Michael Leslie Berrell (abt. 1796 - 1863)

Born about 1796 in Castlebellingham, County Louth, Ireland

Husband of Margaret Catherine (Hoy) Berrell — married 21 Aug 1814 in Kilsaran, County Louth, Ireland

Descendants

Died 19 Mar 1863 at about age 67 in Kangaloola near Binda, NSW

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Maree Evans [send private message]

Biography

Michael Berrell was born in Ireland.

Michael Berrell was a convict after the Third Fleet transported to New South Wales

Michael Leslie Berrell was born in 1796 in Castlebellingham, Louth, Ireland, to parents Patrick Berrell and Mary Ann Zimny.

Michael had a brother, Bernard Berrell (~1802–1884).

In 1814, at the age of 18, Michael married Margaret Catherine Hoy in Kilsaran, Louth, Ireland. ^[1]

They had eight children together;

1. Margaret (Berrell) Shepherd (~1815 - 1864)
2. Ann (Berrell) Druett (~1817 - 1897)
3. Patrick Berrell (1818 - 1901)
4. Catherine (Berrell) Sharwood (~1821 - 1859)
5. Bridget Berrell (~1823 - <1833)
6. Michael Berrell (1827-1832)
7. James Berrell (1834 - 1885)
8. Bridget Berrell (aft. 1836-1844).

Unfortunately, Michael's life took a turn for the worse in 1827. At the age of 31, he was put on trial with his brother Bernard, for stealing oats. Both were sentenced to seven years transportation.^{[2] [3] [4] [5] [6][7]} This was a common punishment in the early 1800s, as British authorities sought to deal with a burgeoning prison population by sending convicted criminals to the colony of New South Wales, Australia. Life as a convict in Australia was harsh and brutal, with long hours of hard labour and very little personal freedom.

On February 23rd, 1828, Michael set sail from Dublin, Ireland, on the convict ship Mangles 5, under the command of Master Carr. His trade was listed as a labourer and maltster, and his religion was Roman Catholic. After a long voyage, Michael arrived in Port Jackson, New South Wales, Australia, on June 2nd, 1828.^{[2][3][4][5][6][7]}

Michael was sent to work for James Atkinson, a well respected man in the colony. ^[8]. He appeared to be saving cash and trying to set up a life for his family to join him in the colony. ^[9] James supported his petition to bring his family out to the colony at the governments expense.^[10]

In the letter written by Michael to his family in Ireland, it is clear that he is longing to be reunited with his loved ones. Despite the harsh conditions of transportation and the backbreaking labor, he has managed to establish himself in the colony and is determined to provide for his family. He mentions his acquisition of 20 head of cattle and the promise of a farm from his current employer, James Atkinson Esq JP, who Michael appears to be in good stead with. He expresses his hope that his family will soon join him and that they will be able to live a prosperous life together. The letter also reveals that Michael is keeping himself informed about his brother Bernard and that he has not seen him since their arrival in the colony. It shows how much he cares for his family and how much he wants to be together with them despite the distance and difficult circumstances.^[11]

In Feb 1832, Michael received a letter from the Colonial Secretary^[12] approving the passage of his wife and family to the colony aboard the ship Surry. This would have been a welcome relief for Michael, who had been separated from his loved ones for several years. The thought of finally being reunited with them would have been a great source of hope and motivation for him.

On October 3rd, 1832, Michael's name appeared in the New South Wales Government Gazette^[13], where it was announced that he had been issued a Ticket of Leave allowing him to remain in the district of Sutton Forest, New South Wales where he was residing. At the time he was described as having a height of 5' 8" tall with a ruddy complexion, dark brown hair and blue eyes^[14]. Michael would have felt that this was a major step forward in his new life.

After an arduous journey aboard the "Surrey" Michael's family arrived in Sydney in March 1832. ^[15] The reunion must have been full of relief, happiness and excitement for the future that now lay ahead of them.

As he served out the remainder of his sentence, Michael continued to work hard and build a new life for himself. On July 23rd, 1838, he was issued a Certificate of Freedom. He was now a free man.

In 1849, Michael was 53 years old and had settled in Georgiana, New South Wales, Australia. He had been able to acquire 23 acres of land for himself, which would have been a significant achievement for someone who had come to the colony as a convicted criminal.

It wasn't all smooth sailing for Michael though, as in 1853, he was mentioned in a newspaper article regarding the indecent treatment of a corpse^[16]. Thomas Monks, Thomas Vaughn, and James Minshull were accused of the crime and Michael was mentioned in relation to the case as the employer of John Doyle, the deceased. The article also carried a rebuttal of the claims made in the previous article.^[17]

Despite this setback, Michael continued to build his life in the colony. On June 18th, 1855, he purchased 41 acres and one road in Thalaba for 41 pounds and five shillings. In 1857, he purchased two more lots of land a total of 28 acres in Georgiana.

On April 20th, 1858^[18], Michael applied for a license to build the Rose, Thistle and Shamrock House, which was approved and the opening was announced on June 23rd, 1858^[19].

On April 27th, 1861, Michael faced legal trouble when he was summonsed on charges of deserting Catherine Deasy, the grandmother-in-law of his son James. The charges were dismissed as Mr Gannon paid £2 costs towards her removal to the Benevolent Asylum, which suggest that Michael was unable to continue supporting her financially. Michael had taken care of her for at least 12 months before the charges were brought against him, but due to financial difficulties had to relinquish her care and move her to an asylum.^[20]

After facing the harsh realities of transportation as a convicted criminal, Michael Berrell had worked hard to rebuild his life in the colony of New South Wales, Australia. However, on March 19, 1863^[21][22], he passed away in Goulburn, New South Wales Colony at the age of 66. He was remembered as an old resident of the district and a former innkeeper at Thalaba^[23], his death would have come as a shock to those who knew him and he will be remembered as a hardworking individual who faced difficult obstacles in the colony but he never give up on building a new life for him and his family.

From the Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser of Saturday 28 March 1863 we see a death notice:

SUDDEN DEATH.-Intelligence has reached town of the sudden death a few days ago of Michael Burrell, an old resident of the district, and formerly an innkeeper at Thalaba. The particulars are not yet to hand.- Goul-burn Herald, March 26. ^[24]

Sources

1. ↑ "Catholic Parish Registers", National Library of Ireland : accessed 10 Nov 2021; citing Page 39, Microfilm 05599 / 06, Kilsaran, Armagh, Michl Berrill and Margt Hoey, 21 Aug 1814, Record URL, Image URL
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Ancestry.com, Web: Australia, Convict Records Index, 1787-1867 (Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2018), State Library of Queensland; South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Mayberry, Peter; Irish Convicts to NSW 1788-1849 (online database) Sainty, Malcolm & Johnson, Keith; Census of New South Wales 1828..
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} "Web: Australia, Convict Records Index, 1787-1867". State Library of Queensland; South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Mayberry, Peter; Irish Convicts to NSW 1788-1849 (online database) Sainty, Malcolm & Johnson, Keith; Census of New South Wales 1828. Ancestry au Record 70852 #60334 (accessed 10 November 2021). Name: Michael Berrell [Michael Berrill]; Gender: Male; Age: 67; Birth Date: 1796; Occupation: Brewer; Conviction Place: Ireland, Louth Assizes, Dundalk; Crime: Stealing; Departure Date: 23 Feb 1828; Arrival Date: 2 Jun 1828; Arrival Place: New South Wales; Arrival Ship: Mangles; Death Date: 1863; URL: https://convictrecords.com.au/convicts/berrell/michael/133182.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Details for the convict Michael Berrill (1828) from the CLAIM A CONVICT WEBSTE. first accessed online on the 21st of July 2021 at: https://www.hawkesbury.net.au/claimaconvict/convictDetails.php?convictId=961
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} Michael Berrill from the Irish Convicts to New South Wales 1788-1849. as Provided by Peter Mayberry. first accessed online on the 21st of July 2021 at: https://members.pcug.org.au/~ppmay/cgi-bin/irish/irish.cgi?requestType=Search2&id=767
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} Michael Berrell a community contributed record from the CONVICT RECORDS website. first accessed online on the 22nd of July 2021 at: https://convictrecords.com.au/convicts/berrell/michael/133182
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} NSW State Archives: "Indents to Convict vessels from Ireland"; Index : accessed 11 January 2023; NRS-1156, Mangles (5) arrived Sydney, 2 June 1828; citing X33; Link to Record: https://search.records.nsw.gov.au/permalink/f/1ebnd1l/ADLIB_RNSW110001399
8. ↑ NSW State Archives: "Colonial Secretary Letters Received"; Index : accessed 11 January 2023; INX-106-1809, Burrell, Michael, 3 December 1828; citing NRS 905 [4/2004] Letter no 28/10058; Mangles; Link to Record: https://search.records.nsw.gov.au/permalink/f/1ebnd1l/INDEX2844878
9. ↑ "Records of the Colonial Office (as filmed by the AJCP)", Trove, National Library of Australia, database, 7 June 1828, citing: Series CO 207, File 4. AJCP Reel No: 58, Page 139., Savings Bank Books: convicts Ledger A : accessed 11 January 2023
10. ↑ NSW State Archives: "Special bundles [Colonial Secretary]"; : accessed 11 January 2023; NRS-906-1-[4/2136]-4/2136.2, Families of convicts - Applications for free passages for wives and children, 1831-32, 27 May 1831 to 8 July 1831; citing CSIL 32/1603 extracted from [4/2136.1], R.2191; Link to Record: https://search.records.nsw.gov.au/permalink/f/1e5kcq1/ADLIB_RNSW110001149
11. ↑ "Catalogue", National Library of Australia, The Committee St Mary's Parish, Crookwell NSW 2583, Maher, Brian, book, 1991, citing: ISBN: 0646038532., The bells of Saint Mary's Cover subtitle: A history of the catholic community of Crookwell N.S.W.
12. ↑ NSW State Archives: "Copies of letters sent re convicts"; Microfilm : accessed 4 November 2022; Colonial Secretary Copies of Letters Sent, Burrell, Michael (Mangles), February 1832; citing NRS-962, 4/3672, Reel 1044; Letter no. 432/186; Link to Record: https://records-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/f/1ebnd1l/ADLIB_RNSW110001205; scan of original documents included
13. ↑ New South Wales Government Gazette (Sydney, NSW : 1832 - 1900), 1832, 'TICKETS OF LEAVE.', 3 October, Page: 319, Trove, National Library of Australia (digitised newspaper archives : accessed 5 Jan 2023)
14. ↑ NSW State Archives: "Convicts Index 1791-1873"; Ticket of Leave : accessed 11 January 2023; INX-65-86269, BERRILL Michael, Ship: Mangles, Year: 1828, 9 October 1832; citing [4/4085; Reel 918], Index No. 65, Entry No. 32/945; District: Sutton Forest; Born: Castle Billigur; Trade: Labourer; Tried: Louth; Link to Record: https://search.records.nsw.gov.au/permalink/f/1ebnd1l/INDEX304341
15. ↑ NSW State Archives: "Copies of letters sent re convicts"; letter : accessed 11 January 2023; Berrell, Margaret, 12 March 1833; citing NRS-962, [4/3676, Reel 1046] Letter 33/191; Link to Record: https://search.records.nsw.gov.au/permalink/f/1ebnd1l/ADLIB_RNSW110001205
16. ↑ The Goulburn Herald and County of Argyle Advertiser (NSW : 1848 - 1859), 1853, 'Domestic Intelligence.', 20 August, Page: 2, Trove, National Library of Australia (digitised newspaper archives : accessed 6 Jan 2023)
17. ↑ The Goulburn Herald and County of Argyle Advertiser (NSW : 1848 - 1859), 1853, 'Advertising', 3 September, Page: 3, Trove, National Library of Australia (digitised newspaper archives : accessed 6 Jan 2023)
18. ↑ The Goulburn Herald and County of Argyle Advertiser (NSW : 1848 - 1859), 1858, 'ANNUAL LICENSING MEETING.', 21 April, Page: 2, Trove, National Library of Australia (digitised newspaper archives : accessed 5 Jan 2023)
19. ↑ The Goulburn Herald and County of Argyle Advertiser (NSW : 1848 - 1859), 1858, 'Advertising', 23 June, Page: 3, Trove, National Library of Australia (digitised newspaper archives : accessed 6 Jan 2023)
20. ↑ Goulburn Herald (NSW : 1860 - 1864), 1861, 'LOCAL AND PROVINCIAL.', 27 April, Page: 2, Trove, National Library of Australia (digitised newspaper archives : accessed 1 Jan 2023)
21. ↑ Death Index (NSW Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages : accessed 28 Dec 2021), Index entry for BURRILL MICHAEL; Parents: PATRICK & -; District: GOULBURN; Registration Number: 3587/1863Copy of Certificate in the possession of Maree Evans
22. ↑ "Australia Deaths and Burials, 1816-1980", database, Family Search; Death index for Michael Burrill, 19 Mar 1863, Kangaloola, New South Wales, Australia, Parents: Patrick Burrill, Age: 64, Birth Year: 1799 Link to Record : accessed 2 Jan 2022
23. ↑ The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser (NSW : 1843 - 1893), 1863, 'SYDNEY NEWS.', 28 March, Page: 5, Trove, National Library of Australia (digitised newspaper archives : accessed 11 Jan 2023)
24. ↑ The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser (NSW : 1843 - 1893), 1863, 'SYDNEY NEWS.', 28 March, Page: 5, Trove, National Library of Australia (digitised newspaper archives : accessed 26 Dec 2021)

• Michael Berrell (1796-1863) from the FAMILYPEDIA website. first accessed online on the 21st of July 2021 at: https://familypedia.wikia.org/wiki/Michael_Berrell_(1796-1863)Michael had a brother, Bernard Berrell (about 1802–1884).