Researchers who have claimed this convict
There are currently 5 researchers who have claimed James Daniels
- Researcher (1329)
- Researcher (9724)
- Researcher (Nigel Butterfield)
- Researcher (Julie Saunders)
- Researcher (peter daniel)
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Biographies
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James Daniel Colour Sergeant/ Convicted Murderer / Convict/ Constable/ Pioneer /Shoemaker/ Farmer / Patriarch and family man -James Daniel was born in 1794 and baptised on 5 April 1795 at St John’s church in Burslem, Staffordshire – the son of Thomas Daniel, a potter, and his wife Elizabeth (nee Simpson) who were married in Burslem on 17 Nov 1783.James surname was Daniel, and it appeared as such on the majority of documentation throughout his life. The name Daniels has also been adopted by certain of his descendants - eg Elizabeth Daniels who married William Butterfield. Part of the problem may be that James's own signature finishes with a small florish which may or may not be taken as an 's'! At the age of 17, the young James Daniel enlisted in HM 80th Foot on 1 May 1811 joining the Regiment in India in August 1811. The 80th or Staffordshire Volunteers had been posted out to India in 1802 and by 1811 only had 5 years remaining of their 15 year posting. It is probable that he was recruited in the Staffordshire area the main catchment area for the 80th. By 1814, James was recorded as a corporal in 80th Regiment of Foot based at Fort St George, Madras, and had taken a wife Hannah (her details unknown but it is probable that she was Eurasian or Anglo Indian) and they went on to have three children Elizabeth (1814); Annie (1817) and Jane (1820). Photos of the original baptism records for each are on their respective media files – all clearly identify James by his rank and regiment, and indicate that he was actually married to Hannah, although no record of the marriage has been found. He remained with the 80th as a Corporal until 1817, when the Regiment was recalled to the UK. James however elected to stay in India , (where pay and conditions were better and he now had family ties), and on 17 Jan 1817 volunteered for the 1st Battalion 69th Regiment (the South Lincolnshires ). The 69th had been in India since 1805, and in 1817 were stationed at Bangalore, with a detachment at Mysore. From 1817 the muster rolls show the 69th Regiment of Foot being committed to the Pindari Campaign or 3rd Maratha War which lasted in its fiercest form until 1819, during which time they saw action at the assaults on Wassota, Sholapoor and Copaul Droog.James, who joined the 69th as a private , but was restored to his previous rank of corporal by March 1817, and on 4th June 1818 was promoted to Sergeant. By 1820 the Regiment had been transferred to Cannanore and in June 1820 James became Colour Sergeant. He is said to have been wounded three times during the Deccan campaign. However by 1822 James's name had disappeared from the Muster Rolls, and tracing back on earlier rolls revealed the following entries against him (see also photographs in Media) May 1821 - "Prisoner in charge of Civil Power"July 1821 - "Committed of a murder and sentenced death by the Supreme Court at Madras- struck off by order of the Commander in Chief"The following is an extract from the Madras Government Gazette dated 12 July 1821:-…..The second case of murder was the case of Sergeant James Daniels of His Majestys 69th Regiment stationed at Cannanore, for the murder of Ibrahim Cawna , Colker of the Cutwalls Choultry, there on Sunday 29th April, by stabbing him with his sword, of which he instantly died- an act which can only be accounted for as one of diabolical revenge against the Colker for having done his duty- or a wanton killing of a Native for the purposes of getting away from the duties of the Regiment, and being sent down to Madras, as no provocation whatever appears that can justify or excuse it.It is stated by the informations that Sergeant James Daniels and private Crawford Kilday , with five other soldiers of the same Regiment, having absconded from duty and deserted from the Regiment on Saturday 28 April last, .... Sadly insufficient room for full Bio so see part 2
Submitted by Researcher (Nigel Butterfield) on 8 February 2020
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