William Shea (abt. 1806 - 1846)

Born about 1806 in County Tipperary, Ireland

Husband of Ann (Maher) Daly — married 29 Dec 1836 in Patersons Plains, New South Wales, Australia

Descendants

Died 17 Apr 1846 at about age 40 in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia

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Biography

William Shea was a convict after the Third Fleet.

William was born about 1806. He passed away in 1846.

William Shea was convicted at Tipperary Spring Assizes 1832, of the crime of manslaughter, and sentenced to 7 years transportation.

He was transported on the ship Eliza which arrived Sydney on 7 May 1832.

He was assigned to John Herring Boughton, of Patrick Plains

In 1835 he was working at Boughton's salt works at Reids Mistake. On 14 September 1835,, Magistrate Jonathan Warner wrote from Lake Macquarie to the Colonial Secretary:

"Sir, With reference to your letter No. 35/704 of the 24th ult. I have the honor to report for the information of HIs Excellency the Governor that I have made further inquiry respecting Mr. Boughton s assigned servants being in charge of his salt works at the entrance of Reids Mistake. Constable Moses Carroll was there, by my orders on the 10 inst. and found the prisoners named in the margin (William Shay per Eliza; Henry Tyer per Aurora; and John Huggins per City of Edinburgh) there in charge - the same three men were there on the 18th July last when the bushrangers arrived there. William Shay is the responsible person there. I appears that there has not been a free or ticket of leave overseer in charge of the place since Mr Boughtons free overseer was drowned which accident occurred some months back. Mr. Boughton who resides at Patterson River, visits the establishment about once a fortnight.^[1]

On 15 October 1836 he obtained Ticket of Leave for the district of Paterson NSW

On 31 October 1836 at Maitland : his application for permission to marry Ann Maher was granted: William Shea age 30 (ship Eliza, TofL) and Ann 'Mayher' [Maher] age 23 (ship Jas Patterson, free) Granted ^[2] They married later that year.^[3]

Marriage: 29 December 1836 at Patersons Plains (in the RC register of East Maitland): William Shea and Ann Maher, both of Patersons Plains, witnesses John Williams and Ann Coughlin. All marked the register with a cross.^[4]

On 2 September 1839 he obtained his Certificate of Freedom. This has his description: 5ft 4 3/4in, dark ruddy complexion, brown hair, grey to blue eyes, lost part of front upper tooth, another inclining inwards, scar on inner corner of left eye brow, scar near left elbow.

Death On 17 April 1846 he was executed for the murder of Andrew Menzies, his "partner in business" of a small farm at Hillsborough near Maitland. His trial was reported in a newspaper (CAUTION: some gory details).^[5][6][7]

Sources

1. ↑ Gosford (Brisbane Water) Court of Petty Sessions, Letter Books, 1826 - 1874 (Ancestry) from Free Settler or Felon? Newcastle and Hunter Valley History
2. ↑ Ancestry.com: New South Wales, Australia, Registers of Convicts' Applications to Marry, 1826-1851
3. ↑ Marriage 279/1836 V1836279 123 SHEA WILLIAM MAHER ANN LK
4. ↑ Marriage: NSW BDM 279/1836 V1836279 123 SHEA WILLIAM MAHER ANN LK (Reel 5047)
5. ↑ 1846 'MAITLAND CIRCUIT COURT.', The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser (NSW : 1843 - 1893), 21 March, p. 4. , viewed 19 May 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article680123
6. ↑ 1846 'EXECUTION OF WILLIAM SHEA.', The Sydney Weekly Transcript (NSW : 1846), 18 April, p. 3. , viewed 19 May 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article251644159
7. ↑ SHEA WILLIAM 1462/1846 V18461462 162A AGE 40

• Marriage certificate of daughter Mary Ann

See also:

• Free Settler or Felon, Convict Ship Eliza 1832 https://www.jenwilletts.com/convict_ship_eliza_1832.htm
• Paterson River History: John Herring Boughton & Charlotte Westbrook http://www.patersonriver.com.au/people/boughtonj.htm