A harrowing account of the hard life lead by young men after transportation to Van Diemen’s Land.
“LINCOLN. – History of a Thief. – Recently, a youth 19 years of age, named Jos. Sanderson, who was transported from Doncaster in the year 1838, having returned from transportation, called upon police-inspector Ashton, of this city, and gave him an account of his life, from which which we condense the following particulars:-In December, 1836, he left home (Sheffield) with his brother john, and a boy named Thos. McGuire, and came to Lincoln. Here, and on the road, they committed 13 felonies; and in January, 1837, they were apprehended by Ashton for stealing silk-handkerchiefs from the shop of Mrs. Jeavons, and some pork from the shop of Mr. Geo. Simpson, butcher: being tried before Lord Abinger at the following assizes, McGuire was sentenced to seven years’ transportation, and the two brothers to six months’ imprisonment each. Joseph sadly misconducted himself whilst in prison, and at the end of the term was taken to a London refuge, that efforts might be made to reclaim him. After being in the establishment for almost a fortnight, he determined upon escaping; and accordingly, one night after he had been put to bed he got up, dressed himself and went up the chimney: having arrived at the top, he threw down his cap, and leaving his smock at the top of the chimney to prevent the smoke from coming out, he dropped down the side of the building, left London, and went down to Sheffield, where he again joined some juvenile companions in crime. Not long afterwards, he was apprehended by Mr. Bond, constable of Doncaster, and with two other youths was committed for trial for stealing three silk-handkerchiefs, tried, and sentenced to seven years’ transportation. In February, 1838, he was removed from York Castle to the boys’ hulks at Chatham, and after being there for nine months, he was removed with 269 other boys and 10 men to a convict-ship at Sheerness; and after four months’ voyage, the whole were landed at Hobart’s Town, Van Dieman’s Land*. Here, after the likenesses of the whole had been taken, each was asked how many times he had been in prison, and for what; to what church he belonged; what was his trade, what friends he had in England, and where they lived. The ship’s company were then examined, and the largest boys were selected from the rest, put into a boat guarded by soldiers, and conveyed to the barracks.”
The Stamford Mercury, 21st November, 1845.
*Tasmania