John Lovatt

343

Maureen Withey on 1st November 2024

War Office Records. Registers Court Martial. https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1606814445/view Private John Lovatt, Rl. W.I. Rangers Regt, Tried at Dominica, 11 Mar 1817, for Desertion with sundry others & taking with them a Canoe or boat. To be shot, Commuted by the P.R. to Transportation for 14 years. Case sent to Prince Regent, 8 Sept 1817 for confirmation.

343

Maureen Withey on 22nd August 2022

Colonial Secretary Index. LOVETT, John. Per "Isabella", 1818. 1818 May 6 Proposal of to James Kelly to take "Isabella"; deposition of (Reel 6047; 4/1740 pp.345-53) 1818 Oct 31 On list of prisoners to be sent to Newcastle per "Lady Nelson" (Reel 6006; 4/3499 p.123) 1821 Sep 8 Coxswain. On list of all persons victualled from H.M. Magazines; listed as Lovat (Reel 6016; 4/5781 p.76) 1822 On list of convicts at Port Macquarie (Reel 6019; 4/3864 pp.358-9) 1822 Feb 25-Mar 27 Overseer of sail loft in Government Dockyard. To be transported for seven years. In reports of prisoners tried at Court of Criminal Jurisdiction (Reel 6023; X820 p.35a) 1822 Mar 20 On list of prisoners transported to Newcastle per "Elizabeth Henrietta" (Reel 6009; 4/3505 p.43) 1822 Jun 10,27 Re crew of life boat at Port Macquarie (Reel 6009; 4/3505 pp.393, 395, 439) 1824 Jun 19 Prisoner at Port Macquarie. Volunteered to help capture runaways; appears as Lovat (Reel 6068; 4/1815 pp.407-8) ------------------------------------------------------ PORT MACQUARIE: Extracts from a Journal kept at Port Macquarie by an Officer there of long standing, an Emigrant May 9. At nine o'clock in the evening of this day, the Alligator schooner (Drisdale master) anchored abreast of the boat-sheds. A certain wealthy prisoner of the Crown having a written order from the Commandant, had proceeded at 4 P. M. on board, contrary to all precedent, and all regulations, having learnt that his wife was on board. When the vessel was moored, the Commandant and doctor of the settlement came down : the former desired the wharfinger not to examine the baggage of the prisoner's wife ; which order was also contrary to all precedent and all regulations. There were landed a keg of gin, some brandy, bottled porter, tobacco, tea, and sugar. None of these things were in the manifest, and the landing of the whole, but especially of the ardent spirits was in the teeth of the most peremptory orders of the Governor. The Commandant and Superintendent then went to the dwelling of the said prisoner and wife, and spent the evening there with great hilarity. On the 3rd. January, the following General Order was issued— "The Commandant feels called upon thus publicly to express his disapprobation and surprise, at the shameful smuggling transaction which were detected to have been carried on in his own boat by some of the crew on the 1st instant ; and for which two of them were tried, found guilty, and punished. He cannot at the same time avoid passing the strongest censure on John Lovitt, who has the care and management of the boat and crew, and whose duty it was to prevent so disgraceful a transaction occurring under his own eye. The Commandant has every reason to be satisfied that this was not the first time this individual has allowed these practices to take place ; he therefore cautions him to be in future more circumspect, in his conduct and duty ; which, had he done in a proper and conscientious manner, he would have saved the disagreeable necessity of those men being punished. The Commandant is still more surprised at such conduct originating from a person who has been so strongly recommended to him by his predecessor." (Signed by the Commandant.) Our readers will observe here, that in this case, the crew are flogged, and the promoter of the irregularity, namely, the commander of the boat, is merely reprimanded. But they will be still more surprised to learn, that this convict, John Lovitt, who has been convicted six times, (that is to say, once in Great Britain for piracy, twice for piracy in these Colonies, once for running away from the Colony, and once for robbing the sail-loft of His Majesty's Dock-yard, is now appointed to the post of Pilot at Port Macquarie ! Mr. Neeve's dismissal from the office (which he held in Macquarie's time,) being couched in the following order.— Port Macquarie, 4th Feb. 1829.—Mr. Neeve will cease to do duty of Pilot and Harbour-master at Port Macquarie from this day inclusive ; and will be prepared, with as little delay as possible, to give all public property he may have in his charge, to Mr. Superintendent Partridge. Mr. Neeve will discontinue to draw the allowance of the half-pint of spirits during his stay on the settlement, as inconsistent and unnecessary. Crown prisoner John Lovitt will act as Pilot of this station until further orders. (Signed by the Commandant.) Sydney Monitor, 13 June 1829.