James McGee/Magee
| Town/City | Barton, ACT |
|---|---|
| First name | James |
| Last name | McGee/Magee |
| Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
| Date of Birth | 1816 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1830 |
| Submitted by | Dane McCormack |
Story
James McGee also known as James Dedman McGee, James Magee and James Mac Gee, was transported to Van Dieman’s Land now Tasmania, Australia on the David Lyon which departed London, England on the 2 May 1830 and arrived in Van Dieman’s Land on the 19 Aug 1830. On his convict record it states his name as Gee, Mac James and his native place Liverpool, Lancashire, England and that he was 14 years old when convicted for stealing two gowns and a shawl. He had been convicted twice before.
Recent investigations by Janice found that James McGee appears in Order Book 1829, General Quarter Session of Peace Holden at Lancaster, Monday 12th Jan 1829.
“Whereas James Magee late of the township of Toxteth Park in the said County, labourer hath at this session been convicted of felony and of having before the time of convicting the said felony been convicted of another felony. This court doth therefore order and adjudge that the said James Magee shall be sent and transported to some part beyond the seas for a space of 14 years next, pursuant to the statute in such case made and provided”.
Four months after his arrival to Tasmania , James was appropriated to Mr. John Presnell at Antill Ponds and at year ending 1830 he was there. In 1837 James applied for permission to marry Eleanor Elizabeth Presnell. Eleanor was the daughter of free settlers, John Presnell and Eleanor Skelton. Approval was granted and they were married on 24 Sep 1838 at Oatlands, Tasmania. He received a conditional pardon on the 30 July 1840 and a free certificate 771 in 1845. James died on 8 February 1899 in the district of Ross, Tasmania. He is buried at the Methodist Cemetery, Ross, Tasmania. The death certificate states his name as James Dedman McGee and that he was 82 years old, if his age was correct he would have been born in 1816. The International Genealogical Index – British Isles, has a James Mc Gee christened on 14 August 1814 at St Nicholas, Liverpool, Lancashire, England.
Why was Dedman added to the name? Most of James’ nine children were given the middle name of Dedman. The following generation dropped Dedman from the name and have been known as McGee since. It seems agreed that the name belonged to someone of significance in the life of young James. In early research, a district Constable James Dedman, & Mary Ann Dedman, and also a William Dedman were found in Tasmanian records, but have not since been able to find which district they were in. If it was in the Midlands area, and the date was between 1830 and 1838, it could be the person.