Researchers who have claimed this convict
There are currently 4 researchers who have claimed John Hodges
- Researcher (3374)
- Researcher (7536)
- Researcher (Kelvin Skyrme)
- Researcher (Trish Sanson)
|
 |
Biographies
This Biography of John Hodges was written and compiled by Trish Sanson in March 2023. All research completed is as accurate as possible and is publicly available through online indexes or websites. Trish is John’s great great granddaughter.
John Hodges was born in 1811 in Withington, County of Herefordshire, London to Stephen Hodges and Martha West.
At the age of 22 years, he was convicted of house breaking at the Hereford Assizes on 20 April 1832. It is not known what he stole. He was sentenced to Life-transportation.
Petitions for Pardon 1819-1858:
Thomas Corbett applied to the Honourable Lord Melbourne, his majesty’s principal secretary of state in the home department for a pardon for John on 28 April 1832, the very person’s house he broke into!
The document states that John stole a small quantity of pewter and was instigated and assisted by three other person who are not in custody, and many years older – who John became acquainted with in a very short period of time. It also states that he has not committed any other offences against the laws. Thomas has known John since he was an infant. The document also states that he has an aged father, lamenting his untimely fate.
The other petition dated 27 March 1832 also states that John also stole 2 hams of bacon. In this document, it states that John is a labouring man, only twenty-two years of age and had the misfortune not to be bought up to any trade or calling. He was left entirely destitute to the world for support and has been shut out of any employment for the last five months.
Accompanied by severe disposition, which occasioned extreme want, that alone was the only motive which urged him to commit a crime. It goes on to say that he has been greatly afflicted from his infancy, with almost an incessant indisposition, scarce ever able to work for a livelihood a month together and since being confined within the walls of the prison, his constitution is very much impaired and is now lying in the Prison Hospital on a bed of sickness, with little hopes of recovery.
They begged Lord Melbourne that mercy be extended to prevent him from being banished to a foreign country and to remain in England. John stated that he would freely submit to solitary confinement and hard labour in the county goal. The Petition was denied.
John was transported to the colonies (Australia) on the Convict Ship called the Parmelia. He was one of 200 convicts transported on this ship.
The Parmelia arrived in Port Jackson, NSW, Australia 13 weeks later on 16 November 1832.It wasn’t until Thursday 28 Nov 1832 that the prisoners were allowed to embark from the ship.
There is an entry in the New South Wales, Australia, Settler and Convict Lists, 1787-1834, that shows John Hodges from the Parmelia employed at the hospital in Sydney. In 1833, the next reference to him in NSW Government Gazette shows John Hodges from the Parmelia assigned to work for Thomas Wills at Lower Minto since 28 September 1833
However, in 1939, John was listed as an apprehended runaway from T Willis in Bathurst. John received his Ticket of Leave on 23 Dec 1844.At the bottom of the Ticket, it states Allowed to remain in the district of Bathurst.
There are two entries for John Hodges in the New South Wales, Australia, Registers of Convicts Applications to Marry, 1826-1851. The first one was on 25 April 1846 where permission was granted for John to marry Bridget Donlin, aged 18yrs as a free passenger to Australia. I cannot find any marriage certificate to confirm that this was a relationship.
However, the Reverend P Bourgeios of Bathurst granted John permission to marry Mary Gilmore on 24 Apr 1848. John and Mary married on 17 Jan 1855 in Bathurst. They had 6 children:Henry b 1849, Lucy b 1851, James b 1852, Julia b 1854, Mary b 1856 & Thomas b 1858. John died at the Warra Murtie Hotel,mear Bourke on 24 Feb 1883 aged 72 years old. He is buried in the Warra Murtie Cemetery, Bourke Shire, NSW. No photo of the grave is available
Submitted by Researcher (Trish Sanson) on 19 March 2023
|
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 11/8, p.375
|
