John Anderson (abt. 1798)

Born about 1798 in County Armagh, Ireland

Died [date unknown] in Australia [uncertain]

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Biography

John Anderson was born in Ireland.

John Anderson was a convict after the Third Fleet transported to Van Diemen's Land

John Anderson was aged about 44 when he was tried in Down on 24 February 1842 and found guilty of a misdemeanour and horse stealing (two horses from "R Wells"). He was sentenced to ten years transportation and three months imprisonment.^[1]. John travelled to Van Diemen's Land on board the Navarino arriving on 10 January 1843.

According to his gaol report, John had never been convicted of a crime before. Nevertheless, the surgeon's report stated his conduct was "bad" and that John was involved in a plot to take charge of the ship.^[2] He arrived in Van Diemen's Land in chains.^[3]

John was a Protestant and could read and write. His trade was ploughman and labourer. John was five feet nine inches tall with fair complexion, light brown hair, oval face, light hazel eyes and a small nose and medium chin. He had scars on the left corner of his mouth, his right forefinger and middle finger and on his forehead between his eyebrows.^[2] John's only next of kin was described as "Christy Moore, my uncle by marriage".^[3]

On arrival in Van Diemen's Land John was put on three years probationary labour. In May 1843 he was found guilty of neglect of duty and his existing probationary sentence was recommended to be extended by six months but this was reduced to three months in the end. In September 1843 John was found guilty of being absent from the barracks and having articles on his person contrary to orders and was sentenced to ten days solitary confinement. In early 1844 John was found guilty of larceny under the amount of £5 and his sentence of transportation was extended by one year, six months of it to be served by extended probation. In February 1844 John was found guilty of disobeying orders and spent ten days in solitary confinement. In March 1844 he was found guilty of trying to abscond and was sentenced to twelve months hard labour in chains for his pains. His probationary period again appears to have been extended at this point. In November 1844 John was found guilty of stealing a prayer book from the chapel without permission and was sentenced to six months hard labour in chains. In December 1844 John was found guilty once again of attempting to abscond and was sentenced to one hundred lashes.^[2]

John's spirit was not crushed. In February 1845 he was found guilty of misconduct in possessing several knife blades, wine, nails and "other articles" for which he was sentenced to six months hard labour in chains. At some point in 1845 these chains were knocked off. In November 1846 John was found guilty of making a false statement and was sentenced to six days solitary confinement.^[2]

Things took a positive turn in 1847 - it seems John lent assistance in preventing a violent assault on another person and his "meritorious conduct" was noted. The extension of his probations were officially remitted and he appears to have received a ticket of leave in 1847.

In 1849 John was noted as being absent from the muster - this could be grounds for revoking his ticket of leave if he was still in possession of it at that time.^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ National Archives of Ireland, Irish Transportation Database, PDF compilation database of records contained in the National Archive of Ireland; entry for John Anderson, page 38. Record reference code: TR 4, p 47.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} Archives of Tasmania, PDF original convict conduct record for John Anderson.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Archives of Tasmania, PDF original convict indent record for John Anderson.
4. ↑ Home Office: Settlers and Convicts, New South Wales and Tasmania; (The National Archives Microfilm Publication HO10, Pieces 5, 19-20, 32-51); The National Archives of the UK (TNA), Kew, Surrey, England. Class: HO 10; Piece: 40.