Richard Kelcey

341

Maureen Withey on 13th January 2026

Tasmanian Records. Convict Conduct Record: https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON31-1-26/CON31-1-26P94 373. Richard Kelcey. Transported for Maliciously killing a gelding. Gaol report. Connexions respectable, has been a large farmer. Irascible disposition. Hulk report. Orderly. Married, 5 children. Stated this offence: Killing a horse. Wife Frances at NP, near Canterbury. On board, most particularly recommended. Free Pardon No 3853/4. 8 Dec 1838. Description Record: https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON18-1-5/CON18-1-5P31 Richard Kelcey. Farmer, age 45, See record for full details. Appropriation List.https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON27-1-6/CON27-1-6P23 Richard Kelcey. Farmer, cannot plough. Assigned to : Overseer. Colonial Secretary's Office, 9th Jan. 1836. Tickets-of-leave have been granted to the following convicts, viz Richard Kelcey, Circassian, Colonial Times, 19 Jan 1836. The following alterations have taken place in the Police of the Territory - Resigned- Richard Kelcey, Circassian, 22nd ultimo. Hobart Town Courier, 13 Oct 1837.

341

Maureen Withey on 13th January 2026

SHOOTING A HORSE, THE KING V. KELCEY. This was indictment against Richard Kelcey, large occupier of land in the parish of Wormshill, and who is said to be in good circumstances, charging him with maliciously killing a gelding, the property of Joseph Harrison Champion, farmer at Wormshill. A true bill for the offence was found by the Grand Jury at the last Quarter Session for this county; but the prisoner removed the case by certiorari to the Court of King’s Bench ; and he now surrendered on bail to take his trial. The Hon C. Law, and Mr. Comyn conducted the prosecution; and Mr. Adolphus, Mr. Clarkson, and Mr. Walsh appeared for the prisoner. The Hon. C. Law stated the case to the Jury and gave an outline of the evidence which he proposed to establish  … ...  The address occupied nearly two hours. The jury after consulting for few minutes, asked leave to retire. After an absence of twenty minutes from the box, they brought in a verdict of Guilty. When the verdict was announced, Mr. Kelcey’s countenance became ashy pale. He had evidently calculated upon an acquittal.  The Learned Judge addressed the prisoner follows ;   Kelcey, you have been found guilty ; and it is no more than justice to the impartial men who have decided upon your case to say, that they have brought in verdict of which I cannot disapprove. I will not attempt to aggravate your case by any observations that I might make upon it. Your feelings must be acute enough without requiring any addition from me. This I will only say, that where a poor, needy, and uneducated man lends himself to the commission of offence, the law exacts from him the severest measure of punishment ; and the ends of justice would not be satisfied if the same measure were not exacted from you. The sentence of the Court is, that you be transported  beyond the seas, for the term of fourteen years. The trial lasted from nine o’clock in the morning till half-past six at night. South Eastern Gazette, 20 March 1832.

341

Maureen Withey on 13th January 2026

National Archives. Criminal Petitions. HO 17/129/1 1832 Apr - 1838 Jul Prisoner name: Richard Kelcey. Prisoner occupation: Seed merchant and farmer from Wormshill, Kent. Court and date of trial: Kent Assizes held at Maidstone, 12 March 1832. Crime: Shooting a gelding, property of Joseph Harrison Champion. Initial sentence: 14 years transportation. Annotated (Outcome): May now be pardoned (July 1838). Petitioner(s): Five petitions from the prisoner with 109, 166, 19, 106 and 468 people. The prisoner. Stephen Kelcey, father. Stephen and Elizabeth, parents, Stephen and Frances Kelcey, brother and wife. 19 poor inhabitants of Wormshill. The prisoner on board Circassian. Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): Evidence only circumstantial; severe effect on his parents, family and friends many eminent people signed the petition; has a wife and five children; father would set him up as a farmer in the colony if he were free; the case was not conducted according to legal precedent; he is a kind and humane man. Other papers: Three cuttings about the case from the Maidstone Gazette and Kentish Advertiser March 1832. Letter from J W Tylden enclosing the petition form the poor. Thomas Hodges transferring petition. William Haynes supporting Kelcey's case. Mr Naylor transferring petition. J W Tylden supporting Kelcey's punishment. Mr Henry W Watson asking for confirmation that Kelcey is only to serve one year. Mr Herbert Taylor inquiring about the case. Note from [illegible]. Honourable R Watson M P transferring the petition in favour of Richard Kelcey. Pencil note asking for him to be sent to New South Wales not Van Diemen's Land. Affidavits and copies from: Edward Chandler; Robert Okill, John Ward, John Okill; William Mynn; John Mynn; Thomas Shornden; William Alexander, Joseph Alexander; William Edwards; James Fuller; John Jenner; Isaac Pearson; Edward Sherwood (elder); Edward Sherwood; William Elliott; William Purton; Richard Honey; George Wood; Thomas Smith; William Coveney (Office copy). Letter from Lieutenant Arthur transmitting the memorial of Mr Kelcey for a remission of sentence. James Stephen enclosing a memorial for Kelcey from the Governor of Van Diemen's Land. Right Honourable C P Thompson, M P supporting the petition. A letter from John Franklin (Governor), Van Diemen's Land to Lord Glenelg stating Kelcey is deserving of mercy on account of his exemplary demeanour while in the colony. James Stephen forwarding the above to Lord Russell. Petition against clemency from 68 inhabitants of Wormshill and neighbourhood citing his adulterous and threatening behaviour with a gun.

Son of Stephen Kelcey & Elizabeth Knott, Lyminge, Kent, Eng. Baptised 18th Oct. 1789, Lyminge Kent. Eng. Married Frances COOPER, 23rd. June 1812 Ickham Kent, Eng. Resided on 400 acres of land, Wormshill, Kent, Eng. Buried 25th May 1865, Enfiled, N.S.W. Ticket-of-leave granted January 1836. (newspaper - Colonial Times Tuesday 19 January 1836, page 3) Free Pardon No. 3853 8th Dec (or July)1838