Convict Ship Tellicherry - 1806
Embarked: 130 men; 36 women
Voyage: 168 days
Deaths 5 men 1 woman
Previous vessel: Experiment arrived 12 June 1804
Next vessel: William Pitt arrived 11 April 1806
Master Thomas Curzens
Surgeon John Connellan
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Tellicherry convicts and passengers identified in the Hunter Valley
The Tellicherry was the next convict ship to leave Ireland bound for New South Wales after the departure of the Rolla in November 1802. The convicts transported on the Tellicherry came from districts throughout Ireland.
Ireland
Finn's Leinster Journal reported on 22 June 1805 of the convicts lying in Kilkenny Gaol, under sentence of transportation who were sent off to Cork the previous week; and those from Carlow and Maryborough passed through for the same place a few days later.Amongst the men to be embarked were political prisoners who had been involved in the rebellion....
A reward of £500 was proclaimed for the person of the noted plundering mountaineer Dwyer, who, with some other desperadoes had for a considerable time, in defiance of the police and military, carried on a depredatory system from the Wicklow mountains. For some time, either from fear or sympathy the inhabitants of the mountains gave them aid and protection: they however soon began to render themselves obnoxious by levying contributions upon the mountaineers for their subsistence. Dwyer's wife was particularly active in these collections.
Dwyer at last, with four of his principal associates, namely, Martin Burke, John Mernagh, Hugh Byrne and Arthur Devlin, surrendered to Mr. Hume on condition, that they should be immediately sent to North America. They were however kept contrary to these conditions for about 2 years in Kilmainham during which period they made frequent vain complaints of the violation, of the faith of Government, and of the hardship and duration of their confinement [3]
Of the prisoners on the Tellicherry, twenty-nine men had been tried in County Dublin and twenty-two in the city of Dublin. Some of these men were held in Kilmainham Gaol at Dublin prior to transportation on the Tellicherry.
Surgeon John Connellan
The Belfast Newsletter carried an interesting note about the surgeon of the Tellicherry on ...Conlan, the apothecary from Dundalk, who had been an approver in 1798, and has been ever since supported by the bounty of Government, has, volunteered to go to Botany Bay with the convicts now in the river. He has, it is said, lately qualified himself to act as surgeon, and being unwilling to return to his native country, has received an appointment in the colony. [5]Military Guard
Twenty-eight privates of the New South Wales Corps formed the GuardDeparture
The Tellicherry departed Cork 31 August 1805 the same day as the William Pitt also bound for New South Wales with prisoners. The Tellicherry remained at Madeira for three days, leaving the William Pitt there when they departed.The newspapers of the day reported rumours of a mutiny on board........ They sailed under convoy of Sir Home Popham as far as Madeira. The convicts had shewn themselves so obedient to rule, before they reached that island, that Captain Cozens had their irons knocked off and they were admitted by divisions to take air upon deck. Dwyer and his associates were treated rather as voluntary passengers than prisoners suffering punishment for their crimes. Some time after the Tellicherry had parted convoy at Madeira, the convicts surprised the officers, who, according to report, they murdered and ran the vessel on shore in a bay to the southward of All Saints. We understand that Sir H. Popham's squadron upon its arrival at St. Salvadore, while watering there, was informed of this melancholy event by the people of the place. We trust however, that their relation is not correct. [4] There were no further reports of this mutiny.
Cargo
Articles brought out included 3 pipes of Madeira wine, 10 firkins of butter, 2 bales of haberdashery, hosiery and perfumery, 1 case of men's hats, 5cwt. of soap, 10 casks of draught and 160 dozen of bottled porter, 12 boxes of mould candles and 8 boxes of window glass 10 by 12 and 12 by 14. The provisions brought for Government consisted of between 400 and 500 casks of beef and pork.Port Jackson
On nearing Port Jackson Captain Curzons sent in a six-oared cutter from the Tellicherry with advice to the Governor that the Tellicherry was delayed because of contrary winds. The ship finally entered the Heads the following morning, 15 February 1806.Six prisoners died on the passage out and on the evening of arrival, thirty-one convalescents were brought on shore and received into the General Hospital at Sydney. At six the following morning boats were in readiness to take the remaining prisoners from on board and by 7a.m. they had left the ship and were ready to be conveyed to Parramatta.
One hundred and twenty-five male and 35 female prisoners arrived on the Tellicherry.' There were also six children and two women, wives of State prisoners Byrne and Dwyer. (HR NSW)
The prisoners were landed in the heat of summer and there had been no rain for almost a month. Gardens were parched and vegetables scarce, however on Friday 21st February it began to rain and there were high hopes that gardens and fields would be restored. It was in fact the beginning of what would be a catastrophic flood.
Political Prisoners
Governor King in correspondence to Secretary Marsden on 22 February 1806 wrote...By the return of the Tellicherry which arrived here the 15 instant,.....I am much gratified in reporting that, owing to the great care and humanity of Mr. Curzens, commander of that ship, the prisoners under his charge arrived in general good health, except a few cases of scurvy, which will soon disappear from the fresh diet and vegetable regiment they are under. Five male and one female prisoner died on the passage out.The political prisoners on the Tellicherry - Michael Dwyer, John Mernagh, Hugh Byrne, Martin Burke and Arthur Devlin had been granted permission 'to banish themselves for life to avoid being brought to trial for treasonable practices.' [1]
'These men were not criminals and after their acquittal should, according to all principles of justice and right, have been liberated. They were, however, detained in prison. Dwyer was sent on board the Porpoise in chains and handcuffs like a malefactor, and transported to Norfolk Island. The others were similarly treated, and sent to different subordinate settlements. After the arrest of Bligh they were permitted to return; and Paterson in May 1809, gave to each of them a grant of 100 acres of land in the Cabramatta district. [2]
Michael Dwyer - Wicklow ChiefMichael Dwyer The 'Wicklow Chief'. By J. H. COLOGON - Michael Dwyer was a Captain under General Byrne, of Ballymanns, for swearing-in and marshalling the insurgents of the Wicklow Mountains during the Irish rebellion of 1798. He took part in every engagement and was second in command at Hacketstown. In the midst of the campaign he married Mary Doyle, a neighbour's daughter. One of the insurgent priests, Father John Murphy, performed the marriage and Mrs. Dwyer shared her husband's hunted life for six years. At the end of that time she went with him into exile. After the collapse of the rebellion Michael Dwyer retired to Wicklow Hills where by his daring courage, resource, and intimate knowledge of the terrain he was able to defeat regiment after regiment sent against him. Stories and legends tell of his stern methods with informers, of his own hair- breadth escapes, and of the heroic self-sacrifice of Sam McAllister, who, mortally wounded, exposed himself to the fire of the soldiers so that his leader, Dwyer, could escape while they were re- loading. - Catholic Weekly
Crew
In March 1806 Captain Curzons posted the following notice in the Sydney Gazette:Sixty Guineas Reward!
Captain Curzons of the ship Tellicherry will pay the above Reward to any person or persons apprehended or causing to apprehended the following Seamen, Deserters from his ship; or a Reward of Twenty Guineas for each and either of the said deserters as soon as they shall be delivered into safe custody.
William Brown, About 5ft 5in high and dark complexion Charles Hogan, same height, pale complexion and light hair; and Francis Villiers, About 5ft 9in high, dark complexion, much resembling Portuguese, long black hair tied and marked with small pox.
Departure from Port Jackson
The Tellicherry departed Port Jackson bound for Bengal in April 1806. In February 1807, the Sydney Gazette announced that the Tellicherry had been wrecked on the coast of Laconia. The officers and crew made their way to Manilla in the ship's boats where they proceeded to China in the vessel American.Tellicherry convicts identified in the Hunter Valley region:
Byrne, HughBorn in Wicklow Ireland. Spouse Sarah Dwyer. Sent to Newcastle for a colonial crime in 1812. Punished with 50 lashes at Newcastle in November 1815. Returned to his family at Airds in 1817 and granted a Ticket of Leave. Petitioned for a Conditional Pardon in 1822. 10 children.
Cox, Patrick
Age 21. Tried at Westmeath Spring Assizes in 1805. Sentenced to 7 years transportation. Sent to Newcastle penal settlement in May 1818 for a colonial crime. It was requested that he being a very dangerous and desperate character desirous of escape that he be wrought in double irons and well secured at night. He was punished with 50 lashes at Newcastle in March 1820 for breaking out from the convict barracks and running from the settlement. On a list of convicts at Port Macquarie in 1821
Donnelly, Mary
Sent to Newcastle penal settlement with two other notorious prisoners in August 1811 under sentence of 1 year transportation. Note to Commandant Skottowe - the prisoners are to be employed at Government labour during the several terms of sentence
Doyle, Arthur
Age 26. Tried at Dublin July 1803. Sentenced to 7 years transportation. Sent to Newcastle in December 1816 having been sentenced to twice 50 lashes; 14 days on bread and water and then 1 year at Newcastle for pig stealing
Fenlon, Lawrence
Tried at Carlow age 27. Sentenced to transportation for life. Sent to Newcastle penal settlement in October 1813 and returned to Sydney in August 1816. Resided at Dungog in 1837. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Invermein in 1839
Griffin, Jeremiah
Age 31. Alias Griffith. Tried Co. Clare in 1803. Sentenced to 7 years transportation. Occupation carpenter. Sentenced to three years at Newcastle penal settlement at the Criminal Courts in July 1821
Hogan, Patrick
Tried at Co. Limerick in 1803 age 19. Sentenced to transportation for life. First sent to Newcastle in March 1813. Absconded from the settlement in November 1813 and punished. Punished with 25 lashes again in 1814 for disorderly conduct. In June 1820 a sentence of death for aiding and abetting Peter McGrie in stealing sheep belonging to William Faithful was commuted to transportation for life to Newcastle. In 1824 he was assigned to John Tucker at Patterson Plains. Sentenced to 50 lashes and two years at Port Macquarie for being insolent towards Tucker and threatening to set fire to his house
Keogh, Roger
Tried in Co. Dublin May 1803 age 24. Sentenced to 7 years transportation. Sent to Newcastle penal settlement in November 1817. In September 1824 he petitioned for a grant of land.....That petitioner never had a grant of land given to him, that being most desirous to become a settler, begs your Excellency to graciously favour him with a grant of land in any place your Excellency may in your wisdom deem most fit. That your Excellency's Petitioner has every requisite to commence on a farm and most humbly seeks your Excellency to grant him such indulgence and your Petitioner as in duty bound will ever Pray etc
McCabe, Mary
Sentence to six months transportation to Newcastle penal settlement in June 1820
McMahon, Charles
Tried City of Waterford in 1804 age 23. Sentenced to 7 years transportation. In 1807 escaped from Newcastle settlement and was captured at Broken Bay after being speared and menaced by the natives. In 1808 as a ringleader of a group of convicts who absconded from Newcastle, sentenced to receive 250 lashes. Returned to Newcastle in 1810 following an escape. Sentence expired in 1811 and he returned to Sydney. Sentenced to 6 months in the gaol gang in Sydney for stealing a shirt in December 1814.
McNulty, Mary
Tried in City of Dublin in June 1805 age 30. On list of prisoners to be sent to Newcastle penal settlement in 1812
O'Mara, Patrick
Alias Mara, O'Meara, Maher. Tried at Clare April 1805 age 31. Sentenced to transportation for life. In 1822 Patrick Mara, bond, charged with stealing three pigs. Ordered to be sent to Coal River for three years. In September 1823 removed from Newcastle to Port Macquarie
O'Bryan, Elizabeth
Sent to Newcastle penal settlement in July 1814
Townsend, Lawrence
Tried Co. Dublin in June 1804 age 30. Sentenced to 7 years transportation. Sent to Newcastle penal settlement in July 1811
Ward, William
Shoemaker. Tried in City of Dublin August 1804 age 19. Sentenced to 7 years transportation. At Newcastle in 1823. Sentenced at Sydney Quarter Sessions 13 November 1824 to three years transportation for stealing a blue cloth jacket. Sent to Port Macquarie 26 November 1824 per cutter Sally
Notes and Links
1). Michael Byrne, son of Hugh Byrne arrived free on the Tellicherry. (CSI)2). More about Arthur Devlin - United Irishmen, Their Lives and Times
3). Tellicherry : plans of male convict quartered, shackles and bunks, with view of ship in full sail : an artist's copy of the original done in 1806 by Robert McAllister...State Library of NSW
4). Tellicherry convicts and passengers identified in the Hunter Valley
5). Political Prisoners
6). Trial of Walter Clare who was found guilty of high treason and insurrection in 1803. His sentence of death was respited to transportation for life:
7). Convict Ships to New South Wales in 1806 - Tellicherry, William Pitt, Fortune and Alexander.
8). An Irish Village - Michael Dwyer, The Wicklow Chief - Chris Lawlor
9). Sarah Byrne, wife of Hugh Byrne died at Campbelltown in 1872. Her obituary was published in the Freemans Journal
10). Some of the female prisoners had been incarcerated for many months already before they were embarked on the Tellicherry....
Below are their names and place and date of trial
Bridget McMahon, 17, Armagh July 1804
Margaret Hayes, Clare 1803
Eliza Kennedy, Clare 1803
Mary Barry, 24, City of Dublin, January 1803
Catherine McLaughlin, 27, City of Dublin, January 1803
Mary Rice, 28, City of Dublin
Mary Bradshaw, 40, City of Dublin, September 1802
Catherine Brady, 30, City of Dublin, June 1803
Mary McNulty, 30 City of Dublin, June 1805
Sarah Cooksey, 30, City of Dublin, October 1803
Anstice Shanley, 24, City of Dublin October 1803
Mary Kennedy, 33, City of Dublin January 1804
Catherine Hill, 22, City of Dublin January 1804
Margaret O'Brien, 26, City of Dublin, January 1804
Mary Smith, 40, City of Dublin, January 1804
Mary Gough, 23, City of Dublin, May 1804
Mary Byrne, 23, City of Dublin, March 1804
Ann Matthews, 23, City of Dublin, May 1804
Eleanor Burke, 40, City of Dublin, January 1804
Eliza Cooper, 27, City of Dublin, August 1804
Mary Lamb, 28, City of Dublin, September 1804
Mary Shannon, 23, City of Dublin, December 1804
Bridget Johnson, 25, City of Dublin, December 1804
Margaret Kelly, 40, City of Dublin, October 1803
Catherine Finnis, 25, City of Dublin, October 1803
Mary Grady, 19, Kerry, 1804
Catherine Hinchey, 40, City of Limerick, 1802
Honora Mollowny, City of Limerick, 1803
Bridget Shea, City of Limerick, 1803
Catherine Leeson, 20, City of Limerick, 1804
Eleanor Johnson, 29, Co. Meath, 1805
Elinor Tyrrel, 29, Co. Meath, 1805
Mary Begley, 25, Monaghan, 1804
Ann forbes 30, Londonderry, 1803
Mary Fagan alias Nagle, Westmeath, 1805
11). The following prisoners of the Tellicherry were granted Certificates of Freedom in 1810:
Mary Barry
Catherine Hinchey
James Hinchey
James Malone
Mary Rye or Rice
John Redmond
Mary Bradshaw
Patrick Keogh
Ann Forbes alias Fletcher
Maurice Flahanan
Jerry Griffin alias Griffith
Catherine Hill
Lawrence Fox
Patrick Farrell
Patrick Muhall or Mulhall
Michael McGrath
Christopher Gallagher
Edward Jones
Patrick Gore
Roger Keogh
John Bryan
John Morrill
- Sydney Gazette 16 June 1810
12). Robert Emmet, The Centenary of His Execution. HIs Companions Exiled to NSW - Michael Dwyer, John Mernagh, Hugh Byrne, Martin Bourke, Arthur Develin, John Fiztpatrick and Lawrence Fenlon. Their Persecution under Bligh - Truth 27 September 1903
13). Resources used to create Convict Ships pages
References
[1] HRA Vol V., p 841[2] HR NSW Vol. VI
[3] The History of Ireland from Its Union With Great Britain, in ..., Volume 1 By Francis Plowden
[4] Finn's Leinster Journal 24 May 1806
[5] Belfast Newsletter 19th July 1805
[6] Catholic Weekly 11 December 1952
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