George Strain

Level 347

Maureen Withey on 17th November 2025

Highway Robbery. — George Train or Strain, alias George the Soldier, was stopped on the 9th inst., at Benbillen, on the Mudgee Road, and robbed of two cheques on the Bank of New South Wales, the one for £18 17s. the other for £10 ; with a saddle and bridle. Freeman’s Journal, 20 Jan 1853. HAVING A STOLEN CHEQUE IN POSSESSION. Thomas Temple, described as a dealer, was placed at the bar, charged with having attempted to pass a cheque for £10, which had been stolen from George Strain, alias the Old Soldier. Temple had been some time in custody, and the reasons why and wherefore, having already appeared in the paper, we have only to give the prosecutor's evidence. George Strain, or Train, being sworn, deposed :-"I live on the Mudgee road, and was shearing last season for Mr. Fitzgerald, at his station, called Dabee. I left on the 8th of January, and received in payment for my work from Mr. Fitzgerald's storekeeper, a cheque dated January 5, in favour of No. 10, Miss Barber, for £10, and a cheque for £18 17s. 2d., drawn by mistake for George Trainer, instead of Train. I had also in my pockets three £1 notes, and 18s. 6d. in silver. I had also a mare, saddle and bridle. On Sunday, the 9th of January, about ten in the morning, I arrived at a public-house at Jews' Creek, about twenty or thirty miles from Cherry Tree Hill; the landlord of the public-house is named Wilson ; it is a new public-house. I stopped there for a short time, and had breakfast. Before breakfast I asked for a glass of peppermint ; the landlord denied having any, but I have, since ascertained that he had some at the time. I then was served with a glass of rum ; I speedily became deprived of my senses, and believed that the publican had 'hocussed' me. No person was at the time in the house, excepting the landlord, a woman who cohabited with him, and a man. From the rum and what had been put in it, I with difficulty remounted my mare, and I had scarcely got half a mile from the public-house when I was stopped by two men. One man had a scarf over his face. The other man was taller, and had on a checked shirt and cabbage-tree hat ; he carried two pistols. They robbed me of the two cheques and my money ; they also took my mare, saddle and bridle. The mare was afterwards returned to me, without saddle or bridle. The cheque which was found on Temple was then produced, but the prosecutor could not swear to it, being, as he stated, unable to read or write. Mr. Nichols appeared for the prisoner, and argued that Mr. Fitzgerald's cheques was looked upon in that part of the colony as good, and passed as current, as sovereigns, therefore his client, who had taken it in trade, was not liable to blame. The Police Magistrate observed, that when Temple was apprehended he asserted that he had taken the cheque at the Turon in payment for a horse from a person whom he knew, and whom he could produce. He ought to show how he became possessed of the cheque. Temple was committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions. Bail allowed, prisoner in £80, and two sureties in £10 each. Empire, 7 Feb 1853. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/285497650?searchTerm=George%20Strain George Strain, a publican at Tarrawingee, …. The Border Post, 12 Dec 1860. Intelligence reached Beechworth on Tuesday morning to the effect that a conflagration, involving the destruction of property of over £1000, had occurred at Mr. George Strain's, at Tarrawingee. - The whole of the premises on the opposite side of the road to the hotel, the valuable chaff cutting machine, a large quantity of wheat and unthreshed corn, a rick of hay and other farm produce, together with a number of farming implements, were consumed before the devastating element could be got under.  The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express, 21 May 1864.

Level 347

Maureen Withey on 16th November 2025

Irish Convict Database, by Peter Mayberry. George Strain, age on arrival, 27, per Fortune (2) 1813, Tried at Messina Court Martial. 1811, Life. DOB, 1786, Native place, Donegal Co. Trade, Soldier labourer. Description, 5 ft 9 ins, fair complexion, brown hair, hazel eyes.

Level 347

Maureen Withey on 16th November 2025

Colonial Secretary Index. STRAIN, George. Per "Fortune", 1813 1818 Mar 30 On list of convicts to be sent to Newcastle per "Lady Nelson" (Reel 6006; 4/3498 p.118) 1820 Mar 15 On list of prisoners at Newcastle claiming expiration of sentence (Reel 6007; 4/3501 p.312) 1823 Mar Servant of Robert Fitz of Windsor; testimony as to his character for a ticket of leave (Reel 6026; 4/1715 pp.582-3) --------------------------------------------------------------- 30 March 1818. On list of convicts to be sent to Newcastle per "Lady Nelson" George Strain, per Fortune 2d. Convict, tried by Mr Marsden, 16 March 1818, 2 years. --------------------------------------------------------------- 15 March 1820. On list of prisoners at Newcastle claiming expiration of sentence. Persons at Newcastle who state their original sentences to have expired. George Strain, per Fortune, 2, Tried at Ct. Martl. at Messina, 18 Oct 1811, Life. ------------------------------------------------------------ We certify that George Strainer, a convict for Life who came by the Ship Fortune 2nd, which arrived in the years 1813 has never been convicted of any crime or misdemeanour in these Districts but is to our belief, an honest, sober and industrious character, having served faithfully in Government Employ Parramatta from June 1813 to February 1818, with Major West, Esquire at the Hospital Parramatta from February 1818 to March 1820, and with Mr Robert Fitz of Windsor from that period to March 1823. (Signed) Wm Cox, Magistrate; John Cross, Chaplain; ?, First master; Major West, Second master; Rob. Fitz, Third Master. George Strain; Messina Ct Martial, 18 October 1811 Life. T of L No 310/535.

Level 347

Maureen Withey on 16th November 2025

Register of Courts Martial Charles Rumley, Private of 10th Foot Regt, Tried at Messina, 18 Oct 1811, Proceedings laid before the Prince Regent, 30 Jan 1812, Charge: Traitorously quitting his guard & deserting while on duty. Sentence: Transportation as Felons for Life to New S. Wales. George Strain, Private of 10th Foot Regt, Tried at Messina, 18 Oct 1811, Proceedings laid before the Prince Regent, 30 Jan 1812, charge: Traitorously quitting his guard & deserting while on duty. Sentence: Transportation as Felons for Life to New S. Wales.