James Sparkes (1815 - abt. 1855)

Born 9 Feb 1815 in Fetcham, Surrey, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Esther (Harris) Sparkes — married 1839 in Surrey, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Sarah (Fox) Cuffe Cuff — married 30 Aug 1847 in Spring Bay, Tasmania, Australia

Descendants

Died about Feb 1855 at about age 39 in Spring Bay, Tasmania, Australia

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Biography

James, son of William Sparkes & Sarah, was baptised on 12 March 1815 in Fetcham, Surrey, England.^{[1] [2]}

James was born about 1813. James SPARKES was convicted at Surrey on 21 May 1838 for stealing a lamb. 15 yr transportation sentence. Sent to Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) per the ship ‘Canton’ arriving 12 Jan 1840.

• Aged 24yrs; farm labourer.
• Married man - wife Esther, 1 child.
• Native place of birth: Surry (ref Convict Indent)

• Served some time as a Constable, in the Colony, however some notes of misconduct. 1847: stationed at Buckland, VDL.
• 1847: Marriage to Sarah FOX (Sarah BELL) transported per ‘Tory’ - link to her record https://convictrecords.com.au/convicts/fox/sarah/18099.

He passed away in 1855.

Research Notes

His birth/baptism record - Name James Sparkes Father William Sparkes Mother Sarah Sparkes Ancestry.co.uk

Extracted from https://familytrees.genopro.com/BrynSparks/Sparks/default.htm?page=Sparkes-James-ind00026.htm

James was tried in the Surrey Quarter Session Court on the 21st of May 1832 for stealing a lamb and was sentenced to 15 years transportation. He arrived in Hobart Town on the 12th of January 1840 onboard the convict transport “Canton” which had sailed from London on the 22nd of September 1839 and was assigned convict No 2757 His goal report and hulk were good. It was stated that he was married and had 1 child. James, on arrival in Hobart Town, stated to the authorities that he had stolen lambs, the property of Mr William FREELAND and that his wife Ether was living in Leatherhead. The Ship’s Surgeon’s report stated that James was orderly and well behaved.1 On arrival in Hobart Town he was described as being a farm labourer from Surry(sic). He was 5’9” tall without shoes and aged 24 years. He had several tattoos on his arms including E Harris and J. S. on is right arm James’ conduct records states for the 17th of January 1840 that he was to spend two years on probation. On the 21st of February 1842 whilst at the Prisoner Barracks, he was charged with being drunk and was sentenced to 6 days in solitary confinement. On the 6th of May that same year he was mustered at George Town. By the 19th of July 1842 he had been appointed a Constable however on that day he was charged with “Gross neglect of duty” for which he received a fine. On the 9th of August 1842 he was again charged and this time he received a severe reprimand for his misconduct. On the 21st of November 1842 he was charged with being drunk and was again severely reprimanded. On the 28th of March 1843 he again received a severe reprimand for misconduct. On the 1st of July 1843 James was still working as a constable however he was again charged on that day with “gross misconduct” and was suspended from duties for 7 days and it was recommended that he be considered for some other district. This was approved and he was to be sent to Fingal.1

On the 8th of March 1844 he was promoted to 3 Class Pass Holder which gave him a little more freedom than he had previously experienced although he already had greater leniency that many others due to his working as a constable.1

On the 9th of October 1845 James was still employed as a constable, but was again charged with neglect of duties and was admonished. On the 25th of November that same year he was sentenced to 3 months hard labour for assaulting a constable and three days later was dismissed from the police.1

James did not commit any more offences after his dismissal from the police and he next mustered at Buckland on the 15 March 18471 and he remained in the Spring Bay district for the rest of his life. There are no details on his conduct records as to when he obtained his Ticket of Leave or his Conditional Pardon, the latter being due May 1847.1

James and Sarah married in August 1847 and moved around the district over the next 9 years as James was either assigned or found his own work. His movements are traceable through the baptismal records of each of his children3 November1848 - Working as a labourer at "Okehampton", Spring Bay October 1849 - Working as a labourer at Cockle Bar, East Coast. November 1850 - working as a Constable at Cockle Bar January 1852 – working as a constable at Paradine, East Coast March 1854 - working as a labourer at Spring Bay January 1856 - working as a boatman at Spring Bay

Could this be his death in Victoria? Vic death registration - SPARKS, Given name(s): Unnamed Male, Place of birth: ENGL, Place of death: -, Age at Death: forty-five, Reg. number: 2817/1855

No death showing in Tas BDM index James was noted as a widower in marriage certificate.

• https://convictrecords.com.au/convicts/sparkes/james/60654

Position: 1180,730. BOUNDARYRECT 1146,762,1214,683.

DISPLAY FLAGS DISABLE x.

ISDEAD Y.

Note: James was tried in the Surrey Quarter Session Court on the 21st of May1832 for stealing a lamb and was sentenced to 15 years transportation. He arrived in Hobart Town on the 12th of January 1840 onboard the convict transport “Canton” which had sailed from London on the 22nd of September 1839 and was assigned convict No 2757. His goal report and hulk were good. It was stated that he was married and had 1 child. James, on arrival in Hobart Town, stated to the authorities that he had stolen lambs, the property of Mr William FREELAND and that his wife Ether was living in Leatherhead. The Ship’s Surgeon’sreport stated that James was orderly and well behaved.1. On arrival in Hobart Town he was described as being a farm labourer from Surry(sic). He was 5’9” tall without shoes and aged 24 years. He had several tattoos on his arms including E Harris and J. S. on is rightarm. James’ conduct records states for the 17th of January 1840 that he wasto spend two years on probation. On the 21st of February 1842 whilst at the Prisoner Barracks, he was charged with being drunk and was sentenced to 6 days in solitary confinement. On the 6th of May that same year he was mustered at George Town. By the 19th of July 1842 he had been appointed a Constable however on that day he was charged with “Gross neglect of duty” for which he received a fine. On the 9th of August 1842 he was again charged and this time he received a severe reprimandfor his misconduct. On the 21st of November 1842 he was charged with being drunk and was again severely reprimanded. On the 28th of March 1843 he again received a severe reprimand for misconduct. On the 1st ofJuly 1843 James was still working as a constable however he was againcharged on that day with “gross misconduct” and was suspended from duties for 7 days and it was recommended that he be considered for some other district. This was approved and he was to be sent to Fingal.1.

On the 8th of March 1844 he was promoted to 3 Class Pass Holder which gave him a little more freedom than he had previously experienced although he already had greater leniency that many others due to his working as a constable.1.

On the 9th of October 1845 James was still employed as a constable, but was again charged with neglect of duties and was admonished. On the 25th of November that same year he was sentenced to 3 months hard labour for assaulting a constable and three days later was dismissed from the police.1.

James did not commit any more offences after his dismissal from the police and he next mustered at Buckland on the 15 March 18471 and he remained in the Spring Bay district for the rest of his life. There are no details on his conduct records as to when he obtained his Ticket of Leave or his Conditional Pardon, the latter being due May 1847.1.

James and Sarah married in August 1847 and moved around the district over the next 9 years as James was either assigned or found his own work. His movements are traceable through the baptismal records of each of his children3. November1848 - Working as a labourer at "Okehampton", Spring Bay. October 1849 - Working as a labourer at Cockle Bar, East Coast. November 1850 - working as a Constable at Cockle Bar. January 1852 – working as a constable at Paradine, East Coast. March 1854 - working as a labourer at Spring Bay. January 1856 - working as a boatman at Spring Bay.

Ships Transporting Convicted Rebels from Rebellion of 1837 to Van Dieman's Land Australia.

Date: 14 August 2001. Contributor: Bob Snyder. Rebels from Canada transported to Van Diemans` Land - now called Tasmania Australia.

See Rebellion of 1837 for further details on the trial of these men.

Transported aboard Marquis of Hastings. Sailed from Portsmouth England on 17 Mar 1839 with 240 male convicts. Arrived VDL Tasmania on 23 Jul 1839 with 233 male convicts. 128 days at sea. Ship Master Hy I Naylor. - Ships surgeon Ed Jeffery. Benjamin Wait. Samuel Chandler. Alexander McLeod. John Vernon. John McNulty. James Wagoner. Norman Malery. George B. Cooley. Garret Van Camp.

Transported aboard the Canton. Sailed from Spithead England on 22 Sep 1839 with 240 male convicts. . Arrived VDL Tasmanian 12 Jan 1840 with 230 male convicts. 112 days at sea. Ships Master Jn Mordaunt. Ships Surgeon Jn Irvine. Lynus W. Miller. John Grant. James Gamel. Jacob Beemer.

Both ship first stopped in Canada arrived at Spithead a stretch of water in the Eastern Solvent of Great Britain, between the entrance to Portsmouth Harbor and the Isle of Wight, were they picked up more convicts before then sailing to VDL.

Ships or Vessels were hired for the conveyance of Convicts from Great Britain and Ireland, between the 1st January 1839 and the 30th June 1846.The Marquis of Hastings and Canton where hired in 1839 to transportconvicts.

Sources

1. ↑ Baptism: "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975"
   citing Digital film/folder number: 008068691; FHL microfilm: 991708
   FamilySearch Record: J97F-Q47
   James Sparkes baptism on 12 Mar 1815, son of William Sparkes & Sarah, in Fetcham, Surrey, England, United Kingdom.
2. ↑ Baptism: "FreeReg UK Parish Register database"
   Surrey; Fetcham; St Mary; Other Transcript; File line number: 1568
   FreeReg Transcription
   James Sparkes baptism on 12 Mar 1815 (born 9 Feb 1815), son of William Sparkes & Sarah, in Fetcham, Surrey, England.

• Tas marriage registration #1405/1847
• "Australia, Tasmania, Civil Registration, 1803-1933," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9CH-7SFG?cc=2125029&wc=QDTQ-3BN%3A387523601%2C387551301%2C387573401: 3 October 2018), All localities (combined) > Marriages > RGD 37/06. Marriages, 1847 > image 347 of 348; Archives Office of Tasmania, Hobart.