George Metcalfe

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Dianne Jones on 16th May 2021

1827, 23 August: George Metcalfe was executed by hanging at Hobart Gaol. --00-- 1827, 24 August: The Colonial Times (p4) reported on the men’s executions, as follows: “Yesterday morning, the following nine unfortunate men, being the late gang of runaways, who attempted to take the cutter Emma Kemp, and afterwards took to the bush, committed several robberies, and then fired upon the Military, were executed pursuant to their sentence :- George Braithwaite (one of Lieut. Steele's Government servants, the other having died of the wounds received while engaged with the Military), James Horsefield, Matthew McCullum, Thomas Davis (Mr. Bisdee's servant), George Metcalfe, John Lee, (bricklayer), James Coates, John Brown (mariner) and John Brown (bricklayer.) All the prisoners from the Barracks, perhaps five or six hundred in number, were paraded under a Military escort to the front of the Gaol, for the purpose of witnessing the awful and exemplary spectacle. One or two of the unhappy culprits addressed the body of prisoners from the scaffold, warning them (especially those in Green's Chain Gang) not to attempt to abscond into the bush, that being not only a most miserable state of existence, but sure to lead to an untimely end. William Birmingham, Mr. Dean's man, Thomas Griffiths, who was wounded in the breast, and John Robertson, Mr. Young's servant, were reprieved on Friday night last, and had their sentence commuted to transportation for life to Macquarie Harbour.” --00-- 1827, 24 August: George Metcalfe was buried in Hobart Town (see https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD34-1-1p063j2k).

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Dianne Jones on 16th May 2021

1827, 30 July: George Metcalfe was tried at the Supreme Court, Hobart Town, on a charge of stealing in the dwelling house of Daniel Stanfield property belonging to Stanfield including two coats, one waistcoat, six pairs of trousers, eleven shirts, three hats, two pairs of boots, ten pairs of stockings, one gun and nine bags. This trial was reported by the Colonial Times, on 3 August 1827, p3: “Supreme Court. On Monday this Court re-opened, agreeably to the notice issued by the Chief Justice. The whole of the day was occupied in the trial of the late bushrangers, who attempted to take the Emma Kemp; namely, George Braithwaite, William Birmingham, James Horsefield, Matthew McCullum, Thomas Davis, Thomas Griffiths, George Metcalfe, John Lee, James Coates, John Brown (mariner), John Brown (bricklayer), and John Robinson. They were tried for the robbery at Mr. Stanfield's, and all found —Guilty.” Note: The charge listed on court documents is “stealing in a dwelling house” (see https://stors.tas.gov.au/SC32-1-1$init=SC32-1-1p259jpg). 1827, 17 August: The convicted men’s sentencing was reported by the Colonial Times, p3: “The following prisoners were then placed at the Bar, and sentenced as follows: DEATH. - George Braithwaite, William Birmingham, James Horsefield, Matthew McCullum, Thomas Davis, Thomas Griffiths, George Metcalfe, John Lee, James Coates, John Brown, (mariner) John Brown (bricklayer), and John Robinson. The whole of these men, it will be recollected, were the runaways, who, after attempting to seize the Emma Kemp, and failing, took to the bush, and committed several robberies while armed, in which state they were apprehended by the Military. In passing sentence, His Honor held out not the slightest hope of mercy; but strenuously recommended them, one and all, to prepare for another world.” --00--

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Dianne Jones on 16th May 2021

1827, 11 July: George Metcalfe was among those captured by soldiers and named in this report from the Colonial Times, p2: “From this [information received], Serjeant Little judged that they must be on a particular neck of land on the coast, and accordingly the next morning, Wednesday, placed his men in ambuscade, so as to intercept them, should they attempt to leave it — first posting a sentinel on a hill to give notice of their approach. About 12 o'clock, the guard descried a party of bushrangers, seven in number, at a distance of about 300 yards; of which he instantly apprised the Serjeant, who finding that he had not been mistaken in his idea of the position of the gang, drew his men from their retreat, and divided them - directing one portion to flank the bushrangers, while he at the head of the others advanced. They shortly came in sight of the banditti; who, immediately they discovered them to be soldiers, fired, but without effect. Notwithstanding this warm reception, the Military, courageous in a good cause, continued to advance with the greatest intrepidity, without returning the compliment, until within 30 yards, when they fired upon the outlaws, and some further shots were exchanged. At this moment, Serjeant Little gave the word to charge. This had its desired effect, for it is a fact well known that no men will stand at the point of an English bayonet. The gang retreated, with an intent as it was supposed to rally, and repel the charge; but here they were most miserably disappointed; for they were attacked in the rear by the other sub-division, who, hearing the firing, had made rapidly to the spot. Finding themselves thus hemmed in between two parties of Military, and seeing that an attempt to escape must only be paid for by life, they threw down their arms, surrendered, and were made prisoners; and were yesterday morning brought to Hobart Town by Serjeant Little and his party. Their names are — William Birmingham, James Horsefield, Matthew McCallam, Thomas Davis, George Metcalf, Thomas Griffiths and John Lee. Griffiths received a ball in his breast, which was extracted yesterday morning, at the Gaol, and he is likely to recover. Lee, who is a bricklayer, is severely wounded in his hand, from the bursting of his piece.” --00--

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Dianne Jones on 16th May 2021

1825: On arrival in VDL, George Metcalfe was single and a miller. He said he had a previous court appearance on suspicion of burglary, but no conviction. His jail and hulk reports described his behaviour as “very orderly” and “orderly” respectively (see (see http://search.archives.tas.gov.au/ImageViewer/image_viewer.htm?CON31-1-29,366). 1826, 26 December: While in the service of Mr Walker, he left “his master’s premises without leave last night through the window” (see http://search.archives.tas.gov.au/ImageViewer/image_viewer.htm?CON31-1-29,366; image 183). 1827, 30 June: George Metcalfe was one of eight men who escaped from the prisoners’ barracks at Hobart Town. He is named in this report from Hobart Town Gazette, pp5-6: “POLICE. Several depositions have been taken during the week respecting the depredations committed by the prisoners who escaped from the barracks last week. After robbing Mr. Cartwright's farm at Sandy bay, it appears they crossed to the back of South arm, opposite Betsy Island, and robbed Mr. Barney’s farm of provisions and other articles. They then proceeded to Mr. Mortimer’s, the gun-smith, from whom they look several stand of arms, some of them fowling-pieces of great value, and also clothes and jewellery. On Sunday, they robbed Mrs. Watson’s house in the same neighbourhood. They had the audacity on Monday to return a second time to Mrs. Watson’s demanding adzes, saws and other carpenters’ tools for the purpose of repairing their boat, very narrowly escaping some of the parties who were in quest of them. On Tuesday morning they were descried by a boy on a small mount surrounded by bushes. They were standing in a circle apparently loading each other with their booty before setting off. As soon as the circumstance was known, the place was searched, and the spot was discovered where they had hauled up their boat, repaired, and subsequently launched her, so that they are again at sea. Every possible precaution and exertion are taken by the Government to apprehend them, which must inevitably be the case if they do not escape to Bass’s strait. They are young men from about 20 to 25 years of age. Besides the 8 who have absconded from the barracks, 2 others are missing and supposed to have joined them, viz: Thomas Davis who was known to have made an attempt to escape with Stirling, in the sloop Ellen, some time ago. He has since been employed as a servant in the gaol. The other named William Birmingham is an Irishman, and was in the employ of Mr. Dean of Liverpool-street. The names of the others are as follows:- John Brown, 5 feet 3 inches, a mariner, has a scar on the right side of his nose and also on the under lip and on his forehead. John Brown, 5 feet 6 inches, a bricklayer, is also marked by a scar on the right side of the nose. James Coates, 5 feet 6 inches, has a large scar on the left side of his chin, arrived by the Chapman last voyage. Thomas Griffiths, 5 feet 6 inches, a stout made man, a Welshman and a weaver, has a small scar in the centre of his forehead. James Horsefield, a canal digger, has high temples, and has the forefinger of his right hand enlarged and crippled. Matthew MacCullum, 5 feet 10 inches, pockpitted, R S on his left arm and W N on his right, a native of Kilmarnock. George Metcalf, a miller, has a scar between his eyebrows, and a mole on the left side of the neck. John Robinson, an Irish labourer.” --00--

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Dianne Jones on 16th May 2021

1825, 1 March: George Metcalfe, 20, was convicted at the Durham Lent Assizes for burglary and sentenced to death, commuted to transportation for life (see England & Wales, Criminal Registers, 1791-1892). 1825, 8 April: He was received aboard the prison hulk Justitia at Woolwich, and sent from there for transportation on 16 July (see UK, Prison Hulk Registers and Letter Books, 1802-1849).