Robert Grimes

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Maureen Withey on 2nd May 2022

Received from Chelmsford, 3 Mar 1809. Robert Grimes alias Graham, age 46, C.R. Tried at Chelmsford 13 Mar 1809, Life, Indian. Richard Jowers, age 32, Felony, Tried at Chelmsford 13 Mar 1809, 14 years, Indian. John Smith, age 30, Felony, Tried at Chelmsford 13 Mar 1809, 14 years, Indian. Edward Jones, age 46, Felony, Tried at Chelmsford 13 Mar 1809, 14 years, Indian.

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Maureen Withey on 1st May 2022

The Follwong story may relate to this Robert Grimes: The Black Natives. [From a correspondent.] On Friday evening last, the 8th instant, Mr. Laing, the Chief District Constable at Sorell, received information that Black Tom, the native Aborigine, commonly called Birch's Tom, was encamped within about one hundred yards of a hut on Mr. Laing's farm, occupied by a man named Robert Grimes, near the Brown Mountain. Mr. Laing left Sorell at 11 o'clock, p. m. with a party of four soldiers of His Majesty's 40th Regiment, and arrived at Grimes's hut, a little before day-break, on Saturday morning ; and at daylight, they proceeded to the spot where Tom and his party lay, and got upon them unperceived. They secured Tom and his companions, consisting of four other black men, four women, and one male child ; who made no resistance ; neither had they any weapons or dogs with them. On being asked where his dogs were, he replied he had lost them. The natives were then conducted to Sorell Gaol, where they now remain, until orders are sent from His Excellency respecting them. It appears, that they came to Grimes's hut on Friday morning, and remained nearly all the day. Grimes gave them all the bread he had baked ; they eat it, and remained quiet about two hours, when Black Tom accosted Grimes, and said, "you white b——r, give me some more bread, and fry some mutton for us." Grimes being afraid of them, commenced, and baked a peck or more of flour into bread for them, and cooked three-fourths of a sheep ; they devoured the whole, and, in the afternoon, went out to catch opposums. - On their return from the hunt, Tom came to the hut by himself, and ordered Grimes to get some more bread and mutton ready for them by next morning (Saturday). Grimes had another damper* ready ; but Mr. Black Tom was deprived of partaking of it, as Mr. Laing and the Military happened to call upon him before breakfast, and his next meal was eaten in the cell of Sorell Gaol. * A Colonial term for an unleavened cake, baked under the wood ashes. --ED. Colonial Times, 15 Dec 1826. -------------------------------------------------- Possible Death? 1849, Prossers Plains and Soull District. 16 Oct 1849, Robert Grimes, male, age 89, Tanner, Cause of death, Old age and infirmity, Informant, Undertaker.

343

Maureen Withey on 1st May 2022

One night, whilst the snow lay upon the ground, Mr. Salter, Great Oakley, discovered that lamb had been killed, and, after perseverance, traced it to the house of I. Stevenson, labourer, at that time worked for Mr. Salmon, of Beaumont Hall, an adjoining neighbour. Mr.Salter applied Mr. Salmon to assist him attempt to discover the offender. With just cause sufficient Stimulus action. Mr. Salmon had lost within several years, 15 sheep, and hogs, the length time it would have taken to obtain a warrant would, most probably, have been damaging to this undertaking; therefore, without instrument, two sufferers proceeded to the cottage, which they entered just after the boiler had been removed from the fire. Upon enquiring what had been cooked for dinner, they received for answer, Nothing but a few dumplings; we have not had meat for a great number days. The boiler, however, showed evident appearance of having been used for meat, and this false statement of the woman gave further inducement investigation. After looking stairs and below, without effect, Mr. Salmon discovered a small door upon the staircase; opening which, the woman was much agitated. Here he found lamb’s head, looked killed same day, with the caul of the lamb; and digging the garden where the earth had been recently disturbed, some entrails, and other parts of several sheep, were found. Having thus far succeeded, Mr. Salmon next apprehended the man, who, being taken before Nicolas Naim, Esq, (denied the act for a considerable time, but at last acknowledged his guilt, and impeached Robert Grimes, who lived at short distance, and for whose apprehension a warrant was immediately issued, when Mr. Salmon and Mr. Salter, with a constable, went in pursuit of him. They found Grimes the midst three or four companions, smoking their pipes. Grimes was very sullen after he was taken; among the few words he spoke were, Stephenson means to save his own neck and hang me. Grimes, Stephenson and Elizabeth right, (the housekeeper of the latter) were, Saturday last, committed to our gaol; the two men for stealing, and the woman for receiving the lamb into her custody, well knowing same to have been stolen. Ipswich Journal, 14 Jan 1809.

343

Maureen Withey on 1st May 2022

Colonial Secretary Index. GRIMES, Robert alias GRAHAM. Per "Indian", 1810 1812 Feb 20 On list of prisoners proceeding per "Cyclops" to the Derwent for assignment (Reel 6003; 4/3492 p.108) --------------------------------------------------- 1812 Feb 20, On list of prisoners proceeding per "Cyclops" to the Derwent for assignment. Robert Grimes alias Graham, Convict by Indian, tried at Essex, Sentence, transportation for Life. Govt. man assigned to Thos. Kent Esq. -------------------------------------------------- Tasmanian Conduct Record: https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON31-1-13P150 No 18. Robert Grimes, or Graham, Indian. 13 Mar 1809, Life. Conditional Pardon 1467. 7th Aug 1821. --------------------------------------------------