James McCarty : Short Biography

James McCarty was born in 1829 being the second son of Malachi McCarty (1792) and Bridget Lynn (1794). I don't have a birth record but do have a baptism on 12th November 1829 in Ballymore, Co. Westmeath.  Present at the baptism was Mary Lynn and Frank McLoughlin.  

A third brother Malachi was born in 1831 and also baptised in Ballymore on 27 January 1832. Sponsors on this occasion were Peter Hoare and Bridget Rourk.

Two more brothers were born, Michael (1835) and Thomas (1838).These are the only Irish records I have. 

The next record I have is the 1841 UK census showing Malachi Snr, Bridget and the four boys in Birmingham, England. It states that they were all born in Ireland. So, beween Thomas being born in 1838 and the 1841 census the family moved to England.  

The family stayed in Birmingham from then on, James and Malachi Jnr and their oldest brother/half brother John (c.1815), had their own business as 'Slaters' 

Their mother Bridget died in 1844 and their father Malachi died in 1850.  

When James was 17 (1846) James was charged and convicted of stealing an apple pie. His penalty was 7 year transportation to Australia. In January 1846 he was in Millbank Prison awaiting transportation. He departed on 6th May 1847 from Millbank Prison on the ship 'Joseph Soames'. During the voyage the prisoners on the Joseph Soames received a royal pardon but were still taken to Geelong in Australia. He arrived at Port Henry on 24 September 1847. During the long journey James was taught the trade of shoemaker. He was sent to work for Robert Sutherland of Native Creek, Geelong as a general servant. 

By the 1851 UK census James was back in Birmingham He was in a lodging house with his brother Michael.  Both were 'Slaters'. He married Hannah Maria Smith on 12 April 1856. They had 6 children. By 1861 John employed 7 men for his business and had a house servant. 

He died aged 41 on 25 Sept. 1870.  The family were all Roman Catholic.