George Smith - Marquis of Hastings

[buttercup]

Hi, it's been forever since I've done any searching of family history so apologies if I am going about this incorrectly.

I have recently learnt that an ancestor of mine, George Smith, was a convict who was transported to Australia on the Marquis of Hastings (2) in 1827, aged 24. (NOT to be confused with the other George Smith alias King who also traveled on the same boat!)
One site states that he was Brighthelmstone (?) but silly me didn't bookmark the site and I can't find that information again.

I have also found that he was apparantly tried at Lewes 19 December, 1825. Another site states that he was convicted at Sussex Special Session of Gaol Delivery. Are these the same thing? If not, what do these mean?

I would love it if someone could look these up, but understand if it's too much. At the very least I would love to understand what these documents are and the type of information that would be included. With such a common name, I know I don't have much of a hope of going any further back to finding his parents, etc. but trying to understand his crime and what it was would help colour in this ancestor of mine.

Kind regards,
Jen

[hanes teulu]

Snipped from the Sussex Advertiser
1. 19 Dec 1825
2. 26 Dec 1825

Prison records at FindMyPast

Problem - the "status" of your post does not allow attachments. So -
1. on 19th Dec 1825 at Lewes George Smith, 22, Chimney sweeper, accused of burglariously entering a dwelling house
2. on 26 Dec 1825 reported to be sentenced to 7 years transportation

FindMyPast prison register entry "NSW 9 Apr 1827 Marquis of Hastings"

[hanes teulu]

It looks as if he was on the Hulk Leviathan in Portsmouth Harbour 31 Mar 1827, shortly before he was transported- but need to double check.

[hanes teulu]

Forgot to add - Brighthelmstone is the old name for Brighton.

[hanes teulu]

He was on the Hulk Leviathan, January 1827 in Portsmouth Harbour

[hanes teulu]

These Hulk registers don't add to what is known, but track "Health" and "Behaviour". For example his 3 Oct 1826 entry reads "Bodily State - good; Behaviour - Good". I can't recall seeing anything under "Remarks" other than the entry giving details of transportation.

[buttercup]

Thanks so much.
Lots to digest here. So it would seem he was on a hulk prison before being transported to Australia.
Do you know if it would be the norm to have transferred between prison hulks before boarding the final convict ship to Australia?

It is interesting that it lists him as chimney sweeper. His marriage register says labourer, and another reference says farm hand, which would tie in with the sort of work he would have done later in life.

Every other detail seems to fit, including age, except the job.

Thanks for helping.

[hanes teulu]

Doesn't "... seem he was ..." - he was!
You ask " ... the norm to have been transferred between prison hulks ...". Being transferred to a Hulk, preparatory to boarding a convict ship was the norm - not transferring between Hulks.
 
George Smith first appears on the Leviathan's books for the Quarter 1 Jan 1826 to 31 March 1826, Portsmouth Harbour, having arrived from his sentencing in Lewes 19 Dec 1825 (cannot determine exact date of arrival). During that quarter no prisoner was transferred to a convict ship. Some died, some were discharged to a different Hulk, some freed on pardon and some freed having served out their 7 years while awaiting transportation.

The quarter that recorded George's transfer to the Marquis of Hastings (9 Apr 1827) saw 130 prisoners transferred, many of whom had been waiting over a year (to either the Marquis or the Layton).

The Marquis had sailed from London and was carrying a detachment of soldiers. Finally, the off!

The Sun (London) 19 April 1827
SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE (this day)
Portsmouth, April 18 - Wind N.W - Sailed the Marquis of Hastings, Drake, for New South Wales