Joseph Wheeler Feltham 'Equestrian' 1852 Parkhurst Boy

Joseph Wheeler Feltham left for Tasmania, from Parkhurst Boys Prison, on the Equestrian in 1852. Further details about other Parkhurst Boys sent 0n the Equestrian in 1852 are available here.

Related Posts:
Joseph Wheeler Feltham - I Was A Parkhurst Boy

Port Arthur, Tasmania - The Convict Settlement (1833-1877)

Port Arthur Panoramic View
[by Noodle snacks]

Port Arthur is a former convict settlement on the Tasman Peninsula, in Tasmania, Australia. It is the top tourist attraction in Tasmania. The settlement is named after Van Diemen's Land lieutenant governor George Arthur and housed some of the worse British (and Irish) criminals from 1833 until the 1850s. The prison closed in 1877.

The Tasman peninsula, containing Port Arthur, had a 30 m wide isthmus called Eaglehawk Neck which was guarded by soldiers and hungry dogs. The surrounding waters were also rumoured to be infested with sharks.


Port Arthur Video:

Early Hobart Town Wharf Photographs

My first steps on terra firma australis were at the Hobart Town wharf when I walked off the convict ship Equestrian in 1852. The Hobart Town wharf has a special place in my heart. Below are some early photographs of the Hobart Town wharf area from the Archives Office of Tasmania (site).


View of Hobart Town from the Domain (1857) by J Sharp.
[Link]


Hobart Town Wharf Area (1860):
[Link]


New Wharf Hobart Town (1865):
[Link]


Hobart Town Wharf about 1866
[Link]


Hobart Town New Wharf - Photographer, S. Clifford (1869)
[Link]


Hobart from New Wharf - Photographer, S. Clifford (1869)
Parliament House, Hobart, New Wharf, Salamanca Place [Link]

Tasmanian Genealogy Links

Some Useful Tasmanian Genealogy Web Sites:

• Archives Office of Tasmania
• Maritime Museum of Tasmania
• State Library of Tasmania Family History Sources
• Tasmania Gen Web (rootsweb.ancestry.com)
• Tasmania Family History Society
• Tasmania Family History Society (Hobart Branch)
• Tasmania Genealogy Links
• Tasmania History Index
• Tasmanian Genealogy Services - Surname Interests
  
• University of Tasmania Archives

Australians - Reverend John West - The History Of Tasmania (1852)

My family were devastated when I (Joseph Wheeler Feltham) was sent to prison and subsequently transported to Hobart Town, Van Dieman's Land, on the convict ship the 'Equestrian' in 1852. In retrospect I was blessed to be transported to this up-and-coming colony to start a new life. The following passage by the Reverend John West, from his book 'The History of Tasmania' (1852), summarises quite clearly to me why Australia, and my new home Tasmania, is so special.

"The liberality and generosity of the Australians has been remarked by every stranger. In prosperous times money is at command for every project which professes to do good, and suffering is instantly relieved by bounty which is sometimes extravagant. The loss of a vessel a few years ago afforded an instance of this. The utmost latitude of beneficence could not exhaust the immense sum (£1,200) contributed to make good the personal losses of a few passengers and seamen. The liberality of the hand is here unrestrained by religious antipathies. Bigotry assumes the character of ill temper and puffing. Two parrots in Philadelphia trained to polemics were set over against each other, one crying all day, "there can be no church without a prelate;" the other, "there can be a church without a prelate ;" the passengers were divided in opinion, but laughing walked on. Such is colonial life."

References:
The History of Tasmania
By John West
Published by H. Dowling, 1852
Volume 2

Tasmanian History Timeline 1850-1859

The following are a list of important dates in Tasmanian history dating from the decade of Joseph Wheeler Feltham's arrival in Hobart Town, Van Diemen's Land.

• 1850 – First Van Diemen's Land secular high school built at the Domain in Hobart Town.
• 1850 – Hobart Town’s Constitution Dock is officially opened.
• 1851 – The Black Thursday bushfires occur in February 1851.
• 1851 – A major influenza epidemic hits Van Diemen's Land.
• 1851 – First election for 16 non-appointed members of Legislative Council.
• 1851 – Hobart Town’s Chamber of Commerce is established in 1851.
• 1851 – The first Australian inter-colonial cricket match is hosted in Launceston between Van Diemen's Land and Victoria.
• 1851 – Van Diemen's Land Darlington penitentiary abandoned on Maria Island.
• 1852 – Elections for first Hobart and Launceston municipal councils are held.
• 1852 – Gold discovered near Fingal
• 1852 – The convict ship the 'Equestrian' arrives in Hobart Town.
• 1853 – Arrival of last convict ship, the St Vincent.
  
• 1853 – Jubilee festival in Hobart celebrates the end of convict transportation.
• 1853 – The first Tasmanian adhesive postage stamp issued.
• 1854 – The Legislative Council wrote to Queen Victoria requesting that the name of the colony be changed to Tasmania.
  
• 1854 – Severe floods and fires hit Hobart.
• 1854 – The Mercury newspaper is founded as bi-weekly publication.
• 1855 – The first horse-drawn 'buses' (in reality they were large carts) began services - mainly on the Hobart city to nearby New Town route.
• 1855 – Henry Young becomes first vice-regal representative to have title of Governor of Van Dieman's Land - later Tasmania.
• 1856 – Name of Van Diemen's Land officially changed to Tasmania after grant of responsible self-government.
• 1856 – New two-house Parliament opens after elections, William Champ becomes colony's first Premier.
• 1856 – Norfolk Island transferred from Tasmanian to New South Wales control.
• 1857 – Hobart's municipal Incorporation
• 1857 – Hobart-Launceston telegraph line opens for first time.
  
• 1857 – Hobart starts using coal gas - Hobart streets get gas lighting.
• 1858 – Hobarts Marine Board has it's first meeting - becoming Australia's oldest port authority.
• 1858 – Hobart and Launceston councils form municipal police forces.
• 1858 – Council of Education established in Tasmania.
  
• 1858 – The Hobart Savings Bank founded in 1858.
• 1858 – Tasmanian Parliament passes Rural Municipalities Act
• 1859 – Hobart Town Council appoints a health officer.
• 1859 – The new Government House at Domain occupied for first time, by Governor Henry Young and Lady Young.

For The Term Of His Natural Life (1927)

The Australian story 'For the Term of His Natural Life', written by Marcus Clarke, was published as a novel in 1874. The novel is based, in part, on the life of a convict called Rufus Dawes from the penal settlement of Port Arthur, Tasmania. The harsh treatment and poor living conditions of the Tasmanian convicts is clearly shown. Most of the incidents portrayed, and many of the specific characters, are quite easily identifiable from the historical colonial literature of the time.

The novel 'For the Term of His Natural Life' is available online ... here

A full length motion picture adaptation of the book, 'For the Term of His Natural Life', was made by the American director Norman Dawn in Hollywood (1927). The film contained the silent film stars Eva Novak and George Fisher. Unfortunately, the film had limited success because the recent development of film sound (talkies) led to a fall in silent film popularity. The film is available on YouTube in 12 sections shown below.


1/12


2/12


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4/12


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11/12


12/12

Joseph Wheeler Feltham - I Was A Parkhurst Boy

Parkhurst Boys Prison (Isle of Wight) early 1800s:

I was a member of a select group of boys known as the 'Parkhurst Boys'. We were found guilty of various crimes and sent to Parkhurst Boys Prison (Isle of Wight) for a period of rehabilitation, including learning a trade. Following this we were sent to the colonies of New Zealand, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia and Norfolk Island; to be apprenticed to local settlers.

It is interesting that both myself and George SMITH, who was convicted with me for the same crime at Dorchester Assizes on the 13th March 1850, were both sent to Parkhurst Boys Prison, and then both transported on the 'Equestrian' to Van Dieman's Land. On leaving the Equestrian, I stayed in Hobart Town, whereas George SMITH was transferred to Campbell Town.

The other Parkhurst Boys transported with us on the 1852 'Equestrian' voyage to Van Dieman's Land (Tasmania), are listed below.

Carr, Samuel:
Age 17 years
Sentenced to 7 years imprisonment.
Tried Manchester - 25th November 1849 (25.11.1849)
Crime - larceny
Notes - Listed as a vagrant.

Clark, Charles:
Age 15 years
Sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.
Tried Leeds - 30th November 1849 (30.10.1849)
Crime - stealing
Notes - Listed as a flax dresser with 9 previous convictions.

Cornivall, William:
Age 14 years
Sentenced to 7 years imprisonment.
Tried Lewes - 23rd February 1848 (23.02.1848)
Crime - house breaking & larceny.
Notes - Trial year questionable.

Cowell, William:
Age 16 years
Sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.
Sentenced to 10y 16
Tried Bolton - 20th December 1849 (20.12.1849)
Crime - larceny
Notes - Listed as a bricklayer with 8 previous convictions

Cuthbertson, William:
Age 12 years
Sentenced to 7 years imprisonment.
Tried Glasgow - 24th April 1849 (24.04.1849)
Crime - theft
Notes - Listed as having 7 previous convictions and with a father, mother, 2 brothers & 1 sister lately in prison.

Dancey, Alfred:
Age 14 years
Sentenced to 7 years imprisonment.
Tried Gloucester - 29th March 1850 (29.03.1850)
Crime - manslaughter
Notes - Listed as able to read well and having previous convictions.

Davey, Samuel:
Age 16 years
Sentenced to 7 years imprisonment.
Tried Cambridge - 20th July 1849 (20.07.1849)
Crime - robbery
Notes - Listed as a pick pocket who was frequently in jail.

Dun, William:
Age 14 years
Sentenced to 7 years imprisonment.
Tried Bolton - 20th December 1849 (20.12.1849)
Crime - larceny
Notes - Listed as a comb maker with 3 previous convictions; refer - Parkhurst Register '105/11'; trial year is questionable

Feltham, Joseph:
Age 16 years
Sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.
Tried Dorchester - 13th March 1850 (13.03.1850)
Crime - burglary
Notes - Listed as a baker.

Glendenning, Alex:
Age 14 years
Sentenced to 7 years imprisonment.
Tried Edinburgh - 28th January 1850 (28.01.1850)
Crime - theft
Notes - Listed as a rope & sail maker.

Hoy, John:
Age 16 years
Sentenced to 7 years imprisonment.
Tried Glasgow - 28th August 1849 (28.08.1849)
Crime - theft
Notes - Listed as having learnt to weave in prison and having 5 previous convictions.

Johnson, Frederick:
Age 16 years
Sentenced to 7 years imprisonment.
Tried Cambridge - 1st January 1849 (01.01.1849)
Crime - larceny
Notes - Listed as having previous convictions; trial year is questionable.

Kennedy, Michael:
Age 16 years
Sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.
Tried Hull - 5th January 1850 (05.01.1850)
Crime - stealing a canvas skylight cover.
Notes - Listed as a shoemaker with previous convictions.

Linto, Walter:
Age 13 years
Sentenced to 7 years imprisonment.
Tried Bridgewater - 3rd July 1849 (03.07.1849)
Crime - housebreaking & theft.

Marlin, John:
Age 15 years
Sentenced to 14 years imprisonment.
Tried Chester - 22nd January 1849 (22.01.1849)
Crime - highway robbery.
Notes - aka [LYNN; HAMILTON]; listed as a weaver with 6 previous convictions.

Marsden, Charles:
Age 17 years
Sentenced to 7 years imprisonment.
Tried Nottingham - 1st April 1850 (01.04.1850)
Crime - stealing
Notes - Listed as a lacemaker

McCafferty, William:
Age 15 years
Sentenced to 7 years imprisonment.
Tried Edinburgh - 29th January 1850 (29.01.1850)
Crime - theft
Notes - Listed as a sailor with 4 previous convictions.

McCarthy, Justin:
Age 16 years
Sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.
Tried Middlesex - 6th March 1847 (06.03.1847)
Crime - stealing

McClure, John:
Age 15 years
Sentenced to 14 years imprisonment.
Sentenced to 14y 15
Tried Glasgow - 14th August 1849 (14.08.1849)
Crime - house breaking
Notes - Listed as a cotton spinner; age is questionable.

McKecknie, William:
Age 15 years
Sentenced to 7 years imprisonment.
Tried Glasgow - 24th August 1849 ( 24.08.1849)
Crime - theft
Notes - Listed as having learnt to weave in prison and having 7 previous convictions

Newton, George:
Age 15 years
Sentenced to 7 years imprisonment.
Tried Gloucester - 1st January 1850 (01.01.1850)
Crime - stealing
Notes - Listed as a fisherman.

Rolands, James:
Age 18 years
Sentenced to 7 years imprisonment.
Tried Harwick - 3rd July 1849 (03.07.1849)
Crime - stealing a watch.

Smith, George:
Age 14 years
Sentenced to 7 years imprisonment.
Tried Dorchester - 13th march 1850 (13.03.1850)
Crime - burglary
Notes - Listed as a pipemaker.

Stockwell, J.:
Age 16 years
Sentenced to 7 years imprisonment.
Tried Central Criminal Court - 4th March 1850 (04.03.1850)
Notes - Crime - larceny

Taylor, George:
Age 17 years
Sentenced to 7 years imprisonment.
Tried Clerkenwell - 23rd November 1847 (23.11.1847)
Crime - stealing boots etc.
Notes - Listed as having 10 previous convictions

Thompson, John:
Age 17 years
Sentenced to 7 years imprisonment.
Tried Glasgow - 14th January 1850 (14.01.1850)
Crime - house breaking
Notes - Listed as a cloth capper.

Tompkins, Henry:
Age 18 years
Sentenced to 7 years imprisonment.
Tried Worcester - 6th May 1849 (06.05.1849)
Crime - house breaking.

Ward, John:
Age 15 years
Sentenced to 7 years imprisonment.
Tried Devon - 1st January 1850 (01.01.1850)
Crime - stealing
Notes - Listed as a vagrant and thief.

Warner, Thomas:
Age 16 years
Sentenced to 7 years imprisonment.
Tried Central Criminal Court - 4th March 1850 (04.03.1850)
Crime - stealing £5


Related Posts:
Joseph Wheeler Feltham 'Equestrian' 1852 Parkhurst Boy

Joseph Wheeler Feltham Lived At Ware Street, Hobart, Tasmania

Hobart Town Map 1858:

This old map shows the boundary and streets of Hobart Town in 1858 (Jarman's map). Joseph Wheeler Feltham lived in Ware Street, near the Northern boundary of the town. More of Ware Street and the Felthams in future post(s).

Important locations in and around Hobart Town (1858):
Adelaide Street, Argyle Street, Arthur Street, Augustus Street, Barrack Street, Bathurst Street, Battery Point, Brisbane Street, Burnett Street, Campbell Street, Charlotte Street, Collins Street, Colville Street, Davey Street, Elizabeth Street, Elphinstone Road, Fitzroy Crescent, Forest Road, George Street, George's Hill, Harrington Street, King's Road, Lansdowne Crescent, Liverpool Street, Macquarie Street, Melville Street, Molle Street, Montpelier Retreat, Mount Stuart Road, Murray Street, New Town Road, Park Street, Patrick Street, Proctor's Road, Queen Street, Queen's Park, Queen's Road, River Derwent, Salamanca Place, Sandy Bay, Sandy Bay Road, Sullivan's Cove, Ware Street, Warwick Street, Wellington Street

My Grandson William John Elwick Feltham (1887-1952) The Soldier

William John Elwick Feltham (London, 1919)
[Colonial Studio (F. Segers) December 1918 - April 1919]
[United Kingdom: England, Greater London, London]

William (1887-1952) was my first grandson, born of my oldest son John William Feltham (1856-1938). He enlisted at the age of 29 years (23rd August 1916) with the 12th Battalion from Newtown, Tasmania and embarked overseas to the First World War (1914-1918) aboard the HMS Suffolk (20th September 1916). Private William Feltham was wounded in France, on the left side and left leg, and captured on the 13th April 1917. He was held as a prisoner of war in Germany, before being repatriated to England on the 23rd of December 1918. Whilst in London he was photographed (see picture above). William returned back to Australia on the 10th of May 1919, learning that I had already died (11th of October 1918). Some of the family believed that I had died as a result of the worry about William's fate.

The Mercury (Hobart, Tas) Newspaper on 17th of July 1917 reported that William John Elwick Feltham, of Newtown, previously reported missing, has been confirmed as a PRISONER OF WAR [link].

William was the first of my many descendents to return to mother England though he never managed to visit my family or birthplace in Dorset.

Feltham Surname - International Comparisons and Geographical Spread

The Feltham family surname originates from England but has disseminated around the World. The following data from the National Trust Names Website [here] demonstrates, in particular, that the Feltham name is thriving in both Australia and Canada.



The incidence of the Feltham surname is twice as high in Tasmania as the Australian average. I will take some credit for this, with the help of my descendents (as one of the original Felthams to come to Tasmania). It is interesting to see that Salisbury is the most populous area for Felthams.

The Blog Of Joseph Wheeler Feltham dec.

I am Joseph Wheeler Feltham dec., born Joseph Feltham 1831, originally from England, near Wimborne. I was tried and convicted of burglary at Dorchester on the 13th March 1850 and spent time in prison before being sent to Tasmania as a convict. I was shipped to Tasmania on the convict ship the Equestrian, leaving Plymouth on the 1st of September 1852 and arriving in Hobart on the 16th of December 1852. I was never to return to mother England.

This blog is about my life, ancestors, descendents and perceptions.