Researchers who have claimed this convict
There is currently one researcher who has claimed Joshua Needham
- Researcher (Marianne Webb)
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Biographies
Born 28 Jul 1799 Westminster, London England
Married Sarah Skelding 3rd Aug 1821 at St Mary's Lambert London.
He has 5 children, 4 of which ended up migrating to Van Diemen's Land
Convicted in York for receiving stolen goods (a silver plate), on 29th Jun 1840. Transportation for 14yrs.
Spent time on a hulk (prison boats moored awaiting arrival of transportation ships) – The Fortutude
Left on the Lady Raffles from Portsmouth on the,24th Nov 1840, arriving in Van Diemen’s Land on the 17th March 1841 – where he is now documewnted as being able to read and write. Many convicts learnt this their journey to Van Diemen’s Land
Joshua’s documented features were as follows. – house painter & soap boiler; natural place St Martins; 42years old, 5foot 8inches; dark complexion; long build; black hair and whiskers; long face; dark brown eyebrows; grey eyes; long nose; lost sight in left eye with scar over left eyebrow.
On arrival he was 42 years old, had conducted himself well on the ship and his probationary 18months was list to be at “WaterW” – guessing water works???
The probation system replaced the assignment system for male convicts in 1840. When they arrived, the government no longer assigned them to free settlers. Instead convicts worked on government gangs for a period ‘on probation’. In time, and depending on their behaviour, they passed through stages of the probation process. Restrictions reduced as they moved towards ‘Ticket of Leave’ status, where then they could work for a wage.
Joshua’s probation would have started at the Third Class and progressing to the First. Each such class had different labour requirements, accommodation and ration allowances attached. Perhaps the initial quality of food and accommodation was not that great as between 18th & the 26th of October 1841, Joshua was a patient at the Royal Derwent Hospital. The records state that he was in “government employment” and had been transferred from the “Colo” Colonial Hospital Hobart. The Colonial Hospital, run by the Convict Department, opened in Liverpool Street, Hobart in 1820. It provided the headquarters of the medical establishment and hospital services to convicts. In 1860, responsibility for the Hospital was transferred to the newly established colonial government. The Colonial Hospital became the Hobart General Hospital.
From his conduct report, on the 14th Aug 1842, Joshua neglected his duties as a “wardsman” his punishment was to be dropped back to 3rd class for a period of a month. From other “Ancestry” entries, Joshua must have completed his probation becoming a foreman on a New Norfolk Road building gang. He then proceeded to being a farm worker in the Huon Valley.
Conditional Pardon was recommended on the 20th of June 1849; and The Hobart Colonial Times reported on the 23rd of June 1849, that this was granted. The Lieutenant-Governor could recommend the Crown grant a conditional pardon to a convict. The pardon stated what the convict could and could not do and stated the limitations of their movements.
Joshua was granted full pardon on the 4th September 1852 – 11 years into his 14 year sentence. Prior to this on the 8th of June, Joshua was granted passage for his wife and children. Now classified as a “Settler” living in the Huon, on the 1st December 1853 Joshua paid 8 pounds for the “family passage” of his wife and 2 daughters.
Sarah and their daughters Julia (19) and Alice(16) departed Birkenhead on the Sir Allan McNab, arriving in Hobart on the 1st of February 1854.
Joshua’s son Frederick and family also his daughter Ann travelled to Van Diemen’s Land the following year under the indenture migration system, where Joshua was basically their sponsor/employer for their first year. Working for an employer reduced the cost of passage which cost 8pounds for the family because of Joshua’s sponsorship. It is thought that Joshua was given land to farm in the Huon Valley, but further research is required.
Died 19th Jul 1880 General Hosp.
Submitted by Researcher (Marianne Webb) on 8 September 2023
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Disclaimer: The information has not been verified by Claim a Convict. As this information is contributed, it is the responsibility of those who use the data to verify its accuracy. Research notes
There are currently no research notes attached to this convict. Sources
- The National Archives (TNA) : HO 11/12, p.257
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