Researchers who have claimed this convict
There are currently 2 researchers who have claimed Charles Hughes
- Researcher (11603)
- Researcher (2295)
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Biographies
LONDON
CHARLS HUGHES was tried at the Old Bailey in January 1817. He was charged with committing a 'felonious assault on the King's highway' after stealing a watch and other articles belonging to Isaac Prigg. His sentence of death was commuted to transportation for Life and he arrived in New South Wales on the convict ship Larkins on 22 November 1817 with 245 other convicts.
NEWCASTLE
The ship's indents record that Charles Hughes was 19 years of age with dark hair, blue eyes and a dark sallow complexion. Seventeen months after arrival in Sydney, he was sent to the penal settlement at Newcastle where in November of that year he and John Davis were both punished with 25 lashes for gambling. This seems to have been his only lapse. When he was granted a conditional pardon many years later it was recorded that he was born in Manchester and had been a seaman before his sentence. His previous experience led him to being assigned to the pilot at Newcastle and he was soon employed as an assistant pilot at Newcastle working under William Eckford.
CONVICT PIRATES
He was involved in the pursuit of Convict Pirates who escaped from the settlement on the cutter Eclipse in May 1825 which resulted in his being recommended for the salary of overseer by the former Commandant Henry Gillman. Captain Gillman described Charles Hughes a very well behaved and useful man who had been a Newcastle six years, four of which had been as assistant pilot.
Correspondence from Lieutenant Owen of the Buffs to Headquarters re. the escape of convicts on the Eclipse. Charles Hughes assistant pilot in pursuit boatCorrespondence from Lieut. Owen regarding the escape of convict pirates in the Eclipse in 1825. Charles Hughes, assistant Pilot in charge of convicts in the pursuit boat. [1]
MARRIAGE
In October 1824 he applied to Rev. G.A. Middleton to marry Sophia Friar (Frayer) a convict girl who arrived on the Brothers the previous April, however Sophia had entered a relationship with James Henshaw by 1825.
In July 1827 at Christ Church Newcastle Charles Hughes married Amelia Nicholls and also in this year he received a Ticket of Leave for the district of Newcastle which allowed him to work on his own behalf. The 1828 Census records his occupation as fisherman. In the 1828 Census he and Amelia, (b. c 1811 at Prospect, daughter of John Nicholls and Ann Pugh), have a six months old son Thomas.
Other children of Charles and Amelia included
Charles Andrew b. 1830 at Newcastle
Jane b. 1832 at Newcastle
Ellen who died in May1835 age 4 months
John Francis b. December 1836 at Newcastle
Sydney Joseph died February 1839 aged 8 months
William Edwyn b. 1844 at West Maitland
Henry James b. 1849 at West Maitland
Charles Hughes returned to his work as assistant pilot probably taking over the duties of William Cromarty when that man was injured and forced into retirement.
Row Boat Crew
SHIPWRECK
He was on hand in 1834 to assist the crew of the vessel Mary Jane when she ran into trouble in bad weather off Newcastle. The incident was described by one of the men - 'Mr. Charles Hughes, assisted by his men, came out with his boat to our assistance, at a very early hour of the morning of the 7th but, from the heavy sea and swell, he was compelled to go back, and he and his men immediately repaired overland (a distance of 13 or 14 miles all of which is a soft sandy beach) to the scene of our distress where he remained that night and ensuing day in a diligent endeavour to recover the vessel but the sea still continuing to keep up with increasing violence, the vessels bottom was staved';
At this time, even after so many years service, Hughes position was that of Assistant pilot and perhaps there were others vying for the position of Pilot at Newcastle - The Sydney Gazette wrote in March 1834 that 'In no harbour or river of the Colony is the necessity of a pilot more urgent than in that of the Hunter. Trade between Newcastle
Submitted by Researcher (11603) on 27 September 2019
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Disclaimer: The information has not been verified by Claim a Convict. As this information is contributed, it is the responsibility of those who use the data to verify its accuracy. Research notes
There are currently no research notes attached to this convict. Sources
- The National Archives (TNA) : HO 11/2, p.362
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