John Cooke

343

Maureen Withey on 31st July 2025

THURSDAY, MARCH 20. John Cooke was indicted for stealing, the 8 th of November last, three seals value 15s., from Mr. John Freeman, watchmaker. Quay. Mr. Freeman deposed that on the 8 th November, at eight o’clock in the evening, the prisoner  came into bis shop and asked to see some seals; on Mr. Freeman asking him what kind, prisoner said the 3 best gold ; witness accordingly shewed him some gold ones among others; when prisoner suddenly snatched three and ran out of the shop; witness immediately pursued and overlook the prisoner, who handed him the seals, and was given in custody to a constable, who bad been sent for by Mr. Freeman.—Guilty. The prisoner, who appeared to be an Englishman above the common rank, on being called on to state why the sentence of the Court should not he passed on him, declared that having no means of  subsistence, preferred committing an act that would subject him to transportation, to living in misery; and the Court observing that its duty was protect the property the shopkeepers of this City, sentenced  him to seven years’ transportation.  Waterford Chronicle, 22 March 1828.

56

Wendy Smith on 3rd March 2020

Sydney Gazette Tuesday 18 January 1831 states 'On Friday afternoon, as Mr Shaughnessy, the undertaker, was walking in the Government Domain, he discovered the clothes of a man at the water's edge, and on the point of being floated in the tide. It would appear that the individual to whom they belonged had into the water for the purpose of bathing, and wither from cramp, the receding tide, or some other cause, been carried out of his depth and was drowned. He conveyed the clothes to No. 5 Watch-house, where they were left while proper enquiries were made to discover the unfortunate owner. For this purpose every endeavour was used by Thornton and the wardsman, and others, the constables who first found him; and on the following morning they succeeded in ascertaining beyond a doubt, the individual who has thus unhappily experienced a premature death, to be a prisoner of the crown named Cooke, acting as a clerk in the Treasurer's Office. The body was found on Sunday morning, near the same spot.' Sydney Gazette Thursday 20 January 1831 states that 'On Sunday last, an inquest was held at the Fox and Hound, Castlereagh Street (Sydney), on the body of the crown, named John Cook. The deceased had been employed as an extra-messenger at the Treasury, and was in the habit of bathing, after quitting that office between 4 and 5 o'clock in the afternoon. It is supposed, that on Friday he went into the water as usual, in the Domain; was seized with cramp; and as there were no marks of violence, it was the opinion of the jury that he had been accidentally drowned, and they returned a verdict to the that effect.

56

Wendy Smith on 3rd March 2020

The Convict Indentures state that John Cooke was 33 years old. He could read and write; religion Protestant: status single and a native of Wiltshire. He was a draper (there is no code in Occupation for draper). He was convicted of stealing ... at Waterford on 19 March 1828 and sentenced to 7 years. He had no prior convictions. Physical attributes - height: 5 feet 4 1/2 inches; complexion ruddy; hair dark brown and eyes hazel. Transport number 143. Assigned to Woolloomooloo Road Party. Added comment that he drowned whilst bathing in the quarry in the Domain 14 January 1831.