Researchers who have claimed this convict
There are currently 11 researchers who have claimed James Timmins
- Researcher (248)
- Researcher (Michelle Orchard)
- Researcher (Kaye Nebauer)
- Researcher (Lyn Millar)
- Researcher (6155)
- Researcher (rick pascoe)
- Researcher (7983)
- Researcher (James Hall)
- Researcher (12131)
- Researcher (Meagan Lawson)
- Researcher (Louise Bonwick)
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Biographies
James Timmins was native to County Cavan, Ireland and born circa 1757. He was tried at Kilmainham, Dublin in July 1798 and sentenced to “Life” for his part in the 1798 Rebellion. Crime stated as "United Irishman". Irish convicts in 1798, who admitted to an act of treason, were offered in return a life sentence, and in James Timmins’ case, sent to New South Wales never allowed to return to his homeland.
It appears those Rebels and Deserters captured during the Rebellion were sent to the Military Depot of New Geneva Barracks at Waterford, Ireland and held until a vessel became available. James Timmins was on board the convict ship "Friendship" when she set sail from Cork on 24th August 1799. In the journal of Mrs Mary Ann Reed, wife of Captain Reed, Master of the convict ship “Friendship", she describes the convicts as: “defeated insurgents who by lenity of government, were allowed to embark without trial. Many men of considerable fortune had been swayed by disaffection to revolt and were now embarked on board the Friendship”. The majority of convicts aboard this vessel came from what was termed “light professions” and “genteel habits” and would not add significant strength to the labouring gangs in the settlement as they were not accustomed to hard, physical work.
The "Friendship" was one of only four convict ships that arrived into the colony in 1800. James arrived into the colony just after the First, Second and Third Fleet arrivals and not at the peak of the transportation period in 1834. Had he been transported at a later date, James may not have been transported given his age, but in 1798 to early 1799, Ireland was desperate to offload as many prisoners as possible. Gaols were overcrowded, sickness amongst prisoners was high and many were escaping on a continual basis.
Early Muster records show James Timmins had many spelling variations of his surname: Tommons, Tummon, Tumman, Timmonds, Timmings, Timmin, Tummings and Timmins. The Settlers' Muster Book 1800-1802, List 4, is the earliest surviving record for James Timmins, which shows that he had his ticket of leave in 1801, was Off Stores, a Salt Maker by trade and was assigned to Capt Aicken. In the Musters and Lists NSW and Norfolk Island 1800 – 1802, Carol Baxter mentioned this convict by name, as having an unusual and interesting occupation of Salt Maker. When Governor King arrived in the Colony 1800 - 1804, he first issued tickets of leave to any convicts who seemed able to support themselves, in order to save on providing them with food from the government store. Given what we know about the convicts that arrived on the “Friendship”, this would then explain why at the census date for 1801 James had his ticket of leave.
By 1805 James Timmins managed to earn enough money to purchase 42½ acres of land, a part of Matthew’s Farm at Yarramundi Lagoon, an area of rich, river flats and highly productive farming land. The following year he had planted 3 acres Wheat, 6 acres Barley, 10 acres pasture, 1 acre Fallow, a total of 20 acres under cultivation. The stock he owned were 6 sheep and 4 hogs. Bushels in hand of wheat 3, maize 6. At Census time was the only person recorded on his land and was self-supporting.
James married an English, convict girl named Ann Baldwin at St. Philip, Church of England, Sydney 6th Sept 1807. James and Ann Timmins had a large family of 13 children.
His Conditional Pardon was issued on the 31st January 1814. Description: Native place: Co Cavan, Trade: Labourer, Age: 50 Years, Height: 5 feet 5 inches, Complexion: dark & sallow, Hair: Black to Grey, Eyes: Hazel.
The 1822 Muster records clearly show that his farm was productive, and he was able to support his growing family, whilst also contributing to the Government Stores.
James Timmins died on the 21st February 1837 and is buried in the Roman Catholic Cemetery, Windsor, NSW, Australia. His headstone is still standing.
Submitted by Researcher (6155) on 10 June 2020
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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
State Records NSW: Convict Indents - First Fleet, Second Fleet and ships to 1801; NRS 1150, Sentenced beyond the Seas:
Australia's early convict records, 1788-1801. SZ 115, National Library Australia
Submitted by Researcher (6155) on 23 July 2020
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State Records NSW: Alphabetical Indent, 1788-1800; NRS 12188, 4/4003, 4/4003A, pp.6-25, 34-103
Submitted by Researcher (6155) on 23 July 2020
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Durey, The Fate of the Rebels After 1798, pp. 21- 27.
Wikipedia. "Society of United Irishmen". Last modified 21 May 2016.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society_of_United_Irishmen
Submitted by Researcher (6155) on 23 July 2020
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http://www.nationalarchives.ie/genealogy1/genealogy-records/ireland-australia-transportation-records-1791-1853/
Submitted by Researcher (6155) on 23 July 2020
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Graham, Col; McIntyre, Perry; Whitaker, Anne-Maree, "The Voyage of the ship Friendship from Cork to Botany Bay 1799 - 1800", Sydney 2000, pp. 3-4
Submitted by Researcher (6155) on 23 July 2020
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Reed, Mary Ann, Cursory Remarks Aboard the Friendship, The Asiatic Journal and Monthly Register for British India and its Dependencies, Vol VIII, 1819, pp. 238-239
Submitted by Researcher (6155) on 23 July 2020
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The Library Committee of the Commonwealth Parliament, "Historical Records of Australia", Series 1, Governors’ Despatches to and from England, Sydney: William Applegate Gullick, Government Printer, 1
Submitted by Researcher (6155) on 23 July 2020
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Charles Bateson, The Convict Ships 1787 - 1868, Sydney, 2004.
Submitted by Researcher (6155) on 23 July 2020
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Baxter, Carol J, "General Musters of New South Wales, Norfolk Island and Van Diemen's Land 1811", Sydney: ABGR in association with the Society of Australian Genealogists, 1987, p. xviii
Submitted by Researcher (6155) on 23 July 2020
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Baxter, Carol J, "Musters and Lists, New South Wales and Norfolk Island 1800 - 1802", Sydney: ABGR in association with the Society of Australian Genealogists,1988.
Submitted by Researcher (6155) on 23 July 2020
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https://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/convicts-and-the-british-colonies
Submitted by Researcher (6155) on 23 July 2020
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Close, Val, "Corn and Pumpkins and Yarramundi", Toronto: E & J Taylor, 1986, pp. 2-4
Submitted by Researcher (6155) on 23 July 2020
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Baxter, Carol J, "Musters of New South Wales and Norfolk Island 1805 - 1806", Sydney: ABGR in association with the Society of Australian Genealogists, 1989.
Submitted by Researcher (6155) on 23 July 2020
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NSW Marriage Certificate1807/393 Vol:4 James Timmin and Ann Baldwin
Submitted by Researcher (6155) on 23 July 2020
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State Records NSW: Convict Index - Conditional Pardon 1814, 4/4427; COD18, Reel 601, p. 683, James Tumming
Submitted by Researcher (6155) on 23 July 2020
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State Records NSW: Convict Index - Ticket of Leave, 1810, 4/4427; COD18, Reel 601 p. 580, James Timmings
Submitted by Researcher (6155) on 23 July 2020
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State Records NSW: Convict Index - Ticket of Leave, 1811, 4/4427; COD18, Reel 601 p. 572, James Timmings
Submitted by Researcher (6155) on 23 July 2020
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Baxter, Carol J, "General Musters and Land and Stock Muster of New South Wales 1822", Sydney: ABGR in association with the Society of Australian Genealogists, 1988.
Submitted by Researcher (6155) on 23 July 2020
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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. |
