James Northey

342

Maureen Withey on 27th March 2022

Colonial Secretary's Office, Sydney, May 5th, 1835. The Tickets of Leave granted to the following Prisoners have been cancelled for the reasons set against their respective names viz :— Surrey (1)— James Northey, allowing Prisoners of the Crown to drink to intoxication in his Hut. NSW Govt Gazette, 6 May 1835.

342

Maureen Withey on 10th September 2020

NSW Permissions to Marry. 1825-1851. Permission Maitland, 2 Dec 1833. James Northey, per Surrey 1, age 40, Life, T. of L., and Mary Shanahan, per Brothers 2, age 26, 7 years, Free. Rev. John Wood.

James was the son of John Northey and Mary Oxenham. In 1813 he was living near Short-lane-end, about a mile and a half from Truro. He was working as a Labourer. James attended the Methodist meetings at Ideless. James came to Australia a Convict. He was tried in the Cornwall Summer Assizes on 16 August, 1813 where he was found guilty of Housebreaking and Robbing in the dwelling of John Woolcock. Mr. Woolcock was a wheelwright and was known to James. Mr. Woolcock had made a bedhead for James about three months before the theft took place. On Thursday 19th a Jury was sworn comprising twelve men. These were Peter Phillips, Richard Thomas, John Rowe, Philip Richards, William Rowe, James Thomas, Richard Dennis, William Hutchens, John Weymouth, John Brimacombe, Samson Carlyon and Zaccheus Bice. The charges were that on 27th May last at 8 in the afternoon, with force and arms he feloniously did break and enter (no person being in the house) and stole a watch to the value of forty shillings, a watch case valued at three shillings, a watch chain to the value of six pence, one punch ladle of the value of two shillings, one pair of sugar tongs of the value of five shillings, four silver table spoons to the value of ten shillings each, thirteen silver teaspoons to the value of five shillings each, and two other table spoons to the value of one shilling each, the goods and chattels of John Woolcock. He stole, took and carried away the above items. James had asked the Woolcocks to come to the Methodist meeting early that evening as he had a lock to be put on a drawer but he arrived at the meeting right at the end of the sermon and then left again quickly. The Woolcocks had then gone to James' residence but James was on his way out to hear a band at Truro. When the Woolcocks returned home they found a pane of glass broken and the window open. Several items of silver had gone. The following June, James had gone to see John Hore at the Blue Anchor public house to arrange to use this man's shop to melt some old lead. It appears that he tried instead to melt down some of the silver. He had also shown some of the silver to Thomas Geach, a watchmaker of St. Columb and Thomas Olive, a watchmaker of Penryn with a view to selling it. He told these men that his name was Robert Michell of Cubert. Witnesses were John Woolcock, Mary Woolcock, John Hoar (a smith from Truro), Thomas Olive (a watchmaker from Penryn), Thomas Geach (a watchmaker from St. Columb) and Richard Brown (a constable). James pleaded not guilty. He was sentenced to "be Hanged by the Neck until he be dead". The crime was reported in "Life in Cornwall: 1813" on 20th August. His Royal Highness the Prince Regent then, on behalf of His Majesty the King, extended Royal Mercy on James on condition that he be Transported for Life to the coast of New South Wales. He was imprisoned in the hulk 'Captivity' to await transportation to Australia. There he was victualled for thirty four days during the September Quarter, 1813 and issued with clothing. This comprised a jacket, waistcoat, pair of breeches, two shirts, a pair of shoes, stockings, a hat, handkerchief, bed, a blanket and an iron (probably for restraint). James left the hulk 21 January, 1814 and boarded the "Surrey". The Transport Ship "Surrey" left England 22 February, 1814 and arrived in Australia on 28 July, 1814. According to the Indents, James was listed as a Labourer and described as being 5' 8 and a quarter inches tall. He was 21 years old. He had a dark ruddy complexion, black hair and hazel eyes. On arrival he was assigned to John Harris Esq. and Michael Nowland Junior who lived in the Windsor area. On 9th December, 1817 James applied for Mitigation of his Sentence. A Ticket of Leave was apparently granted. Unfortunately, all was not to remain well as the following notice appeared in the Sydney Gazette February 13, 1823. "Escaped from Justice. - JAMES NORTHEY, a Prisoner per the Surry (1), enjoying a Ticket of Leave, having eloped from these Districts, in order to avoid certain Charges of Defraud with which he is accused; All Constables, and other Persons, are required to apprehend the said James Northey, and lodge him in any of His Majesty's Gaols, in order to be forwarded to this Place. The said James Northey is about 30 years of age; slight made; of a very dark complexion; and is by trade a blacksmith. Windsor Court-house January 27, 1823 William Cox". James was transported to Port Macquarie aboard the "Sally" on 14th April, 1824. Another Ticket of Leave No. 1870 was granted to James at Invermein on 9 April, 1833. He married Mary later that year and they acquired property in the Petwyn Valley near Scone. James became a Gardener. James and Mary applied for permission to marry on 8th November, 1833. They were married in Maitland the minister being Captain Pleydell N. Wilton, M.A. James was 40 years old and Mary was 26. According to the Government Gazette of 1835 (page 280) his second Ticket of Leave was cancelled however 5 May, 1835 when he was found guilty of allowing Prisoners of the Crown to become intoxicated in his hut. He was then granted a Conditional Pardon No. 41/242 on 27 December, 1841. This Pardon was conditional on him remaining in the Invermein District for the rest of his life. James and Mary had four children. Elizabeth Jane was born in 6 October, 1834. Mary Ann was born 16 November, 1839. James was born 14 August, 1841. John was born 15 September, 1844 and died in 1858. By 1847 James had begun advertising the services of two of his horses as sires. The Maitland Mercury carried two ads both dated 23 August 1847. His horses were Young Harry Lorrequer, a dark bay with black points standing 15 hands 2 inches high and Young Phenomenon, a dark iron grey and taller at 17 hands. According to the ad Young Phenomenon was "a sure foal-getter." According to the Electoral Roll for the District of Phillip Brisbane and Bligh for the year ending 31st August, 1852 James was registered as living on a Leasehold in the Petwyn Valley. An advertisement in the Maitland Mercury 18 October 1854 records that James was occupying about 100 acres of the Petwyn Valley Estate, 8 miles from Murrurundi and 14 from Scone. Some time in 1854 James purchased 30 acres of land Vol. 171, Folio 115 at Kingdom Ponds. Another advertisement in the Maitland Mercury of 31 January 1855 warned "Any person found trespassing on the Petwyn Valley Estate, without permission of Mr. James Northey, will be prosecuted according as the law directs. James Northey Kingdom Ponds" He was well known in the district for horse and cattle breeding. An auction notice appeared in the Maitland Mercury Wednesday 6 June 1855 advertising the sale of "200 Head of MIXED QUIET CATTLE, consisting of cows, calves, heifers, steers and bullocks, in first-rate condition." The Auctioneer added the comment "As Mr. James Northey's cattle are so well known, the Auctioneer deems comment uncalled for." At the time of his marriage to Ruth, James was working as a Carrier. He listed his birthplace as America. James died of old age.