Bernard Fitzsimmons : Short Biography

Place of death unknown. Two possibilities. One died at Granville 6 Dec 1887 (Reg 8724/1888). A second died in Victoria in 1879 (son was Michael) Reg #8105/1879.Bernard Fitzsimmons was a convict. 

Date of Birth: 1803. Occupation: Shop man. Date of Death: (possibly) 1887. Age: 85 Crime:    Forgery. Convicted Ireland, Kings County. Sentence term: 14years. Ship: Elphinstone. Departure date: 8 September, 1838. Arrival date: 29 December, 1838. Place of arrival: New South Wales. Passenger manifest: Travelled with 68 other convicts. A son Thomas (13) also came with him. The above is from NSW Govt. Records. 

He also had a criminal record in Australia, including:

7 Feb 1849. Item 51041. To be tried at Maitland Circuit court for uttering forged orders.
17 Feb 1849. Item 51412. Sentenced to 3 yrs in Maitland gaol for aiding and abetting Patrick McIntee to defraud James Stephenson.
1 March 1848 in Maitland, remanded on a charge of uttering a forged order. Item: 3906313 Sep 1848. Item 45043. To be tried at Maitland Circuit Court for uttering forged orders.
13 Sep 1848. Item 45090. 11 pounds taken from him when he was arrested for uttering forged orders to be handed to his attorney for his defence.
16 Sep 1848. Item 45387. Given bail to appear at the next Circuit Court on a charge of forgery.

The only NSW death found for a Bernard Fitzsimmons is 6 Dec 1887 at Gladesville Asylum; registered as # 8724/1888. This is most likely a settler named Bernard Fitzsimmons.

Several records from From Aust Bio. Database (relating to convict):
Ticket of Leave Number: 45/1298 Year: 1845; Allowed to remain in the District of Port Stephens; Bernard Fitzsimmons Place of Trial: Kings Co [OFF IRL], Ship: Elphinstone, Year: 1838, Source Reference: SRNSW 4/4201; Reel 957. [Biog Item No. 120146655] Arrived: per Elphinstone 29 Dec 1838; Bernard Fitzsimmons, Age 35 years; Education: R&W; Religion: Roman Catholic; Marriage Status: Single; Born at Cavan County Employment: Grocer; Trial Crime: Forged notes in possession, Trial Court: Kings County, 19 Jul 1838 Trial Sentence: 14 years; Previous convictions: None; Height in feet inches: 5 6; Complexion: Dark ruddy; Hair: Brown; Eyes: Bluish; Licence Number: CF 52/84; Marks or Scars: Yes; Original Remarks: Son on board, free, Thomas Fitzsimmons, aged 13 years [Biog Item No. 170812641]Bernard Fitzsimmons, Trial Crime: Forging, Trial Court: Assizes, Trial Term or Fine or Punishment: bail, Tried at: Maitland, Date: 14 Sep 1848 [Biog Item No. 399422904] Bernard Fitzsimmons, Trial Crime: Uttering forged order, Trial Court: Assizes, Trial Term or Fine or Punishment: to trial, Tried at: Maitland, Date: 12 Feb 1849 [Biog Item No. 399422903] Bernard Fitzsimmons, Trial Crime: Aiding & abetting, Trial Court: Assizes, Trial Sentence: Guilty, Trial Term or Fine or Punishment: 3 years in Maitland gaol, Tried at: Maitland, Date: 15 Feb 1849 [Biog Item No. 399422905].