Ralph Deane

343

Maureen Withey on 16th October 2025

Colonial Secretary Index. DEAN, Ralph. Per "Eliza", 1822 1822 Nov 26 On list of convicts landed from the "Eliza" and forwarded to Windsor for distribution (Reel 6009; 4/3506 p.474) 1823 May 30 On list of prisoners assigned (Fiche 3290; 4/4570D p.30) 1825 Jun 29 Servant to James Phillips of Patterson's Plains; in Sydney Gaol after absconding. Phillip's requests that Dean be returned to him (Reel 6068; 4/1812 p.74) 1825 Jul On monthly return of prisoners punished at Newcastle (Reel 6023; 4/1718 p.209) --------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph gave evidence against his co-defendants in the following trial: Criminal Court. TUESDAY.—Benjamin Cross, Thomas Belcher, and Samuel Fipps, were indicted for stealing a sheep, the property of Mr. Henry Baldwin ; and also, with stealing a musket, the property of Hindoo Sabea. From the testimony of an approver (Ralph Dean) it appeared that the prisoners, and himself, only arrived in the Colony on the ship Eliza a few months back, and were assigned to a Mr. McKenna, settler at Wilberforce, where they met with the kindest treatment. It happened, however, that the unfortunate men were not aware of the comfort they enjoyed, after experiencing such an apparent waste of Royal clemency, it appearing that deprivation only must bring men, like those, to a proper sense of that state which now, likely enough, is for ever forfeited. The prisoner Cross, so said the approver, suggested to his shipmates the old tale of escaping to Timor, though utter strangers to every part of the country. The bait being thus held out, it was greedily devoured ; and they actually set out, with a week's provisions, in quest of Timor! On their way from their master's farm, they robbed the hut of Sabea, an Indian, of an old musket. Their first, and in fact last, rendezvous, was by the side of a small rivulet, called "Churchill's lagoon :" this was about 6 miles from McKenna's. Here they devised measures for the accomplishment of their desired object. Their plan of procedure was as follows :—They were, for a while, to take to the road, and plunder the carts going to and fro' the market, from which source clothes, ammunition, and money were to be derived. When they had obtained what might be considered a sufficiency to warrant the prosecution of their journey, with the possession of a geographical work, they were to set out ; and in order to render failure impossible, it was their intention to keep the beach as soon as the sea-shore was gained, shooting birds, kangaroos, &c. for their support ! ! Such was the object in which these deluded men embarked, one in which so many lives have been sacrificed. However, to shorten the story, the first week flew by ; and, in order to obtain present food, the wanderers plundered the flock of Mr. Baldwin, and from a neighbouring field purloined a bag or two of corn, which lasted Saturday and Sunday. On Monday the approver, and the prisoner Cross, left their associates with the intention of availing themselves of the first offer of plunder. In the act of escaping from a poor Hawkesbury-bank hut, they were espied and pursued. Cross escaped, but Dean (the approver) was secured. To Mr. Chief Constable Howe, of Windsor, he wisely related the whole of the transaction ; in consequence of which the party was secured, and the expedition thus broken up. The skin of a sheep was found near the rendezvous of the prisoners, at the instance of the approver : it was produced in Court, and identified ; together with the musket. The prisoners were adjudged Guilty.—Remanded. Sydney Gazette, 1 May 1823. The three were sentenced to death, but their sentence was commuted.