James Brown : Short Biography

James Brown was my 3rd great-grandfather. He was born in 1808 probably in county Clare. He was brought to trial in Dublin on 14 February 1827 and sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing silk - he had three former convictions. He arrived at Sydney Cove, New South Wales, Australia on the ship "Cambridge" on 17 September 1827 - he was 19, Catholic, single, family place Clare, labourer, 5 foot 7 and a half inches in height, ruddy fresh complexion, brown hair, grey eyes, "AB" was tattoed on his right arm. (His name was written as James Browne, no doubt to distinguish him from another James Brown also on board).  He was sent to the Barracks at Newcastle. He obtained a Ticket of Leave on 31 August 1831 and allowed to stay in the district of Paterson's Plains (near Newcastle). A few months later as he was admitted to Gaol at Newcastle in November for 6 days solitary confinement for neglect of his duty in the Australian Agricultural Company. In March 1832 he was appointed watch-house keeper at Paterson's Plains (a military post to apprehend convicts running away from Newcastle). Later in the year he was allowed to marry another convict Margaret Colclough on 19 July 1832 - they had to be married in the Church of England (parish of Maitland) even though they were both Catholic - the marriage most likely took place at Paterson's Plains as both the witnesses were from there. The Colonial Secretary's Office announced in the newspaper on 14 May 1833 that James Browne had been dismissed as watch-house keeper at Paterson's Plains for neglect of duty and drunkenness - he was mentioned as being in gaol in Newcastle in 1832-33. He obtained his Certificate of Freedom on 16 August 1834. In July 1836 he was back in Newcastle Gaol and sentenced to 6 months imprisonment for illegally selling spirits and let out on Christmas Day 1836. He had probably lost his Certificate of Freedom as his residence on the 1837 Muster was master Gaol and he had a Ticket of Leave. He was back in Newcastle Gaol on 15 August 1840, free, a labourer - he was admitted to bail on 6 November 1840. In December 1841 he back in Newcastle Gaol then sent to Hyde Park Barracks, his Ticket of Leave cancelled. It was granted again on 12 August 1842 at Maitland. James and Margaret had four children: William Henry born about 1835, Ellen born about 1838, Margaret Jane born about 1840 and Annie born about 1844 - there are no records of their births. James probably died in gaol somewhere though there are more glamorous stories of him returning to England and claiming money. It seems his wife