Hulk Justitia

Alexander Royan was born in Morayshire, Scotland in 1799. Alexander was
sentenced to 7 years transportation in 1820. However, I found that he was
not transported but held on the Hulk Justitia at Woolwich until 1826. This
is the last record I can find on Alexander. I am almost 100% certain that
he did not return to Scotland.

Does anyone have any idea what may have happened to convicts that were
released around this time (1826).

japhilip...

Irene, I presume that, regardless of whether Alexander (or any other
convict) had served out his term or was pardoned (do you have this
information?) he would have been free to go anywhere he wished (or could
afford to go)? That is, that there would be no single answer to your
question.

Have you checked out the 1841 census (England & Wales, and also Scotland)
for him?

I note that the 1821 date in the following suggests that his sentence may
perhaps have been later than 1820?
AD14/21/129
National Archives of Scotland
Precognition against Alexander Royan for the crime of theft by housebreaking
1821
Alexander Royan, Age: 21, labourer, Address: Cummingston or Port Cumming,
Duffus, Moray
Perhaps you have this documentation but, if not, the NAS provides
photocopies for a charge.

I have researched a person from Fife who was sentenced, in Perth in 1848, to
7 years transportation to Van Diemen's Land for forgery and uttering. In
1850, he was on the hulk Stirling Castle at Portsmouth due to sail for VDL
on a specific ship in May - however he didn't arrive on that ship. Personal
research at the National Archives at Kew, London found that he had been
granted a free pardon in April. The documentation was *not* listed in the
NA Catalogue - personal research which I was fortunate enough to do and to
find him in the one afternoon I was able to spend at the NA (or employment
of a professional researcher) was required. However it didn't help as to
where he then went. But, who knows, there might be some clues in your case
... I haven't found my chap anywhere in the 1851 census (his name - John
PHILP - is common given that the surname is subject to all sorts of
variants) but he had (further) children back in Scotland (in Bute where his
wife came from) in Jun 1852 and Nov 1854. Immediately after this he and his
family sailed free to Australia where he became a respected businessman ...

I suppose you have seen the various interesting sites re the Hulk Justitia
which a web-search finds.

Any info would be much appreciated.

No Spam...

Have you tried the National Archives at Kew, London? You probably have
if you know he was there in 1826

My 3rd great-grandfather, sentenced November 1824 in Edinburgh, held
at the Tolbooth in Edinburgh and later held on the Justitia on his way
to serve 14 years transportation. {Pleaded guilty, blamed the drink
was of previous good character and so probably just missed the
gallows.}

The following record is there.
********************************************************
From KEW

Ref HO 8-3

Page 1 (stamped 83)

A Return of Convicts under sentence of Transportation on board the
Justitia Hulk at Woolwich by Command of His Majesty's Principal
Secretary of State for the Home Department from the
1st of January to the 31st of March 1825.

Page 23 (stamped 105)

Name Age Offense Where and When
Isaac Simpkins 31 theft Edinburgh

Sentence Bodily State Behaviour Remarks
14 years ------------ ------------
transported
28 March 1825