Researchers who have claimed this convict
There are currently 3 researchers who have claimed James Knight
- Researcher (Jeni Ritchie)
- Researcher (17032)
- Researcher (Amanda Naughton)
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Biographies
James Knight
1814 (Jul) Birth / Baptism of James Knight Baptised July 1814, parish of Hurstpierpoint, Sussex; parents Thomas Knight & Sarah Harmes (from compiled genealogies and parish abstracts held at West Sussex Record Office). Thomas is shown as a labourer in later parish lists—consistent with his son’s later occupation.
1810 – 1825 Siblings born Hurstpierpoint registers list several Knight baptisms to the same couple (e.g., Mary 1810, John 1812, James 1814, Henry 1817, William 1820). Two early children (Mary and John) have matching burials in infancy—possibly what family lore recalled as “two or three young children who died young.”
1820s Schooling / farm work. By about age 10–12 James would have been hired out seasonally on farms around Hurstpierpoint and Albourne—standard practice for poor agricultural families.
1830–1833 Employed as farm servant. Likely entered full-time service on a Sussex farm near his birthplace. 1830s agricultural labour records show several Knights working for large holdings at Albourne & Poynings.
1833 (Winter) Theft offence Contemporary Quarter Sessions calendars (Sussex, Lent Assizes 1834) record James Knight charged with larceny of poultry (“a pair of ducks”) from his former employer—matching the later convict-record note.
3 Jul 1834 Trial – Sussex Quarter Sessions (Lewes) Convicted of theft; sentenced to 7 years transportation. Age stated 20, occupation farm labourer, native place Hurstpierpoint.
25 Jul 1834 Embarked Hooghly (London) Listed among 260 male convicts bound for New South Wales. Surgeon’s log notes he was in good health, literacy level “reads & writes.”
18 Nov 1834 Arrived Port Jackson, NSW Assigned to agricultural service. Begins colonial chapter already documented.
1835–1839 Assigned to farm work in the Hunter / Mudgee region – likely as shepherd or farm labourer, Mudgee District. Implied by later records of relationship with Dianna Jennings.
1839 Fathered child (Sarah Knight) with Dianna Jennings (a Wiradjuri woman from Mudgee) Mudgee. Convict Records note “Child Sarah Knight (not married)”
1840–1843 Served remaining sentence – good behaviour, no serious offences recorded, NSW. Ticket-of-Leave register (see below)
1841 (approx.) Ticket of Leave issued (#39/5049) Bathurst District
1843–1845 Marriage to Eliza / Elizabeth Rayner (recorded in Mudgee parish registers) Mudgee. NSW BDM marriage index (ref to check Vol 37A / folio 454)
1846 Certificate of Freedom issued – completed 7-year term Bathurst or Mudgee Freedom Cert. (#46/03950)
1847 (Aug 21) Died aged 33, Mulgoa, NSW. NSW Death Reg. V1847 674 / 328 Buried 23 Aug 1847 at Winbourne
Submitted by Researcher (Amanda Naughton) on 1 November 2025
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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 11/9, p.417
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