Lancaster Assizes

[TasG]

G'day all,

I am seeking some insight into finding information of how to find someone who has been tried at the Lancaster Assizes. 

Firstly, the fellow I am seeking is a William Shannon who was tried 26th April 1830 in the Lancaster Assizes.  He was given 14 years and transported to Australia in 1831 on the ship 'Exmouth'.  He gained his 2nd Ticket Of Leave in 1842.  I hope to find out what he did to get this sentence.

He may also have had a brother John Shannon who arrived earlier as a convict in 1829 having been tried 18 July 1828 at the Lancaster Assizes. (I can't find anything on him either)  It notes he is from Downpatrick and, like his possible brother, a shoemaker.

I have searched the Lancaster Castle database finding nothing, but from what I have read that may mean he was tried elsewhere in the county.

I'm open for suggestions!

Cheers and thanks,

TasG

[Ladyhawk]

You can order records here

http://srwww.records.nsw.gov.au/indexsearch/searchhits.aspx?table=Convict%20Index&ID=65&query=shannon&frm=0

1831 Woolwich  Arrival of convict ship Exmouth (28/7/1831) Port Jackson

SHANNON William Exmouth 1831 Sep 1844 Certificate of Freedom

1829 Falmouth arrival of convict ship Mellish 8/4/1829 Port Jackson

SHANNON John Mellish 1829 Ticket of Leave District: Patricks Plains; Born: Downpatrick; Trade: Shoemaker; Tried: Lancs QS

SHANNON John Mellish 1829 Aug 1835 Certificate of Freedom

What about the National Archives

http://yourarchives.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php?title=Research_Guide:_Assizes_-_Criminal_Trials#Where_to_Start_in_the_Assize_Records

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/assizes-key-criminal-1559-1971.htm

[TasG]

G'day Ladyhawk,

Thank you for your efforts.  I had all the records you listed, although the Medical Journal of the 'Exmouth' was certainly new information and provided one more piece to an interesting puzzle!

I had also previously gone to the website you had pointed to, but I honestly didn't follow how to find anything more than what you showed me. It doesn't seem, from my search, to show any arraignment of William Shannon at the Lancaster Assizes.

Are there any other options or is this information just possibly not there anymore?

With hope,

TasG

[TasG]

I've just discovered that it was at Lancaster in the Quarter Sessions.  Does that make it more possibly traced?

Cheers

TasG

[MJW]

This might be him.  I found this on Ancestry's Criminal Registers (extracted from National Archives).

William Shannon, tried at Lancaster Assizes, Easter Session 1830.
Crime - "Larceny, before convicted of Felony"
Sentence - 14 Years Transportation

There are 2 other crimes listed for a William Shannon in 1828, also at Lancaster.  Possibly the same person ??

January 1828.  Crime - Larceny.  Sentence "14 Days and Whipped".

October 1828.  Crime - Larceny having been before convicted".  Sentence - 6 months.

[Ladyhawk]

Looks as if MJW has found the info. for you

this is all I was able to find I'm afraid from

http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/research_guides/convicts/instructions/con_trans_reg_dbase_trial.html

William Shannon, one of 290 convicts transported on the Exmouth, 03 March 1831.
Convicted at Lancaster Quarter Session for a term of 14 years.
Vessel: Exmouth.
Date of Departure: 03 March 1831
Place of Arrival: New South Wales

John Shannon, one of 169 convicts transported on the Mellish, 10 November 1828.
Convicted at Lancaster, Liverpool Boro' Quarter Sessions for a term of 7 years on 28 July 1828
Vessel: Mellish
Date of Departure: 10 November 1828
Place of Arrival: New South Wales 

If you require details perhaps MJW will be able to provide the crime for  John that lead to his transportation - looks as if his info. can be found on A.....y but unfortunatley I don't have access

There was also a trial in Lancashire Jul 1827 for a John Shannon but he was acquitted (don't know if this would be the same one)

[TasG]

G'day MJW and Ladyhawk,

Bingo!  Thanks for that.  I needed a pathway and you've both supplied it.  I really appreciate that.  A ...... y came through and I've looked at all the appropriate links. 

Great!

Cheers

TasG

[lancsann]

John Shannon (age 30) was transported on a charge of felony for 7 yrs - source Liverpool Mercury Aug 1st 1828

[gbugden]

Hello TasG
I too am researching William Shannon and his brother John. Perhaps we can can exchange information.
Regards
Greg