Convict, James Blake

[maddison]

Hello,  Is anyone researching James Blake convicted Chester Assizes, 1827, age 18 yrs. Arrived NSW 31 July 1827 on ship Marquis of Hastings[2]. Not sure but think he may be the James Blake who m/Mary Wood, Sydney 1841 and died in 1845.  Any suggestions appreciated. Maddison

[majm]

I am not researching James Blake or Mary Wood, but here is some info about James Blake.


James BLAKE, 18, Tapeweaver & labourer, 7 years, arrived 31 July 1827.   
Colonial Crime : Theft 13 August 1832, Parramatta Bench, 6 months Iron Gang

Nov 1828 NSW Census has James BLAKE per Marquis of Hastings was on the Slops List 62 and residing in the Phoenix Hulk.

10 July 1834 issue date for his Certificate of Freedom. 

There are several chaps named James Blake in NSW in that era.


Do you have any documentation to support the 1841 BLAKE-WOOD marriage?  I see it is registered in St Phillip’s C of E register Volume 25C and at line 33.  What information is recorded on that?

Cheers,  JM

[maddison]

Reply to JM – 23/8/15
Thanks for extra info JM. I didn’t know about James Blake’s Colonial Crime. Poor fellow - 6 Months with the Iron Gang! Have been trying to eliminate every James Blake convict around the age bracket. Can’t find any suitable local births.

James Blake - Marquis of Hastings - convicted aged 18 in 1827 so DOB 1809. Believe James Blake’s age at Marriage in 1841 was 32.  His occup waterman.  As gained C/of Freedom – 34/894 on 10 July 1834 didn’t need permission to marry. Native place – Gosport.  As he was tried at Chester Assizes he seems to have wandered a fair way from home as Gosport seems to be over 300 km away in Hampshire.

On his daughter’s bap/cert 1843, Parish St Philip, Sydney, County of Cumberland, James’ occup was given as Mariner & Abode as Cumberland Street, Sydney.  This daughter’s death cert shows her parents as James Blake [shipwright] and Mary Woods.

James Blake Death 19th Dec 1845 /V1845413 30B/1845. Abode - north shore, age 36, occup waterman, burial – 21 Dec 1845 in parish of the Holy Trinity, Co Cumberland [taken from Burials in parish of The Holy Trinity, County of Cumberland NSW.

Believe he could be the Blake who arrived on Marquis of Hastings in Apr 1827 but need to be sure – was hoping someone else interested in this family.  Does anyone have any suggestions?  Maddison

[Aussie1947]

Hi Maddison,

Cant help you with much but.

New South Wales Government Gazette 1832 page 132
NEW SOUTH WALES
Return of all convicts assigned between the 1st day of January and the 31st of March 1832.

114, Blake James, Marquis Hastings, tape weaver and labourer to Michael Riley, Bank's Town.

Gerry

[Neil Todd]

The only confirming fact is the age of death of all the other James Blake's on the NSW BDM's index.

None of others seem to come close to the 1809 birthdate. Unfortunately as with all other convicts no parents are listed and little could be gleaned from his DC either. It looks as though he was working in and around the boatyards of Lavender Bay area, just prior to his death.

Neil

[sparrett]

I have a resource with information about convict movements with in the colony.

That is to say, they were transported from one place in the colony to another due to a re-offence.

The index contains three James BLAKEs.

This is one with some similar record factors, but may he be entirely irrelevant

James BLAKE
Date of movement- 25/2/1832
From Moreton Bay.
Arrived in Colony per 'Marquis of Hastings 2'
Second transportation per 'Isabella'
Transported to Hyde Park Barracks.

NSW State Records Details
Page 346
Location 4/3897
Reel 1062

Sue

[maddison]

Hi, thanks to everyone for all that info. Trying to put it in sequence.
Gerry, thanks - it seems James Blake was at Bankstown working for Michael Riley between Jan and March 1832 at Banktown.
Thanks Neil – hadn’t heard of Lavender Bay – had to look it up. As his widow married a shipwright from nearby Millers Point it seems probable he was living/working around that area. 
Sue – that’s interesting - I had no idea that James Blake of the Marquis of Hastings had been sent to Moreton Bay. If he was returned from Moreton Bay 25/2/1832 he must have reoffended twice as he received 6 months with the Iron Gang for theft 13 August 1832, Parramatta Bench. Tried to find him on an on-line shipping list for the Isabella – is it on-line?
Many thanks to everyone for your help.
Maddison

[sparrett]

Hi,
No, my material did not come from an online source.

As I have cautioned in my reply, I have no certainty this is the same James BLAKE as you are seeking.  A date for his arrival per Marquis of Hastings 2 is not given.  Perhaps this ship made more than one voyage and perhaps this is another man from a different voyage.

Sorry I cannot be more helpful.
Sue