Author Topic: Benjamin Dunstone convict on the Neptune 1790  (Read 2589 times)

Offline Geordie daughter

  • RootsChat Veteran
  • *****
  • Posts: 594
  • Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
    • View Profile
Benjamin Dunstone convict on the Neptune 1790
« on: Wednesday 05 March 14 16:29 GMT (UK) »
Does anyone have this man in their tree or know what happened to him after his arrival in Australia? The information I currently have is this: he was tried at the Cornwall Assizes in August 1787 for highway robbery, imprisoned at Bodmin jail, and subsequently transported, in early 1790, to New South Wales, on the 'Neptune.' He had originally been given a life sentence but this was commuted to seven years in the colony. I am hoping that someone will be able to provide details of his birthplace in Cornwall and his approximate age, as I am trying to establish whether he is the father of an illegitimate child called Benjamin Dunstone John, born in Wendron, Cornwall, in 1787.

Offline jacquelineve

  • RootsChat Aristocrat
  • ******
  • Posts: 2,721
  • I've not edited my PROFILE yet
    • View Profile
Re: Benjamin Dunstone convict on the Neptune 1790
« Reply #1 on: Wednesday 05 March 14 17:23 GMT (UK) »

 There's this one... Baptism Benjamin Dunstone 17th Feb 1765 Wendron Cornwall

 Father-Nicholas   Mother -Frances

Jackie
Dudley Worcs:Ellis Durkin Oakley Rich Smith
Baggot Saunders Turner Williams Hobbs
Harts Hill: Baggot Wright

Tipton:Whitehouse (boatman) Timmins
Yorkshire:Littlewood Wilcockson
Derbyshire:Wilcockson

Derby Belper:Spencer
Herefordshire Brampton Bryan:-Turner

Worcs. Hereford. Gloucs.
Hodgetts




Radnorshire: Meredith
Bristol Somerset: Box

Census Information is Crown Copyright from
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Offline Neil Todd

  • RootsChat Marquessate
  • *******
  • Posts: 4,393
  • "Oportet vivere"
    • View Profile
Re: Benjamin Dunstone convict on the Neptune 1790
« Reply #2 on: Wednesday 05 March 14 17:28 GMT (UK) »
Hi, I just did some checking and Benjamin Dunstone was to have sailed on the second Fleet, but may not have. His name is down but not all who were listed actually sailed. Some spent their time in prison Hulks in England or had their sentenced reduced on appeal. Another possibilty is he sailed but died on the way, a massive problem with the second fleet. He is not listed that I can see, for either a ticket of leave, or a certificate of freedom in NSW ::)

Have you checked for deaths in England?

Neil ;)
Grewl,Nickerseens,flombastion,Everheads

Offline ~MERLIN~

  • RootsChat Marquessate
  • *******
  • Posts: 7,466
    • View Profile
Re: Benjamin Dunstone convict on the Neptune 1790
« Reply #3 on: Wednesday 05 March 14 18:56 GMT (UK) »
He is listed as deceased by 1790 as shown on the record:

http://www.rootschat.com/links/0ybh/

The Second Fleet was known as the 'Death Fleet' with hundreds of deaths. Some before they sailed also at sea & upon arrival. I suggest you read up on the history of the Second Fleet  :'(

http://www.rootschat.com/links/0ybi/


Offline Geordie daughter

  • RootsChat Veteran
  • *****
  • Posts: 594
  • Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
    • View Profile
Re: Benjamin Dunstone convict on the Neptune 1790
« Reply #4 on: Wednesday 05 March 14 19:36 GMT (UK) »
Merlin, I'm obviously being a bit thick tonight as I couldn't see any reference to Ben being deceased by 1790 on the linked document, or is that what those very faint pencil marks are to the left of their names? I have seen the details of conditions in the 'Death Fleet' on Ben's entry on the Cornwall OPC website, and it must have been pretty horrific. If Benjamin did die prior to departure, it was probably just as well. There is mention of the convicts' leg irons digging so deeply into the flesh that they had all but exposed the bone.

Jackie
Yes, the Ben you found is the one I had in mind, but I need to prove that the two men are one and the same. I was hoping to unearth a report on the trial that might indicate what part of Cornwall he hailed from, not to mention fuller details of the crime  ;), but have so far drawn a blank.

Neil, thank you for checking the listings for me. I had desperately hoped that Australian records could provide the details I was unable to unearth on the UK side, but it seems that's not to be!

Offline ~MERLIN~

  • RootsChat Marquessate
  • *******
  • Posts: 7,466
    • View Profile
Re: Benjamin Dunstone convict on the Neptune 1790
« Reply #5 on: Wednesday 05 March 14 19:39 GMT (UK) »
The dd in the first left hand column is the notation for deceased  ;)

A copy of the Neptune's original indenture is available:

http://www.rootschat.com/links/0ybj/

Offline Geordie daughter

  • RootsChat Veteran
  • *****
  • Posts: 594
  • Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
    • View Profile
Re: Benjamin Dunstone convict on the Neptune 1790
« Reply #6 on: Wednesday 05 March 14 19:58 GMT (UK) »
Thanks Merlin, I knew I was being thick!! I shall see if I can dredge up a likely death in the parish records for Bodmin, in case he died while imprisoned in the jail there. Failing that, I'll have to see what other avenues there are.

Offline Paul Dunstone

  • RootsChat Extra
  • **
  • Posts: 12
  • Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
    • View Profile
Re: Benjamin Dunstone convict on the Neptune 1790
« Reply #7 on: Wednesday 18 January 17 16:59 GMT (UK) »
Hello
Did you ever get to the bottom of the story of Benjamin Dunstone and his transport to Australia?
I would be very interested in any information from the 1700s. the earliest Benjamin I have in my tree is Benjamin Odgers Dunstone ( 1816 - 1898) son of Robert Dunstone (1786 - 1842).

Paul Dunstone

Offline Geordie daughter

  • RootsChat Veteran
  • *****
  • Posts: 594
  • Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
    • View Profile
Re: Benjamin Dunstone convict on the Neptune 1790
« Reply #8 on: Thursday 19 January 17 12:03 GMT (UK) »
Hi Paul
Unfortunately, no I didn't, but the relevant information has a way of turning up when you least expect it, so I live in hope! Records going back earlier than the late 1700s are often pretty patchy. Do you know where in Cornwall your Dunstones originated, as forum members may be able to help you dig up something more about them? It took me a long time to find anything on the particular Dunstan I was originally looking for, as there were quite a few possibles in Wendron parish and the surname has several spelling variations, but I managed it eventually by a process of elimination and a lot of help from other family tree researchers.