830 by Douglas Wilson, surgeon and superintendent, during which the said ship was making a passage to Sydney.2). Return of Convicts of the Lady Feversham assigned between 1st January 1832. - Sydney Gazette 14 June 1832; 21 June 1832; 28 June 1832; 5 July 1832)
Richard Burnell - Carpenter assigned to John Hawdon at Cowpastures
Henry Cooke - Silkweaver assigned to George Druitt at Mount Druitt
William Long - Stone cutter assigned to W.M. Bowden at Kissing Point
George Morris - Gunsmith. Assigned to James Nicholson at Sydney
William Palmer - Book binder assigned to William Moffat in Sydney
Abel Piers - Shoemaker assigned to Thomas Bartie at Williams River
Henry Smith - Upholsterer assigned to Charles Roberts at Sydney
3). Convict Ships bringing detachments of the 17th regiment........
Dunvegan Castle departed Sheerness 30 September 1829 - Lieut. John Grey
Katherine Stewart Forbes departed Spithead 14 October 1829 - Major Fairtclough 63rd regt.,
Mermaid departed Sheerness 5 December 1829- Lieutenant Isaac Blackburn
Forth 1 departed Cork 1 January 1830 - Captain James Oliphant Clunie
Nithsdale departed Sheerness 1 January 1830 - Captain Robert G. Moffatt
Lady Feversham departed Portsmouth 8 April 1830 - Lieutenant Harvey 29th regt.,
Marquis of Huntley departed Sheerness 9 April 1830 Lieutenant Watson 20th regt.,
Adrian departed Portsmouth 27 April 1830 - Ensign Reynolds
Lord Melville departed the Downs 6 June 1830 - Lieutenant Robert Graham
Hercules departed Dublin 3 July 1830 - Major J.W. Bouverie
Royal Admiral departed Portsmouth 5 July 1830 - Captain John Church
Burrell departed Plymouth 27 July 1830 - Captain John Alexander Edwards
Andromeda departed Cork 28 August 1830 - Captain Charles Forbes
York departed Sheerness 4 September 1830- Lieut-Col. Henry Despard
Edward departed Cork 17 October 1830 - Captain Deeds
Eliza II departed Cork 10 May 1832 - Lieutenant Hewson 4th regiment
4). Criminal Petitions - National Archives, Kew
Reference: HO 17/26/98
Prisoner name: John Eyre. Prisoner occupation: Postmaster of Marlborough, [Wiltshire].
Court and date of trial: Wiltshire Lent Assizes held at New Sarum 7 March 1829.
Crime: Embezzlement. The prisoner defrauded His Majesty's Post Office revenue. Initial sentence: Seven years transportation.
Petitioners: 112 inhabitants of Marlborough, Wiltshire. 79 inhabitants of Swindon, Wiltshire. Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): The prisoner has been an inhabitant of Marlborough since his childhood and has known some of the petitioners for 30 years; the prisoner is a man of invincible integrity and good conduct; the prisoner's charity toward his friends, neighbours and the poor has gained him a large circle of acquaintance; the prisoner's friends provided character testimony at the trial and the jury recommended him for merciful consideration; the prisoner may die if he is forced to endure the journey to His Majesty's foreign plantations and the climate; the prisoner's early habits of life gave rise to a protracted and grievous bodily malady that depleted his strength. Other papers: Note about location of John Eyre. Letter from T Keeley from the General Post Office stating the prisoner should not be sent out of the country; he should be made an example of in order to deter others from similar crimes. Additional Information: On board York hulk; now on Lady Feversham about to sail for N S W.
References
[1] Ancestry.com. UK, Royal Navy Medical Journals, 1817-1857 Medical Journal of Andrew Douglas Wilson on the voyage of the Lady Feversham in 1830. 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