Matthias (Matthew) Locke

343

Maureen Withey on 4th July 2025

Memorial of 1820. The humble Memorial of Matthew Lock of Wilberforce, Most respectfully sheweth That Memorialist arrived in the Colony in the Transport Surprize the 1st having been tried at the Old Baily in 1787 and sentenced to seven years Transportation. That Memorialist has been for twenty six years and by sobriety and honest industry, is now possessed of 80 head of cattle and Memorialist therefore solicits … … Your Excellency for the Indulgence of a Grant of Land which he intends to appropriate to Pasturage for his cattle stock And Memorialist will ever Pray Matthew Lock We certify to His Excellency that we consider Petitioner as coming within the meaning of the General order of 20th May last would recommend him accordingly. Dated, Windsor, 6 June 1820. 2 signatories, First signatory too faint to read. John Crisp(?) Chaplain.

343

Maureen Withey on 4th July 2025

Colonial Secretary Index. LOCK, Matthew. Per "Surprise", 1790; landholder at Wilberforce 1794 Nov 19-1804 Aug 11 On list of all grants and leases of land registered in the Colonial Secretary's Office (Fiche 3267; 9/2731 pp.34-5, 126-7, 144-5) 1802 Apr 10 Particulars of arms in possession of (Reel 6041; 4/1719 p.92) c.1805 On list of settlers, formerly prisoners, nominated as witnesses by Martin Mason in his complaint against Denis McCarty; listed as Lack (Reel 6040; ML Safe 1/51 p.62) 1809 Feb-Jul Produce received from at the Hawkesbury Stores (Reel 6040; 9/2673 pp.7, 19, 34, 64) 1810 Jan 23 Recommended by A Thompson for appointment as Chief Constable (Reel 6042; 9/2736 p.41) 1810 Jan 24 Appointed Chief Constable at the Hawkesbury (Reel 6038; SZ758 p.5) 1810 Dec 1,5 Signatory to address from the settlers of the Hawkesbury to Governor Macquarie; & Macquarie's reply (Reel 6038; SZ758 pp.128-30) 1811 Feb 15-Mar 2 Purchased goods at auctions by John Howe at Windsor (Reel 6040; ML C197 pp.11, 20, 22, 24) 1811 Mar 6 Of Hawkesbury and Windsor. Received spirit licence in Feb 1811 (Reel 6038; SZ758 pp.181-3) 1812 May 21 Re his resignation as Chief Constable at Windsor (Reel 6038; SZ758 p.295) 1816 Jan 16 On list of persons to receive grants of land in 1816 (Fiche 3266; 9/2652 p.23) 1817 Dec 9 Recommending James Northey in support of his petition for mitigation of sentence (Fiche 3180; 4/1852 p.259) 1820 Jun 6 Memorial (Fiche 3025; 4/1824B No.464 pp.717-20) 1821 Sep 22 On list of persons to receive grants of land in 1821 (Fiche 3266; 9/2652 pp.68, 73) 1822 Jul Recommending Isaac Gorrick of Wilberforce for renewal of his publican's license (Reel 6055; 4/1760 p.137)

54

Phil Hands on 4th April 2017

Tried and convicted at the Old Bailey on 12th September 1787 for stealing, on the 27th of May last, six cloth coats, value 40 s. one waistcoat, value 2 s. one ditto, value 5 s. one gown, value 5 s. one apron, value 3 s. one pair of sheets, value 12 s. one table-cloth, value 5 s. one handkerchief, value 1 s. one ditto, value 1 s. one shirt, value 4 s. and a pair of tea-tongs, value 4 s. and one rule, value 1 s. the goods of Thomas Chinnery, sentenced to 7 years transportation. left England on 19th January 1790. Ship:- the 'Surpise' sailed with 256 male convicts on board of which 36 died during the voyage. Arrived on 26th June 1790. Matthew Lock was born in London, England c. 1763. He was an educated craftsman and worked as a plasterer in the London area. In 1787 changing his lodgings, he was accused of stealing from his landlord, convicted for theft and sentenced to 7 years transportation to the colonies. After 7 months in an overcrowded Newgate Goal he moved to one of the hulks 'Stanislaus' for 18 months. In November 1789 Matthew was moved to the transportation ship 'Surprize'. In January 1790, the Second Fleet of six ships set sail, arriving in Sydney Cove on 3 June 1790 followed, over coming weeks, by what remained of the surviving vessels including the 'Surprize'. Two years later the 'Fourth Fleet' docked and on one of these ships 'Pitt', carrying 410 convicts of which 58 were women, was 19 year old Eupham Graham. Eupham was born near Edinburgh, Scotland c. 1772, daughter of a Spoonmaker. In 1790 she appeared in Perth court with her cousin Helen Lowrie, charged with the theft of napkins from a shop. There was some dispute as to who was responsible as the circumstances were vague but Eupham and Helen were found guilty and sentenced to 14 years transportation to the colony of New South Wales aboard the convict transportation ship, 'Pitt' in June 1791, arriving at Sydney Cove in January 1792. In the short ensuing period, Eupham settled with Matthew Lock and although they were unable to marry due to the laws precluding convict marriages, they lived as man and wife. At the end of 1792, Governor of the colony, Captain Arthur Phillip, departed for England leaving the colony under the control of Major Francis Grose who placed settlers west of Sydney Cove on the banks of the Hawkesbury River. Matthew was given a 'Permit to Settle' and it was here that Eupham gave birth to her children: twins, Thomas Graham and Elizabeth Graham in 1794; and Mary Graham in 1795. The children were ascribed their mother's surname as due to their convict status Eupham & Matthias weren't allowed to marry. Matthew Lock received a grant of 30 acres of land in late 1794. Eupham Graham died in April 1797 at the age of 25, leaving twins Thomas and Elizabeth, aged 2 years 10 months, and daughter Mary, aged 1 year 7 months, motherless. Eupham was buried at St Johns Cemetery in Parramatta where her headstone still exists and is believed to be the third oldest remaining in the cemetery. Although the cause of Eupham's death is unknown there is information indicating there were 120 sick on board the Pitt when it arrived at Sydney Cove. One of these was probably Helen Lowrie, who died five weeks after landing. Eupham may have also been affected by the illness and it may have contributed to her early death. With 3 children to bring up it was fortuitous for Matthew to marry Alice Burrows at St Johns church, Parramatta less than 3 months after Eupham's death, and burial nearby. Matthew & Alice bore no children together. Sadly Matthias' daughter Elizabeth, one of the twins, died in 1803 aged 9, so he and Alice raised Thomas and Mary. Matthew played an important leadership role in the new settlement, and was well rewarded: By 1802 he was the owner of a horse, somewhat of a privilege in those times. He received several additional numerous land grants: 1802 – 50 acres, 1804 – 30 acres, 1816 – 60 acres, 1827 – 100 acres. 1803 – he aided a friend, Constable Thompson, to recapture 15 Irish escapees. 1806 – he had a hand in saving over 100 lives in the floods. 1808 – he was appointed District Constable. 1809 – held a liquor licence. 1810 – appointed as Chief Constable of the Hawkesbury district. 1811 – his fairness with the local Aboriginal people was evidenced by his arrest of local European-origin settlers who fired upon a group of Aboriginals. 1812 – he resigned as Chief Constable to attend to his farming interests. 1818 – Matthews' surviving daughter Mary Graham married Irishman Thomas Maloney (1787-1873) at Matthew's Church of England, Windsor. Mary Maloney died in 1835 at Wilberforce, at age 40. Both Mary & Thomas Maloney are buried at the Windsor Catholic Cemetery. Matthew Lock died in April 1836 at the age of 73 survived by his son Thomas, 18 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. He is buried at St Johns Cemetery in Wilberforce Old Bailey Trial Transcription. Reference Number: t17870912-103 773. MATTHEW LOCKE was indicted for stealing, on the 27th of May last, six cloth coats, value 40 s. one waistcoat, value 2 s. one ditto, value 5 s. one gown, value 5 s. one apron, value 3 s. one pair of sheets, value 12 s. one table-cloth, value 5 s. one handkerchief, value 1 s. one ditto, value 1 s. one shirt, value 4 s. and a pair of tea-tongs, value 4 s. and one rule, value 1 s. the goods of Thomas Chinnery , in his dwelling-house . THOMAS CHINNERY sworn. I am a land coal-meter ; I live at No. 6, Chick-lane ; at the time of the robbery, on the 27th of May, I went out about eleven in the forenoon, and returned about seven at night; soon after seven when I had returned, I found my apartments were broke open. What apartments? - The apartments I keep for myself in the house in which I live, and I missed the things mentioned in the indictment, and many more. How was it broke open? - I found the door wrenched, I was apprised of it, about two hundred yards before I came to the door. Whose house is it? - I rent the house, and let it out in apartments, and live up one pair of stairs; on finding the door broke open, I went in, and I missed the things mentioned in the indictment, and many more. Have you a list of them? - I have not got a list of them; I missed two great coats which were hanging up against the wainscot. What was the value of them? - About 16 s. this coat which I have on, was on a chair in the room; I lost this; I value it at 6 s. there was a stone-coloured coat and waistcoat of the same cloth, worth 9 s. there was a silk and cotton waistcoat, worth 5 s. a buff coloured coat, worth 10 s. there was a brown coat, with a two foot rule in the pocket, worth 4 s. the rule worth 1 s. there were three dimity waistcoats, worth 9 s. three cotton gowns of my wife's, worth 15 s. a pair of silver teatongs, worth 4 s. when I came home, I found Sarah Carter , (who was found guilty last sessions for stealing part of the things.) in the room, she and I went to search after them at a house over the water belonging to Mrs. Pritchard, where she said Pimlott was gone to; when we came there, Mrs. Pritchard said that the prisoner and Pimlott had been there, and that they were both gone out with bundles; I searched the house, but found nothing. Mr. Peatt. Were all the things new or old? - All old, they had all been worn many times. MARY GOFF sworn. I keep a house over-right to Mr. Chinnery's; son the 27th of May, I was in my one pair of stairs room, sitting at the window, and I saw the prisoner at the bar go out with a large bundle under his arm. What time of the day was this? - It might be a little before or after six; I saw him go out of Mr. Chinnery's house. How large a bundle was it? - It was like as though it was a taylor going to carry his work home; he was dressed in a blue coat with a round hat, and his apron tucked round him. Had you ever seen the prisoner before? - I had seen the prisoner at the bar in Pimlott's room with Sarah Carter that afternoon; Pimlott lodged there; I am very certain the prisoner is the man; Pimlott went out afterwards with another bundle. Has he been brought to justice? - Yes; he has been transported, I believe. But the prisoner at the bar is the person? - Yes; I hardly took much notice; I thought the people who owed rent to Mr. Chinnery, were getting as much property as they could off; just after, Pimlott came out with another bundle. You did not give any information about it? - No. Mr. Peatt. Had you ever seen the prisoner before? - Not to my knowledge. What distance may your house be from Chinnery's? - My house stands as it were here, and his there. Court. You had not seen the prisoner in Chinnery's room, but in another room in the same house, belonging to somebody else? - It belonged to Pimlott, it was up two pair of stairs. Is it a street, or a court? - A street. How wide? - As wide as from here to there. Court to Chinnery. What day of the week was the 27th of May? - Whit-sunday. ELIZABETH PRITCHARD sworn. On Whit-sunday in the evening, the prisoner and Pimlott came together to my house; the prisoner had a bundle under his arm; Pimlott said he had been to Blackheath to help Matthew Lock , to fetch his things home; he had quarrelled at the pay-table, and left his work; Matthew Lock put his bundle down, just by the door, and untied it, and Pimlott took the other off his shoulder, and Lock put the other parcel which Pimlott had into his bundle; then he tied it up, and said to Pimlott; Will, I ever did keep two coats to my back, and I could wish you to do the same; Pimlott said, I have got a coat, and Matthew Lock said, Will take care you do not drop my rule; then he tied the bundle up again, and put both into one; and then as he was going away, he asked me to let him leave his bundle, as he said, it did not look well to carry it through the streets of a Sunday; Matthew Lock said, his boxes were coming to the Elephant and Castle, at Newington; in about half an hour they went away, and in about half an hour after that, Matthew came alone; and said, if I pleased he would take his bundle. Had you the curiosity to examine the bundle? - I know nothing further; he took his bundle away, and bid me a good night. Did you see the rule? - The bundle I never opened; I only heard him say to the other, take care you do not drop my rule. Mr. Peatt. For aught you know, they might be assisting each other to bring these clothes from Blackheath? - Yes. ELIZABETH HACKET sworn. Confirmed the evidence of the last witness, and deposed to same effect. Prisoner. I beg leave to ask Mrs. Goff whether it was not the coat I have on now with the rule in it. Goff. I cannot pretend to say whether it was or was not, he never opened it; he had a blue one on when he was there. Prisoner. How could you see me come out of the house? - Very well, the front door is facing the door up the passage, and my window is fronting Mr. Chinnery's house, so that I could see every one that come out of the one door or the other. Chick-lane is a narrow-lane, and I could easily see. Court. How was he dressed? - He had a blue coat on, with a round hat. PRISONER's DEFENCE. I and the prisoner Pimlott had worked together some years; for a week before the robbery, I had lodged with Pimlott in Chinnery's house, and laid in that room; I had laid all my tools up there, and some wearing apparel; I was up there on Whitsunday in the morning, and we was drinking together, and Pimlott told me he owed rent to Mr. Chinnery, and that he was going to seize on his things, and desired me to take mine away; I had a coat, I had the jacket I work in, and some shirts; I carried them to a Mrs. Eccles; this coat she put new sleeves in; she had it to mend; I had got it tied up in a bundle; I use a rule in my trade; I said Will, I do not know where to put them this afternoon; as you are going to work at Newington, says he, I know a place where you may leave them, accordingly we went over to Mrs. Pritchard, and there we left them, and I went almost directly afterwards, and fetched them away, and took them to my lodging at Mrs. Eccles's. Court. Where does Mrs. Eccles live. Prisoner. She lives in Stangate-street, as you go down to Westminster. Is she here? - No, she is sick, and is a poor woman. ANDREW RULE sworn. I am a spatterdash-maker; I live in the City-road; I have known the prisoner thirteen or fourteen years; his general character has been that of an honest man; I have not known him for the last twelve months, but for the last thirteen years before that, he bore a good character; his father is a plaisterer. GUILTY Of stealing the value of 39 s. Transported for seven years . Tried by the first Middlesex Jury before Mr. Justice GROSE.