Bridget Sheedy/Sheehy,convict, per Hooghly
Preface by Jenny Fawcett. Bridget Sheedy/Sheehy, born c 1809 in Limerick was (according to Syd Sheedy) the irish born daughter of Patrick Sheedy/Sheehy,a convict transported to NSW per Marquis of Wellington in 1815. Bridget would have been only around six years of age when her father was transported.If both Bridget and Patrick's ages were correct as given on their convict indents, then Patrick was only around 17 years of age when his daughter Bridget was born! It is not known where Bridget and her mother (or other siblings) lived between the years of her father's transportation (1815) and that of her own (1831).Patrick was stated to be a native of Waterford, and a tailor by occupation, so it is quite possible that the family had moved around between towns in previous years. Bridget had been convicted (according to her convict indent records) in Limerick in January 1831,on the charge of Man Robbery. She was given as seven year sentence. At the time of her conviction she was stated as being twenty years of age,single and of the roman catholic denomination.Her usual occupation was 'Needlewoman'. Bridget had no previous convictions, and was described as being of a fair freckled, ruddy complexion, as having hazel or grey eyes,light brown hair, and she had the letters HO tattooed on the upper part of her left arm and a small scar on the right side of her chin. Upon arrival to New South Wales in 1831, Bridget was sent to the Female Factory at Parramatta. By mid-1832 Bridget had been assigned to John Smith at Sydney, in October of that year she was listed as having absconded from his employment.Shortly after she was apprehended and returned to the Female Factory at Parramatta. From here she was again assigned, in late October, to Alice Bayley of Sydney, being employed to work as a house servant.Bridget's conduct was brought under scrutiny shortly after when she was charged with 'disorderly conduct' and returned to the Female Factory to the 3rd Class section . In 1833 Bridget was a bonded servant when she applied to the colonial government for permission to marry Daniel Ryan, a convict who had arrived per Argo. Marriage was considered at the time an 'indulgence' for convicts,and any prior misdemeanours or serious convictions were taken into consideration when an application was made. It is not yet known what reasons were given for denial of permission for the marriage to take place. In February 1834 Bridget was charged with stealing ten pounds belonging to William Shields (shoemaker) of Pitt stree Sydney. Shields lived with George Hill,(Publican- of Pitt street) the latter being Bridget's employer at the time.Bridget appeared before the Sydney Quarter Sessions in April. By 1836 Bridget had been returned yet again to the Female Factory at Parramatta and from there was assigned to Luke Taylor ,of Castlereagh Street Sydney. She again applied for permission to marry, this time to Daniel McMurtey (also recorded as McAnery) but this marriage (for reasons not yet ascertained) did not take place. In March of 1838 Bridget had further time added to her original sentence. In this year she again applied for permission to marry, this time to George Cartledge. This marriage did not take place (again, for reasons not yet ascertained.) In January 1839 Bridget received her Ticket of Leave,but she must have had a further offence recorded against her, as she again was issued a Ticket of Leave in 1840. In 1839 she successfully applied for permission to marry Isaacher Bennie, (also recorded as Isacher, Binnie, Binny, Benny etc) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TIMELINE Bridget Sheedy sometimes Sheehy 1831 Physical Description: Ruddy fair and freckled complexion. Hazel/Grey eyes Tattoo of H.O on upper part of left arm. small scar on right side of chin 1809 Bridget Sheedy born c this year in Limerick (src: age at transportation: 22 years in 1831) alledgedly (and probably) the daughter of Patrick Sheedy, convict per Marquis of Wellington. 1831 January. Bridget Sheedy tried at Limerick, Ireland Transportation records reveal Bridget was tried for Man Robbery and received a 7 year sentence.Convict NO 94. (src: AONSW con ref: pge 159, fiche 698, file 907, shelf x633 pge 173, fiche 680, file 905, shelf 4/01?) September 27th.Bridget Sheedy arrives NSW per Hooghly. transportation records reveal she is Single, 22 years of age, a native of Limerick,her usual occupation was as a needlewoman, and she was a catholic and had no educaton.She also had no previous convictions. (src: AONSW con ref: pge 159, fiche 698, file 907, shelf x633 pge 173, fiche 680, file 905, shelf 4/01?) Bridget was assigned to the Female Factory upon arrival.(Parramatta) "Log of Logs" Volume 1, by Ian Nicholson (Roebuck Publications) records that the 'Hooghly' was ship of 466 tons used as a convict transport vessel in 1831 to transport 184 female prisoners to N.S.W. The vessel left Cork on the 24th of June 1831 under the command of Captain P.Reeves. The vessel arrived Sydney on the 27th Sept. A Surgeons Journal for this voyage has survived and can be viewed through the AJCP. (Reel no 3198). 1832 October.Bridget Sheedy absconds from employer John Smith, is returned to Female Factory at Parramatta from where she is re-assigned to Alice Bayley of Sydney (source: Sydney Gazette,October 18th (Thursd) 1832.NSW) " Principal Superintendant of Convicts Office Sydney. 15th Oct 1832. The Undermentioned Prisoners having absconded from the Individuals and Employments set against the Names respectively, and some of them being at large with stolen Certificates and Tickets of Leave, all Constables and others are hereby required and commanded to use their utmost exertions in apprehending and lodging them in safe custody. Any Person harbouring or employing any of the said Absentees will be prosecuted as the Law directs. :-and amongst the several names was Bridget Sheedy,no 31-415, per Hooghly, 22yo, needlewoman, Limerick. 5 feet, hazle grey eyes, light brown hair, ruddy freckled complexion, HO (or Hc-with the c upside down and backtofront) on part of left arm, small scar on right side of chin. (escaped) from John Smith, Sydney. " " From this source we know that around early October 1832, Bridget Sheedy was working for Mr.John Smith in Sydney, at which time he listed her as an absconded assigned convict. Bridget Sheedy was next in the Parramatta Female Factory late October, probably sent there after being apprehended for absconding. She was listed in" 'RETURN OF WOMEN ASSIGNED DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER'as having been sent to work for Alice Bayley in Sydney as a house servant.She can be determined as the same Bridet as her ship of arrival was given as 'Hooghly'. (source: Sydney Gazette. Thursday Dec 20th 1832.) 1833 Bridget Sheedy applied to marry Daniel Ryan (a convict who had arrived at NSW per "Argo").At this time Bridget was recorded as being a bonded servant (ie she was assigned to an employer). 1834 Bridget Sheedy in court for stealing money. (src: AONSW Quarter Sessions Index. Sheedy Bridget 74 0 [4/8460] 0 Apr 1834 Sydney) Assigned Servant to George Hill of Pitt Street. Cover note reads: "Bridget Sheedy per Hooghly, 7 years. 21st Feb 1834 Committed for Trial Sydney. Police Office Depositions." the charge against Bridget was Larceny from Wm Shields and Others. "No 74. Sydney Quarter Sessions.April 1834 Tried Summarily the 3rd of May on the charges specificed. Prosecutor: Foster and Ebden Esquires." the charges specified were " Stealing taking and carrying away on the twentieth day of February 1834 at Sydney in the Colony of New South Wales one Promissory Note of Hand for the payment and of the value of Two Pounds of the Securities Goods and Chattels of William Shield." Wm Shiels' official deposition (dated 21st Feb 1834) states: "Mr Wm Shiels being sworn says that on last Friday week I received some money and at night I believe I put it (viz 1 x 10£ sterling, 2x1£ notes) into a box, on last Thursday I went to the box to get some money and missed the ten pound note. I then told Mr Hill that I missed the ten pound note and Mr Hill told me to wait a few days and he would see if he could learn anything about it. I live at Mr Hills. I am not positive whether I put the ten pound note in the bag at the time or left it on the Bed." Sworn before Ernest Augustus Slade, 3rd Police Magistrate. James.B.Bettington J.P and Israel Chapman (wardsman in the Sydney Police). "Police being sworn says on Wednesday last I took the Prisoner at the Bar into Custody on a charge of Stealing a ten pound note. I searched the prisoner and found two spanish dollars and the Clothes now produced (viz One silk ?, I Gown piece, 1 ? bound Gown, I lace cap, 1 pair Stays, 10 yards long cloth and two shillings) were given to me by Mrs Skinner secreted in the lining of her Pocket.) Sworn 21st Feb 1835. Israel Chapman." "Mr George Hill being sworn says that Mr William Shields reported to me that he had lost a Ten pound note, I suspected the prisoner at the bar, and requested Mr Shields to let is rest for a time till I could learn where she had purchased the articles now produced: viz, One silk hand of one gown piece, 1 coloured gown, 1 lace cap, 1 pair stays and 10 yards of Long Cloth. (the following information was struck through: The servant man has access to the room where the money was.) George Hill. Sworn 21st Feb 1834. "Daniel Read assigned servant to Mr Hill being Sworn says: I saw a ten pound note in the prisoners hands about a week ago. It is not longer than a week ago. I never spoke to her respecting the ten pound note. My master asked me about it this morning and I told him I saw her with one in the Kitchen about a week ago. She said a man gave it to her, she did mention his name but I have forgot it. I think it was some such name as David. I saw that it was a Ten pound note.(to Bridget Sheedy:- You never gave me a Ten pound note to change). I did not have the Ten pound note in my hand. Nor I never changed a Ten pound note." Daniel Read. Sworn 21st Feb 1834. The Sydney Morning Herald reported on the 24th of February 1834:- "Mr George Hill,of Pit Street, Publican, missed a £10 note which he had deposited on a chest of drawers in his bedroom on Thursday last, and suspecting the female servant of having taken it, he caused her to be secured, when it was found on her person. She was taken before the Magistrates and committed for trial for the offences." 1836 Bridget Sheedy applied to marry Daniel McMurtery[McAnery],not granted, also Bridget in court on Theft charges and Disorderly conduct whilst in the employ of Luke Taylor (shoebinger) at Castlereagh Street Nov. Bridget Sheedy in court on theft charges Bridget Sheedy was working for Luke Taylor, a shoebinder who lived in Castlereagh street,his application having been approved by police magistrate H.F.Gisbourne. Bridget was brought before the courts on the 2nd of November accused of improper conduct, and subsequently she figures in the below correspondence to and from the Colonial Secretary in November of 1836. (src: AONSW 36/9203 2317/2) "To The Colonial Secretary. Police Office Sydney. 2nd of November 1836. Re Bridget Sheedey Hooghley 7 years and Luke Taylor, Shoebinder of Castlereagh street. Sir, I do myself the honor to report for the information of His Excellency the Governor that the female named in the margin (Bridget Sheedy per Hooghley) was this day brought before the Bench and found Guilty of highly improper conduct and from the evidence adduced before the Court it appeared that her Mistress allowed her to go out with a man named Cooper for improper purposes and which man was afterwards robbed in the Master's house. I have therefore to recommend that no more servants may be assigned to either of them in future as I conceive them very improper persons to hold such indulgence. I have the honor to be Sir, Your most obedient Servant. ? Wilson. First Police Magistrate." "To The Honorable The Colonial Secretary. Sydney. Female Factory Parramatta 10th Nov 1836 re BRIDGET SHEEDY per HOOGHLEY Sir, in reply to your letter of the 8th instant, no 36/258, I have the honor to state, that the application of Luke Taylor of Castlereagh street Sydney for the woman named in the margin was recommended by the third Police magistrate(H.F.Gisbourne Esq). I am Sir, Your Most Obedient Servant, Thomas Bell. Keeper. SHEEDY Bridget per Hooghley was sent for disorderly conduct to 3rd class factory in Sydney, NSW. Oct - Dec 1836. page 141.AONSW Reel 662. page 141. 1838 Bridget Sheedy applied for permission to marry George Cartledge Not permitted. Also in 1838 Bridget had a further (?5) months added to her original sentence. We are still awaiting the charge and trial details to ascertain the reason for the additional sentence. (src: see letter to Mr Osborne,dated 12.3.1838....dated 20.3.1838.... ............40/594) 1839 Bridget Sheedy applied for permission to marry Isachar Bennie/Binney -no consent recorded but the marriage took place regardless. (src:AONSW: 31/10412 shelf 4/2124) In 1839 Bridget Sheedy also received her Certificate of Freedom (src: AONSW: SHEEDY Bridget SHEEHY 39/0075 16 Jan 1839 Hooghley 1831 4/4345 1002 ) Bridget must have reoffended between this and the next year, as her FC was reissued in 1840. 1840. Bridget Sheedy had her Freedom Certificate re-issued. SHEEHY Bridget 40/0594 31 Mar 1840 Hooghley 1831 4/4357 1005 Family Researchers/Informants: Notes * = sighted original record. *FS = family sources.[various family members] information not yet confirmed by J.Fawcett via official records.
