William Bell

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Dianne Jones on 9th April 2022

From the "Convicts associated with Toodyay" database: Bell, William (1844- ) 9662 1868-01-10 Hougoumont CWA: Unm; stonemason; lit RC; griev bodily harm 15 yrs; Fremantle, Champion Bay, Toodyay; mason, builder, worked for self. To SA 21-08-1885. BDWA: Bell, William, b. 1846, (expiree). Arr. 10.1.1868 per Hougoumont, dep. for S.A. 21.8.1885. Employed a T/L labourer 1878 at Northam. Ancestry: General Register for Nos 9059 - 9598 cont., 9599 - 10128 (R15 - R16): P526 9662 Bell, William. Hougoumont. Sent from Fremantle to Toodyay on 26 April 1878; then worked for self, living in Northam, as boarding house keeper, then mason and bricklayer (https://www.toodyay.wa.gov.au/). --00-- NOTE: He was one of two men called William Bell to arrive on the Hougoumont. See the other's bio at https://convictrecords.com.au/convicts/bell/william/68548.

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Dianne Jones on 9th April 2022

IN WA: From his FREMANTLE jail record: BELL, William; inmate #9662, arrived 10 Jan 1868 per Hougoumont Date of Birth: 1844 Marital Status: Unmarried Occupation: Stonemason Literacy: Literate Crime: Grievous bodily harm Sentence Period: 15 years Ticket of Leave Date: 4 Dec 1875 Certificate of Freedom Date: 9 Apr 1885 Comments: Conditional Release 1880. Mason, builder, self-employed. To South Australia, 21 Aug 1885 (https://fremantleprison.com.au/). --0--

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Dianne Jones on 9th April 2022

8 October, 1867: Sent from Portland to board the Hougoumont for transportation to WA. “The hired convict ship Hougoumont, which has been taken up by the Government for the conveyance of a numerous party of convicts to Freemantle, Western Australia, left the Nore on October 1, and proceeded down Channel, after receiving on board 150 convicts from the establishments at Chatham and Millbank... On Tuesday, October 8th, the Hougoumont arrived in Portland roads. Shortly before midday ninety convicts were marched down to the Government pier at Portland under a strong escort of the 12th Light Infantry. The party included twenty-three Fenian convicts, among whom it was said, was Moriarty. The Government steamer employed in the breakwater service was used for conveying the convicts on board the Hougoumont transport ship. The convicts were chained together on embarking, and on board the steamer a strong guard of marines from her Majesty’s ship St. George was formed, and saw the convicts safely placed on board the Hougoumont." (Sydney Morning Herald, 19 Dec 1867, p4, on Trove at https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/28608271) --00--

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Dianne Jones on 9th April 2022

22 February, 1867: Admitted to PORTLAND prison, Grove Road, Dorset -- behaviour "very good" (UK, Prison Commission Records, 1770-1951 for William Bell; Pentonville Prison; Register of Prisoners; 1866-1869). Portland, Portsmouth, Chatham and Spike Island in Ireland were listed public works stations and the second stage in the penal process. After separate confinement, prisoners were “placed on work parties at various locations, most commonly naval stations, where maintenance of facilities was vital for the effective protection of Britain’s far flung commercial and military influences around the world. While there, attitude and behaviour were monitored closely. In theory, only after consistently positive reports was a prisoner moved on to the third stage of his incarceration—transportation.” (Edgar, p40) --0--

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Dianne Jones on 9th April 2022

10 May, 1866: Admitted to PENTONVILLE prison, Caledonian Road, London -- inmate #3723 (UK, Prison Commission Records, 1770-1951 for William Bell; Pentonville Prison; Register of Prisoners; 1866-1869). “After a sentence of transportation [or penal servitude] was handed down, the prisoner entered into a separate stage where he was placed into an individual cell, isolated from others, apart from brief periods of exercise and attendance at chapel. However, no communication of any kind with other prisoners was permitted at any time. The philosophy behind this penal methodology had its provenances in the religious, monastic traditions; i.e., that in the isolation of his cell the malefactor would be able to contemplate the errors of his way, unadulterated by the negative influences of former contemporaries, and be reformed.” (Edgar, 2018, pp39-40) When first put into practice, the mandated period of separate confinement was 18 months. By the late 1840s, authorities had conceded that such conditions of imprisonment were “injurious to many prisoners’ mental health” and the stint was reduced to 12 months. Periods of separate confinement were reduced further “as a prisoner displayed good behaviour tendencies” (Edgar, p40). Pentonville, Millbank, Wakefield and Mountjoy in Ireland were the “Probation” or “Separate” prisons, as were some local jails. --0--

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Dianne Jones on 9th April 2022

JAILS: April, 1866: Held at NEWGATE prison, corner Newgate Street and Old Bailey, London (UK, Prison Commission Records, 1770-1951). --0--

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Dianne Jones on 9th April 2022

TRIAL contd: GEORGE ROOTS (Police-inspector P). I reached Mr. Hill's house about 1 o'clock, and was let in by the prisoner—I asked him what had occurred, and what he knew of the matter—he said, "I went to bed about 12 o'clock, I had been upstairs about a quarter of an hour; I had been reading a journal, and had begun to undress, when I heard my master call 'Murder,' and thinking it was some person having a game with him, I ran down stairs. As I passed my Missis' bedroom, I called out 'Murder;' in going down stairs my light went out. I found master at the bottom of the stairs; I then returned to get a light, which I got from the fire in my Missis' bed-room. I had been splitting wood in the kitchen, in the evening with a hatchet; while I was doing so, I said to the servant, 'I will go and fasten the pot-house door,' which I did; soon after I went into the cellar to put on some ale, I carried the hatchet down with me, and laid it on a basket at the bottom of the stairs; and some one must have followed master into the cellar when he went to turn off the gas, and then taken the hatchet, and returned to the top of the stairs, and committed the act when master was leaving"—I asked him if all the doors and windows were safe—he said, 'They are, except the door leading to the pot-house yard, which I found closed, but not fastened; and the person who committed the act must have gone out by that door'—I searched the place, and found it all secure—I found no footmarks on the roof—if any one had passed over it, there would have been footmarks, as it was covered with snow—I examined the ladders, and the field at the back—I also examined the prisoner's clothes. Cross-examined. Q. Did you find any blood upon them? A. No—he had on a light pair of trousers—he had no shoes or stockings on—there was no blood on his feet—I went into the stable-yard—there was a ladder there, such as is used in getting on to omnibuses or coaches—I examined the prisoner's bedroom—there was some water in his washhand basin, but I could detect no blood there—a portion of a candle was lying close by, but no candlestick—I searched the stable-yard to exhaust every possible inquiry. COURT. Q. Did you examine the passage floor? A. I did—there was a great quantity of blood near the foot of the stairs—on the same evening of the same day I took the prisoner to Mr. Hill's bedside, and asked him to repeat in the prisoner's presence what he recollected of the matter—Mr. Hill said, "I went down the cellar to turn off the gas about 12 o'clock last night. On returning from the cellar, I was struck with a hatchet on the head and on the shoulders. The person who struck me passed by me, and ran up stairs. He had on a coloured shirt and coloured stockings. That is the man," looking towards the prisoner—he said to his son, who was in the room, "You charge him"—I then told the prisoner that he was charged with feloniously assaulting his master, with intent to murder him, and that he need not answer me unless he chose—he made no answer—I handed him over to a constable. HENRY WALKLY (Policeman, P 248). I was at Mr. Hill's house with the inspector. Cross-examined. Q. What was the result of your experience after searching the place? A. I came to the conclusion that the deed was done by some one in the house—I did not go on the roof—I went about five or six rounds up the long ladder—the window of the skittle-room was unfastened—I examined all the other rooms. COURT. Q. Was it a sash-window? A. Yes—it was shut, but there was no hasp to fasten it with—any one who jumped out at the window could not have closed it after him. COURT to GEORGE ROOTS. Q. Did you examine the stairs leading to the bedrooms to see if there was any blood? A. I did—I saw no blood or stains whatever. WILLIAM REYNOLDS WRAY. I am a surgeon, of Dulwich—I was called to Mr. Hill's about half-past 12 on the morning of the 15th February—he was in his bedroom—I examined him, and found a severe contused wound near his left ear, and another contused wound at the back of his head—the bone was laid bare—there was a severe contusion on the right side of his forehead, and an incised wound on his right cheek; a slight bruise on the point of his left shoulder, and another at the back of his left shoulder-blade—his left shoulder itself was broken—I have seen the axe, and I think the contused wounds might have been inflicted by the back, and the incised wounds by the blade of it. The Prisoner received a good character.— GUILTY of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm.— Fifteen Years' Penal Servitude. Before Robert Malcolm Kerr, Esq. (https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/) --00--

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TRIAL contd: ELIZABETH HILL. I am the wife of John Hill—on 14th February I was unwell, and went to bed a little after 8 o'clock—I had a fire in my bed-room—while in bed I distinctly heard my husband cry"Murder!"—I think that was about quarter past 12—I was coughing at the time—I immediately jumped out of bed and ran to the door—on getting to the landing I saw the prisoner coming up stairs—he was on the top step but one—scarcely a moment had elapsed from the time I heard the cry of"Murder!" to the time I saw the prisoner—he was dressed in light trousers, and a dark plaid shirt—he had no waistcoat or coat or shoes on—I said, "Good God, William, what is the matter?"—he said, "Master is murdered; I can't find no matches"—his bedroom was on the same floor as mine; the second floor, but he had to pass down a passage to get to it—there was a light shining through the staircase window—it is impossible for the prisoner to have gone down stairs and returned in so short a time—I am sure he was coming up stairs when I saw him—I did not see a candle in his hand—I begged for a candle, but no one brought it me—the prisoner went to his bedroom—I went down stairs and found my husband bleeding dreadfully—he was quite alone—shortly afterwards the prisoner, my son, and my servant, all came down, and some one brought a light—they assisted my husband into the bar parlour on to the sofa—I could not get the door open—I asked where the key was, and the prisoner said, "It is in master's trousers pocket"—I found it there—shortly after some people came in, and then the surgeon came—whilst in the bar parlour I commanded a view of the front door, and I am sure no one passed out at that door. Cross-examined. Q. What were you suffering from? A. A severe cold—I was sitting up in bed, coughing, when I heard the cry of " Murder"—I cannot say how long I had been coughing—I had been asleep—I did not give the prisoner into custody until 8 o'clock the following evening—he went about his business as usual next day. ALFRED HILL. I am the son of John Hill—I remember the prisoner coming home on 14th February—I last saw him about 20 minutes to 11, when I went to bed—he had his coat on then, and a pair of light plaid trousers—I was called up by my mother, and after she had gone down stairs the prisoner came from his room into hers—he had a reddish coloured shirt on and the same trousers—he got a light—I went downstairs, and he followed me—I found father leaning against the barristers—he was then taken into the bar parlour, and placed on the sofa—I picked up this hatchet (produced)—the handle was leaning against the stairs that led into the kitchen by the cellar door—I took it into the bar-parlour—there was blood on the blade and handle—I heard my mother make some remark about a key, but did not hear the prisoner make any reply—he unlocked the door leading from tho bar-parlour into the bar, and also a little side door leading into the front of the bar—the prisoner unbolted the street door for me, as I could not reach it—Mrs. Davenport came in first—a man named Field looked in, and then went for the doctor—then Mr. Peapell and Mr. Wood came—Mr. Peapell was the last to come in, and then I locked the door—I, Mr. Peapell, and the prisoner, then went and searched the house—to the best of my recollection the shutters in the top room were closed—the cellar door was open—we went down and examined all the cellars, which were all fastened—all the rooms and windows were fastened—we then went into the yard, but could find no traces of footsteps—there were two ladders in the yard, a small one and a big one—they were against the wall, nearly upright—I had seen them before during the day, and they went in the same position. COURT. Q. Did you search the rooms on the second floor? A. No—the bed rooms that were not occupied were locked. Cross-examined. Q. How long was it after you got down stairs that the policemen came? A. Soon after, I cannot say how long—they came before the surgeon—they searched the house—the prisoner had the key of the cellar about half-past 9—he went down to fetch the axe to chop wood with—it was part of his duty to do that. COURT. Q. Did you see him after that? A. Yes—I sent for him to tap some ale, and he said he was going to take the axe back—he did not say he had put the axe in its place—I saw blood upon the wall and upon the floor—I heard my father say in the night, when he was in bed, "It is him, it is him; bring him here"—the axe was kept in the cellar for breaking coal. MARGARET WENHAM . I am cook to Mr. Hill—on 14th February I went to bed about 20 minutes to 10—my bedroom is opposite Mrs. Hill's—I was awakened by Mrs. Hill, who said there was a fire—the prisoner had his supper beer in the kitchen about half-past 9—he had a coat and a light pair of trousers on—I had to go down stairs to get some coals for my mistress's fire, and saw the axe lying on the corner of the table by the prisoner's side—he chopped some wood for me—I then went to bed, and saw no more of him until I was awakened by my mistress—I went down stairs, and found Mr. Hill covered with blood—I assisted to get him into the bar-parlour—I heard my mistress ask for the key of the bar, and the prisoner said, "It is in master's pocket," and she found it there—I did not leave the bar until the police had searched the house—no one could have passed out of the house without my seeing them—I sat close to the door of the bar, and could see the people come in at the street door. Cross-examined. Q. Had you asked the prisoner to chop wood? A. Yes; and he said he would—I did not see him fetch the axe. COURT. Q. When was it you asked him to chop the wood? A. When I was going to bed—when I came down to fetch the coals, he was standing by the side of the table—the axe was on the table—I had only been upstairs a few minutes—the axe was not on the table when I went to bed—I did not notice—I had only been in Mr. Hill's service a week. MR. WARD. Q. Have you ever said anything about your mistress asking for the key before? A. No—I do not know why I did not—she did not tell me she had heard a cry of " Murder." GEORGE PEAPELL . I live about 100 yards from Mr. Hill's house—I was going home about a quarter past 12, on the night of 14th February—I heard a noise before I got to the Alleyne's Head—when I got to it, Alfred Hill was standing on the door-step—he asked me to go in, which I did, and found Mr. Hill lying on the sofa, bleeding—I, with Alfred Hill and the prisoner, searched all over the house, but could not find any one—at the bottom of the stairs I found a candlestick—the prisoner was dressed in a coloured shirt, and light trousers, no coat or waistcoat—he said it was a very cruel affair, and he wondered who did it—I went to the top of the house, but could find no footsteps there—the roof was covered with frost. Cross-examined. Q. Did you go into the pot-bouse yard? A. Yes—I did not examine the top of the pot-house shed, and I do not recollect touching the ladders—I did not examine the field outside. COURT. Q. Is the house detached, or in a row? A. Detached—a person on the roof could not get on to another house—the trap-door leading on to the roof was not fastened—it was shut, but not locked. JOHN WOOD . I live at 2, Alleyne's-cottages—I was called up about half-past 12 on the night of 14th February—I went to Mr. Hill's, and was let in by Mr. Davenport—I examined the house with the prisoner—every place was secure—while in the cellar, I asked the prisoner when he had last used the axe—he said about half-past 9, in chopping up some wood to light the fire with, and the last he had seen of it was when he left it on this basket—we were near the basket, and he pointed it out—we then went upstairs—I asked him whether all the windows and doors were fastened—he said, "With the exception of the pot-house door"—I said, "Then a person would have no difficulty in escaping that way"—he made no reply—I examined the roof of the pot-house, but there were no foot-marks—it was covered with frost—I examined the two ladders, but there were no marks on them—they were placed perpendicular—it was not possible for any one to ascend them, as they were placed—I tried it by going up a little way. Cross-examined. Q. Did you examine the ladders before the police came? A. Yes; three-quarters of an hour before—I went up perhaps seven or eight steps—I am used to ladders—I went into the field at the back with three constables, but found no marks near the wall—I have been a police-man twenty years.

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Dianne Jones on 9th April 2022

TRIAL: 9 April, 1866: William Bell was tried and convicted at the Old Bailey, as per the trial transcript below: #414. WILLIAM BELL (20), feloniously wounding John Hill with intent to murder him. Other Counts varied the manner of laying the charge. MR. COOPER conducted the Prosecution, and MR. WOOD the Defence. JOHN HILL, I keep the Alleyne's Head public-house, Dulwich—about 8 or 9 days previous to 14th February, I took the prisoner into my service from a registry office as potboy—on 14th I gave him a holiday—my wife had complained of illness during the day, and she went to bed between 8 and 9, and my son Alfred went to bed about 11 o'clock; I do not know at what time the servant went—I do not know what time the prisoner came home, but I saw him between 6 and 7 in the evening—about twenty minutes to 12, I told the prisoner to go to bed, as I wanted him to assist me in the morning to clean the tap-room—he then went to the kitchen, which is on the ground floor (plan produced)—I went into the parlour and sat with three or four customers till nearly 12 o'clock—they left, and I closed the door just as Norwood clock was striking 12—I locked it, bolted it, and then went into the bar—I got a candle and lit it—I fastened a pair of sliding doors, which prevents any one going into the bar parlour or bar—there is a back door leading into the pothouse yard, but I did not see to that—I unlocked a cupboard on the left side of the bar parlour door, took out the cash box, and put a lot of silver in it—I placed the cash box on a table in the bar parlour, which is under the window opposite the yard—I made a noise in emptying the silver into the box—there was nearly 12l. worth—I then went down the cellar, the key of which is kept in the bar—the cellar door is on the left hand in the passage—I unlocked the door, went down, and turned off the gas—before doing that I looked and saw everything was safe—there are two cellars, one under the bar parlour, and one under the bar—there are four cellars altogether—there is a wine cellar which is always kept locked with a padlock—I examined the cellar flap, which leads into the street, and that was safely fastened—I then returned up the steps; I had got to the top, and was about to close the door, when some one struck me on the head—my back was towards the kitchen—I put my hand on to my head, and another blow came on my shoulder—I staggered and fell against the wall—I was about turning round, when I received another blow on the front of the head—the candle fell out of my hand at the first blow—the blows came from the direction of the kitchen—I called out "Murder" several times—after the last blow the prisoner ran close by me up the stairs which lead to the bedrooms—he had on a sort of coloured shirt, a light pair of trousers, and no hat—that is all I can recollect—I could see that by the light of a lamp in the yard, which shows through a window at the top of the stairs—there was a rimy frost that night—I then became insensible, and when I came to I found my wife and servant with me, and a surgeon. Cross-examined. Q. How long after the blows were struck did you become senseless? A. Directly he passed me—I only saw his back, as he went up stairs—the four people that I let out at 12 o'clock were neighbours of mine—my house is used by very few navvies and labourers—I have never said, "I can almost take my solemn oath the prisoner is the man"—I saw an old wine basket at the bottom of the cellar stairs, after I had turned the gas off—there was no axe on it then—I was not half a minute at the gas meter—I have ascertained that my money was all right, and the box was there as I had left it—I had examined the rooms up stairs, and they were all fastened—I think there were two ladders in the pot yard, but no one could ascend them, as they were too perpendicular—I was taken up stairs after I became senseless—I had never had an unpleasant word with the prisoner—I have never said that I knew some one resembling the prisoner in age and height. MR. COOPER. Q. What was the size of this wine hamper? A. It would hold about two dozen—I had a light in my hand then—no one could have came out of the cellar without my seeing them. COURT. Q. Had you seen the prisoner that night before you told him to go to bed? A. Yes, he had waited on me in the parlour—I noticed then that he had a light pair of trousers on—he had neither coat nor waistcoat on when he passed me—when I got into the cellar, I went direct to the gas meter—about twenty minutes elapsed from the time I closed the front door to the time I was struck—I had had some beer in from the street about the middle of the day.