Bermuda Prison Hulks

[ShaunJ]

The voyage of the Boadicea from Portsmouth to Bermuda took 9 weeks.

See report of arrival in the Bermuda Royal Gazette    (column 1)

[MelC23]

Hi there, thanks for taking the time to post this info on here - it's very useful. Yes, he faced this severe punishment for stealing three cheeses! That's great info regarding the Boadicea - thanks!

I have been going through the Quarterly Returns of Prisoners on FindMyPast and have compiled the dates for Henry Cookman.

He was convicted at the Wiltshire Lent Assizes on 6th Mar 1839 and was admitted onto the Leviathan Prison Hulk at Portsmouth on 28 Mar 1839.
He was then transported to Bermuda on 22 August 1839.
He was in hospital whilst there between 31 Oct - 11 Nov 1843 with Yellow Fever.
His sentence expired on 6 Mar 1846 and he was transported back to England on 15 Apr 1846.

Now to find out what next in his life!

[jim1]

I wonder if he might be this chap in 1851:
HO107; Piece: 1685; Folio: 164; Page: 8;
Married in 1849 as Coo(c)kburn.
No sight of him in 1841.
Interesting occupation.
There's a birth in 1818 Salisbury Wilts. to a John & Martha Cookman which happens to be the names of 2 of Henry's children.
All circumstantial of course.

[MelC23]

Ooh could be! His occupation appears on the UK Prison Hulk Register in 1839 as carpenter so that would fit. He was married before his transportation on 10 December 1838 to Elizabeth Young though I can't find any records for her after a possible entry on 1841 census. Thanks very much I will follow the lead.

[jim1]

2 YO Henry from the 1851 census is living next door to a John Cookman a carpenter. I believe him to be his Grandfather.
HO107; Piece: 1190; Book: 4; Folio: 9; Page: 9

[MelC23]

This is so brilliant! Thought the Matthews' names rang a bell when I saw them. Elizabeth Cookman (nee Young, Henry's first wife) is listed on the same census return living with George and Mary Bell. Henry's father is called John Cookman but this is not the same man. Henry's father was a Agricultural labourer and appears on this 1841 census - Piece 1169 Book 5 Folio 9 Page number 11. I'm just trying to hunt down who this John may be - there may be a link which I'm onto now. I'll post again when I have further info. Thanks for all your help!

[jim1]

The John Cookman aged 80 on the 1841 census had a son John in 1783 which is probably John the ag. lab.
The problem I'm having is that Henry b.1818 had parents John & Martha whereas John the ag. lab. was married to an Ann.
The answer must be somewhere.
I noticed Elizabeth living next door to Henry which makes sense if she was in service & needed him minded.
John b. C. 1760 married Martha Young in 1780.

[MelC23]

Jim1 you have been so helpful. Thanks for all your input.

I have records for Henry b1817 to John and Sophia baptised 9th Jan 1817.
John Cookman b1780 to William and Jane was married to Sophia Galpen on 14 September 1806 in Downton Wiltshire.
He then married Ann England on 14 October 1832 in Fisherton Anger Wiltshire. Hence the Ann on the census.

Currently I am working on the theory that John b 1760 is the uncle of John b1780.
There are 4 baptism records for the children of John and Patty - George, Harriet, Isaac and Sarah. There is a John Cookman baptised 13 Dec 1861 to John and Mary at Britford.
He had a brother called William who was baptised 29 May 1765.
Their father John was a blacksmith.

I would love it if you could let me know your thoughts and any other info you can add.

[jim1]

John & Sophia makes a lot more sense than John & Martha.
The 80 YO John in 1841 is married to Patty (nee Gray m. 1793).