Transport convict

[Chisel]

Having black sheep in the family (not too close) is a cool thing to have.
I have a William Mumford transported from Portsmouth Apl 1834 aboard the Augusta Jessie arriving Tasmania, Australia 22 Jan 1935.

Where do I access his prison records?

[v.wells]

black sheep ancestors. you may find something here.

[Geoffers]

I have a William Mumford transported from Portsmouth Apl 1834 aboard the Augusta Jessie arriving Tasmania, Australia 22 Jan 1935. Where do I access his prison records?

Aside of anything that exists in Australia to help researches from that end....

The National Archives (TNA) at Kew has numerous research guides including this one for Convicts (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/rdleaflet.asp?sLeafletID=253)

Scroll down the long list to those records prefixed HO for the places to start. As you know the name of the ship, I suggest starting with the Convict Trasportation Registers in HO11.

Search TNA's catalogue (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/search.asp) by entering the ships' name in the word or phrase field and in the department or series code enter HO11.

This shows two entries for the ship, presumably the first one is the date of landing in Australia. If the document is of use, you should be able to order a copy of it (at a price) from TNA.

This should give you a date and place of conviction which is at least a starting point in trying to lcoate any court records that may survive.

[ChristineR]

And in Tasmania you can get a copy of his file. Apparently they are full of information and well worth the money.

http://www.archives.tas.gov.au/nameindexes

I see that there were two of that name arrived in 1835, yours was still a convict when he married so easy to tell them apart.

ChristineR :)

[Chisel]

This site http://www.archives.tas.gov.au/nameindexes has heap of links to my man. I've emailed the archives for direction what to do next.

Thanks all for your help.

ps. He later went to sleep on the rail tracks after a few to many beers.

[barrie wise]

Chisel,

This may be of interest to you - William Mumford aged 73 years, died at Hobart December 1881, buried on the 31st December 1881 at Cornelian Bay cemetery. ref: Area pauper, section A, no. 358.

Barrie.

[Chisel]

Could be the same man. Is there a Susan Mumford nee Shannon buried nearby? And where did you get the reference?
William John & Susan married 1843
Convicts applying for permission to marry
http://portal.archives.tas.gov.au/menu.aspx?search=5
Family Name (1) Given Names (1) Ship or Free (1) Family Name (2) Given Names (2) Ship or Free (2) Date CON Ref RGD Ref

MUMFORD William, Augusta Jessie, SHANNON, Susan, free, 00 APR 1843, CON52/2 p119, RGD37/3 : 1843/730

Census 1848
http://portal.archives.tas.gov.au/menu.aspx?search=10
Family Name Given Names Year District Reference Page
Mumford Susan, 1848, Hobart, CEN1/1/86, 215

thankyou Tassie for making this available.|hug|

[Chisel]

Found the webpage thanks Barrie, however no Susan!
Would the cemetery records have any futher information? Eg, confirmation he was a convict, married to Susan, children etc..

[ChristineR]

Tasmania death certificates do not record marital info and children until later on. I am not sure what his convict file would say, but they may confirm his death date.

Digger - Tasmanian Pioneer Index 1803-1899

Surname: MUNFORD
Given Names: WILLIAM
Event: Marriage
Father/Spouse Surname: SHANNON
Mother/Spouse Given Names: SUSAN
Day: 07
Month: 6
Year: 1843
Age: 22
Sex: M
Spouse Age: 23
Spouse Sex: F
Registration Place: HOBART
Registration Number: 730/1843
Reference: RGD 37

3 children's births registered (these should be on that web site too)

Surname: MONFORD
Given Names: JOHN
Event: Birth
Father/Spouse Surname: WILLIAM
Mother/Spouse Given Names: SHANNON SUSAN
Day: 17
Month: 6
Year: 1843
Sex: M
Registration Place: HOBART
Registration Number: 1495/1843
Reference: RGD 33

Surname: MUMFORD
Given Names: WILLIAM
Event: Death
Day: 30
Month: 12
Year: 1881
Age: 73
Sex: M
Registration Place: HOBART
Registration Number: 3543/1882
Reference: RGD 35

This is what you can expect to see on any BDM certificate in Australia and when.
http://www.jaunay.com/bdm.html

Surname: MUMFORD
Given Names: Name Not Recorded
Event: Birth
Father/Spouse Surname: WILLIAM
Mother/Spouse Given Names: SHANNON SUSAN
Day: 21
Month: 12
Year: 1845
Sex: F
Registration Place: HOBART
Registration Number: 1455/1846
Reference: RGD 33

Surname: MUMFORD
Given Names: WILLIAM
Event: Birth
Father/Spouse Surname: WILLIAM
Mother/Spouse Given Names: SHANNON SUSAN
Day: 01
Month: 10
Year: 1844
Sex: M
Registration Place: HOBART
Registration Number: 591/1844
Reference: RGD 33

There is no remarriage nor death for Susan up to 1899 - there is another index which I do not have.

ChristineR

[Chisel]

Cheers, I'm about 1 day ahead of you with that information. I was hoping that Susan was buried near him which would confirm that I have the right man.
I'll give the Tassie Archives another few days before I phone them for convict records.

[Chisel]

ChristineR I tell a lie. Your information goes a little further. The problem I now have is dates don't match with assumptions!
I know William MUMFORD married Susan SHANNON, therefore the associated children are theirs.
I William was 22 when he married then he was born abt 1821.
However the William that died 1881 - 73 = 1808. Unless of course they guessed his age.
Thanks for the neat link to BMD dates, mine generally just fall outside.

[ChristineR]

Oohhhhhhhhhhhhhh LOOOOOOOOOOOOOKKKKKKK

a photograph !!!!!

http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-an24612787

still alive 1874

[Chisel]

Ooooooo Arrrgghhhh slobber slobber (Homer style)
Damn you good |hug|

[ChristineR]

I couldn't believe it when it came up - will not happen for mine of course! I am stoked on your behalf :D

Now, next step is to make a new post in the Australia section, ask for a lookup in the Tasmania Federation Index - this covers deaths from 1900- 1930 and births 1900-1919.

Someone may have this index and will be able to find the death of Susan and William.

Make a link to this topic, or mention the different surname spellings. Give his approximate date of birth. Mention he is last sighted having his photo taken in 1874 and their death does not show up in the Pioneer index cd. And that you are in the process of getting his file from Tasmania Archives.

ChristineR :)

[Procat]

I have the Federation index.

It does not record a death of a William or Susan Mumford/Munford/Monford. Nor does it record a marriage for a Susan Mumford etc or Susan Shannon.

[Chisel]

Tassie Archives have responded and have promised to send ALL the information highlighted including permission to marry Susan, 3 children, convict records - I think thats all I enquired about. Just have to wait at the rear of a 6 week line of others ahead of me.
Very productive week. Thanks to all that offered suggestions. I promise to update this thread with a short blurb on this fellow when I know more.|birthday|

[Chisel]

I have the Federation index.

It does not record a death of a William or Susan Mumford/Munford/Monford. Nor does it record a marriage for a Susan Mumford etc or Susan Shannon.

I will look further a field in neighbouring Aus.

[Procat]

I think I would be tempted to wait until the TAS records arrive. They may include death details or information if they went interstate.

I have had a quick look at the Victorian indexes and cannot pick them up.

[Chisel]

Found this on
http://gravesoftas.dynup.net/Graves%20of%20Tasmania/arthur_to_gaol.htm Graves of Tasmania

Mumford is shown as arriving in VDL on the Augusta & Jessie from Portsmouth (22 January 1835) however as he was holding a Conditional Pardon he most likely came from NSW. However, on 10 September 1872 he was found guilty of Burglary and Larceny in the Hobart Supreme Court and sentenced to 10 Years at Port Arthur. He was transferred to Campbell Street Gaol arriving there on 17 September 1877. His age is listed as 66 years and his warrant number was 12072. His occupation is shown as being a house servant, religion Protestant with three or more prior convictions and he could apparently read only. Mumford was released with a Ticket of Leave on 8 February 1878.

[barrie wise]

Chisel

A couple of things - are you sure you have the right William Mumford?, and the Pioneer Index and Federation Index that ChristineR refers to aren't complete, and both have a number of omissions.

Here is a bit more info for you:

1. Married on the 7th June 1843 at St. George's Church, Battery Point, by Rev. H. Fry, William Mumford aged 22 years, servant, to Susan Shannon aged 23 years, spinster, in the presence of Mary Donaldson. ref: RGD 37/3, no. 730. William, Susan and Mary all signed their names with a X. Also William's age was probably 28 not 22.

2. A Susan Shannon arrived in Hobart Town on the 21st December 1841 per the "Agenoria" from Port Phillip. Class x, v3, page 5, register of migrants arriving without Government assistance. ref: CSO 92/7, page 83, CB 7/10, page 5.

3. William Mumford [also Wm. Willis]
trade - house servant and kitchen gard.
height without shoes - 5' 2.25"
age - 20
complexion - fresh
head - oval
hair, whiskers - dark brown
visage - oval
forehead - high
eyebrows - brown
eyes - light hazel
nose - sharp
mouth - mw [medium width?]
chin - large
remarks - scar right side of chin, face much freckled. ref: CON 18/3, page 392.
Written diagonally across the page was what looked like Twickhampton.

4. No. 1263 Mumford William, alias Willis
height - 5' 2.25"
complexion - fresh
hair - dark brown
eyes - light hazel
age - 20
trade - house servant and kitchen gardener
where tried - Essex
when tried - 1st July 1834
sentence - life
ship from Europe - "Augusta Jessie" 22nd January 1835
native place - Finchampton
remarks - scar right side of chin, face much freckled. ref: CON 23/1/2

5. William Mumford alias Willis
where convicted - Essex Colchester 2nd Quarter Session
when - 1st July 1834
term - life. ref: CON 13/7

6. Report on arrival at port of Hobart Town by the bk "Augusta Jessie" 22 January 1835
where from - Portsmouth
when sailed - 29th September 1834
state of health - good
master - James Grimsborough
owners - Messrs Grimsborough
tons - 381
guns - 4
register - British
crew - 29
convicts - 207 male [other sources state 210]
cargo - Government stores
passengers - Mrs Baxter, J. McFerman esq RN Surgeon Superintendant, Lt. Weir of 50th Regiment, Lt. Baxter of 50th Regiment, 29 rank and file of 50th Regiment, 9 women and 15 children. ref: CSO 1/781/16664.
There are a number of pages available under this reference.

7. William Mumford - "Augusta Jessie" transported for burglary and larceny, tried Hobart Supreme Court 10th September 1872 and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment and hard labour. Arrived Port Arthur 17th September 1872. He was employed as a servant there, and to September 1877 he earned 2 pouns 17 and 4 pence. ref: CON 94/1/2, page 71

Don't know what happened to the family, but possibly the Valuation Rolls could shed some light on the matter.
A couple of other things that cropped up are:

John Mumford aged 11, born 17th July?, parents William Mumford, Davey Street, admission 22nd January 1855. Hutchins School Admission Register 3rd August 1846 - 2nd August 1892. ref: NS 36, page 38. Hutchins was and still is an exclusive private school in Hobart.

A John Mumford died 21st January 1902 at the Benevolent Asylum, Launceston.

John Henry Mumford 1st July 1908 Inquest no. 12306. ref: SC 195/78

It looks like William was born about 1814 -1815, but I don't know of Twickhampton or Finchampton, and the William who is buried at Cornelian Bay cemetery is probably the same person.

What happened between the birth of his last child and when he re-offended, i didn't look for. Also the reel CON 31/1/31 containing the Indent record which would give what offence he was originally convicted for, and his convict record and assignment in Van Diemen's Land has been damaged is unavailable at the moment

Hope this is of some help to you.
Barrie.

[Chisel]

Dammit, stop throwing more spanners into the works ;) I was aware that some of the numbers didn't quite stack up. But were hoping htat these were transcription errors (I've found 3 arrival dates for the ship on 3 webpages). Your belief that his age was 28 helps alot toward what we already thought.
His marriage permission form has him with a life sentence - was life not life in those days?
Do you know if Susan came with her family? Big trip for a girl to do on her own.
Many thanks for the time that you have put into this.

[barrie wise]

Chisel,

A bit more info to add to your confusion:

When the convicts were sentenced in England to life or a term, it was transportation for life, not sentenced to life in prison. Generally on arrival the convicts were assigned to Government gangs or to free settlers as cheap labourer, and eventually most received a Ticket of Leave and finally a Conditional Pardon. Some of those like William Mumford who re-offended in Van Diemen's Land were sentenced and sent to the prison at Port Arthur and when this closed they were placed in the Campbell Street Gaol in Hobart.

To find any baptisms or deaths that aren't listed in the RGD [or transcribed onto the Pioneer Index and Federation Index], one must wade through all the church records, although in Hobart records from some undertakers are available.

William Mumford convict no. 56293 - Mumford is shown as arriving in VDL on the "Augusta Jessie" from Portsmouth 22nd January 1835, however as he was holding a Conditional Pardon, he most likely came from NSW. However on the 10th September 1872 he was found guilty of burglary and larceny in the Hobart Supreme Court and sentenced to 10 years at Port Arthur. He was transferred to Campbell Street Gaol, arriving there on the 17th September 1877. His age was listed as 66 years and his warrant number was 12072. His occupation is shown as being a house servant, religion Protestant with three or more convictions and he could apparently read only. Mumford was released with a Ticket of Leave on the 8th February 1878. ref: Graves of Tasmania, to Court, to Port Arthur, to Campbell Street Gaol by Laurie Moody. His email address is lauriem (at) kooee.com.au

From this data William's birth could be from 1808 to 1814, probably in Finchampton, Berkshire, and he didn't come from NSW.

Barrie.

[hazelk]

My GG grandfather Charles Blight was transported on Augusta Jessie too. He was convicted of 'maliciously wounding a sheep' in Cornwall. He went on to marry a fellow convict, Grace Stevens, also Cornish, who was transported on board the 'Rajah' for stealing a length of dress material.
Tasmanian records for convicts a quite comprehensive on their national archives site. If you find any other sources I would love to hear about them.

[Chisel]

My GG grandfather Charles Blight was transported on Augusta Jessie too. He was convicted of 'maliciously wounding a sheep' in Cornwall. He went on to marry a fellow convict, Grace Stevens, also Cornish, who was transported on board the 'Rajah' for stealing a length of dress material.
Tasmanian records for convicts a quite comprehensive on their national archives site. If you find any other sources I would love to hear about them.

Will keep you in mind when I take this further. Unfortunally I'm new to convicts so don't hold your breath.
The Tassie archieves stuff arrived a week ago. Nothing extra in them that wasn't on their web page. Next source is the English courts for his trial records.
When I rang the Tassie Archieves and requested the records nothing was said about a charge until the info arrived with an invoice. Don't mind paying but it should have been stated at the beguinning|scold|.

[ChristineR]

And in Tasmania you can get a copy of his file. Apparently they are full of information and well worth the money.

http://www.archives.tas.gov.au/nameindexes

I see that there were two of that name arrived in 1835, yours was still a convict when he married so easy to tell them apart.

ChristineR :)

As you can see from my earlier post, I did mention money. In this day and age I am surprised that you thought that there would be no cost involved. A case of a misunderstanding, the person you spoke to should have made sure that you were aware of the charges which are not made up front. People should not assume that visitors to their web site have read all the information about such things.

A pity you did not get some new information after all that wait. At least you know that there is nothing more to get.

ChristineR

[Chisel]

It could have been alot worse - imagine if it have been an $80 account instead of $30.
What caught me out was that normally you get asked for your credit card details and pay straight away.
In future I will ask if there are any charges.
Live and learn|idea|

[Chisel]

I have the stuff from the Tasmanian archives part of which is "Entry 1263
Mumford Wm als Willis, Augusta Jessie January 1835, Essex 1st July 1834, Life.
Transported for Horse Stealing, Gaol report not known, Hulk report, Good"
&
"Arrived 17 Sept 1872 Transported for Burglary & Larceny, Tried Hobt St 10th Sept 1872, Sentenced 10 years".
&
Native Place, Finchingfield House

Next step is trial report from A2a but when I search Essex Quarter Session I get a bunch of entries. My question is what information do I need to order a copy of the records and be certain that I'm getting what I expect?

[Chisel]

Update on progress. I have been supplied with an link to the Essex Records Office by another forum member (returning my favour to him)|wave|

www.essexcc.gov.uk/ero The staff responded immediately and gave me the following and suggestions for further research which I have duly posted on the Essex page.
"William Mumford otherwise called William Willis, late of the parish of Little Bardfield, Essex, 'puts himself' [put forward a plea of] guilty to a charge of stealing a gelding, and was convicted and sentenced to transportation for life".

Getting closer to my man.
Question: If you were going to change your name what would influence you choice? Mothers maiden name?

[Mlee]

Hello Chisel.

A Tasmanian convict William Mumford was my grandmother's grandfather. I have no information to add, but am fascinated by what you have discovered so far.

[Chisel]

Hello Chisel.

A Tasmanian convict William Mumford was my grandmother's grandfather. I have no information to add, but am fascinated by what you have discovered so far.

Awww that's a bit mean giving me a smell of the dinner but saying I can't eat it.
There are a few William Mumford's that lived in Tassie.
Do you know when your grandmother was born? My William had 3 children, 1 was a daughter without a registered 1st name but I do know when she was born.

[Waitabit]

Oohhhhhhhhhhhhhh LOOOOOOOOOOOOOKKKKKKK

a photograph !!!!!

http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-an24612787

still alive 1874

Loud applause from here Christine. this has been one of my best reads yet

[Chisel]

It will get better soon as I have paid for the death certs of my wife's German 2xgt grand parents. Then I'll pay for an Essex archives search that will locate 3? more articles on William.

[Mlee]

Awww that's a bit mean giving me a smell of the dinner but saying I can't eat it.
There are a few William Mumford's that lived in Tassie.
Do you know when your grandmother was born? My William had 3 children, 1 was a daughter without a registered 1st name but I do know when she was born.

Hey. My grandmother's father, William Mumford, was born in Hobart, and died in Auckland in 1914 aged 74. I don't know anything about his siblings. Does that help?

[Chisel]

Update on progress....The various calculated birth dates are causing a problem, |banghead| however.....
If I assume that the earliest recorded age (court record 1834 age 20) his date of birth would be 1814. This fits in with a previous reply that his age at marriage was likely to be 28 not 20.

From FreeReg I have found a Wm Willis chr.1814 Finchinffield, father John (Wm's middle man) & mothers name of Sarah.

also from FreeReg I find the marriage of John & Sarah alas Sarah's name is not Mumford as I had hoped, however.....
Their witness was also a witness to a Mumford marriage so I may have found the connection to the name change or at least the pathway.

Unfortunately I have also found of an 1841 census a entry for Wm Willis b1814 Finchingfield (my Wm was deported 1835) |banghead||banghead|

Hopefully the Essex Archives search I've commissioned will payoff |idea|

[Chisel]

Essex Archives have come back (5 days Eng>NZ post, that's fast).
I have the court case only - researcher ran out of time.
Seems, William had a couple of accomplices. John Britton & William Hubbard.
Gelding worth 20 pound was stolen from Robert Smith.
|jumphappy

[Procat]

Well done, Always nice to see a result. :)

[v.wells]

Great work Chisel! It's been a fascinating read and you are fortunate to have found so much about your man Mumford :D

[Chisel]

Unfortunately I'll need to get his death certificate and hope like hell it has his parents names on it in order to keep going backwards.
Tassie BDM's are $40, twice the price elsewhere (except Ireland)

[Chisel]

How much life history can 1 man have? The old man is mentioned quite a few times in the historical newspapers, the last one ending........

Note that he got 10 years imprisonment for Burgarly whilst the manslaugher guy only got a fine. Wm was an habitual convict and died a couple of years after release.

I also found his Ex. wife who defended herself with a tomahawk after her hair was pulled.:D I have found 9 A4 typed pages on Wm and wife which makes interesting reading.

BURGULARY
William Mumford was charged with having burglariously entered the house of Michael Rogerson on the 1st of August, 1872, and stolen therefrom 4 blankets, 2 counterpanes, 2 pillows, and 1 table cloth. A second count in the information charged the prisoner with having feloniously received the stolen property. The prisoner pleaded guilty to the offence, and also to a previous conviction. He was remanded for sentence, and brought before the court at the close of the other business. He made no statement. His Honour said that he might pass a sentence on the prisoner which would last all his life, but he would not do so. The prisoner had been sent out here under a life Sentence, and had received a conditional pardon, since which he had been convicted of felony. The sentence of the court was that he should be imprisoned for ten years.

The Mercury Hobart
Wednesday 11 September 1872
CRIMINAL COURT.-The Criminal Sessions of the Supreme Court commenced at 11 o'clock yesterday, and the whole of the calendar had been disposed of at half-past four.- There were eight prisoners for trial, three of whom John Smith, attempting to commit a felony ; George Willis larceny ; and Henry Lewis, for the robbery at the Jolly Hatters, pleaded guilty. The remainder of the prisoners were found guilty on some of the counts in the indictments, and the sentences were: -William Kello, sheep stealing, three years ; Edward Williams, manslaughter, fined £10 ; John Smith, two years ; George Willis, five years; William Mumford, burglary ten years; Henry Lewis, three years ; Richard Phillips, receiving, two years ; Catherine McDonald, receiving, three years[/I][/I]

[Chisel]

Some folk were simple back then..........

The Chelmsford Chronicle 4th July 1834
Horse-Stealing
Wm. Mumford, alias Willis, 20, gardener, was convicted of stealing a gelding, the property of Robert Smith, at Little Bardfield. Thos. Milbank, the prosecutor’s bailiff, having missing the horse on the 18th of June, traced it by its footsteps across a field into the road, and followed the track to Ongar, a distance of twenty miles, when he overtook the prisoner who was riding it. On taking hold of him, Mumford said “T’ was the man,”, but it did not appear what he could have meant by that expression. The prisoner in his defence said that he was employed by a man to ride the horse, and did not know to whom it belonged.- Transported for Life.

[Waitabit]

Nicely tucked away Chisel. Who will you bring forth next?

[Chisel]

It gets better...If I have the right parents the court records show the youngest son also being nicked (is this term in use in 1840?).
Question: If in 1834 you got caught stealing a horse, would you get a summons for court or would you be detained?