This information was compiled by Janet Donnelly. We are grateful to Janet for allowing us to include it on this web site. Convicts transported from Fort William, Bengal, on the Mary 1836 To Alexander McLeay, Esqre. Colonial Secretary to the Government of New South Wales Sir, I am directed by the Honorable the Governor of Bengal to inform you, that Fifteen European Convicts named in the Margin have been ordered to be embarked on the Ship Mary, Commanded by Captain B. Simpson, for New South Wales. I am likewise directed to transmit to you a Warrant and a List, made agreeably to the request contained in your letter of the 7th August 1828, assigning the labor of the Convicts in question to the Government of New South Wales. I have the honor to be Sir, Your obedient humble Servant, signature (looks like Rip O Maples) Secy to the Govt. of Bengal Fort William the 16th February, 1836 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Whereas Henry Smith, James Murphy, Joseph Nice, John Taylor, James Spence, William Winterson, John Donnelly, Benjamin Sheppard, Patrick Brett, John Kelly, James Hogg, Walter Boyes, John Elliott, John Wilson and David Grieg the persons named in the annexed list have been convicted of offences against the Law, and have been ordered to be transported for the term annexed to their names, And Whereas the said persons have been put on Board the Ship Mary in order to their being transported to His Majesty's Colony of New South Wales, I do hereby in pursuance of the authority vested in me, transfer the services of the persons so convicted to His Majesty's Governor of His Majesty's Colony of New South Wales and his assigns for the term for which they have been ordered to be transported. Given under my Hand and Seal at For William in Bengal the 16th February 1836. signature (looks like A T Metcalfe) Governor of Fort William in Bengal By order of the Honorable the Governor of Fort William in Bengal signature (could I guess be R I O' Mayles?) Secy to the Govr. of Fort William in Bengal Ships records include name and regiment, followed by: Where convicted, crime, sentence, ever tranported or convicted before, read and write, married or single, occupation, age and description (eyes and hair, etc), behaviour while in Calcutta jail. Illegible details are omitted. This is followed by notes on convicts provided by Gaolor of Calcutta Jail, 30 March 1836.

Private Henry Smith, no. 709(?) of 44 regiment
Calcutta, disgraceful conduct, 7 years, never, both, single, labourer,
25 yrs, 5'7'' fair, good.

"A quiet very well conducted and tractable man. I never for seven months
heard a word against him."

Corporal James Murphy, no. (?) of regiment no. unclear
Mou......., disgraceful conduct, 7 years, never, both, married,
(illegible), 41 yrs, (illegible), good.

"This is one of the most respectable men I ever met under such
unfortunate circumstances, I have reason to know that he is innocent of
the crime laid to his charge and during a period of nine months I never
heard a report against him".

Private Joseph Nice, no. 237 of 44 regiment
Calcutta, desertion and mutiny, 7 years, never, both, single, labourer,
31 yrs, 5'6'' fair, light, good.

"This man has been fairly well conducted but if he gets liquor he may be
troublesome".

Private John Taylor, no. 371 of 3rd regiment of foot (or buffs)(sic)
Gazapore, desertion and mutiny, 7 years, never, both, single,
(illegible), 29 yrs (illegible), good.

"This is a most respectable man and may be depended on to any extent, he
would not on any account state what was not a fact."

Private James Spence, no. 598 of 3rd regiment of foot (or buffs)
Gazapore, desertion and mutiny, 14 years, never, both, single, labourer,
21yrs , 5'4'', fair, black, good.

"A quite well conducted man."

Private William Winterson, no. 592 of 31st regiment
Kurnaul, disgraceful conduct, 7 years, never, can read, single,
labourer, 26 yrs, fair, brown, good.

"This man has been well conducted in the Calcutta jail".

Private John Donnelly, no. 526 of 31st regiment
Kurnaul, disgraceful conduct, 7 years, never, neither, single, 28 yrs,
5'10'', fair, black, good.

"This man requires to be well looked after. I punished him for bad
conduct in the jail and I believe him to be the worst of the whole
batch."

Private Benjamin Sheppard, no. 273 of 13 regiment of infantry
Nomelah Agra, desertion, seven years, never, both, single, writer?, 29
yrs, 5'7'', dark, dark, brown, lost one eye, good.

"This man has been well conducted since he came under my observation".

Private Patrick Brett, no. 494 of 31 regiment of foot
Kurnaul, drunkenness and mutinous conduct, 7 years, never, both, single,
victualler, 27 yrs, 5'8'', pale, dark brown, good.

"Well conducted".

Private John Kelly, no. 849 of 38th regiment
Arrachpore(??), disgraceful and (?) conduct, 7 years, never, neither,
single, labourer, 5'6'', fair, dark brown, good.

"I detected this man in an attempt to steal. He is also a gambler and in
my opinion cannot be depended on".

James Hogg (no regiment given)
Calcutta, (illegible, tiny writing better viewed on reel -- previous
convictions) both(read and write), labourer, 25 yrs, fair, dark, good.

"This man for the last seven years has spent the greater part of his
time in the Calcutta jail and house of correction. He is decidedly of
bad character, he will be found an intimate associate of Donnelly's and
if any unpleasant affair takes place I would advise their immediate and
complete separation".

Private Walter Boyes, no regiment provided
Meerut, sodomy, for life, never, can read, single, labourer, 25 yrs,
5'9'', fair, dark brown, good.

"This man is convicted of a most revolting and unnatural offence, he was
however, never brought to my notice for bad conduct".

Private John Elliott, no. 501 of (?) infantry
Nomelah Agra, desertion, 7 years, never, neither, single, servant,
22yrs, 5'9'', fair light brown, good.

"This man has the reputation of not always being of sound mind. His
language is extremely offensive and he has been brought to my notice for
threatening some of the officers of the Prison and his fellow Prisoners,
especially Sheppard."

Private John Wilson, no. 504 of 3rd regiment of foor or buffs
Gazapore, desertion, 7 years, never, both, single, labourer, 29 yrs,
5'5'', swarthy, brown, good.

"This man I would not much depend on, for although I had no occasion to
punish him while under my charge I have good reason to know his
principles are bad".

Private David Greig, no 401 of 3rd regiment
Gazapore, desertion, 7 yrears, never, both, single, baker, 25 yrs,
5'9'', fair, good.

"This man has been well conducted while in jail."

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