John Hiett

51

Chris Ison on 4th December 2024

PIRATICAL SEIZURE OF A GOVERNMENT BOAT, BY CONVICTS, AT NORFOLK ISLAND We have gathered the, following particulars of the seizure of a Government Boat at Norfolk Island, by a band of desperate characters, under Colonial sentence to that Settlement. On the 29th May last, the Government Colonial Vessels Isabella and Governor Phillip were lying to off the Island, discharging their cargoes, when, about 3 o'clock, P.M., a boat returning laden from the latter vessel, was met by the launch belonging to the Settlement, going off empty, with the exception of a cask of water, for the use of the schooner Isabella. Previous to their meeting, the prisoners in the launch, to the number of eight, had forcibly taken her from the Coxswain, and three or four free men, who had charge of her. On coming in contact with the laden boat, the prisoners in possession of the launch, took on board the crew of the former, and also a quantity of maize, which they stowed away; they then commenced cutting up the canvas bags in which it had been shipped, to make sails for the launch; they then transferred the Coxswain and his men from the launch to the other boat, disclaiming the intention of doing personal injury to any one, and then left them to carry the news of their exploit to the island. There being a perfect calm at the time, the fugitives, sixteen in number, double banked their oars, and pulled away to the eastward, in sight of the two Government vessels, who had not the means to prevent them. The following is a correct list of the runaways, but it must be observed, in justice to two of the number, viz, William Woods and John Bailey, that they were pressed against their will; the former whose term of banishment to Norfolk Island, has nearly expired, being a sail maker, and his services therefore, considered indispensable, and the latter from his known usefulness as an experienced seaman. We have also been informed that China, who was within 3 weeks of being free, was pressed against his will:- John Thompson, William Woods, Thomas Hughes, James Banks, John Hiatt, Daniel Byrne, William China, John Lomas, John Gambler, James Dingle, Robert Hanslin, William Green, James Hopkins, John Bailey, George Haycraft, James Ward. Three cheers were given by the runaways when they became masters of the boat. … (The Australian 19 Jul 1833, p. 2.)

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 16th September 2020

New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents, 1788-1842. Annotated Printed Indentures. Georgiana 2; 27 July 1831 Name; John Hiett No; 31 - 1143 . 42 Age; 40 Est Date of Birth; 1791 Widower. 1 male and 1 female child Occupation; Shoemaker complete Offence; Returning from Transport Trial; 16 September 1830 Sentence; Life Remarks; Escaped 1826 for China per Ocean 1818 in the same name. JOHN HIETT, Miscellaneous > returning from transportation, 16th September 1830. First London Jury. - Before Mr. Recorder. 1471. JOHN HIETT was indicted for that he, at the Delivery of the King's Gaol of Newgate, holden for Middlesex, at Justice Hall, in the Old Bailey, on Wednesday, the 19th of February, in the 57th year of the reign of George the 3rd, was in due form of law tried and convicted on a certain indictment against him, for that he, on the 18th of February, in the 57th year aforesaid, at the parish and County aforesaid, in and upon John Ward , in the peace of God and our said Lord the King, then and there being, feloniously did make an assault, and the said John Ward in corporal fear and danger of his life then and there feloniously did put, and from the person and against the will of the said John Ward, then and there violently and feloniously did steal, take, and carry away 1ls. 6d. in monies numbered, of the monies of the said John Ward , and seven Bank notes, for the payment and of the value of 1l. each, the said notes being the property of the said John Ward , and the sums of money payable and secured by and upon the said notes being due and unsatisfied to the said John Ward , the proprietor there of; against the Statute, &c.: and that he was thereupon ordered and adjudged to be hanged by the neck until he should be dead, but his said late Majesty having been pleased to extend his royal mercy unto him upon, condition of his being transported to New South Wales, or some one or other of the islands adjacent, for and during the term of his natural life, which being in due manner signified in writing by one of his said late Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, he the said John Hiett was at the said Session ordered to be transported to New South Wales, or some one or other of the islands adjacent, for and during the term of his natural life, pursuant to the Statute in that case made and provided; and that he afterwards, to wit, on the 22nd of July, in the 1st year of the reign of William the 4th , feloniously was at large, without any lawful cause, within his Majesty's dominions, to wit, at St. Andrew Undershaft, in the ward of Lime-street, in London aforesaid, before the expiration of the said term for which he was so ordered to be transported, as aforesaid ; against the Statute. SECOND COUNT, that at the Delivery of the King's Gaol of Newgate, holden for the County of Middlesex, at Justice Hall, in the Old Bailey, on Wednesday, the 19th of February, in the 57th year aforesaid, the said John Hiett was ordered to be transported to New South Wales, or some one or other of the islands adjacent, for and during the term of his natural life, pursuant to the Statute; and that he afterwards, to wit, on the said 22nd of July, in the 1st year aforesaid, feloniously was at large within his Majesty's dominions, that is to say, at the parish and ward aforesaid, in London aforesaid, without any lawful cause, before the expiration of the said term for which he was ordered to be transported, as last aforesaid; against the Statute, &c. MR. ADOLPHUS conducted the prosecution. THOMAS VANN . I am an officer of Worship-street. I produce a copy of the record of the prisoner's conviction, which I got from Mr. Clark, the clerk of arraigns, and saw him sign it - (read) - I know the prisoner; I was present at his trial - he is the man I apprehended, and who was tried here on the charge referred to in 1817; I saw him at the India-house in Leadenhall-street, and apprehended him in company with Waters, on the 22nd of July last - I told him what I took him for, and Waters asked if he had any thing to show why he was at liberty; he said his name was John King , and not Hett, but at his second examination he said I was right, that his name was Hiett, and I was the man who apprehended him; he had come to the India-house to receive his pay, as a sailor belonging to the Lady Melville. EDWARD JAMES BURCHALL . I am an appraiser. I know the prisoner very well - his name is John Hiett ; Iand Vann apprehended him in 1817; I was present at h trial - he is the man who was convicted. THOMAS WATERS . I assisted Vann in apprehending the prisoner at the East India-house, on the 22nd of July; I did not know him before - I asked if he had any certificate to show why he was at large; he said he had not, and denied being John Hiett, but said his name was King - the next day, before the Magistrate, he said, "I don't wish to give more trouble, my name is Hiett, and Vann is right; I understand his conduct was so good on board ship that his officer received him as boatswain's mate. Prisoner. I leave it entirely to the mercy of the Court. [Tuesday, Sept.21.] GUILTY - DEATH . Aged 38. Recommended to Mercy, on account of his having found an honorable employ . 1831 - Sent to Norfolk Island