John Brown

218

Dianne Jones on 10th May 2021

1827, 24 August: John Brown was buried in Hobart Town (see https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD34-1-1p063j2k). FOOTNOTE: Of the 12 men convicted for bushranging/robbery, six had arrived in VDL per Woodman 1826: George Braithwaite, John Brown (bricklayer), James Horsefield, Matthew McCullum, Thomas Griffiths and John Robinson (called Robertson in some newspaper reports).

218

Dianne Jones on 10th May 2021

1827, 13 August: The convicted men were sentenced 10 days later as reported by the Colonial Times, 17 August, p3: “The following prisoners were then placed at the Bar, and sentenced as follows: DEATH. - George Braithwaite, William Birmingham, James Horsefield, Matthew McCullum, Thomas Davis, Thomas Griffiths, George Metcalfe, John Lee, James Coates, John Brown, (mariner) John Brown (bricklayer), and John Robinson. - The whole of these men, it will be recollected, were the runaways, who, after attempting to seize the Emma Kemp, and failing, took to the bush, and committed several robberies while armed, in which state they were apprehended by the Military. In passing sentence, His Honor held out not the slightest hope of mercy; but strenuously recommended them, one and all, to prepare for another world.” 1827, 23 August: John Brown was executed by hanging at Hobart Gaol. 1827, 24 August: The Colonial Times (p4) reported on the men’s executions, as follows: “EXECUTION. Yesterday morning, the following nine unfortunate men, being the late gang of runaways, who attempted to take the cutter Emma Kemp, and afterwards took to the bush, committed several robberies, and then fired upon the Military, were executed pursuant to their sentence :- George Braithwaite (one of Lieut. Steele's Government servants, the other having died of the wounds received while engaged with the Military), James Horsefield, Matthew McCullum, Thomas Davis (Mr. Bisdee's servant), George Metcalfe, John Lee, (bricklayer), James Coates, John Brown (mariner) and John Brown (bricklayer.) All the prisoners from the Barracks, perhaps five or six hundred in number, were paraded under a Military escort to the front of the Gaol, for the purpose of witnessing the awful and exemplary spectacle. One or two of the unhappy culprits addressed the body of prisoners from the scaffold, warning them (especially those in Green's Chain Gang) not to attempt to abscond into the bush, that being not only a most miserable state of existence, but sure to lead to an untimely end. William Birmingham, Mr. Dean's man, Thomas Griffiths, who was wounded in the breast, and John Robertson, Mr. Young's servant, were reprieved on Friday night last, and had their sentence commuted to transportation for life to Macquarie Harbour.”

218

Dianne Jones on 10th May 2021

1827, 30 July: John Brown was tried at the Supreme Court, Hobart Town, on a charge of stealing in the dwelling house of Daniel Stanfield property belonging to Stanfield including two coats, one waistcoat, six pairs of trousers, eleven shirts, three hats, two pairs of boots, ten pairs of stockings, one gun and nine bags. This trial was reported by the Colonial Times, on 3 August 1827, p3: “Supreme Court. On Monday this Court re-opened, agreeably to the notice issued by the Chief Justice. The whole of the day was occupied in the trial of the late bushrangers, who attempted to take the Emma Kemp; namely, George Braithwaite, William Birmingham, James Horsefield, Matthew McCullum, Thomas Davis, Thomas Griffiths, George Metcalfe, John Lee, James Coates, John Brown (mariner), John Brown (bricklayer), and John Robinson. They were tried for the robbery at Mr. Stanfield's, and all found —Guilty.” Note: The charge listed on court documents is stealing in a dwelling house (see https://stors.tas.gov.au/SC32-1-1$init=SC32-1-1p259jpg).

218

Dianne Jones on 10th May 2021

1827, 30 June: John Brown was one of eight men who escaped from the prisoners’ barracks at Hobart Town. He is named in this Police report from the Hobart Town Gazette, pp5-6: "Several depositions have been taken during the week respecting the depredations committed by the prisoners who escaped from the barracks last week. After robbing Mr. Cartwright's farm at Sandy bay, it appears they crossed to the back of South arm, opposite Betsy island, and robbed Mr. Barney’s farm of provisions and other articles. They then proceeded to Mr. Mortimer’s, the gun-smith, from whom they look several stand of arms, some of them fowling-pieces of great value, and also clothes and jewellery. On Sunday, they robbed Mrs. Watson’s house in the same neighbourhood. They had the audacity on Monday to return a second time to Mrs. Watson’s demanding adzes, saws and other carpenters’ tools for the purpose of repairing their boat, very narrowly escaping some of the parties who were in quest of them. On Tuesday morning they were descried by a boy on a small mount surrounded by bushes. They were standing in a circle apparently loading each other with their booty before setting off. As soon as the circumstance was known, the place was searched, and the spot was discovered where they had hauled up their boat, repaired, and subsequently launched her, so that they are again at sea. Every possible precaution and exertion are taken by the Government to apprehend them, which must inevitably be the case if they do not escape to Bass’s strait. They are young men from about 20 to 25 years of age. Besides the 8 who have absconded from the barracks, 2 others are missing and supposed to have joined them, viz: Thomas Davis who was known to have made an attempt to escape with Stirling, in the sloop Ellen, some time ago. He has since been employed as a servant in the gaol. The other named William Birmingham is an Irishman, and was in the employ of Mr. Dean of Liverpool-street. The names of the others are as follows:- John Brown, 5 feet 3 inches, a mariner, has a scar on the right side of his nose and also on the under lip and on his forehead. John Brown, 5 feet 6 inches, a bricklayer, is also marked by a scar on the right side of the nose. James Coates, 5 feet 6 inches, has a large scar on the left side of his chin, arrived by the Chapman last voyage. Thomas Griffiths, 5 feet 6 inches, a stout made man, a Welshman and a weaver, has a small scar in the centre of his forehead. James Horsefield, a canal digger, has high temples, and has the forefinger of his right hand enlarged and crippled. Matthew MacCullum, 5 feet 10 inches, pockpitted, R S on his left arm and W N on his right, a native of Kilmarnock. George Metcalf, a miller, has a scar between his eyebrows, and a mole on the left side of the neck. John Robinson, an Irish labourer. John Robinson, an Irish labourer."

218

Dianne Jones on 10th May 2021

1826: On arrival in VDL, John Brown, 29, was single, a bricklayer and his native place was Edmonton, Middlesex. He was 5’5½” tall with brown hair, dark grey eyes and a scar on the right side of his nose. 1827, 8 March: He was sent to the chain gang for one month for “neglect of duty and making use of improper language… and being intoxicated” (see https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON31-1-1$init=CON31-1-1p321).

218

Dianne Jones on 10th May 2021

1825, 17 February: John Brown petitioned against his sentence, as per the summary record below from the National Archives: “HO 17/112/73… Prisoner name: John Brown. Court and date of trial: Old Bailey February Sessions 1825. Crime: Burglary at the property of S Walker. Initial sentence: Death. Annotated (Outcome): Considered at Report in Council 23 March 1825. Petitioner(s): Prisoner; S Walker. Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): Drunk; taken advantage of by wicked and scheming men; previous good character; family dependants.” (see https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C16528993).

218

Dianne Jones on 10th May 2021

1825, 17 February: John Brown was convicted at the Old Bailey. Below is the transcript of his trial: “Before Mr. Justice Burrough. #413. JOHN BROWN and JOHN ALLIGAN , were indicted for burglariously breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Susannah Walker, spinster, and Ann Walker, spinster, about twelve o’clock in the night of the 14th of January, at Enfield, with intent to steal, and burglariously stealing therein a pair of sheets, value 5 s.; three pillow cases, value 1 s.; three towels, value 1 s.; three doyleys, value 1 s.; four table cloths, value 5 s.; six breakfast cloths, value 6 s.; two tea cloths, value 6 d.; a basket, value 1 s.; and eight pounds weight of sugar, value 6 s., the goods of the said Susannah Walker and Ann Walker; six spoons, value 8 s.; a liquor stand, value 10 s.; a mustard pot, value 6 s.; an extinguisher, value 1 s.; a table cloth, value 20 s., and a sugar basket, value 40 s., the goods of the said Susannah Walker; and a toast rack, value 4 s., and a work box, value 5 s., the goods of the said Ann Walker. MR. ANDREWS conducted the prosecution. SUSANNAH WALKER. I live at Ponders End, in the parish of Enfield; my sister Ann, lives with me - the house is rented by us both. I saw the property in question all safe the day before the robbery; I went to bed before eleven o'clock. I was disturbed by a noise; I set up in bed, looked at my watch, and it was a quarter past twelve. I supposed it to be the noise of a gate swinging, and did not get up. The prisoner Brown had visited a servant of mine, and knew perfectly well the ways of the house. Cross-examined by MR. PHILLIPS: Q. Did you hire the house yourself? A. Yes; but it is a joint concern. ANN WALKER: I am the last witness's sister. I go round every night to see the house safe; it was perfectly safe on the night in question - the window was bolted and fastened. When I came down in the morning I found it open, and two panes of glass broken. Some of the property stolen belonged to me, and some to my sister. The house is leased to us both. JANE COOPER: I am servant to the prosecutrix. I saw the house all fastened up the night before the robbery. - I came down about half-past seven o'clock in the morning - it was hardly light then. I found the back door wide open. I went to the parlour, saw the door ajar, and saw a light shining through the door - I screamed out, and Brown came out of the parlour, and opened the door - I am sure he is the man; he came with a candle stuck in a bottle, and a carving knife in his hand - he said if I made any more noise he would murder me; I ran directly to the back door, and ran round over to a neighbour's cottage, and when I returned he had got out by the dust-hole. I examined the house, and found the kitchen window open - two panes of glass were broken; they could then open the sash and get in. I opened the parlour window, and missed two silver table spoons from the celeret - they belonged to Miss Susannah Walker, I believe. I found eggs and butter had been used by the persons who had been in the house. I missed a basket of linen which had come from the mangle; the basket itself was not moved. The property belonged to both Miss Walkers. Cross-examined: Q. Did you examine the things after they came from the mangle? A. No. Brown was very tipsy - he did not do me any mischief. It was just light enough for me to see him. They had been drinking liquor in the house. JOHN WEBB: I live at Edmonton. On Saturday morning, the 15th of January, about seven o'clock, I was in Ponders End field, three or four hundred yards from the prosecutrix’s, and saw a man crossing the field; he seemed very much in liquor - I watched him; he got into the hedge - I went up to assist him; it was Brown; he crawled up the bank, and went right across - he had a bundle under his arm when he passed me. I left him there, and when I went to breakfast I heard of this robbery. A boy, named Withers, gave me a little work box, and the top of a wicker basket. Cross-examined: Q. The man was so drunk he was hanging about the hedge? A. Yes. I do not think he knew what he was about - he did not attempt to avoid me. HENRY WILSON: I am constable of Edmonton. On Saturday morning, the 15th of January, I apprehended the prisoners - I found Alligan near the Angel Inn at Edmonton, took him to Lower Edmonton, and found Brown, at the Jolly Farmers, public-house, quite tipsy. Alligan had been drinking; they were put into the same watch-house, but in the evening I separated them. On the Sunday afternoon I went with Wallis to a field near the Cock, and found a basket, containing several pieces of lump sugar, and a pair of white stockings - it was concealed in a ditch, two or three fields from the prosecutrix’s house. I have some table-cloths, a spoon, and other goods, which were brought to me - one lot by three boys, on the 18th, and the other by a man who is in Whitecross-street prison. A toast rack was brought to me by a boy named Soley. GEORGE WALLIS: I am a watchman of Edmonton. - On the 14th of January, about six o'clock in the evening, I saw the prisoners near the door of the Three Tuns, public-house, and saw them again at twenty minutes past ten, going towards Ponders End - I had been watching them from six o'clock till then. I was present when they were examined before Mr. Mores; (looking at the examinations) - the signatures to these are Mr. Mores's writing; I saw the prisoners make their marks to the papers - they were read over to them by the Magistrate. Cross-examined: Q. Were you there all the time they were under examination? A. I went out once or twice while they were in the office - what the Magistrate said to them while I was absent I cannot tell. COURT: Q. Were you there when it was read over to them? A. Yes: Alligan could not write, but Brown signed his name. The Magistrate asked what they had to say, and what they said was written down and read over (read.) The prisoner, J. Brown, being asked what he had to say in defence of the charge made against him by Jane Cooper, says, "I am guilty of the charge brought against me. I, in company with John Alligan, was drinking at the Three Tuns, at Edmonton, about ten o'clock on Friday night, the 14th inst.; I left the house, and John Alligan followed me; we agreed as we went along to break into Mrs. Walker's house, at Ponder's End, which we did by forcing the outside shutter of the kitchen window, breaking the window and unfastening the catch. I then lighted the fire in the parlour to cook some eggs which John Alligan was obtaining from some part of the premises. By the time I had lighted the fire Alligan brought four eggs and boiled them, I eat one, and Alligan two - one was rotten; we also eat bread and butter taken out of the pantry. Alligan broke the lock of a cupboard in the hall and brought in several sorts of liquor and wine, which we both drank of freely, tasting several sorts. After we had eat and drank as much as we liked, I fell asleep in the parlour. About one or two o'clock I heard the table clock strike which was on the table. I was very tipsy. I don't recollect any circumstance, till I awoke and found myself in a ploughed field close to the house, and the dust hole of which there was a board broken down which made the hole that John Alligan and myself crept through when we first went to the premises in order to break into the house. The parcels now produced, viz. a basket, containing several lumps of sugar, and a pair of white cotton stockings, as also a large piece of sugar about 7 lbs. in a blue paper and string round it, I found by my side. When I awoke I got up and took with me the basket containing the lumps of sugar as also the large piece of sugar, and hid them in a ditch in the adjoining field. I then went to the Jolly Farmers, in Church-street, Edmonton, where I was apprehended by the constable, Wilson. JOHN BROWN. Taken before me this 17th of January, 1825. R. MORES. John Alligan being asked what he had to say in his defence, or whether the account given of him by John Brown was true, says, "I was with John Brown when we broke into Mrs. Walker's house. I partook of the eggs and the liquor, but don't recollect anything else. The mark X of JOHN ALLIGAN. Before me the 17th of January, 1825. R. MORES. Witness, H. WILSON. SUSANNAH WALKER: The property is all ours - some of it is mine, and some my sister's - the sugar belongs to us both. BROWN'S Defence: I picked the sugar up on the ploughed land. ALLIGAN'S Defence. I know nothing about it. Four witnesses gave Brown a good character. BROWN - GUILTY - DEATH. Aged 28. ALLIGAN - GUILTY - DEATH. Aged 20. Recommended to Mercy by Prosecutrix.” (see https://www.digitalpanopticon.org/)