James Blake

James Blake was born in 1801, in Limerick, Ireland. His mother was Ellen Cockler and his father was John Blake. He was a ploughman in Ireland, before coming to Australia and becoming both a carpenter and labourer, as well as being a farmer. #JamesBlake #LimerickIreland

Trial

In February 1832, James and John Mulvihill, were convicted for being absent from their dwelling houses [during a curfew]. This was under the Insurrection Act. Mulvihill had in his possession seditious material. They were sent to Cork for 7 years of transportation. #InsurrectionAct

April, 1832 - Transportation

Transportation was on the Earl St Vincent. There were 157 male convicts, and one death on the voyage. The surgeon was Robert Tainsh. James was treated at various times for catarrh, scurvy, 'slight pectoral complaints' and diarrhoea, during the voyage.

Arrival

James arrived on Earl St Vincent on the 9th of September, 1823. Employment then took place as he is on a list of convicts landed & forwarded to Liverpool for distribution. #EarlStVincent

Description: Height 5ft 7 1/4 in. Complexion fresh. Brown hair, hazel eyes.

ASSIGNMENT in 1824

James was assigned to W.Cordeaux Esq in Leppington, near Liverpool, NSW. #Cordeaux

Trial

On St Patrick's Day, 19th of March, 1824, aged 24, he was given a half-day off as long as he stayed on Cordeaux's farm, but he and 3 others left and went to a pub. Sentenced to 50 Lashes 'over his head' for being absent without leave, threatening his master and falsehood. This was at the Liverpool Courthouse. #CordeauxsFarm

James Blake, Liverpool Police Court, 1825.

Blake, James and three others, awarded 50 lashes, Liverpool Police Court Books, 1824-1824, State Library of New South Wales and Mitchell Library, reel CY366, 19 Mar 1825.

Muster

This is at Wm Cordeaux Minto in 1825.

Punishment

On Road Gang No 18 for striking Thomas True 'under cicumstances of great provocation' . He worked on the Great Southern Road (now known as Menangle Road). He was not in chains. This was at Douglas Hill near Stonequarry (Picton), NSW in October 1827.

Petition to Governor Darling (5th of April, 1828)

This petition to Governor Darling is asking him to grant ‘such indulgence as your Excellency may think him entitled to’. The subinspector of roads Mr W.A.Thompson added that Blake had ‘conducted himself with propriety’. Apparently there was no response from the governor. #GovernorDarling

Certificate of Freedom

James is listed as a Labourer and carpenter. Description: 5 ft 8 in, sallow, dark brown hair, brown eyes, ‘nose rather inclining to the right side’.

Birth of daughter

His daughter Ellen was born on 17 April 1833 in Castle Hill, New South Wales.

Marriage to Rose Hynes (Hines)

James was married to Rose first, before he married Mary O'Hara. Together with Rose, he had three children. James Blake married Rose Hynes (Hines) on 17 April 1833 when he was 32 years old. "James Blake per the Earl St Vincent to Rose Hynes per the John Bull in presence of Denis Burk, John Hopkins & Ann Kearns". J McEnroe. [In NSW BDM index under Rose 'Mynes'] #EarlStVincent #RoseHynes (Hines)

James Blake & Rose Hynes, marriage, St Mary's Roman Catholic Cathedral, Sydney, NSW, NSW Registers of baptisms, burials and marriages, NRS 12937, Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, 14 Apr 1833, vol. 126, no. 32, transcribed by Marilyn Rowan, Jul 2003. #RomanCatholicCathedralSydneyNSW

Birth of unknown son

His two sons, unknown males, were born in 1835.

Residence

James Blake lived in Castle Hill, New South Wales, in 1841. James was living at Castle Hill by the time of the 1841 census. His wife Rose had died [?] by then and he was living with his daughter Ellen and two boys aged 6 or 7.

Marriage to Mary O'Hara

James Blake married Mary O'Hara in Parramatta, New South Wales, on 10 May 1842 when he was 41 years old. Both 'of Dural'. Witnesses James O'Hara and Mary Bentley, both of Dural. Married by Nicholas Joseph Coffey PCC. #MaryOHara

Blake O'Hara marriage 1842.

Farm

He had 5 acres of wheat, 10 acres of maize and 5 acres of oats growing in 1842.

Birth of daughter

His daughter Mary Ann was born on 18 February 1843 in Dural, New South Wales.

Birth of son

His son James was born on 18 January 1845 in Kenthurst, New South Wales.

Land

In 1846 Mary's father, James O'Hara transferred ownership of some land to Mary. It consisted of 25 acres of the 50 acre grant by Governor Brisbane. #GovernorBrisbane

Birth of son

His son John was born on 6 February 1847 in Dural, New South Wales.

Birth of son

His son Michael was born on 19 December 1848 in Dural, New South Wales.

Death of son

His son Michael passed away on 28 March 1850 in Dural, New South Wales, when he was 1 year old.

Birth of daughter

His daughter Catherine (Kate) was born in 1852 in Parramatta, New South Wales.

Birth of daughter

His daughter Johanna was born on 7 September 1854 in Dural, New South Wales.

Death of James Blake

James Blake died on 8 April 1880 in New South Wales when he was 79 years old.

'75 years', Cause of death 'senile decay'. This is the only source of his parents' names. His father was a publican. His wife is 'Mary Kennedy'. Children 5 males and 4 females living, one male deceased. Informant son-in-law H Thiele.

Comments: Who are the unknown males? One is possibly Stephen Blake, 'Old Steve'.[George Blake, who is mentioned in Mary's will is her son George Kennedy]