Free Settler or Felon
Convict and Colonial History




Convict Ship Surry II - 1833


Embarked: 142 women
Voyage 124 days
Surgeon's Journal: yes
Previous vessel: Camden arrived 18 February 1833
Next vessel: Andromeda arrived 11 March 1833
Captain William Veal
Surgeon Edward Foord Bromley R.N.
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Prisoners and passengers of the Surry identified in the Hunter Valley

The Barque Surry was built in Quebec in 1825. This was her first voyage bringing convicts to New South Wales.

Ireland

The female prisoners came from counties throughout Ireland including Kilkenny, Cork, Dublin, Limerick, Galway and Mayo. Most were probably held in county gaols prior to transfer to the Convict Depot in Cork to await transportation.

Ten of the women held in Kilkenny County Gaol, five of whom were ordered for transportation, made a serious attempt at escape in May.....

Escape of prisoners - Ten female prisoners - five of whom were under sentence of transportation escaped from our city gaol about twelve o'clock on Saturday last. A small opening was made by displacing a short iron bar from one of the windows in the day room appropriated to the females, through which they passed; they then got on the top of a wall, dropped down in front of Mr. Smithwick's dwelling house, and passed through that gentleman's lodge gate. It has not been ascertained whether the bar was removed within, or by assistance outside. Bridget Delaney and one of the untried prisoners have been retaken at Castlecomer. The prisoners escaped during the absence of Mr. Duncan the Governor, who had gone to Cove to leave convicts on board the hulk Surprise. He arrived on Sunday evening and has been ever since in pursuit. [2]

Twenty year old Bridget Delaney mentioned above was later transported on the Surry.

Cork Depot

By the time female convicts reached the depot at Cork they were often debilitated from long incarceration and poor diet, although the following extract from the Report of the Inspectors General on the Gaols of Ireland reveals they were put to work when they reached the Depot......

Cork Penitentiary 1832.....Parliamentary Papers, House of Commons.

Cholera Outbreak

There was a devastating outbreak of cholera in Ireland in 1832. It was believed by some that the distraction of music and dancing could diminish the spread of the disease......

Since the introduction of cholera into the county gaol of Cork, a novel method has been adopted to prevent its spreading. A musician is engaged to play for the female prisoners (to whom the epidemic is entirely confined) for a few hours every evening; they are all brought together into one of the largest apartments in the prison, and such an interest is excited amongst them by the music and the dance, that they appear to forget altogether the cholera and its terrors. This mode of prevention was suggested by the idea, that as fear is a predisposing cause, nothing could tend more to diminish its influence. The same method has been tried at the convict depot, and with success. [1]

The female prisoners were inspected at the depot in Cork before embarkation and although some were found to be suffering debility 'the consequence of dissolute habits and very low diet at the depot', all were taken, as the surgeon thought 'better food and sea air would be useful to them' [4].

Departure

The Surry departed Cork on 15th November 1832.

Surgeon Edward Foord Bromley

Edward Ford Bromley kept a Medical Journal from 25 August 1832 to 28 March 1833 which reveals that the women on the Surry probably endured a very uncomfortable voyage.

He thought little of the women and gave a very unflattering description of them. He thought that Irish female convicts were 'very inferior to English women of the same class'. He had difficulty stopping them from smoking below decks and to keep themselves clean. Out of 141, only 100 could 'tell their letters' and about '5 write and 10 read'. They were mostly 'taken off the town as common prostitutes, the rest the lowest descriptions of burglars and petty thieves, hardened and old offenders'
Half a pint of wine was issued to each, twice a week, and was always followed by 'drunkenness and rioting'. The surgeon recommended that this practice should be stopped as producing no good but 'much mischief'. He also recommended that iron collars should be supplied since one girl took off her wooden one and threw it overboard; and that handcuffs and gags should also have been furnished.

The charter party did not provide candles or lanterns for going below into the prison or hospital and the surgeon had to provide his own. He complained that the 'security box or black hole' was not secure and that one woman burst out of it. To prevent this he put a chain round the box with a strong padlock. He suggested a straight jacket should also be provided. [4]

Below is an iron maiden that may be similar to that used on the Surry to punish the women.

Iron Maiden from the ship Success

Riot On Board

On 16 February 1833, the sugar ran out and on 24 February the wine ran out, and 'this was the signal for a tremendous riot, fighting and quarrelling of every description'. One woman tried to stab a seaman and three of them had to be severely punished. The surgeon repeated his plea that the issuing of wine should be abolished since it has been 'nearly the cause of all the riots in the ship'. Catarrh prevailed a good deal in February because of the cold winds. [4]

Free Passengers

Free Passengers on the Surry included 19 females and 40 children.

Names of the free women on board -

Catherine Murphy;
Julia Whitehill;
Ellen Manon;
Sarah Carroll;
Chary Stobs;
Elizabeth Jones;
Margaret FitzGerald;
Mary Logan;
Elizabeth Staffinson;
Catherine Sloane;
Mary Neil;
Mary Riordan;
Mary McCormick;
Ellen Tierrey;
Bridget Henley;
Kate Slattery;
Margaret Birrell;
Jane Rourke;
Julia Walsh.

Free womens' children -
Margaret Whitehill aged 14; Anne Whitehill aged 8;
Stonor Manan aged 12; Richard Manan aged 8;
Mary Carroll aged 17; James Carroll aged 13; Peter Carroll aged 8;
Mary Jean Stobs aged 3;
Catherine Jones aged 17; John Jones aged 12; John Jones aged 13; Anne Jones aged 10;
Mary Fitzgerald aged 12; Michael Fitzgerald aged 9;
Mary Logan aged 12; Daniel Logan aged 9
Patrick Sloane aged 14; Charles Sloane aged 12; Bernard Sloane aged 18;
Bridget McCormick aged 14; Thomas McCormick aged 12;
Margaret Tierney aged 20; Mary Tierney aged 18; John Tierney aged 16; William Tierney aged 10;
Patrick Henley aged 12; Mary Henley aged 8;
Mary Slattery aged 21; Catherine Slattery aged 18; Bridget Slattery aged 13; Timothy Slattery aged 8;
Margaret Birrell aged 17; Anne Birrell aged 15; Patrick Birrell aged 13; Catherine Birrell aged 11;
Ellen Murray aged 12;
Surry Logan born at sea. [3]

Port Jackson

They arrived at Port Jackson on 9th March 1833 with 141 female prisoners and 11 of their children. The women were landed on Monday 25 March and assigned to their various employments. An underwhelming account in the Monitor reported them to be a stout set of women who were generally clean.

Prisoners of the Surry identified in the Hunter region

Barry, Honora
Needlewoman age 31 from Killarney. Tried in Cork August 1831. Married with 2 children. Sentenced to 14 years transportation for sheep stealing. Sallow and freckled, cast inwards in right eye. Assigned servant to William Brooks at Hunter River in March 1833. Granted a Ticket of Leave for district of Campbelltown on 1 July 1839


Barry, Margaret
Needlewoman and nurse girl age 20 from Cork. Tried at Limerick 8 October 1832. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing a watch. Assigned to 3rd Class in the Female Factory at Parramatta in March 1833. In January 1836 sent to Newcastle gaol from Maitland for absenting. Sentenced to 28 days in the cells and return to government service. Re-assigned to Mr. Christopherson at Invermein on release from gaol on 29 February 1836. In June 1836 sent to Newcastle gaol from Maitland having been returned to government service. Re-assigned to Mr. Micklejohn at Maitland in August 1836. In December 1836 sent to Newcastle gaol from Maitland under sentence of 1 month imprisonment. In May 1837 sent to Newcastle gaol from Merton under sentence of 14 days solitary confinement. Re-assigned to Captain Edward Biddulph at Maitland on 25 July 1837. In September 1837 on remand in Newcastle gaol. In January 1838 sent to Newcastle from Paterson under sent of 14 days in the cells. Re-assigned to Mr. Humphries at Maitland in March 1838. In April 1838 sentenced to 28 days in the cells and return to government service. Re-assigned to William Dun at Paterson on release. In October 1838 absconded from service of W. T. Jay at Newcastle. When apprehended sentenced to 14 days solitary confinement and to be returned to government service. In January 1840 sent to Newcastle gaol and re-assigned to Colonel Snodgrass on 4 February 1840. In March 1840 sent to Newcastle gaol from Raymond Terrace on a charge of being absent without leave. Sentenced to 7 days in the cells. Granted permission to marry William Mayo (ship Waterloo 1829) in May 1840


Cashin, Eliza
Age 30. Occupation all work (country). Married with 2 children. Native place Waterford. Tried at Tipperary 1 August 1831. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for cow stealing. Assigned servant to Hamilton C. Sempill at Segenhoe in March 1833. Sent to the 3rd Class at the Female Factory for pilfering in January 1836. Granted Conditional Pardon in 1840


Cullen, Catherine
Alias Fahy. Laundress age 27 from Kilkenny. Married with 1 child on board with her. Tried at Tipperary November 1831. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing clothes. Permission to marry Patrick Brian (ship Eliza) at Maitland in September 1835 granted although it was noted she had stated she was married on arrival.


Cunningham, Eleanor
Age 17. Nurse girl from Co. Mayo. Tried at Roscommon 20 October 1831. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing shoes. Eyes inflamed, scar on left cheek. Assigned to John Kingsmill at Maitland in March 1833. Granted a Conditional Pardon in 1839. Applied to marry James Smith (ship Phoenix) at Newcastle in October 1840.
Sent to Newcastle gaol on a charge of insolence in November 1840. Sentenced to 7 days in the cells and to return to service with Mrs. Crummer at Newcastle on 13 November.
Note - There were three convicts on the Surry by the name of Eleanor or Ellen Cunningham.


Doherty, Bridget
House maid and washerwoman age 28 from Londonderry. Single woman with two children. Tried at Londonderry 7 April 1830. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for vagrancy. Assigned servant to Richard Stubbs at Port Stephens in March 1833 Assigned to James Flood at Maitland in 1836. Died in the Female Factory at Bathurst 16 December 1836


Driscoll, Mary
Age 22. Occupation All work (country). Native place co. Cork. Tried at Cork June 1832. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing clothes. Assigned servant to John Larnach at Patrick Plains in March 1833. In October 1833 assigned to J. McDougall, charged by William Crampton with insolence. Sentenced to seven days in the cells and return to government service


Dunn, Margaret
Age 46. Needlewoman from Co. Tipperary. Tried at Co. Clare 3 March 1832. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for sacrilege. Assigned servant to Robert Lethbridge at Oakhampton Park in March 1833


Finigan, Mary
House maid age 22 from Co. Kerry. Tried at Kerry March 1832. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for 7 years for shop lifting. In October 1837 sent to Newcastle gaol from Merton under sentence of 14 days in the cells and return to govt. service. Assigned to Mr. Steele at Newcastle on release from gaol. Sent to Newcastle gaol in April 1838 having been returned to government service. Mary absconded from Susannah Matilda Ward at Paterson in March 1839. In June 1840 she was admitted to Newcastle gaol from Sydney and sent to the Bench at Paterson to be dealt with. In July 1840 she was admitted to Newcastle gaol from Maitland under sentence of 4 months 3rd class factory. Re-assigned to James Dalgleish at Upper Paterson 3 November 1840


Johnston, Margaret
Alias Sarah. Age 28. Nurse maid and house maid from Fermanagh. Tried at Tyrone 23 March 1831. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing cloth. Absconded from the Steamer in Sydney in December 1837. Notice placed by H. P. Dutton of the Hunter River


McDonald, Catherine
Laundress and house maid age 25 from Kilkenny. Tried at Louth 11 March 1831. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing meat. Married Charles Kenny of Maitland in 1833. Granted a Conditional Pardon in 1838


McGiven, Alice
Age 35. Occupation all work (country). Native place Co. Down. Tried at Wexford 9 July 1831. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing a bonnet. Husband Owen McGiven arrived in the colony 17 years previously. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Patrick Plains district in May 1837


Murdock, Mary
Age 26. Occupation Laundress and all work. Native place Co. Derry. Tried at Londonderry April 1830 and sentenced to 7 years transportation for vagrancy. Assigned to James McDougall at Patrick Plains in 1836. In December 1836 Mary was an assigned service to Captain Edward Biddulph at Paterson River. She was returned to the Female Factory in December 1836 from Paterson via Newcastle under sentence of to 6 months in the 3rd Class Female Factory and to be returned to government service. She was discharged to the service of Mr. Capp at Jerrys Plains on 16 June 1837. In September 1837 she was assigned to William Sparke when she was sent to Newcastle gaol under sentence of 14 days solitary confinement for insolence and disorderly conduct on a Sunday. She was returned to government service on release from gaol and re-assigned to Henry Early at Maitland on 29 October 1837


Murphy, Ann
Dairy maid and all country work. Age 23. Native place Wexford. Tried at Wexford 12 January 1831. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing a handkerchief. Assigned servant to John Cobb at Hunter River in March 1833


Murphy, Eleanor
House maid and washerwoman age 36 from Kings Co. Single with one child. Tried at Waterford November 1831. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for shop lifting. Absconded from John Kingsmill at Maitland in August 1837. Admitted to Newcastle gaol in January 1838. Re-assigned to Rev. Middleton at Maitland on 13 February 1838.


Reynolds, Mary
Nurse girl age 15 from Co. Longford. Tried at Westmeath 30 June 1832. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing clothes. Assigned servant to James Cox at Maitland in March 1833


Ryan, Catherine
Needlewoman and laundress age 26 from Co. Galway. Tried in Limerick 6 August 1832. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing muslin. In April 1840 sent to Newcastle gaol under sentence of 14 days in the cells for being absent without leave from her service. In May 1841 Sent to Newcastle gaol from Maitland sentenced to 14 days in the cells for disorderly conduct.


Tominson, Catherine
Age 27. Occupation dairy maid and all work. Native place Co. Carlow. Single with 1 child. Tried at Wexford 25 April 1831. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for house robbery. Married William Crompton at Glendon in December 1833. Granted a Ticket of Leave for the district of Patrick Plains in 1837


Walsh, Ann
Age 23. Occupation washerwoman and all work. Native place Co. Galway. Tried at Galway 12 January 1832. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing money. Married Benjamin Cott at Maitland in November 18334. In December 1836. Sent to Newcastle gaol from Maitland under sentence of 28 days solitary confinement and to be returned to her husband


Walsh, Catherine
Needlewoman and lady's maid age 26 from Co. Cork. Tried at Roscommon 20 July 1831. Sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing a gold watch. Assigned servant to Mr. Glennie at Patrick Plains in 1836. In December 1836 Sent to Newcastle gaol under sentence of 28 days solitary confinement for having been found drunk on Mr. Wilton's premises by Constable Rouse and without a pass. Rev. Wilton's family had been afraid to turn her out for fear of making a disturbance.

Notes and Links

1). The Surry was one of five convict ships bringing female prisoners to New South Wales in 1833, the others being the Fanny, Caroline, Buffalo and Diana. A total of 639 female convicts arrived in the colony in 1833.

2). Edward Foord Bromley was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Calcutta in 1803, Ocean in 1816, Almorah in 1817, Lord Wellington in 1820 and the Numa in 1834.

3). Hunter Valley convicts and passengers arriving on the Surry in 1833

4). Dr. Edward Foord Bromley died at Strood, Kent on 29 June 1836 age 59 (Lady's Magazine)

References

[1] Preston Chronicle 7 July 1832

[2] The Morning Chronicle 3 May 1832 (from the Kilkenny Moderator)

[3] Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia Convict Ship Muster Rolls and Related Records, 1790-1849 Original data: New South Wales Government. Musters and other papers relating to convict ships. Series CGS 1155, Reels 2417-2428. State Records Authority of New South Wales. Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia.

[4] Journal of Edward Foord Bromley. Ancestry.com. UK, Royal Navy Medical Journals, 1817-1857 Original data: The National Archives. Kew, Richmond, Surrey.

[5] Bateson, Charles, Library of Australian History (1983). The Convict Ships, 1787-1868 (Australian ed). Library of Australian History, Sydney : pp.350-51.