Researchers who have claimed this convict
There is currently one researcher who has claimed James Howcutt
- Researcher (Francis Howcutt)
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Biographies
James was baptised at Brixworth in 1806, the fourth of ten children of Thomas and Elizabeth Howcutt. In his youth, the family suffered reduced circumstances. Thomas had been a farmer but by 1815 was described as a butcher and later a labourer. One source describes James as a farmer and ploughman, but his convict record in Tasmania indicates he had worked as a carrier.
Among those convicted at Northampton Assizes in March 1827 were Edward Blunt, James Howcutt and William Smith. They were charged with breaking into the house of Edward Walton of Brixworth and stealing a silver watch, silk handkerchief, two cotton handkerchiefs, a pocket knife, two curtain rings and two tickets. Sentences of death were recorded but all three commuted to transportation for life.
James Howcutt appears on the muster for 30 June 1827 of convicts on board the hulk "Leviathan" in Portsmouth Harbour. Australian records state he was also kept on the hulk "York". When transported, James was 5 feet 3¾ inches tall with brown hair and blue eyes. He had 9 shillings and 2 pence with him when he left England.
On 7 December, the "Asia" arrived at Hobart. The guard and 198 surviving convicts were landed one week later, two prisoners having died at sea.
James remained in Tasmania for at least 24 years. The convict returns for 1830 show him assigned to Mr G. Brooks. At the end of 1832, James was recorded as a constable. By the end of 1833, he was engaged on public works. On 11 April 1834, James was accused of neglect of duty in allowing two prisoners to escape; he was admonished and returned to his task.
James' next offence appears on 5 November 1834 when he was accused of being drunk and in neglect of his duty, for which he was fined 20 shillings. On 28 April 1835, James was granted a "ticket-of-leave". He resigned from the Police with effect from 30 June 1835.
On 23 September 1835, James was accused of embezzling barley from his employer George Dudfield. He was sentenced on 26 October to four years' hard labour in the “Bridgewater Chain Gang". However, on 12 November, the Lieutenant Governor ordered James to be restored to his ticket of leave with absolute remission of the sentence. On 17 November, James was assigned to public works.
James was working for "Morley" in June 1839 when he was convicted of disorderly conduct and sentenced to one-month hard labour and removal from the district where he had been living. On 2 July, he went to Cleveland District and on 22 May 1840 to Norfolk Plains.
In December 1841, James is recorded as being employed in the "Cleveland Party".
On 11 November 1842, James was found guilty of a breach of the Police Act and fined ten shillings. Further misconduct resulted in admonishment later that year.
Despite these lapses, James was conditionally pardoned on 18 October 1843. The last entry on James' convict record is extension of his conditional pardon on 27 July 1852.
The first major discovery of gold in Victoria took place in 1851. By mid-1853, about 60,000 gold diggers congregated on the Victorian goldfields. A petition, complaining about matters including the licence fee of 30 shillings a month, was presented by miners on 1 August 1853 included the signature of James Howcutt. This is the final record found of James. He did not marry, father children or die in England or Wales, so James probably spent the rest of his life in Australia. He has no known descendants.
Submitted by Researcher (Francis Howcutt) on 6 March 2021
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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
There are currently no research notes attached to this convict. Sources
- The National Archives (TNA) : HO 11/6, p.253
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