John Boyd is another of my convict ancestors. He was tried in the Central Criminal Court in London on 21st September 1835. He was given seven years transportation for larceny. John stated it was stealing fowls.

John had a swarthy complexion with a long head and visage. His hair was dark brown, his eyebrows light brown and he had dark hazel eyes. His forehead was high and he had a long nose, medium width mouth and narrow chin. He was 5 feet 5 inches in height. He was aged 22/25 when sentenced. CON 18/9

According to his appropriation papers he was born in Plymouth, Devon. His trade was as a carpenter and joiner, including doors and windows. He was well behaved whilst on the hulk according to his report. MM 33/6

He was sent to Van Diemens Land (VDL) on the ship Henry Porcher arriving Hobart Town via Norfolk Island on 15 November 1836. According to the surgeon on board, he was of very good behaviour.

Whilst in VDL he only committed two offences: December 15,1838 while under control of his master Dumaresque, he was drunk and making use of obscene language while having wine and rum in his possession. For this he was given 24 lashes. On June 4, 1839 while under control of his master Russell, he was convicted of misconduct but was only admonished for this.

He was given his ticket of leave on February 1, 1841: conditional pardon no 192 on February 12, 1842 and finally his free certificate no 700 on September 26, 1842.

On 6 September, 1842 at St Johns, Ross, Tasmania he married Martha Vico (Virco) nee Hearn, another person convicted of larceny at the central criminal court also.

He worked as a carpenter in Launceston for 3/4 years and worked at ‘Logan’ Evandale until his death from pneumonia.

HO 26/41 According to the Home Office, he could read and write at age 22, was tried at central criminal court and given 7 years transportation for larceny.

I have tried to find a John Boyd being born in the Plymouth area of Devon around 1815 but so far have not been lucky. There is a possibility of one being born in Maker, Cornwall which is across the river from Plymouth.