I can't think of a subject.
Jan. 27th, 2013 07:29 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
xenithHere's an incorrigible character. I happened the other day to look at his records, and they seemed somewhat interesting. I come across a lot of such stuff but usually I'm left wondering what the rest of the story is. For this young man, his life story is given in a few documents.
So, one of the articles I included in the posts about Mrs Cox's coaches was this one:
THE BUSHRANGERS.--These men, since our last detail of their movements, seemed to hesitate at an endeavour to pass into the western country by the Lakes, considering the quantity of wet which had fallen, and retraced their steps to the Lake River, where they committed two petty robberies, and subsequently fell in with a party of ten police from Campbell Town, after dusk on the evening of Friday last. After challenging and firing eight shots upon them, the bushrangers retreated into a scrub, followed by the constabulary, who reserved their fire for closer quarters. But again the fortune of war was in favour of the robbers, who escaped their pursuers (again, however, leaving their plunder behind them,) and were next heard of on the main road near Epping Forest, where they stopped Mrs. Cox's coach, and robbed the passengers, on Monday forenoon. In spite of Mr. Samuel Smith's high opinion of the nerve of the thieves, they exhibited great haste and trepidation on this occasion, joined to a squalid and miserable appearance. Mrs. Cox, who occupied a seat in the coach, rebuked them in severe terms for the wickedness and folly of their career. She showed them, also, that they were more alarmed on the occasion than she was, and with perfect truth, for in their fear and confusion they failed to take her gold watch, and another lady's, with various other portable property within their reach. The coach was detained not more than ten minutes, and on its proceeding took active steps to promote the pursuit of the freebooters, who are evidently closely hunted. We doubt if they will outlast the month at large ; and we really hope, for their own sakes, they will be speedily taken, for whatever the Review's philanthropy may suggest as to the worse-than-death-system of Port Arthur, their present sufferings, as abundantly shown by their appearance, must wholly eclipse the endurance of a penal settlement.
Hobart Town Courier, 7 July 1843
One of the participants in that robbery was later for tried to it. The Courier article is long so I won't include it, but the first few lines are interesting:
TRIAL OF LAWRENCE KAVENAGH.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7.
The prisoner at the bar stood charged with having feloniously and violently put in bodily fear James Hewitt, and from his person taken one watch and seven promissory notes of the value of £1 each.
Plea--Not Guilty.
Kavenagh-I beg pardon, your Honor, as this charge effects my life, I should like to have counsel allowed to me.
His Honour-I do not see anything in your case that you should have counsel assigned to you. A report exists at Port Arthur, that all prisoners of the Crown, charged with capital offences, are assigned counsel, but it is not a matter of right. [His Honor here asked Mr. Macdowell as to the fact. Mr. Macdowell stated merely that prisoners were generally allowed the benefit of counsel.]
His Honor--When a case requires counsel, I never refuse: in this case I can see no necessity that the prisoner should have that indulgence.
The Courier 15 September 1843
Now some background on Mr Kavenagh. According to the Darlinghurst gaol records, he was born in 1814. His native place on various records is given as Waterford, some place in Wicklow or Dublin.In 1828, he was tried in Dublin for house breaking and transported for life to Sydney.
His VDL conduct record has extracts from the Sydney records, which I'll use here
Feby 1833. 14 years to Norfolk Island [for] assault and intent to Rob Campbell Town
Was again convicted at the Supreme Court Sydney for attempt at Murder 12 April 1842 Sentd Life--Stated this offence, Shooting the Col. Secty. Capt Hunter & Dr Dobbie? at South Head, tried with Thos Brown & Joseph Johnson, I had returned from Norfolk Island, where I had been sent for Committing Highway Robbery in Sydney. I was 9 years at Norfolk, I absconded on coming up from there, I was recognised by Capt Hunter, two shots were Fired by us, we were bushranging & had been out 17 days. I originally went out in the Ferguson to Sydney for a House Robbery in 1829.
He was then shipped down to Hobart, and thus to Port Arthur.
From the indent his is described as such:
Height: 5 10 1/2
Age (in 1842): 30
Trade: Stone Mason
Native Place: Red-- Wicklow (The conduct record says Waterford, the Sydney records have Dublin)
Married or Single: S
Relgion: RC
Read or Write: Read
Offence: Attempt at Murder
Shooting at the Col Secty and
other Gen ?? at South Head Thos Brown & Joseph Johnson tried with me, I had retd from Norfolk Island I was identified by Capt Hunter two shots fired we were Bushrangers out 17 days
He had a mother whose name might Sarah, residing in -----wey, and 3 brothers whose names might be Martin, Andrew & Bryan at Dublin. (Bit hard to read.)
For the next part of the story, I've pulled some extracts from Martin Cash: his personal narrative as a bushranger in Van Diemen's Land.. So, in the quarry at Port Arthur:
One day while waiting for the cart to be laden I was accosted by Jones, who enquired if I was the Cash who had been stock-riding for Mr. Bowman. I replied that I was the person. He then assured me that he knew me well, if not personally at least by report, remarking that as we had some little knowledge of each other we might speak in confidence. He then abruptly enquired if I intended to abscond. I looked at him for a moment and answered yes, and on demanding the time, I replied, "Now, if you are ready,". Upon this he pointed to a tall, powerful-looking man who was working in a distant part of the quarry, at the same time telling me that his name was Kavanagh, who was also a Sydney man and had a strong inclination to abscond. I remarked that there might be a great many Sydney men who were inclined to do the same, and assured him that if he let any more into his confidence, I should try my luck along. He then expressed a wish that Kavanagh should bear up company to which I consented.
Some days later:
The following day, on the gang repairing to the quarry, I anxiously cast my eyes in the direction of my two friends, from whom I did not receive the slightest token of recognition. Not knowing well what to make of this, I walked deliberately over to where they were at work. Fixing my eyes on them for a moment, they both instantly dropped their picks, and, springing up a steep bank, were lost in a minute in the scrub, I soon following their example. Kavanagh took the lead as he knew the best where to find the swag which contained a quartern loaf and seven pounds of flour. We had scarcely advanced a hundred yards when the whole settlement appeared in commotion, constables and other officials running in all directions; prisoners, also, who had completed a certain period of their respective sentences were pressed into the service, with a promise of a ticket-of-leave should they succeed in capturing us, every possible and impossible device being resorted to, and the signals staff also kept in full play.
They escaped from the peninsula by, IIRC and there are plenty of accounts of it in places if you care, swimming across the bay, carrying clothes & supplies above the water. For a few months, they were on the loose, harassing househoulders and holding up the mail coach. Not long after the mail coach hold up:
It appears that in getting over ridge [Kavanagh] had a fall, and his piece, by the concussion against rocks, exploded, the ball entering his arm at the elbow and, along the bone, went out at the wrist, rendering the limb perfectly useless during the rest of his days. I was about fifty yards in advance at the time of the occurrence, but on the report of his gun I dropped my knapsack and returned to see what was the matter. I found poor Kavanagh on the ground, bleeding profusely, and stripping him of his coat and tearing up a clean white shirt into bandages, I bound up the arms as well as practicable. He appeared to be quite faint, and after looking about for some time I presently found some water, of which he drank eagerly, and this for a moment revived him. We then tried to cheer him up and suggested our immediate return to the vicinity of Bothwell, from whence at night I could go into the township, and, by a scheme which I proposed to adopt, one of us could procure the services a doctor. We then destroyed his gun, and, Jones and I having taken a share of his bundle, we all, with heavy hearts, on in the direction of Bothwell.
About six o’clock the same evening, finding Kavanagh quite exhausted, we halted and made a fire to warm some water to bathe the wound, and while Jones unwound the bandages I procured some herbs, which I applied to the injury, and this appeared to give him relief. I then explained the plan I had formed, and stated my intention to carry it into execution- at once, viz., on ascertaining where the doctor resided I was to call upon him after dark, and on seeing him bail him up instantly and march him on before me to the place of encampment. I was quite satisfied at the time that this could been easily accomplished, but Kavanagh would not hear of it, having resolved to give himself up to Mr. Clark, at Cluny, whom the reader will remember we had in charge when attacking the residence of Mr. Allardyce. We used every argument and entreaty in trying to alter his determination, but, finding it useless, accompanied him the next morning until we came within a short distance of Cluny, where we parted.
I am sorry truth obliges me to say that Jones, while on the road to Mr. Clark’s, privately hinted the necessity of shooting Kavanagh, being under the impression that he might reveal our haunts, and particularly our visits to Mrs. B----n's, thereby getting that family into difficulties. I rebuked him for making such a heartless proposition, observing that had I been in Kavanagh’s situation he would treat me in like manner, and regretting very much to hear him suggest anything so unmanly. I kept my eye upon him until Kavanagh was far away on the road, being of opinion that Jones would do almost anything rather than forego his visits to Mrs. B----n’s at the Dromedary.
....
We here had access to the newspapers, from which we learned that Kavanagh, on his arrival in town, informed the authorities that he had shot Jones and myself, and this assured me that he did not intend to betray us. His statement was in some measure credited, as nothing could be heard of either my mate or me since Kavanagh surrendered.
He was tried at Hobart Supreme Court in September, and sentence to death, commuted to life and sent back to Norfolk Island. As was Cash. Kavanagh's conduct record says
28 July 1843 Felony Committed for Trial /PM/ Again Tried Hobart SC 7 Sept 1843 Sentenced Death cmd to Life Sent to Norfolk Island vide Memo of Col Secy dated 20 April 1844. To be sent to Norfolk Island for 6 years vide Col Secy Memor Dated 8 Dec 1844. "Kavenagh with good conduct may look forward to my recommendation to have his period shortened, heinous as his offences have been, but at present it is quite out of the question my doing so", Vide CGs remarks on Meml 20 Nov 1845
A couple of years after their arrival, there was a bit of trouble on the island:
I have previously observed that a system of traffic had been carried out to a very great extent on the Island, and amongst other articles of commerce nearly every prisoner possessed a "billy" or tin kettle for the purpose of making tea. These kettles were made by prisoner mechanics and here consequently considered by the owners as their own property, not having been served out to them by the Government. At night, when going to their sleeping apartments, these articles were generally left at the server mess tables, and on the night previous to the enactment of the tragedy the constables, acting upon orders received, came down to the lumber yard in a body, and at one fell swoop cleared the mess room of all saucepans and kettles not issued by the Government and places them in the stores for security.
On the following morning, when the doors of the prison were unlocked, a strong party of prisoners, among whom was my old friend Kavanagh, broke open the door of the store and took possession of the tin kettles but disturbed noting else, although it appeared quite evident that the majority did not intended to stop at this. However, everything appeared tranquil after breakfast, when one of the party, named William Westwood, but better known by the sobriquet of "Jacky Jacky", headed a mob of some twenty prisoners, all of whom were armed with staves and bludgeons, and having entered the cookhouse Jacky killed a free overseer named Smith with a single blow of his cudgel, on which the gang again returned to the lumber yard, and in making their egress through a covered archway leading out to the mechanics' shops, where there was a watchman stationed on duty, Westwood, on passing him, spattered his brains against the brickwork eear which he had been sitting, crouch and paralysed with fear.
Skipping the next few killings.
During the next few days there were nearly two hundred men confined to the gaol and boat-house shed on suspicion of being concerned in the murders, but they were all subsequently released with the exception of twelve, one of whom was my old friend Kavanagh. He had taken no part in this outrage, being down at the creak in the rear of the lumber yard at the time of the occurrence. He was accused by a prisoner known on the Isand as "Dog Kelly", from whose cap Kavanagh had snatched a shamrock on St Patrick's Day, at the same time saying he was a murderer and a disgrace to his country, and therefore unfitted to wear the national emblem. Kelly inwardly vowed vengeance and took advantage of the opportunity now offered to resent the insult, which rankled in his mind, by swearing that Kavanagh was one of Westwood's party. At this time an innocent man was just as likely to suffer as a guilty one, but in this instance Kavanagh brought the punishment upon himself by his overbearing manger, which eventually was the cause of his untimely death.
The final lines of the conduct record:
Executed at Norfolk Island
12 October 1846
So, one of the articles I included in the posts about Mrs Cox's coaches was this one:
THE BUSHRANGERS.--These men, since our last detail of their movements, seemed to hesitate at an endeavour to pass into the western country by the Lakes, considering the quantity of wet which had fallen, and retraced their steps to the Lake River, where they committed two petty robberies, and subsequently fell in with a party of ten police from Campbell Town, after dusk on the evening of Friday last. After challenging and firing eight shots upon them, the bushrangers retreated into a scrub, followed by the constabulary, who reserved their fire for closer quarters. But again the fortune of war was in favour of the robbers, who escaped their pursuers (again, however, leaving their plunder behind them,) and were next heard of on the main road near Epping Forest, where they stopped Mrs. Cox's coach, and robbed the passengers, on Monday forenoon. In spite of Mr. Samuel Smith's high opinion of the nerve of the thieves, they exhibited great haste and trepidation on this occasion, joined to a squalid and miserable appearance. Mrs. Cox, who occupied a seat in the coach, rebuked them in severe terms for the wickedness and folly of their career. She showed them, also, that they were more alarmed on the occasion than she was, and with perfect truth, for in their fear and confusion they failed to take her gold watch, and another lady's, with various other portable property within their reach. The coach was detained not more than ten minutes, and on its proceeding took active steps to promote the pursuit of the freebooters, who are evidently closely hunted. We doubt if they will outlast the month at large ; and we really hope, for their own sakes, they will be speedily taken, for whatever the Review's philanthropy may suggest as to the worse-than-death-system of Port Arthur, their present sufferings, as abundantly shown by their appearance, must wholly eclipse the endurance of a penal settlement.
Hobart Town Courier, 7 July 1843
One of the participants in that robbery was later for tried to it. The Courier article is long so I won't include it, but the first few lines are interesting:
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7.
The prisoner at the bar stood charged with having feloniously and violently put in bodily fear James Hewitt, and from his person taken one watch and seven promissory notes of the value of £1 each.
Plea--Not Guilty.
Kavenagh-I beg pardon, your Honor, as this charge effects my life, I should like to have counsel allowed to me.
His Honour-I do not see anything in your case that you should have counsel assigned to you. A report exists at Port Arthur, that all prisoners of the Crown, charged with capital offences, are assigned counsel, but it is not a matter of right. [His Honor here asked Mr. Macdowell as to the fact. Mr. Macdowell stated merely that prisoners were generally allowed the benefit of counsel.]
His Honor--When a case requires counsel, I never refuse: in this case I can see no necessity that the prisoner should have that indulgence.
The Courier 15 September 1843
Now some background on Mr Kavenagh. According to the Darlinghurst gaol records, he was born in 1814. His native place on various records is given as Waterford, some place in Wicklow or Dublin.In 1828, he was tried in Dublin for house breaking and transported for life to Sydney.
His VDL conduct record has extracts from the Sydney records, which I'll use here
Feby 1833. 14 years to Norfolk Island [for] assault and intent to Rob Campbell Town
Was again convicted at the Supreme Court Sydney for attempt at Murder 12 April 1842 Sentd Life--Stated this offence, Shooting the Col. Secty. Capt Hunter & Dr Dobbie? at South Head, tried with Thos Brown & Joseph Johnson, I had returned from Norfolk Island, where I had been sent for Committing Highway Robbery in Sydney. I was 9 years at Norfolk, I absconded on coming up from there, I was recognised by Capt Hunter, two shots were Fired by us, we were bushranging & had been out 17 days. I originally went out in the Ferguson to Sydney for a House Robbery in 1829.
He was then shipped down to Hobart, and thus to Port Arthur.
From the indent his is described as such:
Height: 5 10 1/2
Age (in 1842): 30
Trade: Stone Mason
Native Place: Red-- Wicklow (The conduct record says Waterford, the Sydney records have Dublin)
Married or Single: S
Relgion: RC
Read or Write: Read
Offence: Attempt at Murder
Shooting at the Col Secty and
other Gen ?? at South Head Thos Brown & Joseph Johnson tried with me, I had retd from Norfolk Island I was identified by Capt Hunter two shots fired we were Bushrangers out 17 days
He had a mother whose name might Sarah, residing in -----wey, and 3 brothers whose names might be Martin, Andrew & Bryan at Dublin. (Bit hard to read.)
For the next part of the story, I've pulled some extracts from Martin Cash: his personal narrative as a bushranger in Van Diemen's Land.. So, in the quarry at Port Arthur:
One day while waiting for the cart to be laden I was accosted by Jones, who enquired if I was the Cash who had been stock-riding for Mr. Bowman. I replied that I was the person. He then assured me that he knew me well, if not personally at least by report, remarking that as we had some little knowledge of each other we might speak in confidence. He then abruptly enquired if I intended to abscond. I looked at him for a moment and answered yes, and on demanding the time, I replied, "Now, if you are ready,". Upon this he pointed to a tall, powerful-looking man who was working in a distant part of the quarry, at the same time telling me that his name was Kavanagh, who was also a Sydney man and had a strong inclination to abscond. I remarked that there might be a great many Sydney men who were inclined to do the same, and assured him that if he let any more into his confidence, I should try my luck along. He then expressed a wish that Kavanagh should bear up company to which I consented.
Some days later:
The following day, on the gang repairing to the quarry, I anxiously cast my eyes in the direction of my two friends, from whom I did not receive the slightest token of recognition. Not knowing well what to make of this, I walked deliberately over to where they were at work. Fixing my eyes on them for a moment, they both instantly dropped their picks, and, springing up a steep bank, were lost in a minute in the scrub, I soon following their example. Kavanagh took the lead as he knew the best where to find the swag which contained a quartern loaf and seven pounds of flour. We had scarcely advanced a hundred yards when the whole settlement appeared in commotion, constables and other officials running in all directions; prisoners, also, who had completed a certain period of their respective sentences were pressed into the service, with a promise of a ticket-of-leave should they succeed in capturing us, every possible and impossible device being resorted to, and the signals staff also kept in full play.
They escaped from the peninsula by, IIRC and there are plenty of accounts of it in places if you care, swimming across the bay, carrying clothes & supplies above the water. For a few months, they were on the loose, harassing househoulders and holding up the mail coach. Not long after the mail coach hold up:
It appears that in getting over ridge [Kavanagh] had a fall, and his piece, by the concussion against rocks, exploded, the ball entering his arm at the elbow and, along the bone, went out at the wrist, rendering the limb perfectly useless during the rest of his days. I was about fifty yards in advance at the time of the occurrence, but on the report of his gun I dropped my knapsack and returned to see what was the matter. I found poor Kavanagh on the ground, bleeding profusely, and stripping him of his coat and tearing up a clean white shirt into bandages, I bound up the arms as well as practicable. He appeared to be quite faint, and after looking about for some time I presently found some water, of which he drank eagerly, and this for a moment revived him. We then tried to cheer him up and suggested our immediate return to the vicinity of Bothwell, from whence at night I could go into the township, and, by a scheme which I proposed to adopt, one of us could procure the services a doctor. We then destroyed his gun, and, Jones and I having taken a share of his bundle, we all, with heavy hearts, on in the direction of Bothwell.
About six o’clock the same evening, finding Kavanagh quite exhausted, we halted and made a fire to warm some water to bathe the wound, and while Jones unwound the bandages I procured some herbs, which I applied to the injury, and this appeared to give him relief. I then explained the plan I had formed, and stated my intention to carry it into execution- at once, viz., on ascertaining where the doctor resided I was to call upon him after dark, and on seeing him bail him up instantly and march him on before me to the place of encampment. I was quite satisfied at the time that this could been easily accomplished, but Kavanagh would not hear of it, having resolved to give himself up to Mr. Clark, at Cluny, whom the reader will remember we had in charge when attacking the residence of Mr. Allardyce. We used every argument and entreaty in trying to alter his determination, but, finding it useless, accompanied him the next morning until we came within a short distance of Cluny, where we parted.
I am sorry truth obliges me to say that Jones, while on the road to Mr. Clark’s, privately hinted the necessity of shooting Kavanagh, being under the impression that he might reveal our haunts, and particularly our visits to Mrs. B----n's, thereby getting that family into difficulties. I rebuked him for making such a heartless proposition, observing that had I been in Kavanagh’s situation he would treat me in like manner, and regretting very much to hear him suggest anything so unmanly. I kept my eye upon him until Kavanagh was far away on the road, being of opinion that Jones would do almost anything rather than forego his visits to Mrs. B----n’s at the Dromedary.
....
We here had access to the newspapers, from which we learned that Kavanagh, on his arrival in town, informed the authorities that he had shot Jones and myself, and this assured me that he did not intend to betray us. His statement was in some measure credited, as nothing could be heard of either my mate or me since Kavanagh surrendered.
He was tried at Hobart Supreme Court in September, and sentence to death, commuted to life and sent back to Norfolk Island. As was Cash. Kavanagh's conduct record says
28 July 1843 Felony Committed for Trial /PM/ Again Tried Hobart SC 7 Sept 1843 Sentenced Death cmd to Life Sent to Norfolk Island vide Memo of Col Secy dated 20 April 1844. To be sent to Norfolk Island for 6 years vide Col Secy Memor Dated 8 Dec 1844. "Kavenagh with good conduct may look forward to my recommendation to have his period shortened, heinous as his offences have been, but at present it is quite out of the question my doing so", Vide CGs remarks on Meml 20 Nov 1845
A couple of years after their arrival, there was a bit of trouble on the island:
I have previously observed that a system of traffic had been carried out to a very great extent on the Island, and amongst other articles of commerce nearly every prisoner possessed a "billy" or tin kettle for the purpose of making tea. These kettles were made by prisoner mechanics and here consequently considered by the owners as their own property, not having been served out to them by the Government. At night, when going to their sleeping apartments, these articles were generally left at the server mess tables, and on the night previous to the enactment of the tragedy the constables, acting upon orders received, came down to the lumber yard in a body, and at one fell swoop cleared the mess room of all saucepans and kettles not issued by the Government and places them in the stores for security.
On the following morning, when the doors of the prison were unlocked, a strong party of prisoners, among whom was my old friend Kavanagh, broke open the door of the store and took possession of the tin kettles but disturbed noting else, although it appeared quite evident that the majority did not intended to stop at this. However, everything appeared tranquil after breakfast, when one of the party, named William Westwood, but better known by the sobriquet of "Jacky Jacky", headed a mob of some twenty prisoners, all of whom were armed with staves and bludgeons, and having entered the cookhouse Jacky killed a free overseer named Smith with a single blow of his cudgel, on which the gang again returned to the lumber yard, and in making their egress through a covered archway leading out to the mechanics' shops, where there was a watchman stationed on duty, Westwood, on passing him, spattered his brains against the brickwork eear which he had been sitting, crouch and paralysed with fear.
Skipping the next few killings.
During the next few days there were nearly two hundred men confined to the gaol and boat-house shed on suspicion of being concerned in the murders, but they were all subsequently released with the exception of twelve, one of whom was my old friend Kavanagh. He had taken no part in this outrage, being down at the creak in the rear of the lumber yard at the time of the occurrence. He was accused by a prisoner known on the Isand as "Dog Kelly", from whose cap Kavanagh had snatched a shamrock on St Patrick's Day, at the same time saying he was a murderer and a disgrace to his country, and therefore unfitted to wear the national emblem. Kelly inwardly vowed vengeance and took advantage of the opportunity now offered to resent the insult, which rankled in his mind, by swearing that Kavanagh was one of Westwood's party. At this time an innocent man was just as likely to suffer as a guilty one, but in this instance Kavanagh brought the punishment upon himself by his overbearing manger, which eventually was the cause of his untimely death.
The final lines of the conduct record:
12 October 1846
