Researchers who have claimed this convict
There is currently one researcher who has claimed Donald Twaddle
Biographies
Daniel Twaddle was born on the 15th of December 1800 to John Twaddle and Elizabeth Kilpatrick in Ponfeigh, near Carmichael, Lanarkshire, Scotland. He was baptised days later at Carmichael on the 21st of December ("Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950").
By 1823, Daniel was operating under multiple aliases. On the 27th of September, using the names "Donald, alias Daniel Twaddle, alias Ferguson," he appeared at the Glasgow High Court of Justiciary. He stood accused of stealing a silver watch and other items from Hugh Limburn’s Adelphi Street home on 23 January ("Circuit Intelligence-Glasgow," Scotsman, Midlothian, 1 Oct. 1823, p. 7.) Charged as a habitual thief, Daniel initially maintained his innocence. However, after the first witness testified, he retracted his plea and confessed. The jury found him guilty upon his own admission and he was sentenced to 14 years' transportation.
Six weeks later, he was transferred to Edinburgh as part of a convict cohort bound for the prison hulks ("Edinburgh," The Caledonian Mercury, 3 Nov. 1823, p. 3). The prisoners were held at Calton Gaol on Regent Road for nearly two weeks. Finally, on the 15th of November, the group, including Donald Twaddle, as he was then officially recognised and recorded, arrived at the convict hulk 'Retribution,' moored off Woolwich, Kent ("UK, Prison Hulk Registers and Letter Books, 1802-1849, Retribution-Register, 1802-1834").
The following February, London's Morning Post reported that a detachment of the 40th Regiment of Infantry was ordered to Sheerness, Kent, to board the convict ship 'Phoenix' as guards. Among the incarcerated transferred to the vessel on the 23rd of March 1824 while it lay anchored at the Nore sandbank in the Thames Estuary was Donald Twaddle. Though early press reports on the 31st of March announced that the 'Phoenix' had sailed directly for New South Wales, plans quickly changed. By the 5th of April, the transport ship cleared Portsmouth bound instead for Van Diemen’s Land.
The transport ship arrived in Hobart Town, Van Diemen’s Land, on the 21st of July, after briefly stopping at Tenerife. ("Ship News," Hobart Town Gazette and Van Diemen's Land Advertiser, Hobart, 24 Jul. 1824, p. 2.) Twaddle was amongst the 204 men landed. The prisoner was removed to the Campbell Street Prison Barracks in Hobart, where he would remain until his release. ("Australian Convict Transportation Registers-Other Fleets & Ships, 1791-1868")
According to Donald Twaddle's official conduct record, his trial and personal details reveal a history of petty crime. Documented under convict number 278, the file notes his "Good" gaol report, and his "Orderly" behaviour whilst on the hulk. The prisoner's official offence was listed as theft, though he himself admitted this offence was 'House Robbery.' The record also documents his single status, a string of three prior theft convictions, and family ties in the Daltons, nearby to Glasgow. ("CON31-1-42 image 96")
"Donald Twaddle, alias Daniel, alias Ferguson," became eligible for a "Free Certificate" when his sentence expired on 27 September 1837. He could claim the certificate by applying at the Muster Master's Office in Hobart Town. ("From the Hobart Town Gazette-Friday, August 25, 1837-Colonial Secretary's Office, Aug. 28," Launceston Advertiser, Launceston, 7 Sep. 1837, p. 4.)
The barque 'Lady Emma' departed Launceston on the 2nd of July 1839 with a cargo of live sheep and horses, dropping anchor at Port Adelaide on the 13th. The sailing vessel also brought four new settlers to the young colony. The quartet included Daniel Twaddle (known then as Donald Ferguson), who chose to make the new settlement his home. ("Adelaide Shipping Report," Southern Australian, Adelaide, 17 Jul. 1839, p.2.)
Submitted by Researcher (17546) on 15 July 2024
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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
"Australian Convict Transportation Registers-Other Fleets & Ships, 1791-1868": https://www.ancestry.com.au/discoveryui-content/view/112426:1180?
Submitted by Researcher (17546) on 18 July 2024
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"CON31-1-42 Image 96": https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON31-1-42/CON31-1-42p96
Submitted by Researcher (17546) on 18 July 2024
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"The Word on the Street: Broadsides at the National Library of Scotland-Trials and Sentences" Shelfmark: L.C.Fol.73(063,) Date of publication: 1823: https://deriv.nls.uk/dcn6/7441/74412378.6.pdf
Submitted by Researcher (17546) on 16 July 2024
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"UK, Prison Hulk Registers and Letter Books, 1802-1849, Retribution-Register, 1802-1834": https://www.ancestry.com.au/discoveryui-content/view/56357:1989?
Submitted by Researcher (17546) on 18 July 2024
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"Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950": https://www.ancestry.com.au/discoveryui-content/view/5986468:60143?
Submitted by Researcher (17546) on 15 July 2024
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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. Sources
- The National Archives (TNA) : HO 11/5, p.136
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