NSW: Daniel MURRAY, born 1834, Leeds, West Yorkshire

[maddys52]

I'm assuming this is your Daniel MURRAY - convicted of larceny in Albury in 1871 and sentenced to 1 year 3 months in Darlinghurst Gaol. There is an entry in 1871 for Daniel MURRAY aged 36 born Leeds, Roman Catholic, arrived 1859 on the Will Watch, shoemaker - this is for Goulburn Gaol.

[BAC3]

Hello maddys52,

Mr. MURRAY was, politely, a "rogue".   He was transported to WA for 7 years in 1851, re-offended in 1854 and sentenced to Life (According to records but newspaper says 7 years!!) and then awarded a Ticket-of-Leave in 1858.  Assumed, not confirmed, that he migrated to NSW via the Will Watch in 1858/1859. 

His sentence in NSW in 1871 and birth of his second child in 1871 in Victoria are "problematic" datewise.   In 1873 he apparently "shot through" to NZ and the children became wards of court.  By 1899 he had returned to Victoria and was working as a miner, which leaves me wondering about the children born in 1877 and 1879.  It is not known when he died.

Some of this information has been obtained via Public Member Trees, although it is very scanty and there are no sources quoted that really help.   Quite a bit of detail is reliant on a more resourced Tree for the second child Robert Charles.   Incidentally, I have approached the "Owner" of the Tree for help and exchange of information as I have a very full narrative for him until he arrived in WA.

As always thank you for helping

BAC3

[maddys52]

I would be a little suspicious of the tree on Ancestry that has Robert Charles MURRAY (1871-1927) as son of Daniel and Elizabeth. The death in Qld in 1927 clearly has Robert's parents as James Peter MURRAY and Annie.

However, the Robert Charles MURRAY who was born Victoria in 1871 (17150 / 1871) to parents James MURRAY and Anne (GLEESON), most likely died 1872 aged 1 (4611 / 1872, parents James and Ann GLEESON), so the other family trees not quite correct there either. Somewhat confusing all round. It would be interesting to see the certificates.

That said, the information regarding Robert becoming Ward of the State - there are records of Robert Charles MURRAY born 1871 in the Index to the Children's Registers of State Wards, Victoria, but is this the son of Daniel and Elizabeth?

[maddys52]

That said, the information regarding Robert becoming Ward of the State - there are records of Robert Charles MURRAY born 1871 in the Index to the Children's Registers of State Wards, Victoria, but is this the son of Daniel and Elizabeth?

Oh, I've looked at PROV and found the admission for Robert Charles MURRAY in 1878 born 4 March 1871, yes he's the son of Daniel, labourer, currently in NZ and Elizabeth. And also in 1873, father's location unknown. Sad reading.
https://prov.vic.gov.au/search_journey/select?q=series_id:4527%20AND%20text:(robert%20murray)%20AND%20sam.description.date_of_birth:(1871)&start_date=&end_date=&form_origin=WARDSOFSTATE&iud=true

Anyway, doesn't help with finding who Daniel says his parents are ...

[maddys52]

 

His sentence in NSW in 1871 and birth of his second child in 1871 in Victoria are "problematic" datewise. 

"Charles alias Daniel Murray was charged with wife desertion" - Jan 1871, Wangaratta , just a couple of months before Robert was born.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196416435

Albury Jun 1871 - Daniel MURRAY charged with stealing
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/264163013

Albury is on the border of NSW and Victoria, some 70km from Wangaratta.

[maddys52]

Newspaper report about the neglected children in Aug 1873
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/197052459
and another report from Oct 1873
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/197051462

Mentions Daniel was a boot and shoemaker, left her 4 months previously in Geelong (this would fit with the 15month prison sentence). He was said to be in NZ. Told her he had another wife. I wonder if this was in NZ or in Australia? (Or a fib.)

[BAC3]

Hello maddys52,

You really are very helpful and I am so grateful.

It seems that I am beginning to place Daniel MURRAY in complete perspective......the "ward" paperwork for the children was especially interesting as it linked several aspects of his life.   However, I found the description of his wife being "half silly" quite offensive!!!!

Notwithstanding all the progress establishing his life story the question of his parental details sadly remains unanswered, although there is no doubt he was originally an ex-Parkhurst Prison transportee.   Certainly one of the most colourful.   The only area that I would wish for more information is his re-offending in Western Australia, just to clarify his actual sentence.

For the moment, take care,

BAC3

[maddys52]

You're welcome BAC3,

I agree, "half silly" is very offensive, though I guess indicative of the times. I see that the tree on Ancestry has Elizabeth MURRAY dying in 1902 - probably this death at Wendouree Asylum.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/211466526

Vic BDM Elizabeth MURRAY aged 53 (8118 / 1902). - father's name etc "unknown".

Inquest report here:
https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/EF2EFE96-F1C0-11E9-AE98-A9AC06E55FBD?image=8

She had been transferred from Albury.

[maddys52]

   The only area that I would wish for more information is his re-offending in Western Australia, just to clarify his actual sentence.

I assume this is Daniel in 1854, however are there 2 Daniel's or 2 offences?

"Daniel Murray, charged with stealing a pair of boots the property of David Francisco, of Fremantle. Verdict- guilty. Sentence - seven years transportation:

Daniel Murray, charged with stealing tree loaves of bread and a silk handkerchief the property of Alfred de Leech, of Perth. Verdict - guilty. Sentence - "

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3175530/719491 (page 3, bottom)