Johanna (Ahern) Davis (abt. 1829 - 1862)

Born about 1829 in County Kerry, Ireland

Wife of William Davis — married 20 Mar 1853 in Oatlands, Tasmania, Australia

Descendants

Died 5 Apr 1862 at about age 33 in Anthill Ponds, Oatlands, Tasmania, Australia

Biography

Johanna (Ahern) Davis was a convict after the Third Fleet transported to Van Diemen's Land

Johanna Ahern was found guilty of the crime of "larceny of wearing apparel" (five shirts) in Listowel, Kerry^[1] on 15 January 1849 and sentenced to seven years transportation^[2]. She had at least two prior convictions of which one was for stealing a cloak (she was later discharged) and "breaking glass"^[3][4]. She was single and her gaol report was "quiet" and "good"^[4].

Prior to her voyage to Van Diemens Land, Johanna was sent to Grangegorham Female Prison in Dublin^[5]. She was allocated to the convict transport "Australasia"^[2] arriving on 29 September 1849^[3]. The conduct and indent records stated that she was 20 years of age, a Roman Catholic, unmarried, about five feet and two and a quarter inches tall, fair complexion, black hair, dark hazel eyes, a dimpled chin and a round face. Her trade was "country servant".

During her period of servitude, Johanna worked in a number of gangs as well as a laundress. In January 1853 William Davis was given permission to marry Johanna^[6][7]. The conduct record stated that Johanna was not eligible at this time for a ticket of leave, possibly because she gave a "wilful prevarication on oath" in March 1853. One wonders what this was about - was it her marriage oath she prevaricated on (eg was she already married or was it to do with something else?). Johanna received six months hard labour for this offence. The witnesses at the Roman Catholic wedding service (which took place in Oatlands, Tasmania on 20 March 1853) were "Michael Magour" and Mary Hoctor^[7]. Johanna's status on marriage was "P.H." and William was "free". Johanna gave her age as 21 which was almost certainly not the case.

in September 1854 Johanna obtained her ticket of leave^[8]. Johanna eventually obtained her conditional pardon in 1857^[3].

Johanna died on 5 April 1862 from complications caused by childbirth. Her trade was described as "wife of labourer"^[9].

Sources

1. ↑ "Ireland Prison Registers, 1790-1924," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KM3S-DXJ : accessed 14 March 2016), Johanna Ahern, 1849; from "Irish Prison Registers 1790-1924," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing Grangegorman Female Prison, Dublin, Ireland, Grangegorman Female Prison Prison, item 3, book 1/9/40, images provided by FamilySearch International; FHL microfilm 2,356,653.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} National Archives of Ireland, Irish Transportation Database, PDF compilation database of records contained in the National Archive of Ireland; entry for Johanna Ahern, pages 18. Record reference code: TR 8, P 222
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} Tasmanian State Archives, online PDF copy of original convict conduct record of Johanna Ahern
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Tasmanian State Archives, PDF copy of the original convict indent records for Johanna Ahern
5. ↑ "Ireland Prison Registers, 1790-1924," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KMSR-X1G : accessed 14 March 2016), Johanna Ahern, 1849; from "Irish Prison Registers 1790-1924," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing Grangegorman Female Prison, Dublin, Ireland, Grangegorman Female Prison Prison, item 3, book 1/9/7, images provided by FamilySearch International; FHL microfilm 2,356,625.
6. ↑ Tasmanian State Archives, copy of permission to marry (William Davis and Johanna Ahern)
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} Tasmanian State Archives, copy of original marriage record of William Davis and Johanna Ahern
8. ↑ The Cornwall Chronicle, 23 September 1854
9. ↑ Tasmanian State Archives, death record for Johanna "Davies"