Michael Ahern (abt. 1809)

Born about 1809 in County Limerick, Ireland

Biography

Michael Ahern was a convict after the Third Fleet transported to New South Wales

Probably born in County Limerick. Michael Ahern was found guilty of the crime of stealing meal and potatoes. He received a sentence of transportation of seven years^[1]

The court records included a petition from his mother, who was a widow. She said that her son "was involved with a party from Askeaton, County Limerick, who plundered the stores for food in June 1830 when the county was in a state of starvation. Petitioner resides in Askeaton and has one other son".

It seems likely that this is the same Michael Ahern who was transported to New South Wales in 1831 on board the Jane arriving 5 November 1831^[2]. This Michael Ahern came from County Limerick and was sentenced to seven years transportation after a trial in Limerick that took place on 1 August 1830. The crime was "housebreaking" or "store breaking". Michael was said to be 22 years old at the time of arrival in Sydney. His trade was outdoor groom or servant. Michael was not married and was a Catholic. He had no prior convictions. Michael was said to be five feet four and a half inches tall, sallow complexion, brown hair, grey eyes. MIchael also had some kind of tattoo on his right arm depicting "the crucifixion and MA" as well as a couple of small scars on his face.

On arrival Michael was assigned to work in Sydney^[3].

Michael achieved his ticket of leave on 13 January 1836 and his certificate of freedom on 30 July 1839 while residing in Bathurst, New South Wales. He had served more than his statutory seven years which implies Michael may have got into trouble causing an extension^[4].

Sources

1. ↑ National Archives of Ireland, Irish Transportation Database, PDF compilation database of records contained in the National Archive of Ireland; entry for Michael Ahern, page 24, Record reference code: PPC 3534
2. ↑ NSW Convict Indent Records. State Archives NSW; Series: NRS 12189; Item: [X633]; Microfiche: 697
3. ↑ NSW Convict and Settler Lists, Home Office: Settlers and Convicts, New South Wales and Tasmania; (The National Archives Microfilm Publication HO10, Pieces 1-4, 6-18, 28-30); The National Archives of the UK (TNA), Kew, Surrey, England.
4. ↑ New South Wales Government. Butts of Certificates of Freedom. NRS 1165, 1166, 1167, 12208, 12210, reels 601, 602, 604, 982-1027. State Records Authority of New South Wales, Kingswood, New South Wales.

See also:

• Irish Convicts to NSW, record for Michael Ahern.

• The Digital Panopticon Michael Ahern, Convict Indents (Ship and Arrivals Registers), 5th November 1831, Record ID cin27203 (https://www.digitalpanopticon.org/life?id=cin27203). Version 1.1, consulted 27th March 2019.

• The Digital Panopticon Michael Ahern, NSW Convicts Index, 30th July 1839, Record ID nci3553 (https://www.digitalpanopticon.org/life?id=nci3553). Version 1.1, consulted 27th March 2019.