John Carroll

341

Maureen Withey on 28th October 2022

Conspiracy to take the Ship and Escape During the voyage on Tyne, a conspiracy was planned by a number of convicts, mainly a group who came from Dublin, to seize the ship, kill the officers and crew and other convicts, and escape to America. The plot was discovered before it could be pt into action and the men concerned punished by being put in irons. An enquiry was held on board in October 1818, and witness statements sworn by a number of convicts. No further action appears to have been taken against the plotters. The witnesses were: John Carroll, Thomas Toler, Laurence Egan, Timothy Sheehane, John Higgins, Mathew Farrall, William Coyne, Owen Ingoldsby, Thomas Neill, Edward McQuaide, Patrick Nary, and Patrick McQuillan. Patrick Doran and Denis Connolly also made statements. The plotters included: The Ivorys, the Reids, Rourke, Grocehart & C. Doyle, Kiernan, Bradshaw, Anderson, Brown, Heffernon, Coleman, Magennis, Dease, & Wall. Maguire, Brown, John Duff, Anderson, Pat. Doran, John Williams, Jas. Brady, John Hughes, C. Rowe, Bryan Murray, John Elliot, Wm. Murphy jun. and M. Corrigan. The whole plot can be followed by reading the witness statements. An Enquiry made on board the convict Ship Tyne at sea, on Sunday October 18th and two succeeding days before Capt Bell, W. Ryan, Surgeon, & W. Rowe, the Officer of the Guard. Each witness after being duly sworn deposed as follows: 1. John Carroll, Voluntarily sworn by Capt Rowe. Q. What was the reply that Kiernan made the night ? Ryan desired them not to make so much noise it being then 11 o’clock at night, A. The reply in Carrolls hearing was from Kiernan, that he would weather that Gentleman yet. Q. Used they to meet in the night after dark? A. For that last week they have met regularly and has seen and heard Chrisr. Rowe regularly meet among them. Q. What do you suppose the reason you were put of your birth for was? A. To induce me to quit it that I might not hear their conversation.

341

Maureen Withey on 20th October 2022

Irish Convict Database by Peter Mayberry. John Carroll, age on arrival, 61, per Tyne (1819), Tried 1817 at Dublin Co., 14 years. DOB 1758, Native place, Drogheda Louth Co. Trade, Weaver linen. ---------------------------------------------------- Colonial Secretary Index. CARROLL, John. Per "Tyne", 1819. 1818 Oct 18-20 Witness before enquiry into conspiracy of convicts to take "Tyne" (Reel 6047; 4/1741 pp.51-61) 1819 Jan 13 On list of convicts disembarked from the Tyne" and forwarded to Bringelly for distribution (Reel 6006; 4/3499 p.261) 1822 Feb 19 Petition for mitigation of sentence (Fiche 3213; 4/1864 p.58) 1822 Dec 3-1824 Mar 13 On list of prisoners assigned (Fiche 3290; 4/4570D pp.20, 23, 24) -------------------------------------------------- An Enquiry made on board the convict Ship Tyne at sea, on Sunday October 18th and two succeeding days before Capt Bell, W. Ryan, Surgeon, & W. Rowe, the Officer of the Guard. Each witness after being duly sworn deposed as follows: 1. John Carroll, Voluntarily sworn by Capt Rowe. Q. What was the reply that Kiernan made the night ? Ryan desired them not to make so much noise it being then 11 o’clock at night, A. The reply in Carrolls hearing was from Kiernan, that he would weather that Gentleman yet. Q. Used they to meet in the night after dark? A. For that last week they have met regularly and has seen and heard Chrisr. Rowe regularly meet among them. Q. What do you suppose the reason you were put of your birth for was? A. To induce me to quit it that I might not hear their conversation. ----------------------------------------------------- His Petition, 1822. The Humble petition of John Carroll respectfully showeth That your Petitioner was tried in Ireland and arrived in this Colony per ship Tyne (Bell master) 1818, under sentence of transportation for 14 years. That your petitioner is in the employ of the Government as a watchman at the Market Wharf Stone Quarry which situation he has held ever since his arrival in the Colony without complaint. That your petitioner is an infirm old man on the decline of life, incapacitated for hard labour or his present Nocturnal employment being upwards of 60 year of age. Your petitioner therefore most humbly begs that your Excellency will be graciously pleased to take his infirmities and faithful service into humane consideration and grant him the Indulgence of a Ticket of Leave. And your petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray, John Carroll. Sydney February 19th 1822. John Carroll conducted himself in his situation as Watchman for the past two years and seven months under my charge. J. W. Wilson.