Summary
Personal Information
Voyage
Transportation
Thomas Davies was transported on the Medway, departing 28th Jul 1825 and arriving 14th Dec 1825 with 173 passengers.
Built in Rochester, England in 1810. 435 tons. The 'Medway' was also used as a convict Hulk ship off Bermuda
Medway (generic)References
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 88, Class and Piece Number HO11/5, Page Number 294 |
| Source Description | This record is one of the entries in the British convict transportation registers 1787-1867 database compiled by State Library of Queensland from British Home Office (HO) records which are available on microfilm as part of the Australian Joint Copying Pro |
| Original Source | Great Britain. Home Office |
| Compiled By | State Library of Queensland |
| Database Source | British convict transportation registers 1787-1867 database |
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Convict Notes
Reports of the original Conviction in Glasgow. William Taylor, Daniel McColl, Thomas Cumming, Thomas Davies, alias Roberts, alias Eccles, and William Caldwell, charged with attacking Robert Murphy, on the 22d May, near the Tron Church, Glasgow, and robbing him of two one-pound notes, five numbers of the Old Testament, and a cotton handkerchief, pleaded Not Guilty. The diet was continued against Caldwell, and he was re-committed. After the examination of several witnesses, the Advocate-Depute (Mr Dundas) addressed the Jury for the Crown, as did A. Neill for the prisoners, after which the Jury retired, and the Court adjourned. Thursday, Sept. 30. The Court met this day at ten o’clock, when the Jury gave in their written verdict in the case of Taylor, Davies alias Roberts alias Eccles, and Cumming, finding Taylor and Davies Guilty, Not Guilty, and Cumming Not Proven. The libel against Taylor was restricted, he being only 16 years of age. After a suitable admonition, Davies was sentenced to be executed on Wednesday the 17th November. On being taken from the bar, the unfortunate man protested his innocence in the most solemn manner. Fife Herald, 7 Oct 1824. . A respite for fourteen days was yesterday morning received by the Lord Provost of Glasgow, for Thomas Davies, at present under sentence of death there, and who was to have been executed on Wednesday next. Caledonian Mercury, 13 Nov 1824.
1827, 23 August: Thomas Davies was executed by hanging at Hobart Gaol. 1827, 24 August: The Colonial Times (p4) reported on the men’s executions: “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.” 1827, 24 August: Thomas Davies (called Davis) was buried in Hobart Town (see https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD34-1-1p063j2k).
1827, 30 July: Thomas Davies 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). --00-- 1827, 17 August: The convicted men’s sentencing was reported by the Colonial Times, 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, 11 July: Thomas Davies was among those captured by soldiers and named in this report from the Colonial Times, p2: “From this [information received], Serjeant Little judged that they must be on a particular neck of land on the coast, and accordingly the next morning, Wednesday, placed his men in ambuscade, so as to intercept them, should they attempt to leave it — first posting a sentinel on a hill to give notice of their approach. About 12 o'clock, the guard descried a party of bushrangers, seven in number, at a distance of about 300 yards; of which he instantly apprised the Serjeant, who finding that he had not been mistaken in his idea of the position of the gang, drew his men from their retreat, and divided them - directing one portion to flank the bushrangers, while he at the head of the others advanced. They shortly came in sight of the banditti; who, immediately they discovered them to be soldiers, fired, but without effect. Notwithstanding this warm reception, the Military, courageous in a good cause, continued to advance with the greatest intrepidity, without returning the compliment, until within 30 yards, when they fired upon the outlaws, and some further shots were exchanged. At this moment, Serjeant Little gave the word to charge. This had its desired effect, for it is a fact well known that no men will stand at the point of an English bayonet. The gang retreated, with an intent as it was supposed to rally, and repel the charge; but here they were most miserably disappointed; for they were attacked in the rear by the other sub-division, who, hearing the firing, had made rapidly to the spot. Finding themselves thus hemmed in between two parties of Military, and seeing that an attempt to escape must only be paid for by life, they threw down their arms, surrendered, and were made prisoners; and were yesterday morning brought to Hobart Town by Serjeant Little and his party. Their names are — William Birmingham, James Horsefield, Matthew McCallam, Thomas Davis, George Metcalf, Thomas Griffiths and John Lee. Griffiths received a ball in his breast, which was extracted yesterday morning, at the Gaol, and he is likely to recover. Lee, who is a bricklayer, is severely wounded in his hand, from the bursting of his piece.”
1827, 30 June: Thomas Davies was one of 10 men who absconded from Hobart Town. He is named (as Thomas Davis) in this report from Hobart Town Gazette, pp5-6: “POLICE. 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 [unsuccessful] attempt to escape with [Alexander] Stirling, in the sloop Ellen, some time ago [in January]. 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.”
1826, 12 August: A Thomas Davis is one of the assigned servants named in this report from the Hobart Town Gazette, p2. Is he “our” Thomas Davies? “HEROIC ACHIEVEMENTS Our Readers, will recollect the six ruffians who escaped from Maria Island, and were advertised in our Journal on the 10th of June last. Soon after, we had the pleasure to record the brave conduct of Mr. Gatenby, and the death of one of the most desperate of them named McGillivray. Adams, another, surrendered himself to his former employer Mr. Burcher, at the Coal River. The remaining four, Brown, Birt, Ellis and Howe committed a robbery, being strongly armed, at Mr. James Robertson's hut the South Esk, on Sunday the 30th ultimo. About 2 o'clock of the same day, Mr. W N. Gray rode up and was also secured by the villains, who stripped him of his watch, and Howe mounted his horse. These two gentlemen, with four prisoners, assigned servants, William Farrell, Thomas Davis, Philip Davies, and John Haines, were marched with their hands tied, while the ruffians guarded them with loaded guns, pistols, and drawn knives. Farrell’s hands however were left at liberty, he having a sore leg. Howe had crossed the river on horseback to fetch the ferry boat. With Philip Davies and John Haines walking behind by the side of Ellis and Birt, Mr. Gray looked round to shew them he was ready, and they immediately seized Birt and Ellis; and Mr. Gray with his right arm, which was untied, clasped Brown so close that he could not move either of his arms. Farrell instantly seized Brown, and Mr. Gray disengaged his other arm, which was tied to T. Davis, and Mr. Robertson also released himself, and wrested the guns from Brown. Several shots were fired at Howe, who was in the boat on the river at the time, but he escaped in the dusk. On the following Tuesday, Howe made his appearance at the hut of Mr. John Earl on the same river, and was fortunately secured, after first falling on his knees, and afterwards making some dastardly attempt to stab with a large knife. When he surrendered himself, he wished he had been shot dead, as he was sure, he said, to be hanged. He received one gunshot wound in the arm, and besides a pistol, which he had left in the boat, he had with him a double-barrelled gun, a large knife, a bag of bullets, two of gunpowder, and one of buck shot.”
1825, December: On arrival in VDL, Thomas Davies was single. He said he had been convicted for street robbery. He had no previous convictions (see https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON31-1-9$init=CON31-1-9p137). 1826, 6 June: While assigned to Mr McArthur, he was charged with aiding and abetting Samuel Higgins to rob Higgins’s master [Captain Wilson] on 5 February 1826. Thomas Davies was sentenced “to be transported to such place as the Governor may direct for 3 years”. 1826, 10 June: From the Hobart Town Gazette, p2: “On Thursday, before a Court of General Sessions, Samuel Higgins, Thomas Davis, and Alexander Sterling, were sentenced to transportation for three years, for the robbery at Captain Wilson’s, in February last.”
1824, 6 December: Thomas Davies successfully petitioned against the death sentence. It was commuted to transportation for life. Below is the summary record from the National Archives (see https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14461895): “Reference: HO 17/7/44 …Prisoner name(s): Thomas Davies, alias Roberts, alias Eccles. Court and date of trial: Glasgow Assizes, 1824. Crime: Street robbery of Robert Murphy, Bookseller. Initial sentence: Death. Gaoler's report: None, but the petitioner Reverend William Routledge says he has been informed that the prisoner conducted himself well while in jail. Annotated (Outcome): Sentence commuted to transportation for life. Request from Reverend W. Routledge dated 2nd April 1825 that the prisoner be released annotated 'Refused'. A letter from the Lord Justice Clerk, D. Boyle, dated 7th November 1823, bears the annotation: 'Pardon prepared November 1824'. Petitioner(s): Thomas Davies, the prisoner. Rev. William Routledge, Minister of the Episcopal Chapel, Glasgow and prison visitor. Patrick McFarlan, Minister of St. John's, Glasgow and spiritual advisor to persons under sentence of death. John Kerr, Solicitor in Glasgow. Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): The prisoner, a man previously unknown to any prosecuting authorities, was innocent of the robbery charge on which he was convicted. The prisoner, an Englishman, had arrived in Glasgow on the day the offence occurred en route to Greenock in search of a berth on board a vessel, having previous experience at sea. At the trial he was convicted as a consequence of perjured evidence by a prostitute well known to the police who, in seeking to protect the men who had actually carried out the robbery, gave sworn evidence that this prisoner had taken a catalogue stolen from the victim. The policeman who had searched this prisoner subsequently made a statement that no such catalogue was found on him when he was searched immediately following his arrest, nor was any of the other property taken from the victim. Members of the Jury have made statements on behalf of this prisoner subsequent to his trial and conviction. Other papers: Printed indictment. Declarations by various persons involved in the case. Notes of evidence and comments on the case by the trial Judge. Date: 1824 Nov 3 - 1825 Apr 2.” --00--
1824: Precognition … against Daniel McNicoll, Thomas Cumming, William Caldwell, Thomas Davies, William Taylor for the crime of robbery. Accused: Daniel McNicoll, alias McColl, Age: 16, cloth lapper, Address: Gorbals, Glasgow; Thomas Cumming, Address: Glasgow; William Caldwell, Age: 21, baker, Address: Trongate, Glasgow; Thomas Davies, alias Roberts; alias Eccles; alias Uckles, Age: 25, tailor and deserter from 92nd Regiment, Origin: Native of Monmouthshire; and William Taylor, Age: 16, weaver, Address: Bridgeton, Glasgow. --00-- 1824: Trial… Trial papers relating to William Caldwell, William Taylor, Thomas Davies, Thomas Cumming for the crime of robbery. Tried at High Court, Glasgow. Dates: 29 Sep 1824 Accused: William Caldwell [not stated]. William Taylor, Verdict: Guilty, Sentence: Transportation - Life. Note: No indictment. Thomas Davies, alias Roberts, alias Eccles, alias Uckles, Verdict: Guilty, Sentence: Death - hanging by public executioner, Petition: Remission of sentence, 6 December 1824, (see JC4/15, f.125v) entry in Book of Adjournal was not completed, so outcome is unclear. Thomas Cumming, Verdict: Not proven, Sentence: Assoilzied and dismissed (see http://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/, JC26/1824/126). --00--