Stephen Nash

341

Maureen Withey on 5th July 2025

WATERFORD, Stephen Nash was arraigned for returning from transportation before his term was up. The prisoner pleaded guilty, and added a most impressive and remarkable detail of the horrors of transportation. said he was put to work in a dock-yard gang of labourers, and. because he would not join in a plan to rise and escape he was not sure of his life for a minute his mind was miserable, and he preferred death to remaining there any longer. He determined to escape at any risk, and he made his way to a vessel swimming. He told the captain that ran away from a man-of-war, in consequence of which the captain would not take him. He was then backwards and forwards three weeks on the beach and swimming to the vessel through the water that was full of sharks—one day hungry and another day thirsty. The vessel was one mile and three-quarters from the shore, and his only food was a musty biscuit and an old muscle that he found on the beach. At the place where he was work, if a man only found with a bit of tobacco in his mouth, he was taken out, tied under a triangle, and got fifty lashes. As for Norfolk Island  could call it nothing but Sodom and Gomorrah. My lord (said the prisoner, in piteous terms, amidst great sensation in court)  have mercy on me ; I care not for my body, but for soul; and I would soon have you at once to pass sentence of death upon as send me again to New South Wales. The Judge—l really feel much distressed, but, I believe, I am left no discretion. Prisoner—Oh, lord, do not send me back. The Judge—l wish to God that the unhappy people who are putting themselves into circumstances that make necessary to send them to where you came from, knew what you and others like you had to suffer. It always a degree of pain nearly equal to what I feel in pronouncing the capital sentence of death, when is my duty to send people to that rigorous country. I feel this pang not alone on account of the pain to their feelings, the anguish of being torn from their family and country, but on account of the dreadful fate that sentence of transportation is, the frightful punishment and suffering that awaits them, of which you have had sad experience. I wish God they heard you here this day. and. taking warning from your statement, would avoid crime future.  The prisoner was then removed from the bar, imploring mercy. Dublin Monitor, 22 July 1842.

341

Maureen Withey on 4th July 2025

Committed to the City jail, Monday last, by the Mayor, Stephen Nash, charged with having on the day previous stolen several articles of wearing apparel. This man was tried and convicted at  the Quarter Sessions, the 11th of September, 1832, for having the 15th of month previous similar offence, that  occasion he was sentenced to transported for seven years, and was actually sent to New South Wales, but by some means effected his escape, and now stands a good chance of returning, to to the “beautiful plantation,” at his country's expense, once more. Waterford Chronicle, 15 Dec 1838. Police Constable  James Howell and his party, stationed at Dunmore East, succeeded, on Saturday night, in arresting a notorious offender, Stephen Nash, of this city, charged with having committed several robberies on board the brig Cornwallis, and other vessels in our harbour.  Nash was transported for seven years some time ago for robbery, and has chance of being again sent across the water- The activity of the police party in question cannot be too highly commended. Waterford Mail, 12 Dec 1838  Stephen Nash was indicted for having on the 4th day December last, stolen one pilot cloth coat, and other articles the property, of  M. Benfield, of the schooner Confidence. The prosecutor proved that to heil on the night the of December the articles were in the forecastle of the vessel, and netting up in the morning laid in the indictment he missed them. Thomas Cooney proved he bought pair of  trowsers from the prisoner, which were identified the prosecutor as one of the articles stolen from him. For the defence -The prisoner called Thos. Roberts for the purpose of proving he bought them, but the witness being sworn, did not kiss the book, and when detected, and made to kiss it, said he knew nothing about it, and did not see him purchase the articles from any person. He then called called his landlady, Walsh, to prove he slept in his lodgings that night, but she swore he went out alter supper, and  did not sleep in her house. The jury, without leaving the box, found him guilty, to transported for seven years. The. Prisoner on the I7th Sept., 1832, was found guilty of stealing wealing apparel, and sentenced 7 years’ transportation, and when questioned by the court how got back before his time, stated, that for good conduct, he got a protection from the authorities of New South  Wales, and that he left the protection in the ship he returned in,. was but very short time at home, when he has now again to take a trip back again. There were two other separate indictments against the prisoner  for stealing wearing apparel from the sailors of two other vessels, but having been found guilty on the first indictment, he was not tried on the others.    Waterford Mail, 19 Dec 1838.

341

Maureen Withey on 4th July 2025

Convict Conduct Record: https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON33-1-34/CON33-1-34P138 No 8312. Stephen Nash. See record for details. Accidentally drowned while bathing in the River Derwent. 5 Jan 1858.

341

Maureen Withey on 4th July 2025

Navarino Indent: https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON14-1-16/CON14-1-16P223 and https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON14-1-16/CON14-1-16P224 Stephen Nash, Tried Waterford City, 15 July 1842, Life. Age 32, 5ft 5 ¼. catholic, can read and write, Married. Offence: Returning from Transportation from NS Wales before the expiration of his term. I was transported to Sydney in 1832, per Java, for Combination. … I escaped in 1836, I was afterwards transported per Blenheim for returning from Transportation. I received a second sentences of 7 years. In 1839, I returned to England per Bolevia. (?) The first time the second time I was on board the ?ejules?- represented myself to a runaway from a Man of War. In 1834 or 1835, I was Cook of the Prince George Revenue Cutter at Hobart Town. … 3 May. I was at the sinking of the Buoys at Port Phillip. I was in the same name at Sydney. Surgeons’ Report, Good. Trade, Baker. Native place: Waterford, Remarks: W, Catherine. 1 B Thos at Newfoundland. 0S.