James Sheedy [McNamara] per Tellicherry
Spouse 1. unknown [Ireland] Spouse 2. Jane Black [New South Wales] Please note: this family is still being researched and information should be verified by official and contemporary sources: James Sheedy is alledged by Syd Sheedy to be one of 6 brothers transported to New South Wales, all from the county of Limerick. At this time,the parents of these six brothers have not yet been determined (if indeed they are brothers). The brothers are named by Sydney Sheedy as :- John Sheedy per Mangles Michael Sheedy per Earl St Vincent Timothy Sheedy per Providence Patrick Sheedy per Marquis of Wellington George Sheedy per Southworth It is important to note here that James Sheedy arrived as James Sheedy McNAMARA per Tellicherry in 1806 Physical Description (1818) James Sheedy or McNamara. 5 feet 6 inches. Sallow Complexion. Black Hair. Hazel Eyes. native of Co Clare, labourer by occupaton. James stated in a petition in 1817 that he had a wife and four young children in his home place [Ireland].Syd Sheedy claims that only one child of James' ever came to Australia, being John Sheedy per Isabella Kieren Sheedy, author,kindly wrote to me in October of 1998 in regard to my query addressed to him concerning Sheedy family history. Kieren has written and published two history books in relation to Michael Dwyer [of Wicklow fame,] and "in passing did some research on the James Sheedy." [note: James Sheedy is alledged by Syd Sheedy to have been a relative of Michael Dwyers' - JF] Kieren stated that James Sheedy lived at Bodyke [Co Clare] at the time of his conviction, and he was a yeoman who was originally sentenced for having killed a fellow yeoman following a brawl when they emerged from a local inn.It was manslaughter and umpremeditated, but he was originally sentenced to be hanged, before the sentence was reduced to transportation for life. I personally have not established the validity of either Keiran Sheedy or Sid Sheedy's claims to the activities of James Sheedy. In 1818, having served twelve years in New South Wales , James Sheedy received a Pardon* (##) and on that certicate it states that James Sheedy (also known as McNamara) was trialledin Clare County in 1804 (no specific date given). The Pardon also states that Jamse Sheedy was a native of Co Clare, was 5 feet 6 inches tall, sallow complexion, black hair and hazel eyes. He received a Life sentence and arrived in NSW per Tellicherry in 1806. (Pardon no 31, dated 31st January 1818) For further reading on the complex history of James Sheedy and his involvement with the United Irishmen, I suggest:- The Tellicherry Five, The Transportation of Michael Dwyer and the Wicklow Rebels by Kieran Sheedy. Unfinished Revolution by Anne-Maree Whitaker The United Irishmen ,Republicanism,Radicalism & Rebellion by David DIckson,Daire Keogh & Kevin Whelan. Upon The Mercy of Government by Kieran Sheedy The Battle of Vinegar Hill ,Australia's Irish Rebellion by Lynette Ramsay Silver A Rum Rebellion, The Adventures of Joseph Holt edited by Peter O Shaughnessy ----------------------------------------------------------------- James Sheedy [McNamara] born: c1781.Ireland src= [^] c1781.Ireland src=@ place: not known. parents: not known not noted on death certificate no recorded in Sheedy manuscript. died: 1841. Sydney.New South Wales. reg St Mary's, Sydney.RC. src=@ note: a James Sheedy died instestate in 1833.Hunter Valley. estate valued at only one pound, 3 s and 4p. source: Colonial Secretary's Corresp who was this man ??? buried: arrived: transported per Tellicherry arrived Feb 15th.1806. [^] literacy; occupation: residence ?. Landowner at Liverpool. [NS] married: married twice. spouse 1: spouse 1.NAME UNKNOWN probably married Ireland. four children from this union. this family still in Ireland in 1817. spouse still alive in 1817. 1 son John per Isabella to NSW. spouse: spouse 2. JANE BLACK [^] note. no official record of marriage found. Children known From Marriage 1. child1. child2. child3. John Sheedy born c 1802.Ire. transported to NSW per Isabella listed on indents as John Sheedy McNamara born c 1802.Ireland died 1852. Liverpool.N.S.W. married: Ellen Gore issue known [1] Michael Sheedy born c 1822.Briuel or Bruree? Limk. died 1885. married twice. 1.Catherine[ALice] Murphy [Vic] 2.Bridget Ryan [NSW] ------------------------------------------------------------------ History note:[^] denotes source as Sidy Sheedy and unverified as yet by J.Fawcett. Sid Sheedy claims that James Sheedy,during his school days, made the acquaintance of Robert Emmett, law student.,also that James was to become a priest. [^ page 33] 1803 August c16th-18th. James Sheedy, 22yo, attends meeting in Ireland which ran for two days,by the United Irishmen Society.Also in attendance was his brother Patrick, amongst others.Society is renamed as the International Society of United Irishmen. [^. page 19] August.James Sheedy, Yeoman,living at Bodyke, Co Clare is purported to have been arrested for the manslaughter of a fellow yeoman following a brawl when the men emerged from a local inn. James Sheedy sentenced to be hanged, but sentence reduced to transportation for life. [srce: Kieran Sheedy**] Sept 19th. James Sheedy secretly visits Robert Emmett prior to the latters execution in Ireland. [^ page 18] DecemberJames Sheedy a mediator for the surrender of Michael Dwyer, Wicklow Chief.Conditions were supposed to exile for the Wicklow men, but immediately after their surrender were arrested and gaoled, including James Sheedy [^ page 33] 1804 January. James Sheedy was selected by a Comitte in England, to be the Secretary for the International United Irishmen [^ page 39] Month not recorded, but 1804 is recorded as the year of James Sheedy's trial, held at Clare County. (src: 1818 Pardon Certificate##). 1805 James Sheedy alias McNamara.located at Clare Gaol.amongst those convicts listed as being recieved at Cork. [1] August 31st. James Sheedy McNamara, trialled Co Clare, transported per Tellicherry listed amongst Dr Hardings journal of attendance on convicts on board the hulks and in the jails in Cork awaiting transportation (17 June 1805). [2] is listed in Convicts embarked on board Tellicherry src: Colonial Secretary's In letters, SRNSW. reel 6028 2/8283 p35 1806 Arrival in N.S.W.of the Tellicherry Feb 15th. James Sheedy McNamara arrived in Sydney aboard the Tellicherry [indent no 197 651 396 4/4009] Note: State Archives state August 18th.Was this an assignment list? (Reel 6028; 2/8283 p.35) was assigned to Colonel George Johnston [^] Nov.1st. James Sheedy - bushranger note: Sid Sheedy makes no references to this in his manuscript In 1806, [1st of November] James Sheedy is alledged to have turned 'temporarily' to bushranging. At that time, seven prisoners of the crown,{five of them from the Tellicherry} stole four muskets from John McArthur's Parramatta farm, and headed south for the Cowpastures. James and Stephen Halfpenny, [from Tipperary], Patrick Cox [Westmeath] and James Sheedy [Limk] along with Matthew Collins [Kilkenny] and William Gormon [W'ford] had a short career as bushrangers, and Cox turned government informer,his former mates were tried on the 29th November 1806 and sentenced to death. Sheedy,Gorman and Kelly were pardoned but the two Halfpenny boys paid with their lives. The Sydney Gazette of 1806, [Sunday,Nov 30th] reported Court of Criminal Jurisdiction Yesterday the Court re assembled at 9;and commenced it's proceedings with the trial of Henry Kelly,William Gorman, James Sheely [sic] and James and Stephen Halfpenny, bushrangers, an indictment containing four distinct counts, all of which were of a capital tendence; and charging the prisoners, jointly and severaly with having stolen two cows belonging to Captain Abbott prior to the 23rd November last, and 1 cow, two ewes and two lambs, the property of John Mcarthur, Esq, four muskets taken from his flockmen's huts during the night time, and a chest belonging to Thomas Herbert, flockman, containing wearing apparel and other property. Patrick Cox admitted Evidence for the Crown, gave a testimony by which all the parties were criminated, as was likewise Matthew Collins,not yet apprehended; after which several respectable witnesses corroborated his evidence in many material points. The Court cleared and after much deliberation returned a Verdict..all Guilty. and Sentences of condemnation being then passed on William Page, Abraham Smith, James Sheely,[sic[,William Gorman, Henry Kelly and James and Stephen Halfpenny, the court was then dissolved. The Sydney Gazette of 1806, [Dec?] recorded:- Sydney. On Monday, William Page and Abraham Smith were executed pursuant to their sentence; as were also James and Stephen Halfpenny on Wednesday; it having been His Excellency's pleasure to extend the Royal Grace in behalf of William Gormon, James Kelly and James Sheedy, their accomplices; which act of mercy they accepted with every mark of gratitude. Those whose melancholy fate it was to expiate their offences by a public execution, were visibly imprest with with a dread which increased as they approached the final spot. The three who were respited attended the sufferers, James and Stephen Halfpenny, reading by them as they walked, and were the near witnesses of a spectacle, which under their circumstances ? doubtless have made an impression that time cannot obliterate. note by J.Fawcett: At this time, I personally have not determined that this James Sheedy [Sheely] is one and same, but access to colonial trials, newspapers and Government correspondence should determine the correct identity of James,particulary if notes that the ship is the "Tellicherry". 1811 July 22nd James' brother Timothy Sheedy arrived in NSW having been transported per Providence for failing to give information about political objectors [^p50] 1812 Jane Black is noted as a housekeeper for James Sheedy She had been sent out as a political offender on the William Pitt and was 17 yo, a native of Northumberland. She had brought with her a message from the ISUI Committee in England, and she had came direct to James Sheedy upon arrival. [^p40] Jane was to later become the wife of James Sheedy [^p50] 1813 James recieved 40 acres of land at Devils Back in Cabramatta from Colonel Johnston in reward for services rendered whilst Johnston was in England defending his action in the Bligh overthrow. James successfully sowed a crop of wheat, the first of his own which he sold by auction in December 1813. [^ p52] 1815 Jan 27th James' brother Patrick Sheedy arrives in NSW having been transported per Marquis of Wellington He was supposed to have never been trialled, having been taken from his home in Waterford to England and placed on board ship there. [^p56] 1816 James is noted as being a sharefarmer with Wicklow men Michael Dwyer, John Merna and Arthur Devlin [^p57] 1817 James Sheedy servant for Col.Geo Johnson.Petition for Mitigation of Sentence. Petition of James Sheedy in N.S.W # TO His Excellency Lachlan Macquarie Esq Captain General of New South Wales and It's Dependencies etc etc etc The Humble Petition of James Sheedy respectfully showeth: That your Excellency's petitioner arrived in the colony in the year 1806, in the ship Tellicherry,Commanded by Captain Cousins, under the severe sentence of Transportation for Life. Your Excellency's Petition has remained with Colonel Johnson for eleven years ever since his arrival in the colonyl, and behaved himself so well and entirely to the satisfaction of the Magistrates and his Master that he received a free pardon from Colonel Paterson who promised the Petitioner several other indulgences. On your Excellency's issuing out a Proclamation to bring in the Pardons or Indulgencies that were granted by Colonel Paterson, Petitioner according obeyed your order and brought in his when you were graciously pleased to promise it should be renewed to him. Petitioner, having a wife and four young children in his own country hopes your Excellency will graviously take his long Servitude,Faithful services and Severe sentence into your humane consideration and grant him what indulgence your Excellency shall think Meet and your Petitioner will as in Duty bound for your Excellency and family ever pray James Sheedy note: James Sheedy is mentioned in petition by Colonel Geo Johnston in that man's petition for mitigation of Sheady's [sic] sentence. src: Col Sec's In Letters. SRNSW. Fiche 3183. 4.1854 p4 August 8th James Sheedy took into care James Dwyer, son of James and Mary Dwyer. James Dwyer snr was the late cousin of Michael Dwyer [Wickow Chief].Mary,mother of James, [nee Connor] had been transported to N.S.W per Canada, and was in need of assistance for James jnr's care. [^p59] 1818 Letter from George Johnson re James' petition. " Annandale 5th Jan 1818. Mr Johnson present his respectful compliments to his Excellency the Governor and begs leave to state he was incorrect in saying that Petitions of Sheady and Harris had not been presented; for he now finds, although Mr Cowper and Doctor Wentworth at first refused to sign the Petitions they afterwards put their signatures to them and they were received at Government House. Mr Johnson takes the liiberty of representing to His Excellenecy that Jas. Sheady (sic) has been upwards of ten years in his Service and Joseph Harris, seven; that they have conducted themselves with the greatest propriety during the above period, and that Harris has a wife & one child and is in daily expectation of another - In consequence of the Petitioner's uniform good conduct Mr Johnson commends them to his Excellency's humane consideration. George Johnson (NSW CS INDEX...1818 Jan 5 Petition for mitigation of sentence on behalf of James Sheady and Joseph Harris (Fiche 3183; 4/1854 )
Jan 31st James sheedy received a conditional pardon [^p59] Dec 16th. James' brother Michael Sheedy arrived in NSW having been transported aboard the Earl St Vincent Michael was the third brother to be transported. [^p60] Dec 25th James' was given permission to have christmas dinner with Michael Sheedy and his shipmate Peter Butler [^p61] Fiche 3183 A/1854 p 4 . 1820 James Sheedy is noted as being questions about the escape of Arthur Devlin [Wickow man] - and was alledgly offered a bribe in the form of an absolute pardon or his choice of wife and family to be sent to the colony to inform as to Devlin's whereabouts, which was rejected by James. [^p64] 1821 According to the Sheedy Diary [^p70] James Sheedy supplied Government Stores with 300 bushells of wheat and sold a similar amount privately.He was now a tenant farmer on Kemp Farm at Cabramatta and leased land at Liverpool from Colonel Johnston's son in law Isaac Nichols (Src: Sydney Gazette. January 20th 1821) " Deputy Commissary General's Office Sydney. 6th of January, 1821 List of Persons who have tendered SUPPLIES of WHEAT for the use of the His Majesty's Stores, and from whom the Quantities expressed against their respective names will be received at the undermentioned Stations, on the Days set forth: SYDNEY Date: By Whom Tendered Residence. ----------------------------------------------------------- January 24. Mr.James Sheedy. 100 bushels. South Creek -----------------------------------------------------------" (Src: Sydney Gazette. Feb.17th, 1821) " Deputy Commissary General's Office Sydney.3rd February 1821. List of Persons who have tendered SUPPLIES of WHEAT for the use of the His Majesty's Stores, and from whom the Quantities expressed against their respective names will be received at the undermentioned Stations, on the Days set forth: SYDNEY Date: By Whom Tendered Residence. ----------------------------------------------------------- March 14th.. Mr.James Sheedy. 100 bushels. South Creek -----------------------------------------------------------" March 9th. James' brother GEORGE SHEEDY arrived in NSW having been transported per Southworth, Also on board was James and Edward Connor, brothers in law to George Sheedy. June 1821 James Sheedy married Jane Black [^p71] 1822 Dec 4th James' brother Patrick Sheedy was found guilty of assault on an overseer and sent to Port Macquarie. [^p71] Dec 16th James Sheedy's son JOHN SHEEDY arrived in NSW having been transported per Isabella 1,he was charged with incitation or taking up arms,having taken part of an armed revolt and recieved a seven year sentence.[^72 & 73] Thomas Keegan 1822 Sep 25 Servant to James Sheedy. On return of proceedings of the Bench of Magistrates, Parramatta NSW CS Index (Fiche 3297; X643 p.26) 1824 is noted as formerly a servant to the late George Johnston of South Creek. src: Memorial in Col Sec's In Letters SRNSW fiche 3110 4/1839B no 881 p 661-64 "6th Sept 1824 To His Excellency Sir Thomas Brisbane KCB Captain General and Governor in and over the Territory of New South Wales and its Dependencies. The Humble Memorial of James Sheedy Respectfully makes That Memorialist is now nineteen years in this Colony is a married man and occupying and cultivating upwards of thirty acres of land at South Creek, has a small herd of horned and other cattle. Memorialist rents the above land, has never received any indulgences whatever from the Government, therefore your memorialist humbly solicits your excellency will be pleased to grant him such occupancy of land to rear his stock on or you may think Sir that your memorialist as in duty bound will ever pray. (signed) James Sheedy" "The Memorialist was in my late fathers' employ during which have conducted himself with every propriety. August 16 1824 (signed) George Johnson "As far as I know the memorialist I believe him to be an industrious man.(signed) Thomas Cartwright." 1825 Timothy Sheedy, brother of James, was convicted in NSW of receiving a stolen handkerchief,and was transported to Norfolk Island. [^p73] 1826 Feb.James' brother John Sheedy arrived in NSW having been transported per Mangles charged with forging note banks, in reality was found on the premises of a printer. [^p75] In August 1826 James Sheedy and John Mernagh were at South Creek, Bringelly - farming on land owned by Mrs Elizabeth Badgery - in the 1828 census the two men are still shown to be living together in the same location. (src:Norma Sheedy) 1827 Jan . James' home at Liverpool was entered and robbed. [^p76 & 77] Sydney Gazette. January 03 1827 Police Reports.Liverpool 'John Brown and David Cordingly were again placed before the bar, charged with forcibly entering and robbing the house of James Shandey (Sheedy). Jane Black swore to various articles which were stolen from the said house and ? with the prisoners. This robbery was committed immediately after the other, about one o'clock in the afternoon, and it being the same day (in the evening) in which mr D.A.C.G. Clements was shot and robbed, and in the immediate neighbourhodd, not the least doubt is entertained that they are of the same gang. The prisoners are, therefore, comitted to take their trial on this charge, also, at the Supreme Court. The indifference and levity displayed by the prisoners when under examination was truly horrible.' March James' brother Patrick Sheedy died at the General Hospital, He was the eldest of the brothers. [^p76 & 77] 1841 1841 Cencus Result: Sheedy James 63 Johns Farm, Parish St. George, County Cumberland, District Sydney ref no: SANSW [X950] 133 2223 James Sheedy died, aged noted as 60 years, and registered Sydney, St Mary's. Family Researchers: Notes * = sighted original record. ** = "The Tellicherry Five, The Transportation of Michael Dwyer and the Wicklow Rebels" Keiran Sheedy states that the offence by Sheedy took place in August 1803. @ = death registration in NSW,certs no: v1841 1072 132 v1841 2351 132 [~] = original source in FEAKLE - A HISTORY pages 43 - 44 + = src:Log of Logs.Vol 1.Ian Nicholson # = source: petition. Fiche 3180 4/1852 p 294 - 5 1817. Colonial Secretary's Correspondence. ## =Certificate of Pardon.dated 31st Jan 1818. located AONSW Reel 774, Item 4/4430. Page 120 [ns] = Norma Sheedy - informant. [^] =- Sid Sheedy. his manuscript on the Sheedy Family History 1 = Transportation database. Document PPC 1174 2 = Transportation database. Document PPC 1176.
