James Smith, Deaf Convict

1827, April

Trial at the Old Bailey

Trial record for James Smith, describing him as “a deaf and dumb boy”. He was convicted of stealing a pocket handkerchief and sentenced to 14 years transportation.

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 20 June 2023), April 1827, trial of JAMES SMITH (t18270405-128).

1827

Indent

The clerk who reigstered the convicts on arrival clearly had difficulties communicating with James Smith, as you can see by the fact that most data is missing and the words “Deaf and Dumb” substituted.

Museums of History NSW - State Archives Collections: Principal Superintendent of Convicts; NRS 12188, Indents, 1788-1842. [4/4012] p 217, Prince Regent, 1827

c. 1820

Hyde Park Barracks

James Smith lived and worked here after arriving in Sydney.

Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons, from the State Library of NSW https://collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/record/16AJqGqn/Xy738vNPxMJ0

1835

Running Away

James Smith absconded in 1835.

Government Gazette Notices (1835, July 15). New South Wales Government Gazette (Sydney, NSW : 1832 - 1900), p. 487. Retrieved June 20, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230655808

1841

Deaf convict James Smith is granted a Certificate of Freedom

James Smith’s Certificate of Freedom shows what a rough life he had. More scars and tattoos have been added since his indent.

Museums of History NSW - State Archives Collections: Principal Superintendent of Convicts; NR S12210, Butts of certificates of freedom, 1827-1867. [4/4366] 41/0815 James Smith per Prince Regent

Christina King. (2019). “Convict Tattoos”. https://www.rahs.org.au/convict-tattoos/