Eleanor Donnelly - Newby - McDonald, Convict "Alexander" 1816

Alternative Names: Eleanor McDONNELL, Eleanor McEVOY, Elinor McEVOY, Eleanor NEWBY.

Eleanor McEVOY was transported for stealing apparel and was convicted at Dublin Quarter Sessions in September 1815. She was sentenced for 7 years and to be transported to Port Jackson, New South Wales, Australia. Eleanor was transported on the ship “Alexander” with 84 female convicts/passengers. On reaching Port Jackson on the 4th April 1816, Eleanor was selected within a group of 60 female persons to be transferred to Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) and was transported on the brig “Kangaroo”.

When Eleanor arrived at Hobart, she had with her a daughter that was either born in Dublin, at sea or in Tasmania. The daughter was also named Eleanor. In 1817, Eleanor Snr started cohabiting with a man named Thomas NEWBY and during this relationship they had a son together called John NEWBY, who was born on the 8th December 1817. Unfortunately the relationship did not last due to Thomas being convicted in 1823 for forging a promissory note at Hobart and for stealing goods from a house. He was sentenced to life transportation.

Early 1823, Eleanor Snr is cohabiting with a convict named Chales McDONALD (who also went by other names, Charles McDONNELL being one of them). Charles had been sentenced to life transportation at Tyrone, Ireland and was transported on the ship “Canada” to Port Jackson, New South Wales, Australia and then was sent on to Van Diemen's Land aboard the Kangaroo in 1816.

During their relationship Eleanor Snr started offending and eventually stood trial with her eldest daughter Eleanor Jr for the receipt of stolen goods. Both were convicted and Eleanor Snr was sentenced to 14 years transportation for receiving stolen goods from her daughter. Eleanor Jr, because of her young age was sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing.

During her relationship with Charles, Eleanor Snr gave birth to 2 girls, namely Julia McDONALD (born 16th June 1825) and Maria Anna McDONALD (born 10th May 1829). Charles and Eleanor Snr eventually married after seeking Permission to Marry for the second time (they were refused the first time). They were married on the 24th July 1831 at Green Ponds. Eleanor had 2 other scraps with the law which affected her application for an Conditional Pardon. Eventually on the 17th December 1841 she received her Conditional Pardon and it was reported by the Police Magistrate of the District as being married and living in good repute with her husband.

On the 14th September 1849, Eleanor passed away in Hobart from Consumption, aged 55 years. Her burial details are unknown.