Researchers who have claimed this convict
There is currently one researcher who has claimed Alfred Shaw
Biographies
John Smedley, alias Alfred Shaw, was born on the 22nd of November 1823 to Daniel Smedley (1791-1842) and Ruth Kniveton (1789-1867) at Tansley, near Matlock, Derbyshire, in England. He was baptised on the 1st of June 1828 at Matlock. ("St Giles' Church Baptisms, 1822-1829")
On the 8th of September 1845, he appeared at the Surrey Court of Quarter Sessions at Newington, Middlesex, in England, "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.) He was sent to the Horsemonger Lane Gaol, where he remained until the 19th of September.
Alfred Shaw was later taken to Millbank Prison, Pimlico, in London. ("Millbank, County Middlesex, Prisoners' Register 1845") On the 3rd of November, the prisoner was transferred to the convict-hulk "Warrior," moored off Woolwich, near Greenwich, in London. He would remain there until the 8th of November, from whence he would be transported on the convict ship "Asia" to the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar. ("Millbank, County Middlesex, Prisoners' Register 1845")
19th-century prisons' records, however, confirm that he was incarcerated aboard the prison-ship for more than five years. Alfred Shaw remained in reasonable health throughout his detention and his conduct was considered good. ("England, Criminal Lunatic Asylum Registers, 1820-1876 Quarterly Returns of Prisoners in Hulks")
On the 4th of February 1851, London's morning newspaper reported: "The Cornwall, hired convict ship ... 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 "Cornwall" sailed from Portsmouth, Hampshire, in England, on the 24th of February, for Gibraltar and Hobart Town. ("Shipping Intelligence-Received This Day," Morning Chronicle, London, 25 Feb. 1851, p. 3.) On the 11th of June, the "Cornwall" arrived, "from Portsmouth 25th February, and Gibraltar 15th March," at Hobart Town. ("Shipping News-Port of Hobart Town," Courier, Hobart, 14 June 1851, p. 2.
Alfred Shaw was amongst the 299 men landed; one man had died en route. The prisoner was removed to the Hobart Prison Barracks, Campbell Street, where he remained until his release. ("Australian Convict Transportation Registers-Other Fleets & Ships, 1791-1868")
Convict 24553's Conduct Record (CON33-1-103,) image 253, confirms Alfred Shaw's trial, sentence, and arrival in the colony: ("Tried Newington QS [Quarter Sessions] 18 [sic] Sept 1845" "7 years" "Arrd [Arrived] 11 June 1851;") his religion and literacy: ("CE [Church of England] read and write;") his crime: ("Stg [Stealing] a waistcoat;") and 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 (CON14-1-14), image 445, confirms his birth name: ("P/name [Proper name] John Smedley;) his native place: Tansley, Derbyshire;) and details about 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 left VDL, as a crewman aboard the brig "City of Sydney," and arrived at Portland Bay, Victoria, on the 11th inst.
Submitted by Researcher (17546) on 8 July 2024
|
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
|
"England & Wales, Criminal Registers, 1791-1892": https://www.ancestry.com.au/discoveryui-content/view/1202960:1590?
Submitted by Researcher (17546) on 9 July 2024
|
"England & Wales, Criminal Registers, 1791-1892": https://www.ancestry.com.au/discoveryui-content/view/1384172:1590?
Submitted by Researcher (17546) on 9 July 2024
|
"Millbank, County Middlesex, Prisoners' Register": https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-812721550/view:
(Image 229)
Submitted by Researcher (17546) on 9 July 2024
|
"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
|
"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
|
"CON33-1-103 Image 253": https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON33-1-103P253
Submitted by Researcher (17546) on 13 July 2024
|
"CON14-1-41 Image 445": https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON14-1-41P445
Submitted by Researcher (17546) on 13 July 2024
|
"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
|
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
|
