Notes from mc2 - Trials & Transportation

Prior to the American War of Independence British prisoners were transported to North America. With the outbreak of war between England and America this was no longer possible and British gaols soon filled with long-term prisoners. In 1776, as a short-term measure until transportation could be resumed, an Act of Parliament was passed whereby prisoners who would normally be transported were sentenced to terms of hard labour clearing sand and gravel from the beds of rivers. The men were accommodated in prison hulks (unseaworthy ships) at Woolwich, Plymouth and Portsmouth from where they worked. Other prisoners were taken to the hulks to wait to be transported as alternative destinations for transporting convicts, especially in Africa were investigated between 1776 and 1788. On the 18th August 1786 it was decided that the convicts would be transported to Botany Bay. For some of the convicts, especially those who arrived in the first two fleets, there is a great deal of information while for many of the others the information is sketchy, especially for convicts from Ireland and for some of the women.

Name	Age when Tried	Reason for Transportation
Mary Bateman	15	Theft
George Guest	17	Theft
William Roberts	30	Theft
Kezia Brown	18	Theft
Simeon Lord	19	Theft
Charles Daley	21	Theft
Mary Hyde	17	Theft
John Pendergast	30	Supporter Irish Rebellion
Uriah Moses	18	Theft
Jane Williams	24	Theft
Richard Holland	22	Theft
Susannah Alderson	29	Perjury