John Skelton

Level 52

Chris Ison on 2nd December 2024

The following important extracts we copy from Sydney Gazettes to the 30th ultimo: " From Captain Carns, commander of the ship Neptune, we learn, that he left the ship Harriet, in which Mr. Alexander Riley left the Colony, at the Cape; from whom he has brought 15 male prisoners who had secreted themselves on board the Harriet. Five women were also concealed on board, who are not returned. The male prisoners who had effected their escape from hence in the Harriet, and returned by the Neptune from the Cape, were this day brought before a Bench of Magistrates, and Sentenced to receive one hundred lashes each, and worked in the gaol gang for 12 calendar months. The following is a list of the prisoners' names: Henry Chambers, John Druet, Benjamin Oliver, John Cochrane, Robert Plummer, John Skelton, Patrick Lowry, Nathaniel Ewer, Henry Moore, William Hollady, John Latham, James Quinn, Benjamin Little, Wm, Chapman, Thomas Edwards, and Moses Solomon, a boy. It appeared from a written statement transmitted from the Cape of Good Hope, that the delinquents had not made their appearance for a considerable time after the vessel's departure from hence, although it was known by some of the crew they were on board ; and, but for timely information being given to the commander, the consequences might have been very serious, as it was then represented to have been their intention to take the vessel, after the cargo had been received on board at the Cape, and carry her into South America ; in which design they would very probably have bean aided by seamen and other persons on board ; with which assistance they could scarcely have failed in accomplishing their purpose. The result of this discovery was, that the troops, in concert with the passengers were compelled constantly to keep the deck till they reached the Cape. (Hobart Town Gazette 20 Jun 1818, p. 2)

Level 347

Maureen Withey on 24th August 2024

Yesterday the following convicts were sent off from the tolbooth of this city, and were shipped at Leith for the hulks in the river Thames, where they will remain till sent off to. Botany viz .John Skelton, Alexander M'Donald, alias White, and Robert Gunn, for different acts of robbery on the streets of this city, the 31st December and Ist January, to transported for life. George Napier and John Grotto, for the same crimes. John Hogg for theft—and John Lindsay Crauford, and James Bradley, for forging deeds, each to be transported for 14 years. . Perthshire Courier, 30 April 1812.

Level 174

Iris Dunne on 12th October 2021

Prison Hulk ship Retribution moored at Woolwich Received 2 May 1812 Offence Robbery Index: aged 21, Trade Gunsmith Bound Indentures: aged 21 Tried 3 March 1812

Level 174

Iris Dunne on 9th October 2021

"New Year riot leads to gallows" "...A fourth lad, John Skelton, was condemned to death but it was com muted to transportation for life be cause of his previous good character. The sentence of the law was car ried out on April 22, 1812... ...John Skelton, Robert Gunn and Alex MacDonald were all sentenced to transportation for life. Two others, George Napier and John Grotto, received sentences of 14 years' transportation. All were found guilty of various offences of robbery...." https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/120856772

Level 11

Robert John Willson on 9th October 2021

John Skelton was a member of the "Tron Riot" in Edinburgh on New Year's Eve 1812. I have written the full story of Skelton and others in an article entitled "New Year riot leads to gallows" published in the Canberra Times on September 30, 1989.