Detective Needed ! Was my James Calvert hanged, or transported ?

[JeannieR]

Hello,

My 4th time great uncle , James Calvert,born Horsforth 1790,was charged with feloniously stealing a gelding.The family were by this time residents in Headingley, Leeds, and the crime was reported in a newspaper on October 30th 1819.

As far as I can ascertain,James was sentenced to be hanged in May 1820 at York assizes.I think that he was reprieved, and transported for life,but I am not sure which way this went.Bit confused with the court case I am afraid.

Can anyone help me with the outcome ? Information thus far was gleaned from FindMyPast.

Many Thanks.

JeannieR

Update !!

I "Googled" the name of the gentleman that James stole from,one George Romaine Goff, and it came up with the fact that James was transported on board the Hebe,on July 12th 1820

[MaxD]

You've read it correctly.  The hand written 6 April 1820 document amends the death sentences meted out to folk at York to various crimes earlier that year and in his case commutes the death sentence to 14 years transportation.  It is written from the Home Office to the Justices of Assize for the Northern Circuit (ie where the sentence was handed down).

MaxD

PS  He was transported on the vessel "Hebe" on 12 July 1820 to New South Wales.  Held on the hulk Leviathan in Portsmouth before he went.

[tazzie]

Hi

There is a certificate of freedom for James Calvert age 44 of Orsford Yorkshire
                                                  Arrived Hebe 1820.   Date 4 March 1834.
  Sentenced York assizes to 14 years.

Tazzie

[janan]

James Calvert was received aboard the Prison Hulk Leviathon at Portsmouth on 3rd May 1820 (sentence 14yrs transportation from York assizes 4 Mar 1820, transported July 12th 1820)

[MaxD]

I'm glad I got that right.

MaxD

[janan]

I didn't notice you'd already mentioned the Leviathon, Max.
Always better to have information twice rather than not at all

Jan

[MaxD]

And you did provide more detail 

MaxD

[tazzie]

The dates all tie into him marrying a Sophia Stafford who arrived as a convict in 1820 on the James being convicted at Gt Yarmouth in 1818. Her sentence was 7 years.

James has details as being chief constable in the settlement of Newcastle.


Tazzie

[JeannieR]

Hello Everyone,

And thank you for all your input. I am thrilled with your findings.

The amazing thing is, the family were quite well off then,and he did not need to steal the horse in the first place.

Sorry to have been tardy in my reply,my computer has been acting up somewhat.

Many Thanks

JeannieR