Researchers who have claimed this convict
There is currently one researcher who has claimed William Jones
- Researcher (Chris Nilsen)
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Biographies
James Purdy was born c1829 in Lambeth, London. He was one of six children born to Joseph & Margaret Purdy. As a boy he worked as a “Tubman’. James grew up in Lambeth.
At the age of 13 James gets in trouble with the law. Though this is not the first time. Apparently he had already spent 2 months in gaol for theft of some boots. But on this occasion, going by the alias of William Jones, he is caught stealing 17 silk handkerchiefs and 11/7 pence in money from a shop in Hertford. He is tried at Hertford on the 17-10-1842 and sentenced to 7 years.
James was initially received at Hertford Gaol as part of the standard holding arrangements, and then on 26-10-1842 he is transferred to Parkhurst Prison on the Isle of Wight, arriving there on the 8-11-1842. His Gaoler’s Report commented that his character was regarded as “Bad”. He was single but there was no indication as to whether or not he could read and write. He was discharged from Parkhurst Prison on 13-4-1844 and sent to Millbank Prison in London, presumably categorised as “incorrigible” (that is, incapable of reform), and therefore to be transported as an adult convict to Van Diemen’s Land.
James travelled to Van Diemen’s land aboard the ‘Barossa’ along with 321 other convicts, 2 of whom die on the way. The Barossa received prisoners from Millbank Prison on the 3rd & 4th of May 1844 and sailed from Woolwich on the 14th May and finally departing from Downs, Kent on the 17th May 1844. The Barossa arrived in Hobart on the 6th September 1844 after an 111-day journey via Tenerife.
James is a protestant who can read. At age 14 he is 4’11 ½ ’’ tall but grew to 5’1 ¼ by age 16. He worked as a carpenter and boot maker.
As a convict he is called William Jones. In all the records he is listed as ‘William Jones alias James Purdy’, with his proper name recorded as James Purdy.
The surgeons report for James on his arrival in Hobart has him classified as ‘indifferent’. This meant that James was sent straight to Point Puer at Pt. Arthur where he was to serve a probationary period of twelve months.
James spent four years at Point Puer, learning carpentry and boot making. On the 7-9-1848 he became a Probationary Pass Holder and was eligible to be assigned as convict labour. He arrived at the Prisoners’ Barracks in Hobart on 12-9-1848.
After leaving Point Puer we know he spends time in Hobart, Launceston and Longford. He seems to have some difficulty as a convict, getting into trouble twice for ‘neglect of duty’ and ‘misconduct’. He receives 2 and 3 months ‘imprisonment and hard labour’ respectively for these offences.
He receives his certificate of freedom on the 26-10-1849.
James leaves Tasmania and moves to Melbourne around 1851. In the two years before moving to Melbourne he possibly worked as a boot maker in Longford or Launceston. This is probably where he was when he was granted his freedom.
He apparently married Sarah Jane Miller in 1851 in Melbourne. There is no record of this marriage, although civil registrations didn’t begin in Victoria until 1-7-1853. Sarah does remarry in 1859 using her maiden name Miller, which would suggest that she was never married to James Purdy.
James Purdy and Sarah Jane Miller had 2 sons:
1)James Purdy. *Born c1852, probably in Melbourne.
*Died in 1853 in Melbourne, age 11 months and buried 22-2-1853 by St. Francis RC Church.
2)James Alexander Purdy. *Born 4-7-1853 at 128 Queen Street, Melbourne. Baptised 2-11-1853-St. James C of E in Melbourne.
James’(2) birth certificate states that James the father was deceased at the time of the birth registration on 31-10-1853. As civil registrations didn’t begin in Victoria until 1-7-1853 it is likely that James died prior to 1st July. James baptism record on 2-11-1853 records the fathers’ occupation as a shoemaker, but there is no mention here that he was deceased.
Submitted by Researcher (Chris Nilsen) on 8 January 2016
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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 11/14, p.89
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