Hello everyone
I'm looking for any info on Thomas O'Dougherty.
This is all I have so far:
Convict Number 8940
Received his certificate of Freedom on 15 March 1849.
Thomas O'Dougherty was Born in County Tyrone, Ireland in 1826 to Andy O'Doughtery. His mothers name is not known but he had a stepmother Margaret and a half brother William. Little is known of his early life. It has been suggested that he was involved in political activities in his native area, but the fact that he was a laborer, aged 17 years, when he was sentenced to transportation for 7 years, casts some doubt on this claim, which may have been put forward by some of his descendants as an excuse for his being transported.
He was tried at County Tyrone and found guilty of the larceny of money, in fact 2 pounds and 2 shillings, the property of his employer Robert McKeon. His record shows that he was well conducted in prison, he was single, a Roman Catholic, and that he could read and write. His description remarks that he was freckled, stout made, he had a scar on his right arm and on the back of his left hand.
He was embarked on the ship the 'North Briton' and arrived in Tasmania on April 4 1843. he was given a period of probationary Labor and stationed with a gang in Deloraine, Tasmania.
He apparently did not take to kindly to his new life, and his activities as convict number 8940 are indicative of his rebellious nature. Offences he committed and sentences he received during the period of his incarceration suggest he was in trouble quite frequently. As early as March 1844 he was charged with being absent from the works without leave. His sentence for this offence was 14 days solitary confinement. On April 23 1844, whilst on probation at Deloraine, he received 30 days solitary for absenting himself. On June 2 1844 he was given 3 months hard Labor in chains as punishment for again being absent without leave. On June 29 1844 his existing sentence to hard Labor was extended by 3 months and it was recommended he be removed to Impression Bay, Port Arthur, for misconduct in altering his irons to remove them. On December 5 1844 Thomas, on probation at Impression Bay, was sentenced to 14 days solitary for disobeying orders.
August 11 1845, for gross insolence to his overseer, he received 9 months hard Labor in chains and a recommendation to be removed to Port Arthur. October 21 1845 while on probation at Dover, he received 7 days solitary for absenting himself without leave and misconduct in making away with his leg irons, in addition 30 stripes in the breech. And so it goes on. At Darlington, (Maria Island) he disobeyed orders and received 36 lashes.
I can't find anything on him prior to his convict record.
Any help greatly appreciated
Thanks
Siamese68
