Researchers who have claimed this convict
There is currently one researcher who has claimed Alfred Shaw
Biographies
John Smedley, alias Alfred Shaw, was born at Tansley, in Derbyshire, on the 22nd of November 1823, to Daniel Smedley (1791-1842) and Ruth Kniveton (1789-1867). He was baptised nearby, at Matlock, on the 1st of June 1828. ("St Giles' Church Baptisms, 1822-1829") Alfred Shaw appeared at the Surrey Court of Quarter Sessions, at Newington, on the 8th of September 1845, where he “was indicted for stealing, at Lambeth, a waistcoat, the property of Henry Hunt, the proprietor of a ready-made clothes warehouse.” The evidence heard established his guilt, “the jury returned (the) verdict, ... and the sentence was that he be transported for seven years.” ("Surrey Sessions-Sept. 9," Standard, London, 10 Sept. 1845, p. 8.)
Alfred Shaw was taken to Horsemonger Lane Gaol, in Newington, Southwark, where he remained until he was transferred to Millbank Prison, Westminster, on the 19th of September. The prisoner was moved to the convict-hulk 'Warrior,' moored off Woolwich, near Greenwich, on the 3rd of November. He would abide there prior to his planned transportation, on the 8th instant, to the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar, on the convict ship 'Asia,' to work on the fortifications. ("Millbank, County Middlesex, Prisoners' Register 1845") Delayed by inclement weather, the former merchant brig finally departed from Plymouth, Devonshire, for Van Diemen’s Land, via Gibraltar, on the 22nd of November 1845. Alfred Shaw was among the cohort of convicts received at Gibraltar, on the 6th of December 1845, who were incarcerated aboard the prison hulk 'Europa.' (UK, Prison Commission Records, 1770-1951)
On the 4th of February 1851, London's morning newspaper reported: “The Cornwall, ... arrived opposite the Royal Arsenal ... (at Woolwich) to take on convicts bound for Van Diemen's Land ... (VDL,) and will call at Gibraltar to take on a number of convicts to the same destination.” ("The Navy-Appointments," Morning Chronicle, London, 4 Feb. 1851, p. 7.) The barque sailed from Portsmouth, in Hampshire, on the 24th of February, for Gibraltar and Hobart Town. ("Shipping Intelligence-Received This Day," Morning Chronicle, London, 25 Feb. 1851, p. 3.) Alfred Shaw had remained in good health during his detention at Gibraltar, and his conduct was “good” although, at times, he was “indifferent." On the 8th of March, he was released from the 'Europa,' and he embarked on the 'Cornwall' destined for VDL. (UK, Prison Commission Records, 1770-1951)
On the 11th of June, the 'Cornwall' arrived at Hobart Town “from Portsmouth 25th February, and Gibraltar 15th March.” ("Shipping News-Port of Hobart Town," Courier, Hobart, 14 Jun. 1851, p. 2.) The prisoner was removed to the Hobart Prison Barracks. ("Australian Convict Transportation Registers-Other Fleets & Ships, 1791-1868")
Convict 24553's Conduct Record confirms Alfred Shaw's trial, sentence, and arrival in the colony: (“Tried Newington QS [Quarter Sessions] 18 [sic] Sept 1845” / “7 years” / “Arrvd [Arrived] 11 June 1851;”) his religion and literacy: (“CE [Church of England]” / “read and write;”) his crime: (“Stg [Stealing] a waistcoat;”) his gaol report: (“2nd Conviction” / “Gibraltar good” / “Stated this offence Stg [Stealing] clothes fm [from] ab [about] the New Cut Lambeth.” / “For a book 3 Mos [Months;]”) and his trade: (“Cutler - [Knife Seller/Sharpener.]”) ("CON33-1-103 image 253")
Alfred Shaw's Indent Record confirms his birth name: ("P/name [Proper name] John Smedley;) his native place: Tansley, Derbyshire;) and details of his family: ("M [Mother] Ruth; B [Brothers] George/Thomas; [and] S [Sisters] Mary/Elizabeth/Ann.) ("CON14-1-14 image 445")
Alfred Shaw received his "Free Certificate" on the 21st of September 1852. ("Tasmania Australia Convict Court and Selected Records 1800-1899") On the 9th of March 1853, he embarked as a crewman on the 'City of Sydney' and arrived at Portland Bay, Victoria, on the 11th inst.
Submitted by Researcher (17546) on 8 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
"St Giles' Church Baptisms, 1822-1829": https://www.andrewsgen.com/matlock/reg/bap/1822.htm
Submitted by Researcher (17546) on 9 July 2024
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"England & Wales, Criminal Registers, 1791-1892": https://www.ancestry.com.au/discoveryui-content/view/1202960:1590?
Submitted by Researcher (17546) on 9 July 2024
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"England & Wales, Criminal Registers, 1791-1892": https://www.ancestry.com.au/discoveryui-content/view/1384172:1590?
Submitted by Researcher (17546) on 9 July 2024
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"Millbank, County Middlesex, Prisoners' Register": https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-812721550/view:
(See Image 229)
Submitted by Researcher (17546) on 9 July 2024
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"England, Criminal Lunatic Asylum Registers, 1820-1876": https://www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/9163/images/ho8_086_00076?pId=429632
Submitted by Researcher (17546) on 9 July 2024
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"Australian Convict Transportation Registers-Other Fleets & Ships, 1791-1868": https://www.ancestry.com.au/discoveryui-content/view/29433:1180?
Submitted by Researcher (17546) on 13 July 2024
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"CON33-1-103 Image 253": https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON33-1-103P253
Submitted by Researcher (17546) on 13 July 2024
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"CON14-1-41 Image 445": https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON14-1-41P445
Submitted by Researcher (17546) on 13 July 2024
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"Tasmania Australia Convict Court and Selected Records 1800-1899": https://www.ancestry.com.au/discoveryui-content/view/118755:60920?
Submitted by Researcher (17546) on 13 July 2024
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"Surrey Sessions-9 Sept.," Standard, London, 10 Sept. 1845, p. 8.
Submitted by Researcher (17546) on 2 November 2025
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"UK, Prison Commission Records, 1770-1951":
https://www.ancestry.com.au/search/collections/61810/records/301299?
Submitted by Researcher (17546) on 2 November 2025
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"The Navy-Appointments," Morning Chronicle, London, 04 Feb. 1851, p. 7.
Submitted by Researcher (17546) on 2 November 2025
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"Shipping Intelligence-Received This Day," Morning Chronicle, London, 25 Feb. 1851, p. 3.
Submitted by Researcher (17546) on 2 November 2025
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"Shipping News-Port of Hobart Town," Courier, Hobart, 14 Jun. 1851, p. 2.
Submitted by Researcher (17546) on 2 November 2025
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"Shaw Alfred-Departures":
https://librariestas.ent.sirsidynix.net.au/client/en_AU/names/search/results?qu=alfred&qu=shaw
Submitted by Researcher (17546) on 2 November 2025
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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 11/17, p.58
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