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Biographies
CONVICT EDWARD CUNNINGHAM (1829 – 1902)
Edward Cunningham was born about 1829 to John and Mary Cunningham, natives of London, England. John was a Ropemaker by trade. Their home Parish was St.George-in-the-East in London City.
Conviction
When he was 17, Edward, a tailor by trade, who could read and write, was convicted on 5 January 1846 in the Central Criminal Court London (Old Bailey) of burglary and sentenced to 10 years Transportation.
Edward was placed in Newgate Prison on 17 January 1846. He was registered as Convict No.8029.
An Exile
Edward Cunningham was transported as one of a group called ‘The Exiles’ on the ship "Joseph Somes". The Exiles were the only convicts transported directly to the Port Phillip District. They were Prisoners of the Crown who through meeting a set number of pre-requisites were offered Royal Pardons conditional upon their accepting transportation to the Australian Colonies. Their pardons took effect on disembarkation.
The sailing ship "Joseph Somes" was one of the transport ships, departing Spithead 4 June 1847 and arriving at Point Henry, Geelong on 24 September 1847.
Australian Arrival
Newspaper reports on the arrival of the vessel clearly indicate that within the colonial population many settlers had severe reservations about the arrival of the transportees, regardless of the fact that all had been granted a Royal Pardon.
The first task for the exiles was to find work. For many transportees this had been pre-arranged.
The "Nominal List of Exiles" contains the names of the exiles, their age, marital status, literacy skills, former trade, trade taught in prison, crime, sentence, when and where convicted, and when and where received. Edward’s records show that he did not undertake any trade training while in prison.
Despite the fact that "all of the exiles had undergone instruction in a trade in prison and many were tradesmen before their incarceration ... only a few found employment in their trades, the bulk (being) employed by the squatters as shepherds or labourers". Wages offered were typically within the range from 18 to 26 pounds per annum and contracts varied from 1 month to 2 years.
On the Disposal List of “exiles” from the "Joseph Somes", Edward Cunningham was amongst the last listed of the 248 on-board. He left the ship without employment meaning that he would have received no further Government support. The Disposal document recorded that Edward was "Sent on shore not having obtained employment to their liking on board".
Early Settler
As a free man, Exile Edward worked in the trade of a Splitter - operated a splitting machine or one who split things by hand, e.g. stone, timber etc.
The Government Gazette March 1851 printed a Monthly List of persons who have taken out licenses to depasture stock, to cut timber, and to strip bark in the district of Port Phillip. Edward Cunningham was listed to take out a Timber License in the County of Bourke.
On 13 July 1854, when aged 25 years, Edward married Martha Canavan at Colac. Martha was a 21 year old Servant who came from Dublin to Australia with her sister Mary. Edward gave his trade as labourer at his wedding.
Edward and Martha’s first child was son John born at Colac on 10 April 1855. Edward gave his trade as a splitter.
When second son Edward’s birth was registered at Smythesdale in 1865, the family address was recorded as being Scarsdale Road and Edward (senior) was working as a carter. Later at son Harry’s birth in 1867 the address was German Hill, Smythesdale, with his occupation Wood Splitter.
Family Life
The Cunningham family moved to Tasmania in the 1870’s where Edward was a Hotel Keeper at Whyte River at one stage. Edward and Martha moved back to Victoria and lived at Beverine Street Sebastopol, Ballarat. He worked as a gardener. Edward died by strangulation caused by hanging himself on 11 August 1902 aged 73 years. He was buried in the New Ballarat Cemetery.
Submitted by Researcher (David Dwyer) on 9 August 2017
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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 11/15, p.179
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