John was a convict on the First Fleet and was sent to Norfolk Island to help grow food for the colony.
January 1784:
John RYAN (indicted as Bryant no Ryan was tried in January 1784 as the Order in Council indicated) recieved a sentence of seven years transportation at the Old Bailey on 14 January 1784 for theft of a woollen cloth coat and a man's hat. With a companion he was seen acting suspiciously in Basinghall Street opposite the White Bear, walking up and down several times, "and I saw one point to the other and go into the house" reported a witness, who said he saw them go in. On the 30th March both were sent to the Mercury transport from Newgate. Ryan (recorded as such henceforth) escaped at Torvay after the convict mutiny (his companion did not escape) and was retaken on 13 April by Helena, committed to goal at Exeter, remanded to former orders on 24 May by the Special Commission and sent to the Dunkirk hulk at the end of June aged 19. He was "in general tolerably well behaved but troublesome at times" Discharged to 'Friendship' on 11 March 1787. He was reported by Ralph Clark as aged 20 his trade silk weaver.
Convict Records: 27 February 1788
From A Battle Against the Odds, 27 February 1788. John Ryan was accused and tried together with Thomas Barrett, Henry Lovell, and Joseph Hall for stealing " butter, peasand pork" Major Ross obtained a respite for Lovell and Hall who with Barrett had received the death sentence. Ryan had been sentanced to 300 lashes. Barrett who appeared to be the ringleader was "turned off" or executed by hanging that same afternoon. The following day Governor Phillip gave conditional pardons to Lovell and Hall. Ryan was forgiven and his irons taken off he was dismissed to resume work.
Convict Records: 11 November 1788.
John Ryan was suspect for allegedly stealing clothing from convict Ann Warburton. He was taken into custody on 12 November but appears to have been temporarily freed as he was accused on the 17th November and tried in a Magistrate's Court for stealing five pounds of flour and property of Henry Roach.
Upon the evidence given by Roach Ryan was discharged.
The day following 18th November John Ryan was tried by a court of Criminal Jursdiction concerning the accusations of stealing clothing from Ann Warburton on the 11th November. Ann Warburton and others gave evidence and Ryan was acquitted.
Convict Records: 21 July 1789.
Ryan was found on the other side of the Hospital contrary to an Order to that purpose. (Notices had been placed on trees between the Hospital which at that time was located near the present State Archives on Globe Street and the present Dawes Point)
The notices said that any person found past these notices would be punished. Ryan said that his overseer had not told him to keep away from the point, he didn't know of the notices and could not read. He was sentanced to receive fifty lashes.
Convict Records: 19 September 1789.
John Ryan (recorded as Pat Ryan) and Benjamin Ingram having been charged on Saturday 12 September "with creating a Riot and Drunkness" were each sentenced to receive one hundred and fifty lashes.
Wrecking: 19 March 1790
Sirius", 19 March 1790, Norfolk Island. The ship was wrecked at the entrance to Sydney Bay Norfolk Island.
John Ryan for his continued good behaviour and helpfulness at the time of the "Sirius " saga; (He did something commendable during the sinking of the 'Sirius' ) was granted a pardon and land on Norfolk Island. He was later assigned a convict servant, Sarah Wooley and had a daughter with her. and not the least having been freed by servitude became a free settler.
He was settled on ten acres of land on the Mt. Pitt Path Queensboro, on 16/12/1791.
John was a convict on the First Fleet and was sent to Norfolk Island to help grow food for the colony.