Free Settler or Felon

Convict and Colonial History



Convict Ship Mangles (4) - 1826


Embarked: 188 - 190 men
Voyage: 118 days
Deaths: 2
Surgeon's Journal: yes
Previous vessel: Sir Godfrey Webster
Next vessel: Sesostris arrived 21 March 1826
Captain John Coghill
Surgeon Thomas Braidwood Wilson
Follow the Irish Convict Ship Trail
Prisoners and passengers of the Mangles identified in the Hunter Valley region

Voyages of the convict ship Mangles included those in 1820, 1822, 1824, 1826, 1828, 1833, 1835, 1837 and 1840

The Mangles departed London for Cork on 10th October 1825.

Ireland

In September at Dublin it was reported that an attempt had been made by some of the convicts on board the Hulk stationed in Kingstown harbour to make their escape from that vessel. One of the convicts was shot dead in the attempt and one made his escape. The following week forty six of the convicts were put on board the Clementina schooner in order to be conveyed to the Hulk at Cork, previous to their transportation.[1]

Departure

At Cove they may have been held in the Cork Depot or the Surprise Hulk to await transportation. After embarking prisoners at the Cove of Cork the ship departed on 23rd October 1825. [3]

Surgeon Thomas Braidwood Wilson

Thomas Braidwood Wilson kept a Medical Journal from 31st August 1825 to 18th February 1826. It is written in Latin. [5]

Port Jackson

The Mangles came direct without touching anywhere and arrived in Port Jackson on 18 February 1826 with 189 male prisoners in good health. According to the Sydney Gazette, one convict died (who was half dead on embarking), on the passage out. Thomas B. Wilson's Journal states two deaths. Michael Lahey is listed in the indents as having died on the passage out.

Convict Muster

The prisoners were mustered on board on Tuesday 25th February by the new Colonial Secretary Alexander McLeay. The indents include the name, age, education, religion, marital status, family, calling, native place, offence, when and where tried, sentence, former convictions, physical description and where assigned on arrival. There is also occasional information about colonial sentences and against each name is a remark regarding their conduct on the voyage out. Most of the men behaved well. Thirty six year old shopkeeper Anthony Mitchell's conduct was considered excellent while two young men Patrick Egan age 14, Charles Kenny aged 19 both behaved badly on the voyage. Both these lads were later in trouble as well. Charles Kenny was transported to Norfolk Island and Patrick Egan had an extra 18 months added to his sentence for a robbery at Maitland.

Assignment

The youngest prisoners on board were William Byrne 16, Patrick Egan 14, John Haley 16, William Johnstone 14, Michael Mangin 15, John McCormick 14, John McCabe 14, Michael Rafferty 16, Michael Reardon 14, John Regan 16 and John Todd 16. None of these boys were assigned to settlers on arrival. They were probably sent to the Carter's barracks after disembarking.

Some of the prisoners were assigned to the Australian Agricultural Company soon after arrival including brothers James and Thomas Burke; James Couglan, Patrick Doyle; John Graham; Richard Handwright; Patrick Hayden; John Linskey; Timothy Leary; James Leonard; James McGennis, John Moore; Francis McNally; Thomas McGuire; Christopher Quinn; Denis Riorden; Patrick Sheridan and Michael Willson. This was before the company took over the Coal mines at Newcastle. They may have been employed on Company land at Port Stephens and northward as shepherds and hutkeepers.

Others were assigned to Hunter Valley settlers such as Leslie Duguid, William Ogilvie, Peter Cunningham, Timothy Nowlan and James Mudie.

The Headquarters of the 57th came out on the Mangles and Lieutenant-Colonel Shadforth, wife Frances nee Hindson and daughter Frances were passengers. The Band of the 57th came on the Sesostris. Thomas Shadforth had been wounded at the battle of Albuera in Spain and promoted to major. He was promoted lieutenant-colonel in August 1819. His eldest son Henry John Tudor, a lieutenant in the 57th, arrived in the Minstrel in August 1825, and the second son, Thomas, who had been made an ensign in the 57th in 1825, arrived about the same time. Another son, Robert William, after completing his education in England, arrived at Sydney in the Sovereign in May 1835. Lieutenant-Colonel Shadforth remained in Australia for the rest of his life.(2) Fifty-seven year old prisoner Joshua Wolverstone a groom from Armagh was assigned to Lieutenant-Colonel Shadforth on arrival.

Captain John Coghill

This was John Coghill's last voyage as Captain of the Mangles. Soon after arrival he was accused of smuggling two casks of spirits from the Mangles while she lay in Sydney Harbour. His outrage at the accusation can be read in the correspondence below. He remained in Australia where he became a settler and the command of the Mangles devolved to the chief mate, William Carr.

Mr. John Cogill to Colonial Secretary McLeay.
Sir, Sydney, 9th May, 1826.

Having heard, with mingled astonishment and regret, that Sir Thomas Brisbane left behind him a representation, in which I am charged with being a Smuggler, I trust I shall stand excused for the liberty I have taken in requesting that you will be pleased to submit the accompanying documents to His Excellency Governor Darling, with the expression of my respectful hope that they may be transmitted to His Majesty's Government in England, where I have reason to believe a charge against me has been sent similar to the undeserved one, left in this Colony.

No human being can be more earnestly solicitous to avoid giving trouble than myself; but I owe it to my character, to my friends, and to my family, not to submit in silence to the unmerited attack, of which I complain; and I cannot persuade myself, when His Excellency Governor Darling shall have read my statement of facts and the accompanying clear evidence in support and corroboration of that statement, but that he will consider it due to Justice and the maintenance of the candour and unsullied honor of his own character to direct that I may be furnished with a copy, of what may have been written to the injury of mine, thereby inflicting the greatest injury, which a man of integrity can sustain.

I have, etc, John Cogill

Select here to read more about the charges against John Coghill (HRA, Series 1, Vol. XII, p.331).

Departure of the Mangles for England

The Mangles was chartered by Cooper and Levey to take a shipment of wool back to England. The cargo was said to be worth £20,000. Wealthy merchant Solomon Levey returned to England on the Mangles to make arrangements for extensive mercantile investments. Mr. McArthur also sent home an extensive assortment of wool by the Mangles.

Convicts of the Mangles identified in the Hunter Valley region -

Armstrong, Daniel

Boyle, Patrick

Brien, Michael

Brisnan, Stephen

Bryan, Michael

Bryan, Patrick

Bryan, Thomas

Burke, James

Burke, Thomas

Burns, John

McCarthy, Dennis

Cleary, James

Collins, Timothy

Connolly, Patrick

Connolly, Patrick

Corcoran, James

Coughlan, James

Crawley, Patrick

Devitt, William

Donovan, Patrick

Doyle, Patrick

Dunn, William

Fahey, Michael

Fanning, Patrick

Fitzgerald, Garrett

Flannagan, Owen

Flood, Michael

Foley, Richard

Foran, James

Fox, Christopher

Foy, John

Graham, John

Handwright, Richard

Hayden, Patrick

Joy, Maurice

Keane, James

Keane, Timothy

Kelly, Patrick

Larkin, John

Larkin, Patrick

Leary, Timothy

Leonard, James

Linskey, John

Mangin, Michael

Marah, James

McAnally, Francis

McGennis, John

McGrath, Michael

McGuire, Thomas

McMackin, William

McMahon, Nicholas

McNamara, Roger

McNamara, Thomas

Moylan, Patrick

Moynehan, Patrick

Murphy, William

Nagle, Patrick

Phelan, John

Quin, Christopher

Regan, John

Riordan, Denis

Shea, John

Sheridan, Patrick

Slattery, Timothy

Stack, Robert

Stinson, James

Sullivan, Daniel

Thompson, Patrick

Tierney, William

Tobin, John

Whelan, Kyram

Willson, Michael

Notes and Links

1). Convict Ships bringing Political Prisoners and Protesters

2). Three men were convicted under the Insurrection Act - Patrick Connolly and Garrett Fitzgerald from Limerick and Patrick McKenny from Westmeath.

3).The Recorder's Court sat on Saturday last: Aldermen Montgomery, C.P. Archer, and Sir T. Whelan, on the Bench. Christopher Fox stood indicted for stealing a gold seal, the property of James Connolly, Esq. Mr. William Connolly examined by Mr. Bethel - Proved the identity of the seal, and that the prisoner lived with him at his house in Stephen's green in the capacity of a groom, for the space of four months, during which time he missed several articles of place, and other articles, his property. The Jury, under the direction of the Learned Recorder, found the prisoner guilty, and he was sentenced to 7 years transportation. - Freeman's Journal 12 July 1825

4). William Rainsford was indicted for stealing a barrel of wheat from Mr. Francis Burke of Townsend street, who deposed that for some time, he had reason to suspect that the stock of wheat on his loft was decreasing unfairly for some time; he discharged some of his draymen in consequence, and set a watch on the premises; the prisoner lived in his service as a drayman for twelve months; he had the highest opinion of his correctness; some days ago he received information that a sack of wheat had been deposited in the house of one Magrath, a barber in Stocking lane, whither he proceeded, accompanied by a peace officer; the wheat in the sack corresponded with that on his lofts; he had two of his draymen, the prisoner and Patrick Cullen, apprehended; Cullen became an approver, and on his examination before the Police Magistrates, admitted that he was concerned with prisoner in the robbery; his evidence on the trial being admitted he deposed - That the day before the robbery of the wheat which was the subject of the present trial he brought a barrel of wheat to a person named Cummins in Thomas street, who gave him thirty one shillings as payment for it; half of which he gave to the prisoner at the bar, and that on the following day he removed, on his dray, from his master's stores, the sack of wheat which was deposited at Magrath's til an opportunity might offer for its disposal. The prisoner having offered nothing in his defence, was found guilty and received sentence of transportation for seven years. - Freeman's Journal 8 August 1825

5). Voyages of the convict ship Mangles included those in 1820, 1822, 1824, 1826, 1828, 1833, 1835 (VDL), 1837 and 1840

6). Eleven convict ships brought prisoners to New South Wales in 1826 - Marquis of Hastings, Sir Godfrey Webster, Mangles, Sesostris, Lady Rowena, Regalia, Marquis of Huntley, England, Boyne, Speke and Phoenix

7). Return of Convicts of the Mangles assigned between 1st January 1832 and 31st March 1832 (Sydney Gazette 14 June 1832; 21 June 1832; 28 June 1832).....

Thomas Dovan (Doran) Coachman and servant. Assigned to Andrew Marsh at Parramatta

Patrick Flanagan Labourer assigned to Michael Bryan at Airds

Patrick Farrell Weaver and labourer assigned to William Smith at Parramatta

Michael Managan Errand boy assigned to Lawrence Myles at Hunter River


8) Vessels bringing detachments of the 57th Regiment........ Vessels bringing detachments of the 57th Regiment........

Asia 1825 departed Cork 29 October 1824 - Captain Richard Heaviside

Asia (III) 1825 departed Portsmouth 5 January 1825 - Lieutenant Thomas Bainbridge

Royal Charlotte 1825 departed Portsmouth 5 January 1825 - Major Edmund Lockyer

Hooghley 1825 departed Cork 5 January 1825 Cork - Captain Patrick Logan

Norfolk 1825 departed Portsmouth 17 April 1825 - Captain James Brown

Minstrel 1825 departed Portsmouth 17 April 1825 - Lieutenant Henry John Tudor Shadforth

Lonach 1825 departed Cork 16 May 1825 - Lieutenant John William Donelan

Sir Godfrey Webster departed Cork 11 July 1825 - Lieutenant John Ovens

Medway 1825 departed the Downs 2 August 1825 Downs - Lieutenant William Bates

Henry Porcher 1825 departed Dublin 5 August 1825 Dublin - Captain Vance Young Donaldson

Marquis of Hastings 1826 departed Portsmouth 22 August 1825 - Ensign Stewart

Mangles 1826 departed Cork 23 October 1825 - Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Shadforth

Sesostris 1826 departed Portsmouth 30 November 1825 - Major John Campbell

Prince Regent 1827 departed London 11 June 1827 - Lieutenant Campbell

Morley 1828 departed Dublin 3 November 1827 - Captain Robert Hunt

Borodino 1828 departed Cork 11 February 1828 Cork - Captain Philip Aubyn

Mangles 1828 departed Dublin 23 February 1828 Dublin- Lieut. Hill Adjutant Lieut. Kidd

Bussorah Merchant 1828 departed London 27 March 1828 - Captain Burton Daveney (+ 1 soldier)

Marquis of Hastings 1828 departed Portsmouth 1828 30 June 1828 - Colonel Allen

Asia 1828 departed London 23 November 1828 - Lieutenant George Edwards

References

[1] Freemans Journal 17 September 1825

[2] 'Shadforth, Thomas (1771 - 1862)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, published first in hardcopy 1967

[3] Bateson, Charles, Library of Australian History (1983). The convict ships, 1787-1868 (Australian ed). Library of Australian History, Sydney : pp.346-347

[4] Ancestry.com. UK, Royal Navy Medical Journals, 1817-1857. Medical Journal of Thomas Braidwood Wilson on the voyage of the Mangles in 1826 . The National Archives. Kew, Richmond, Surrey.

[5] National Archives - Reference: ADM 101/47/4 Description: Medical and surgical journal of the convict ship Mangles, for 31 August 1825 to 28 February 1826 by T B Wilson MD, Surgeon and Superintendent, during which time the said ship was employed in a voyage to New South Wales.