Researchers who have claimed this convict
There is currently one researcher who has claimed James Hall
- Researcher (Richard Rogers)
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Biographies
James Hall lived in Martham, Norfolk. From the Parish Registry, he appears to have been born in the village and was baptised in St Mary the Virgin, Martham on 1 August 1784. His parents were Jonathan and Sarah Hall. James was married on 3 August 1806 to Virtue Tye at St Mary the Virgin. From the Baptism records of St Mary’s church it appears that they had a son Benjamin, who was entered on the record 8 May 1809, and three daughters, Elizabeth, 6 July 1810; Mary Anne, 6 June 1813; and Virtue on 26 September 1822.
There was at least one other Hall family in the village at this time, Thomas, a sailor, and his wife Mary, nee Holmes and their daughter Ann born in 1816. I have not established a family connection.
James Hall was a labourer and at the age of 49, on 6 March 1834, he was convicted at Norwich Quarter Sessions of stealing corn from Benjamin Bowgin a farmer. There is no record of the amount of corn that was stolen or the circumstances in which it was taken. ‘Life transportation he was given’.
At the time of James’ transportation he may have left behind a wife and four children between the ages of 11 and 25.
Whilst held in Norwich gaol, a petition To the Right Honourable Lord Viscount Melbourne His Majesty’s principal Secretary Of State for the Home department was signed by ‘twenty Martham residents, and one other person, on his behalf’. (Ref H.O. 17/4/85 National Archive Kew, Home Office Petitions, Series 1. Ref HO17). Amongst the signatories are: Thomas White Holmes, Off Min of Martham; Jas. Symonds (Magistrate of the District); Benj” Rissing; John Nelson, Rector of Winterton; Wm Cooper (Surgeon/Martham) and quite surprisingly Benj”n Bowgin (Prosecutor).
The Gaoler’s report states: “Character very bad, convicted before. Grounds for clemency: case needs further investigation. Initial sentence: life transportation. Annotated: nil. AT33.” The petition appears to have failed.
James Hall, listed as born in 1785, next appears in the Home Office, Convict Hulks, Prisons & Criminal Lunatic Asylums: Quarterly Return of Prisoners HO8 (twice) and in Correspondence and Warrants HO13,19,17,27 and 26.
It is likely that he was taken from Norwich to one of the convict hulks (probably the York as this is noted on the petition) moored at Portsmouth and put in irons to await transportation to Australia. Prisoners’ reported that on arrival their heads would be shaved and then they were stripped, washed and provided with clothes, a hat and boots. The irons would only be removed after five weeks at sea and then replaced before arrival in Australia.
James was put aboard the sailing ship Hooghley at Spithead under Captain George Bayley, and departed Portsmouth on 28 July 1834 bound for Australia. There were 260 prisoners on board the ship and these were guarded by Lieutenant Colonel Woodhouse, two officers and 29 soldiers of the 50th Regiment. Lt Col Woodhouse appears to have had a breakdown on the voyage and harangued the prisoners whilst confessing his sins and waving an open prayer book, before throwing himself into the sea. He was rescued and confined to his cabin for the rest of the voyage ‘more closely guarded than the prisoners’. He was later returned from Australia to the UK. Also on board were seven women, and two children, who were family of some of the soldiers. One of the children died on the voyage.
There was a Surgeon Superintendent on board, James Rutherford, who treated everyone including the prisoners. The prisoners reported that the Captain, Surgeon and crew treated them better than their guards. There were no deaths amongst the prisoners but three cases of scurvy and these men were removed to hospital on arrival. There were also two births during the voyage. James Rutherford had a brother, George Shaw Rutherford, who was also Surgeon Superintendent on convict ships and who in 1831 gave evidence to a House of Commons Select Committee on the best mode of giving efficiency to Secondary Punishments of prisoners.
Submitted by Researcher (Richard Rogers) on 27 April 2023
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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
Braidwood January 1843 Magistrates Bench granted Ticket of Leave, Number INX-65-46394. Again at Braidwood; in a Recommended Conditional Pardon, INX-65-46405, and in a Conditional Pardon on 1 June 1843
Submitted by Researcher (Richard Rogers) on 27 April 2023
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Araluen, a gold mining valley 26km south of Braidwood, where James Hall died aged 67 years in 1852. He is recorded as being CofE and is buried in an unmarked grave in Braidwood General Cemetery.
Submitted by Researcher (Richard Rogers) on 27 April 2023
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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 11/9, p.414
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