I just finished reading an article by Jonathan Scott on 17th century research. According to Jonathan, the 17th century was one of upheaval, including sending convicts to America and Australia.
Now I might be mistaken, but the First Fleet, with its convict cargo, did not arrive until 1788. Rather a long voyage?
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WDYTYA inaccuracy
Re: WDYTYA inaccuracy
I cannot see this article in the March edition, is it elsewhere?.
Re: WDYTYA inaccuracy
According to the National Museum Australia, Mr Scott appears to be correct: https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments ... tion-peaks
"Transportation as a form of criminal punishment emerged in the British legal system from the early 17th century as an alternative to execution.
Prior to 1717 the legal processes behind transportation were obscure, as transportation itself was not a sentence but could be organised by indirect means. The Transportation Act 1717 simplified and legitimised the process: convicts guilty of capital crimes but commuted by the king would receive 14 years transportation while those convicted of non-capital offences could receive seven years. Returning to England before the sentence was complete was a capital offence in itself".
"Transportation as a form of criminal punishment emerged in the British legal system from the early 17th century as an alternative to execution.
Prior to 1717 the legal processes behind transportation were obscure, as transportation itself was not a sentence but could be organised by indirect means. The Transportation Act 1717 simplified and legitimised the process: convicts guilty of capital crimes but commuted by the king would receive 14 years transportation while those convicted of non-capital offences could receive seven years. Returning to England before the sentence was complete was a capital offence in itself".
Last edited by VALLMO9 on 06 Feb 2021, 16:07, edited 2 times in total.
Re: WDYTYA inaccuracy
The Transportation Act 1717 allowed sending convicts to North America but of course Britain lost the American colonies and then the criminals were sent to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) and Australia. The law did not apply to cases in Scotland.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport ... 20Scotland.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport ... 20Scotland.
Re: WDYTYA inaccuracy
Yes, but the 17th-century was the 1600s, surely?
We are talking here about the 1700s, which is the 18th century ...
We are talking here about the 1700s, which is the 18th century ...
Re: WDYTYA inaccuracy
Not only does the NMA reference 17th century criminal transportation (see above), but so does the Old Bailey website:
"Although many convicts were transported in the seventeenth century, it was done at their own expense or at the expense of merchants or shipowners. In the early eighteenth century transportation came to be seen as a way of creating an effective alternative to the death penalty, that avoided the apparent leniency of the other main options: benefit of clergy and whipping. In 1718 the first Transportation Act allowed the courts to sentence felons guilty of offences subject to benefit of clergy to seven years transportation to America. In 1720 a further statute authorized payments by the state to the merchants who contracted to take the convicts to America".
"Although many convicts were transported in the seventeenth century, it was done at their own expense or at the expense of merchants or shipowners. In the early eighteenth century transportation came to be seen as a way of creating an effective alternative to the death penalty, that avoided the apparent leniency of the other main options: benefit of clergy and whipping. In 1718 the first Transportation Act allowed the courts to sentence felons guilty of offences subject to benefit of clergy to seven years transportation to America. In 1720 a further statute authorized payments by the state to the merchants who contracted to take the convicts to America".
Re: WDYTYA inaccuracy
17th century history: What was life like in the 17th century?
Jonathan Scott reveals the websites that will help you research 17th century history and take your family tree back further
https://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine ... ancestors/
The quote is from there, but click on that link in it for Australia!
https://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine ... ancestors/
"British migration to Australia began with the sailing of the First Fleet in May 1787. The loss of the colonies in North America meant that the British government needed to find a new location for a penal settlement to dispose of the growing convict population."
Re: WDYTYA inaccuracy
Jonathan Scott is correct, see the articles below. I wasn't aware of this transportation until now.
https://www.familytree.com/blog/british ... -colonies/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penal_tra ... 20c.%2043).
https://www.familytree.com/blog/british ... -colonies/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penal_tra ... 20c.%2043).
Re: WDYTYA inaccuracy
I think the point pinefamily was making is that convicts were not sent to Australia in the 17th century!