James Harvey

221

D Wong on 26th October 2013

James Harvey was 20 years old when convicted of "Shooting with intent to kill". Part of the Costessey poachers party, he was injured in the shootout. 1828 Census: Sent to Mr Sparke, Botany. 18/3/1828: Labourer from Norwich, admitted to Newcastle Gaol from Maitland. To be detained in custody until the QS. Sent to Maitland for trial 2nd May. 21/1/1834: Sydney Monitor: James Harvey, Edward Macarthy, George Frost, Peter Ponsonby, William Crisp and James Smith shared a hut at Castle Forbes. James Harvey gave evidence at the trial of convicts from Castle Forbes - JAMES HARVEY SWORN - (ship Phoenix -I am five years in the colony last August. I was assigned to Mr. James Mudie on my arrival, and never was with another master; The flour that has been issued within the last three months was very bad. It is hardly fit to be called flour. It is mixed with grass seed and smut; the best was sent away, and the bad kept for the men. I never made any complaint to the Magistrates. It was a dangerous thing to do. Any one that found fault was considered an insubordinate character. If any man spoke of it, Mr. Mudie would call him an insubordinate character, and hunt him down. I have seen men lay down their meat, and refuse to take it, as not eatable, rather than complain. I have been before the Bench, on complaint of Mr. Mudie, two or three times. I was flogged only once with fifty lashes, and in the iron gang twice, for the last twelve or eighteen -months the flour was inferior, but bad for three months. It was issued by Patrick Crinane, an overseer. I never on any occasion, when brought before the Magistrates, made any complaint of the bad treatment I received, and the bad flour I got. I cannot say how much flour I got, but it was supposed to be ten pounds for a week . The meat is served out in messes, and weighed before the men came from their work. I always saw the flour weighed. We used to get salt and soap, the latter once a fortnight. I have been weeks without salt at a time. I have been without it within the last six months. We have had, at times, a pint of milk allowed, and at times a quart. I got the last suit of clothing when I was going to Sydney, three weeks last Monday. I got a shirt and shoes the 1st of August last. There are no slops (due to me now. The pair of shoes I got were kept by Mr. Larnach for me, in store, and he has them still. I have seen the overseer take maggots off the meat, within the last three months, but do not know the exact time. The meat was served out twice a week. I was at Sydney as a witness for the prisoners tried then. I did not know what I was brought for. I knew them to be punished on the farm. I recollect Reilly and others, with myself, going to Mr. Larnach, to complain of the flour. we told him we would complain to the Magistrates. We got better flour soon after, mixed with other flour. I have worked on Sunday, loading a team, before the steamer was changed. 24/3/1834: COF 22/7/1842: COF renewed.