This story has been created by Peter Gray as part of the University of Tasmania’s HAA007 Convict Ancestors unit

When John left his place of residence on the 5th September 1835, looking for work as he later stated in court I am sure he was not expecting to be arrested by police-constable Thomas Middleton for the theft of 1 plane, value 8s, the goods of William Heiron and 1 saw, value 3s, the goods of James Virtue. From 22 Woburn Pl, London. [1]

So on the 21st September 1835 he found himself in the central criminal court or the Old Bailey as it is more commonly known as, where he was found guilty of simple larceny (theft) and was sentenced to transportation for 7 years. [1] According to the records of prison hulk registers he arrived on the prison hulk the Hardy on the 12 Oct 1835 some 23 days after he was found guilty, where he was for that 23 days is unclear so far.  For the next 11 months John was on held on the hulk moored in Portsmouth waiting for his transportation. [2]

The Ship the Henry Porcher set sail for Van Diemens Land on the 1st August 1836 leaving from Plymouth with John Boyd and 260 other convicts on board. The ship master was John Hart with the ship surgeon John Smith looking after the crew and the convicts. They arrived at the port of Hobart Town on the 15th November 1836. The journey took a total of 108 days.[3]  According to the surgeon, whose duty it was to monitor the behaviour and welfare of the convicts on board, reported that John was of very good behaviour. [4]

It is once the convicts arrived in Van Diemens Land (VDL) that we really learn a great deal about their lives as convicts from the wonderful records keep by the government agents. I found John’s records to be very interesting and insightful and I have transcribed them and I will now will tell you the rest of his story.

According to his description record, he was born in Plymouth, Devon. His description says he had a swarthy complexion with a long head and visage, his hair was brown, eyebrows light brown and dark hazel eyes. His forehead was high and he had a long nose, medium width mouth and narrow chin. He was only 5 feet 5 inches tall. His trade was a carpenter and joiner, including doors and windows. [5]

He was aged around 22/25 when sentenced. Whilst serving his sentence he committed two offences, the first on the 15 December 1838. While under his master Dumaresque, he was charged with being drunk and making use of obscene language with wine and rum in his possession. For this his punishment was 24 lashes, not a light sentence by any means. The second offence took place on the 4th of June 1839 under control of a new master, Russell. He was convicted of misconduct. Luckily he received only a warning for this. [4] He managed to keep out of trouble and turn his life around. On the 1st February 1841 having served 5 years and 5 months of his sentence he received the first step to being free, his ticket of leave. Then just a year later on the 12th February 1842 he received his conditional pardon No.192. His final step to being free, his free certificate No. 700, came on 26th September 1842 having served the full length of his sentence.[4] C In June 1842 John and Martha Vico (who was also a convict, Police No. 18) applied for permission to marry, which was a requirement if convicts were not free. Permission was granted sometime in August 1842.

John and Martha married on the 6th September 1842 at St John’s Church in Ross (district of Avoca) Tasmania by the rites of the united Church of England. The minister was William Bedford Junior. John was aged 28 and Martha stated that she was 24.  The witnesses to the marriage were William Stolley and Mary-Ann Brown. [7]

After his marriage John worked as a carpenter in the Launceston area for 3-4years.  He then worked in Evandale, Tasmania until his death in October, 1862 from pneumonia.

Evandale History Society’s records indicate that John Henry Boyd, Occupation-Carpenter, was buried at Evandale Cemetery (Anglican) on 11th October, 1862.

Their records also indicate that Martha Boyd, Widow of Carpenter, was buried at Evandale Cemetery on 28th January. 1880.

Upon studying these records I discovered some discrepancy in John’s reported name and age at the time of his death. [8]

BOYD: References

[1] www.oldbailey online.org reference Number t18350921-2048

[2] Ancestry.com. UK, prison hulk registers and letter books, 1802-1849

Source citation, Home office: convict prison hulk registers and letter books, class: HO9; Piece: 9

[3] TAHO CON27-1-2, 197, Image 154, L, 80  APPROPRIATION LISTS OF CONVICTS.

[4] TAHO CON31-1-3,400, Image 122, F, 60 CONDUCT RECORD OF CONVICTS

[5] TAHO CON18-1-9, Image 8, 7, F, 60 DESCRIPTION LIST

[6] TAHO CON 52/1/2

[7] STORS.TAS.GOV.AU/RGD37-1-2, Image394 Marriage John Boyd and Martha Varco

[8] Evandale History Society Inc. <society@iinet.net.au>