Samuel Powell - transported to Australia

[jenay]

Samuel Powell was court martialled in Portalegre, Portugal probably in 1812 (during the Peninsular War).  He was returned to England and transported in 1813.  I can't find any record of whereabouts in the UK he originated, maybe because he wasn't in the UK at the time of his conviction.  It seems to be a fairly common name, so I'm a bit stumped.  He married in 1827 with his age given as 38, so I am surmising that he was born in 1789.  I did find a Samuel Powell born that year in Liverpool, but I don't as yet know if it's the same one.  Is there anybody with a great great great uncle who disgraced the family by being court martialled and transported?

Just as an aside - the woman he married, Ann Taylor, was also a convict - living at the Parramatta Female Factory.  The way those women were handed over to become wives to the male convicts was quite disgraceful.

Regards,
Jenay

[giblet]

Hi,

This may help to find his military records which might give up more info on him.

General court martial held at Portalegre on 27 Feb. 1812 for the trial of Privates William Ranson of the 34 Regiment and Samuel Powell of the Buffs etc etc.


Page 89
http://books.google.com.au/books?id=-u86AAAAcAAJ&pg=PA89&lpg=PA89&dq=Samuel+Powell+was+court+martialed+in+Portalegre&source=bl&ots=-ORCbPp1Ee&sig=UpyCnuxzRfXQv2DFWyowdOHLZbQ&hl=en&sa=X&ei=qCWTUsbjE4inkgWSpYCwDg&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=Samuel%20Powell%20was%20court%20martialed%20in%20Portalegre&f=false

[Keitht]

I can see the presence of several Australian documents relating to him on Ancestry; Ticket of Leave Application. Application to Marry, Certificate of Freedom, etc. Unfortunately I don't have access to Australian records but if you can find someone who does these documents might prove enlightening.

Keith

[jomcd967]

His Cert of Freedom, issued 2 Mar 1826, states that he was 38, prev a sawyer, 5 foot 6 3/6 inch, ruddy complexion, brown hair, blue hair, place of origin is South Wales.

Jo 

[jenay]

Thank you very much for your prompt and useful help, I certainly have some new avenues to search.  The reference was particularly interesting, I must admit I got a bit caught up in reading stuff not actually relevant - I'm sure you can understand how that happens!  Samuel was sentenced to both fourteen years transportation and subsequent unlimited service with whatever military unit was in the colony, so whether part 2 occurred is something I will be looking for.  I would have thought that fourteen years as a convict in a new colony would have about exhausted him, though.
Jennifer

[GailB]

Hi

FindMyPast has the following two baptisims which look like possibilities:

15 April 1787 at Defynnog, Brecknockshire Samuel son of Samuel Powell, Villager

6 Dec 1789 at Hay, Brecknockshire, Samuel son of Catharine Powell, a Bastard, Bap December 6th

[giblet]

Napoleonic War Records FindMyPast
Regimental indexes 1806 and there are 3 Samuel Powell's listed

I dont know if all 3 are the same fella or if there is 3 Samuel Powell's 

[ShaunJ]

blue hair

should read blue eyes although on the convict indent he has hazel eyes (and black hair)

[jomcd967]

Jennifer, I wonder if it is worth you contacting the "Buffs" to see if they have any information on him? Interesting to read that the Buffs were sent to Australia to guard convicts! Also, do you have his marriage certificate and if so, what information does it contain? Do you know the names of his children?

Jo