Hi Bryan, Yes, it was unusual to be given an Absolute Pardon before the convict arrived in PJ so it looks like it was something that happened in Ireland just after the Surrey left. The Surrey left Cork on the 9th January 1836 and the despatch regarding this boy was dated 31st January 1836 - so perhaps it was sent on the next ship leaving Ireland. James is mentioned a number of times in the HRA but on checking these volumes it does not provide the detail of what had happened although the Index does give you some clue. James Farrell - HRA Series 1 - Volume date free pardon for .. 1835-1837 .. Jul 1835 - Jun 1837 - Vol. XVIII report re free pardon for .. 1842-1843 .. Apr 1842 - Jun 1843 - Vol. XXII instructions for return to England of .. 1843-1844 .. Jul 1843 - Sept 1844 - Vol. XXIII report acknowledged re delay in issue of pardon to .. 1843-1844 .. Jul 1843 - Sept 1844 - Vol. XXIII report re .. 1844-1846 .. Oct 1844 - Mar 1846 - Vol. XXIV statement re .. 1844-1846 .. Oct 1844 - Mar 1846 - Vol. XXIV The Indent does state that he was allowed an Absolute Pardon and that there was a Colonial Secretary's letter No 39/501 dated 25 June 1839 regarding the matter. I realise that you don't live in Australia but checking the Post 1825 Colonial Secretary's Index by the late Joan Reece could be an option to obtain the extra details needed by the State Records of NSW. Perhaps someone could check for you. It is interesting that the HRA mentions return to England and not return to Ireland Regards Lesley Uebel http://www.claimaconvict.net/index.html CLAIM A CONVICT email: ckennedy@bigpond.net.au On 30/05/2013 3:37 PM, Bryan wrote: > Hello all, > > Can I just run this fellow's history past you as I know it? > > Name: James Farrell/Joseph Farrall and combinations thereof > Born: probably Newry, County Down, Ireland, about 1822 > Sentenced at Londonderry 4 Aug 1835, larceny, aged 13 > (Query: why would a 13 yr old be on the loose in Londonderry?) > Departed Cork 9 Jan 1836 on Surr(e)y 1 (9) > Arr PJ 17 May 1836 > > So he's now about 14 years old. Where does he go? > > Pardon: I have a newspaper record from The Sydney Gazette of 25 June 1836 > In an advertisement dated Sydney, 13th June, 1836 from His Excellency the > Governor (Alexander McLeay) in a despatch, dated 31st Jan. 1836, No. 101, > giving an Absolute Pardon to "Farrell James, Surry", see > http://tinyurl.com/nh79y25 > Another report would suggest: Absolute Pardon 25 Jun 1839 > > I also believe he got into trouble again: > 16 Aug 1839: Sydney Gaol. (about 17 years old) > Trial. 11 Jan 1840:Acquitted. > 6 May 1840: Maitland Bench. 3 years for larceny. To iron'd gang > He's now only 18 years old. > (But I'm sorry but I've lost the sources for these). > > I have corresponded here on this young man before. > The thread is here: http://tinyurl.com/o8ld3xr > > What I am asking is these: > > How can I find out what happened to him after his sentence on 6 May 1840, at > Maitland? He would have been freed I guess in 1843. There's a NSW death > record in 1842 - no index details. > Was it normal to grant a Pardon dated 31 Jan 1836 (22 days after he left > Cork) and some 3 months before he arrived in PJ? > Where does the pardon in 1839 fit? > If I am the right track his sister arrived (assisted) in the area as married > to Patrick Logan in January 1844. It's a rather tentative link, I know. > I'm sorry if I've wasted people's time but at least the exercise has > suggested to me that there's no further I can go. > > But if anything pops out, please let me know! > > Regards > Bryan > Chch, NZ > >