51st Foot - Samuel Ashworth

[eileenb]

The 51st foot served in Van Diemen's Land arriving there 1838/39.

Private 964 Samuel Ashworth was convicted of stealing and imprisoned there in 1841.  I think the unit probably sailed as convict guard on board the "Blenheim" but have been unable to prove this.

Can anyone help?

[macintosh]

The 51st (2nd West Yorkshire Regt.)sailed from Gravesend to Dublin then left Dublin for Tasmania on the Neptune in 1837, more divisions sailed in 1839 on Runnymede.
They left Australia for Bengal in 1846.

James

[eileenb]

Many thanks James. 

That's blown my theory as I needed him to have sailed on the Blenheim.  Back to the drawing board!

[macintosh]

They did sail to various places in Australia - In August 1840 a detachement of  nearly 150 Officers NCOs  and men sailed for King George Town and Swan River in Western Australia unable to say which vessel they sailed on, it may have been a vessel sailing back to UK and calling in at Swan river.
The Regiment left for India in the ship Java in 1847 including the Van Diemans Land detachment and the Swan River contingent,
James

[km1971]

If you can get to the National Archives the musters for the 51st Foot will almost certainly tell you the ship as well as how many days they were at sea. The days at sea were paid at a reduced rate as food was provided.

Ken

[Tyrannosaurus]

The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser, Tue 20 Aug 1839.
The Blenheim, Grey, from London, has arrived at Kingstown, to convey 200
male convicts to New South Wales. There is on board a guard of 20 rank and
file of the 51st, under Ensign and Adjutant M'Gregor, and Ensign Kirby.
Limerick Chronicle, May 8.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2547210?searchTerm=51st%20blenheim&searchLimits=l-decade=183

Blenheim arrived Sydney 27 September.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/28653772?searchTerm=%22blenheim%20grey%22&searchLimits=l-decade=183|||l-year=1839


Rex

[eileenb]

Great!  Just what I needed, so I'm back on track again.  Thank you all so much for your contributions.

Regards
Eileen