Benjamin Little

51

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)

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 26th August 2020

New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents, 1788-1842. Age; 37 Est birth Year; 1779 Single Protestant Native Place: Calling; Weaver & Seaman Date of Trial: 16 July 1816. Cumberland Quarter sessions Offence Height; 5 ft. 7 inches Complexion: Fair Pale Hair: Brown Eyes; Hazel Ticket of Leave no 2019 ------------------------------------- New South Wales, Australia, Colonial Secretary's Papers, 1788-1856 Copies of Letters Sent Outside The Colony, "Foreign", 1814-1856 Name; Benjamin Little Ship: Lord Eldon No; 808 crossed out Where and by whom convicted. Sydney Criminal Court Sentence: Three Years Date of Conviction; January 1824 Noted against his name; Drowned at Port Macquarie 2 May 1826 --------------------------------------- New South Wales, Australia, Colonial Secretary's Papers, 1788-1856 1820 - 23 Mar. Event Description: On list of prisoners to be sent to Newcastle per "Lady Nelson" Where and by whom convicted. D Wentworth Esq. March 1820 Sentence: One Year Calling; Sailor 1821 - 17 Nov. Event Description: On list of prisoners transported to Newcastle per "Sally" Where and by whom convicted. Bench Liverpool. 5 Nov 1821. Sentence: One Year Calling; Sailor Ship: Lord Eldon Original Where, When & Sentence. Carisle. 18 July 1816. 7 years 1823 - 9 Oct. Event Description: Affidavit re loss of his certificate of freedom with other articles in a boat 1823 - 25 Jan. Admitted to Sydney Goal - for drunkenness riotous conduct 1824 - 19 Jan - Feb. Event Description: To be transported for three years. In reports of prisoners tried at Court of Criminal Jurisdiction Charged with feloniously stealing tobacco value of 60 shillings - NOT GUILTY Charged with feloniously stealing eight bushels of wheat - GUILTY 1824 - 17 Mar. Event Description: On lists of prisoners transported to Port Macquarie per "Lady Nelson" ----------------------------------------

343

Maureen Withey on 12th August 2020

Benjamin Little managed to escape twice while in England, once while awaiting his trial and then again afterwards. Thursday morning, John Pollet, Wm. Green, Joseph Simpson, Benjamin Little, and Robert Bird, confined in the second and third cells of the gaol in this City, endeavoured to make their escape breaking the hinges of the small door the third cell, and attempting take out a large stone in the wall between the two cells. Morning arrived before they could accomplish their work, and of course, they were detected. Measures have since been taken which will entirely preclude any similar attempt in future. Carlisle Patriot, 22 June 1816. Thursday morning, John Pollett, William Green, Benjamin Little, John Hamilton, Francis McHannah, John O’Neill, and Joseph Bird, all desperate felons under sentence of transportation, broke out of the jail in Carlisle, by knocking down the jailor after he had opened their different cells. Pollett and Bird were afterwards taken behind a hayrick near Blackhill, and conveyed back to prison. The others escaped for the present. Star (London), 10 Dec 1816.