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Category Archives: 4. Convict Voyages

Convict Voyages: Traveling to America in Chains

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Note: This post is part of a series on Convict Transportation to the American colonies. Convict ships heading directly to America after leaving London would have traveled down the Thames on the ebb current and then anchored at Dover, Cowes, or the Downs to wait for favorable winds to take them out to sea. Some […]

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Convict Voyages: The Convict Ship

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Note: This post is part of a series on Convict Transportation to the American colonies. Once the convicts were loaded onto the convict ship, the captain, the jailor, and certain witnesses would sign a transportation bond ensuring that the convicts being transported were safely aboard the ship. These documents were then delivered to the Treasury […]

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Convict Voyages: From Prison to Convict Ship

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Note: This post is part of a series on Convict Transportation to the American colonies. Once the convict merchant was ready to make the trip to America, the convicts were released from prison and loaded onto the ship, along with dry goods and perhaps a few indentured servants. Convict voyages were generally timed to leave […]

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Convict Voyages: Mary Standford, Pick-Pocket and Thief

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Note: This post is part of a series on Convict Transportation to the American colonies. Mary Standford was convicted of privately stealing a shagreen pocket book, a silk handkerchief, and 4 guineas from William Smith on July 11, 1726. After her conviction, she strongly rejected transportation to the American colonies as an alternative to execution. […]

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Convict Voyages: Convict Attitudes toward Transportation

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Note: This post is part of a series on Convict Transportation to the American colonies. Convict transportation was conceived as a relatively easy means of emptying British prisons and punishing repeat petty criminals without having to resort to a death sentence. Most convicted criminals facing potential execution were probably relieved to receive a reprieve from […]

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