Researchers who have claimed this convict
There is currently one researcher who has claimed John Cothay
Biographies
Background:
Born 1798 in Chittlehampton, Devon, England.
Baptised in Chittlehampton on 19/02/1798 – other sources say 16/12/1798. Parents were John and Grace Cothay (born in the 1760s?). No information about his death so far.
Crime & Punishment:
February 1817 – committed burglary.
Found guilty on 19/03/1817 at Devon Assizes (Exeter) and sentenced to death. At some point this was commuted to transportation to Australia with a 7 year sentence.
The Journey:
Arrived on the prison hulk ship Laurel in Portsmouth on 23/05/1817 awaiting transportation.
In October 1817 set sail to (unknown) on the ship Batavia.
On 22/12/1817 set sail to Van Dieman's Land (Tasmania).
Arrived on the ship Lady Castlereagh on 11/06/1818.
Life in Australia:
1820 - living in Port Dalrymple (now George Town), Van Diemen's Land.
30/08/1824 John was mentioned in letter from Colonial Office (possibly in relation to being transported to Hobart, capital of Tasmania and possibly as part of being given his freedom).
07/10/1824 – given his freedom.
Following recorded in the Australian census of 1828 – living in Bathurst, New South Wales, occupation – labourer, religion – protestant.
05/06/1830 – new certificate of freedom issued as the original one was destroyed. Received the duplicate on 13/07/1830. On this John is described as being 5 foot 4 inches tall, having a fresh - pock faced complexion, brown hair and hazel eyes.
02/01/1834 he was given permission to marry Mary Ann Kelso. (Note: Mary Ann had also been convicted for burglary in Glasgow’s Court of Justiciary on 19/10/1833 and sent for transportation – 7 years sentence. She was transported to New South Wales on HMS Buffalo on 04/05/1833, arriving at Sydney Cove on 05/10/1833).
Married on 29/05/1834 at Sutton Forest, New South Wales. Marriage registered at Berrima Bong Bong. Sources also say marriage was at Camden, New South Wales.
28/09/1883 – John was living at Broadmeadows, Melbourne, Victoria - renting the property from John Henderson (although the source for this is not convincing).
General Information:
1) John is mentioned in the book 'The Last Farewell' by Jack Walton. It's about Devon convicts transported to Australia 1782 - 1821.
2) A number of sources refer to ‘Mary Ann Kelso’ after her marriage to John e.g. when pardoned on 19/10/1838, so I’m not sure if she took the surname Cothay when she married John.
Submitted by Researcher (7146) on 11 November 2016
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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 11/2, p.398
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