Gottfried Hanske

342

Maureen Withey on 17th June 2020

In the early 1820s, Godrey Hanskey acquired a reputation for bravery and toughness in hunting and capturing bushrangers. ------------------------------------------------- A correspondent from Richmond asks for some information concerning Musquito, a native who made himself very prominent in the early twenties. The history of Musquito is curious. He was a Sydney native, and was transported from New Holland, and employed in Tasmania as a stockkeeper, from which situation he was taken to assist in capturing bushrangers. The knowledge the aborigines of New South Wales and this State had of the bush, their extraordinary method of tracing the tracks of men even over barren rocks, were found to be of great utility, and Mosquito was instrumental in bringing to justice many of the most notorious of the bushrangers. But no sooner was this accomplished than the prison population insulted him and jeered him for the services he had rendered. Such a life to such a wild creature was insufferable. He took to the bush and became chief of a tribe he formed himself, and which consisted of the worst description of the aborigines. In this state he would have probably led a quiet life, but the stockkeeper and other evil disposed persons, frequently endeavoured to carry away his gins (the aboriginal name for wives), and often his life was in imminent danger. Desperate conflicts frequently ensued, and for a time Musquito was fortunate. Thus hunted about, every white man he saw was an enemy, and revenge was taken whenever an opportunity offered. Many deeds of terror were laid to Musquito’s charge, which the chroniclers of the day say it was impossible for him to have committed, but doubtless several lives were sacrificed by him. Ultimately Musquito, who had made himself very obnoxious to the settlers on the East Coast, was captured by an aborigine named Teague and a man named Gottfried Hansky near Grindstone Bay. He climbed up a tree and was shot by Teague in the groin. He travelled in great misery from thence to Hobart, and for a long time was under the care of Dr. Scott, Colonial Surgeon, previous to his trial. Teague was reared from a child in the family of the late Dr. Luttrell. Colonel Arthur promised him a whaleboat and several other rewards for his services, but poor Teague never got his boat. The disappointment affected him most seriously, and he fretted himself to death in consequence, dying in the hut of a Mr. Hobbs, of the East Coast. Land (Hobart) 19 Dec 1924. Musquito, the Sydney black whose apprehension we reported in our last, has since been removed to the Colonial Hospital, where he has been seen by HIS HONOR the LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR. —He was wounded through the body, and in two places in the thigh, but is nevertheless expected to recover. Musquito was taken with two female Aborigines, near Oyster Bay, by a black native boy, about 17 years of age, named Tegg, who, on the promise of reward from the Lieutenant Governor in the event of his being successful, volunteered to go out for the purpose. This boy, in three days after his leaving town, came up with Musquito in the woods; he was accompanied by two Europeans, named Godfrey and Marshal, who secured the women while Tegg shot Musquito. They had no spears with them when taken; Musquito ran a considerable distance after he was wounded, and while leaning against a tree from weakness, took up a stick and threw it at Tegg who appears to be a very acute and sharp youth, and is uncommonly fond of fishing in a boat. Hobart Town Gazette, 20 Aug 1824. From the Statement of the Colonial Fund, for the quarter ending the 30th September 1824: Paid: To the 3 Men that Apprehended Musquito . . . 25 -0 -0 Hobart Town Gazette, 5 Nov 1825. -------------------------------------------------- It appears that Captain Clarke's house, on the Clyde, had been rifled by the three bushrangers a day or two before Allan's party fell in with them. Since that event Mr. Wedge, the Assistant Surveyor, was plundered on the Table Mountain. On hearing of which circumstance, Mr. Anstey, the Magistrate at Jericho, with his accustomed alacrity, dispatched Godfrey Hanskey's party in pursuit of the marauders. We have hence reason to expect their speedy apprehension. Godfrey Hanskey is, we understand, a Prussian, and one of the bravest that ever cocked a blunderbuss, or cut a robber's head off. If he happens to encounter M'Cabe and Brady, "he alone and unsupported, will kill or capture both." Hobart Town Gazette, 25 March 1825. -------------------------------------------------- Secretary's Office, Hobart Town, February 28, 1826. THE undermentioned Persons have obtained Certificates of Freedom, Free or Conditional Pardons, and Ticket of Leave during the last Week: Conditional Pardon Gottfried Hanskie ... Guildford (1) Hobart Town Gazette, 4 Mar 1826. --------------------------------------------------

342

Maureen Withey on 17th June 2020

On Thursday a General Court Martial commenced at Bexhill, for the trial of two privates of the 2d Battalion of the Royal German Legion, who deserted a few days ago, and took from the Beach a large boat for the purpose of going over to the enemy, but were taken off Dover, by a boatman belonging to that place, and last week under a proper military escort, brought back to the Regiment. Sun (London) 15 Sept 1810. There were 2 convicts listed who were transported on Guildford in August 1811, who were tried at Bexhill Court Martial, Gottfried Hanske, transported for Life, and Christoph Beutler, transported for 14 years. “Christoph Beutler, one of 200 convicts transported on the Guilford [Guildford], August 1811” Convicted at Bexhill Court Martial for a term of 14 years on 13 September 1810. Source: http://oldbritishnews.com/convicts/index.php/transported_convicts-185/ -------------------------------------------------- It is likely that Gottfried Hanske and Christoph Beutler were the two privates from the Royal German Legion, both of whom were transported on the Guildford. -------------------------------------------------- Gottfried Hanske , also known as Godfrey Hanskie, Ship Ruby. To NSW per Guildford. States in Conduct record arrived per Frederick. Tasmanian Conduct Record- Gottfried Hanske , also known as Godfrey Hanskie, Ship Ruby. To NSW per Guildford. States in Conduct record arrived per Frederick. : https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON31-1-18$init=CON31-1-18p150 436. Godfrey Hanskie. Guildford and Frederick. Sussex 1809, Life. Sept 14 1822. Felony. Breaking H.M. Gaol & absconding into the woods, 100 lashes. June 7 1827. C.E./ Not attending Church Muster on Sunday last at 8 o’clock in the morning. Repd. Nov 1 1822. Absents himself from his work & absconding into the woods – 100 lashes & labor 6 mos on irons- 50 lashes – revisitted by ca?. Oct 20 1828. Constable/ Endeavouring to defeat the ends of Justice in withholding facts when giving evidence in a case of misdemeanour at the police office- fined 10/- & suspended from his office. Free Pardon No 659, 20 Nov 1840. Note in margin: XXXI on F. Book. --------------------------------------------------- Indent of Guildford: https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON13-1-1$init=CON13-1-1p23 Gottfried Hanske, Tried at Bexhill C.M, 15 Sept 1810- Life. -------------------------------------------------- Hobart Town. At a Bench of Magistrates held on Saturday last, Godfrey Hanskie and John Brady, the former a free man and the latter a crown servant, were fully committed to take their trial before the Court of Criminal Jurisdiction at Sydney for stealing a number of sheep the property of Mr. Samuel Thorne, of Pitt Water. Hobart Town Gazette, 8 April 1820. CRIMINAL COURT. On Thursday, the 6th instant, the various prisoners that had been convicted during the session received sentence as follow, Godfrey Hanskey, sheep-stealing at Van Diemen's Land -14 years to Newcastle ; … John Brady, for sheep stealing, and … all received sentence of death. Sydney Gazette, 15 July 1820. -------------------------------------------------- Tasmanian Record: https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON13-1-2p174 Letter, dated 21 May 1822, from the Colonial Secretary, F. Goulburn, to the Lieut. Gov Sorell, Governor of Van Diemens Land, regarding Godfrey Heneskie and James Newcombe being embarked on board the Seringapatam to serve the remainder of their sentences in at Port Macquarie Harbour, in consequence of having contrived to escape from Port Macquarie. -------------------------------------------------- COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE, Nov. 10, 1826. HIS EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR has been pleased to approve of the following Appointments in the Police of the Colony:— In the District of Bathurst— … And to be Constables, John Hanskey Godfrey, free; ... The Monitor, (Sydney) 17 Nov 1826. Government Notice. Colonial Secretary's Office, 28th November 1826 HIS Excellency the Governor has been pleased to approve of the following Alterations in the Police of the Colony: In the District of Bathurst, Constable John Godfrey Hanskey, dismissed. By His Excellency's Command, ALEXANDER McLEAY. Sydney Gazette, 29 Nov 1826. -------------------------------------------------- GOVERNMENT NOTICE. No. 288. Colonial Secretary's Office, 23rd October, 1840. Memoranda of Free Pardon have been issued for the following convicts until Her Majesty's pleasure be known:- ... Godfrey Hanskie, Guilford and Frederick; ... By His Excellency's command, M. FORSTER. The Courier, (Hobart) 24 Nov 1840. -------------------------------------------------- https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD36-1-1p49j2k Marriage in District of Hobart Town 1816. Ankey Godfrey, age 28, prisoner, per Guildford, and Mary Carr, age 28, prisoner per Alexander, were married 30 August, by Banns. Both signed with their X. -------------------------------------------------- Hobart Birth record 1842. https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD33-1-1-p341j2k 22 April 1842, a male child born. Father -Yon Godfrey Hanskey, mother Margaret Hanskey, formerly Cunningham, Occupation of father - farmer, Name and signature of informant not clear, address Liverpool St. Note. Baptised: St Davids – John. -------------------------------------------------- Deaths Hobart District, 1852. August 8 1852, John Godfrey Hanskey, male, age 74, watchman, cause of death- dropsy. Informant, Margaret Hanskey, daughter, address, Goulburn Street. (signed her mark X).