Bartholomew Broughton

342

Maureen Withey on 4th June 2020

We submit to our Readers the following extraordinary confession, on oath, relative to the defalcations in the colonial treasury chest of Van Diemen's Land. Though the affidavit is not calculated to throw great light on the subject, it is still an act of justice to the late Naval Officer to put the public in possession of any thing that may tend to elucidate a business that is involved in mystery. Buckingham, to wit.—This day came before me, John Lewes Pedder, Esq. Chief Justice for the territory of Van Diemen's Land, Bartholomew Broughton, clerk to the Naval Officer, and deposeth and saith, "I have omitted to carry to the public credit various sums of money received by me for duties on the ships Triton, William Shand, Heroine, Adrian, Brixton, William Penn, and Regalia ; also on two hundred gallons of colonial whiskey, and nine hundred and fifty two pounds of tobacco ;—And I do further depose and swear that Edward Foord Bromley, Naval Officer during the period of the receipt of such duties, never knew they were not carried to the public credit, but supposed the accounts I placed before him for signature were correct ;—And this deponent further maketh oath and saith, that during the period he has been clerk to the Naval Officer, upwards of three years, the aforesaid E. F. Bromley, Naval Officer, never did in any way order, desire, counsel or abet this deponent to alter, cancel, annul, abridge, or keep back any sum or sums of money belonging to the public, but on the contrary expressed a most anxious wish that the accounts should be always kept in the most distinct, clear, and regular manner ;—And deponent doth further swear, that he does not believe, either directly, or indirectly, that the before named E. F. Bromley, Naval Officer, did ever receive, detain or appropriate one penny of the public money to his own private use or advantage. (Signed) B. BROUGHTON. Hobart Town, Sworn before me this twelfth day of October, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-four. (Signed) J. L. PEDDER, Chief Justice. The Australian, 16 Dec 1824. --------------------------------------------------- CRIMINAL COURT. FRIDAY, OCT. 13, 1826. Bartholomew Broughton was this day put to the bar, charged with embezzlement of money the property of the Crown. The information, which was unavoidably very long contained 8 counts, laying the offences in as many different ways. The facts of the case are briefly these - Mr. Broughton had been clerk to Dr. Bromley, during almost the whole of the time that he (Dr. Bromley) had been Naval Officer and Treasurer of the Public Fund of this Colony. The affairs of this gentleman, as connected with this situation, have undergone Public investigation, and are sufficiently known to our Readers, to render any remarks from us unnecessary. It appeared in evidence, that Mr. Broughton had received two several sums of money for duties on spirits, of which he had made no entries in the books, while Dr. Bromley on the other hand swore that these sums had never been paid over to him. The Doctor seemed to be not quite confident as to one sum, but was perfectly so as to the other. Mr. Swan landed 39 gallons of brandy out of the ship William Penn, in July 1823, the duty on which was £29 5s. 9d. Mr. Broughton went to Mr. Swan's house and received the amount, but as before observed, omitted to give credit for it in the books. This was also the case with regard to another sum of 1365 dollars received by him also for duties from Messrs. Read and Bethune. Mr. Swan, and Mr. Tidd both deposed having paid the money to Mr. Broughton, whose receipts for the same were produced in evidence. Dr. Bromley underwent a long cross-examination by Mr. Gellibrand, by which it was elicited that he had been very careless in keeping both the Public accounts and his own. Mr. Gellibrand (as a witness) also proved, that Dr. Bromley had (shortly after the robbery of the Treasury Chest was discovered) declared to him that he was aware of the omission of a sum of about £1,100, the half of which he was fully satisfied he had received but not the other; and further, that he would not implicate Mr. Broughton in the deficiences. Several witnesses were examined and cross examined on both sides. The Chief Justice went over the whole of the evidence in a very patient and explanatory manner - and concluded by charging the jury in most emphatic language. The jury retired for a short time and returned a verdict of- Not Guilty. The trial lasted two whole days. Counsel-The Solicitor General for the Crown-Mr. Gellibrand for the prisoner. Hobart Town Gazette, 21 Oct 1826. DIED, On Saturday evening last, the 28th June, much and deservedly lamented, after a short but very distressing illness, Mr. BARTHOLOMEW BROUGHTON, in the 32d year of his age. His death was occasioned from the rupture of a blood vessel, on the preceding Saturday night, while proceeding to the Cross Marsh, to take possession of the late Mr. Whitfield's farm, which he had purchased only a few days previously. He remained at the Royal Oak lnn during the Sunday, and in returning home reached Roseneath Inn on Monday; when, in the act of getting out of his chaise, a sudden and violent hemorrhage again took place, under which he must have expired instantaneously, had not able medical assistance been on the spot, Dr. CROWTHER being in attendance. He continued at Mr. AUSTIN's until Saturday morning last, when be was removed by water to his residence at New-town, where be expired in a few hours afterwards—perfectly sensible, and in the firm belief of the Christian religion, and in the full assurance of future happiness and reward, in another and better world. He has bequeathed to his friends in this Settlement the whole of his very valuable landed property, cattle, sheep, horses, &c. In this enterprising Gentleman, the Colony has lost a zealous advocate, and practical promoter of agricultural and horticultural pursuits. The meed of praise is due to him for the manufacture and exportation of the first Tasmanian wine; for which the Society of Arts in London had awarded him the Golden Ceres Medal. Since his residence in the Island, his conduct has always been marked by an adherence to the strictest propriety;—and the very severe scrutiny which took place before a legal Tribunal, respecting those groundless imputations which were cast upon his public conduct, have served fully to exonerate him, even in the highest quarters in England, from any charge to his discredit. His revered father, a Gentleman residing in England, had for some time back, been very indefatigable in the promotion of his interests, in which he had succeeded to their most sanguine wishes. At an early period of his life, Mr. Broughton had the honor of serving His Majesty as a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy, and partook of the glorious achievement in the hard-contested action between the Chesapeake and Shannon, American and British vessels. His, family are highly respectable;—his father an eminent Solicitor in London; the late Admiral BROUGHTON was his uncle; and he has now another uncle a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy. At his table, he was hospitable even to excess; and his death has caused a vacuum, that, when we look around, leads to the silent, the sad enquiry, Where is our friend? But his favorite magpie crying " Broughton!"—" Broughton !" (even while he was breathing his last moments amid the sympathies of his friends) brings to the mind, that He is gone to the land where the dead may rest, In a soft unbroken slumber— Where the pulse that swelled his anguished breast Shall never his tortures number. He felt that the charm of life was gone, That his hopes were chilled and blasted; That being wearily lingered on In sorrow while it lasted. He turn'd to the picture fancy drew, Which he thought would darken never, It fled—to the dark cold grave he flew,— And he sleeps—but not for ever! The Funeral of the late Mr. BROUGHTON will take place on Thursday afternoon, at two o'clock, from the dwelling of Mr. BENT, in Elizabeth-street. Colonial Advocate, 1 July 1828.

342

Maureen Withey on 4th June 2020

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 04 June 2020), April 1819, trial of BARTHOLOMEW BROUGHTON (t18190421-114). BARTHOLOMEW BROUGHTON, Theft > burglary, 21st April 1819. 614. BARTHOLOMEW BROUGHTON was indicted for burglariously breaking and entering the dwelling-house of John Lomas , about two o'clock in the night of the 31st of December , at St. Andrew, Holborn , with intent to steal, and burglariously stealing therein, one 100 l., four 10 l., and five 5 l. bank notes , the property of George Shufflebotham , against the statute. GEORGE SHUFFLEBOTHAM . I live at Macclesfield. I came to town on the 26th of December, and put up at the White Horse, Fetter-lane - Mr. Lomas keeps the house. On the 31st of December I received a 100 l. and two 5 l. notes of my brother. I went to bed about twelve o'clock at night, having upwards of 200 l. in bank notes in my pocket, among which was this 100 l. note. The servant came in, and took away the candle, I saw her go out. My notes were in an inside coat-pocket, which I put on a chair by the bedside - they were in a pocket-book. I got up about eight o'clock, and in about half an hour I found I had lost my money. I immediately made it known at the inn. I have since seen the 100 l. note which I lost. Cross-examined by MR. ADOLPHUS. Q. What time did you receive it - A. About four o'clock. I did not pay it away, and I am certain that my pocket-book was in my pocket when I went to bed, as I particularly noticed it - the girl shut the door. THOMAS SHUFFLEBOTHAM . I paid my brother a 100 l. bank note, which I received that day at Messrs. Hankeys', it was No. 19151; I received two at Messrs. Hankeys'. I had the other in my possession next day. WILLIAM HENRY WRIGHT . I am a clerk to Messrs. Hankeys'. On the 31st of December I paid the last witness two 100 l. notes. I find by my book they were Nos. 19151 and 19069, dated 11th December, 1818. ANN MURRELL . I am servant at the White Horse, in Fetter-lane. I attended the prosecutor, took away his candle, and shut the door after me - he slept in No. 21. I know the prisoner - he is the same gentleman that I attended that night - he slept in No. 24. The rooms are both in the same gallery - there are two rooms between them. Cross-examined. Q. Did you know the prisoner before - A. No. I showed him into the room, and turned the bed down while he was there. The prosecutor went to bed about ten minutes after twelve o'clock. I am sure the lock of his door caught, I tried it after me. The prisoner went to bed after him. JAMES EGINGTON. I am porter at the inn. On the night in question I attended the prisoner, and took off his boots - I am sure he is the man. He went by the name of Colonel Best. Cross-examined. Q. How often did you see him - A. I saw him in bed on the 24th; I also saw him on the 21st. He asked me to fetch his luggage out of the office - I asked him what name? he said Colonel Best. I inquired, and found none was come, I told him so - he said, "Very well." JOHN KIMBELL . I am shopman to Mr. Burge, who is an optician, and lives in Piccadilly. On the 1st of January the prisoner came to the shop, and purchased a sextant, which came to sixteen guineas. I told him it was necessary to adjust it before he took it away, which I said would take about an hour. He gave me a 100 l. note, and I gave him the change, which I got from Mr. Burge - there was a 40 l. note among the change. I directly gave Mr. Burge the 100 l. note that the prisoner gave me. I asked his name and address, he said it was Capt. Wishead, Hatchett's hotel. He left the sextant, called in about three hours after in a hackney-coach for it, and took it away. I told him I wished to keep it a little longer. He said he was going off immediately, and could not wait. It was perfect. Cross-examined. I have no doubt whatever of his being the man. MATTHEW BURGE . I am optician. I live in Piccadilly, On the 1st of January I gave Kimbell change for a 100 l. note, No. 19151, 11th December, 1818. I gave him a 40 l. note amongst the change. On the 22d of February I sent the note to Messrs. Herries, my bankers. I have since seen it. Cross-examined. I did not see the prisoner. CHARLES EDWARD WALLER . I am a clerk in the Bank. I produce a 100 l. note, which was paid in there. WILLIAM HENRY WRIGHT . It is one of the notes that I paid to the prosecutor's brother. HENRY TAYLOR . I am head waiter at the White Horse Inn, Mr. James Lomas keeps the house - it is in the parish of St. Andrew, Holborn. Prisoner. I leave it to the mercy of the Court. GUILTY. - DEATH . Aged 35. Recommended to Mercy . London Jury, before Mr. Recorder. ----------------------------------------------------- Colonial Secretary Index. BROUGHTON, Bartholomew. Per "Dromedary", 1820 1820 Mar 4 - Re assignment as a Store Clerk (Reel 6007; 4/3501 p.281) 1820 May 16 - Re ticket of leave and passage to Hobart (Reel 6007; 4/3502 p.34) Part of the letter from the VDL Governor’s office to the Colonial Secretary, regarding the passengers on the Princess Charlotte, taking female convicts from ship Janus, to Port Dalrymple and Hobart, referred to above: His Excellency has also granted a passage on the present vessel to the Derwent to Eli Baigent and his wife Mary, both Free Persons and late servants in His Excellency’s establishment. He is also pleased to allow a passage to Bartholomew Broughton a Prisoner of the Crown to Hobart Town His Excellency having ordered him a Ticket of Leave which he has obtained under the present date. This young man has been for a short time a Clerk in my office and conducted himself therein thorily[?] and correctly. The Prisoner Bartholomew Broughton arrived here in January last per HMS Dromedary, Skinner Comr., had been tried at London Gaol on 21 Apl 1819 and sentenced to Transportation for Life, as appears by Indents. --------------------------------------------------

4

Dave Broughton on 21st November 2017

During his time in VDL he won international awards for his fortified wines and is now considered to be the first commercial wine producer of Australia.