Sweeney Family Timeline
Peter Cuffley has produced a detailed timeline with highlights from the life of Thomas Sweeney and his descendants. Here are the first few entries. Justice was swift in those time - arrested and conviced in the same month of March 1823 and soon on his way to Australia as a convict.
1803
Thomas Son of Patrick and Mary Sweeney (Nee Kilmartin) born Tipperary Ireland Patrick was a farmer (Thomas Sweeney’s Death Certificate).Sunday 2nd March 1823 about Midnight
Attack on the house of Patrick Guidera at Cullahill, Parish of Bourney, Barony of Ikerrin, County of Tipperary. Constable John Malone is wounded in the hip with a pitchfork (Service record).Tuesday 25th March 1823
Michael Connors and Thomas Sweeny were charged under the Whiteboy Act, "for a felonious assault on the house of Patrick Guyder, at Cullohill, and with having set said house on fire". (Limerick Chronicle, March 29th 1823)Thursday 27th March 1823
The sentence of the Clonmel Assizes was that Michael Connors and Thomas Sweeny, "for assaulting a habitation between sun rise and sun set " "to be hanged on the 26th of April". (Limerick Chronicle, April 5th, 1823). This was subsequently commuted to transportation for life.Wednesday 14th May 1823
Thomas Sweeney and Michael Connors leave Clonmel Gaol under escort bound for the Convict Depot at Cork and are later transferred to the Hulk ‘Surprise’. A former Royal Navy Frigate of 38 guns, it had been built at Milford shipyards in 1812. It was modified as a hulk in 1822-23.Wednesday 6th August 1823
The Convict Transport ‘Isabella’ I (3) arrives at the Cove of Cork (Cobh), having departed London 17th July. According to the Surgeon’s Journal, it was in the ‘British Channel’ on 1st August (AJCP film).Thursday 14th August 1823
Isabella I (3) sails for New South Wales having taken on board 200 male convicts from the Prison Hulk ‘Surprise’. In their place 186 prisoners were moved from Convict Penitentiary in Cork to the Hulk aboard the steam packet ‘Waterloo’ on Monday morning the 11th of August.Download and read the full document: sweeney timeline from peter cuffley,pdf