Transportation

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The standard minimum charge for transporting a prisoner to the colonies was £8.10s 2d but this could rise to as much as £12.

The gaolers received a set fee per mile for each prisoner, no matter how many convicts they took at a time, and could make a good profit by conveying prisoners in groups.

Women and men in poor health, often never left at all, since the County did not transport those thought unable to support the rigours of the voyage or unlikely to find employment at its destination.

Convicted felons awaiting transportation were, in law, entitled to the "King's Allowance" of 2s/6d a week, but few ever received it.

Records indicate that one prisoner was sentenced to transportation for "maliciously destroying cotton goods in a process of manufacture."

Are you descended from a transportee? Do you have any visual images of your convict ancestors? If so, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please let us know by writing to us at any of the addressess listed under Contacts.

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