James Obry

343

Maureen Withey on 29th July 2022

THE ECLIPSE; On Wednesday the 11th instant, at about the hour of ten o'clock in the forenoon, the cutter Eclipse, belonging to Messrs. John Atkinson and James Reibey, was piratically taken from alongside the Government Wharf, at the port of Newcastle, Hunter's River, by thirteen prisoners of the crown, three of whom are said to be seamen. They were facilitated in their escape by the sails being loosened to dry, and the master only being on deck at the time, so that they had only to put him below and slip the cable. There was a sentinel on duty at the wharf, when she began to move ; she was almost out of musket shot before suspicion was excite, and any alarm given; she was nearly round Nobby 's Island before a boat, properly manned and armed, could be got ready. The master and the crew were put into a boat, which was alongside belonging to the government, but this was not done until the vessel was well out at sea. At twelve o'clock she was just visible faraway, in the offing, steering North East. The provisions on board at the time consisted of two bags of bread, a cask of salt pork, a harness cask of beef, and a quarter of fresh beef, with about 80 gallons of water. Two puncheons of rum were landed from the cutter a short time previous to her seizure by the pirates. (Further particulars.) In less than two minutes the men had entire possession of the cutter. When she swung it was thought she had parted from her moorings ; but, on seeing the sails begin to be hoisted, it was immediately suspected what they were at, and alarm was given; but before Captain A. or Lieutenant Owen could reach the wharf she was running down the harbour with a fine fair westerly wind and ebb tide. Every effort was made to get a boat away in pursuit; but the boats crews being all convicts, did not hurry them selves to overtake her. However, they started with six or eight soldiers, under Mr. Owen's orders, but their expedition was fruitless, and they soon returned. The pirates put the master and his crew into a boat, and sent them on shore; and by three or four o'clock the cutter was out ot sight. The last time she was seen she was standing to the N. E., wind at west, and appeared to be hauling up north, under a press of canvas ; but being very crank, on account of the small quantity of coal on board, they were obliged to run her away large. We have no doubt, from all that can be learnt, that they intend for Timor. A person who was steward with Captain King (Jas. Johnston) in his voyage round this Island, is the navigator, and Wm. Tunnecliffe, who headed the party that ran away with Captain Allman's gig last January, is the Captain. There were no spirits on board, and consequently there is less chance of falling in with the pirates, as they will be kept sober. They were, employed in lading the vessel with coals ; for which service the owners were to pay so much per ton. Three of them had been ordered to be kept in gaol previous to their being transported to Port Macquarie but notwithstanding their being under sentence they were allowed to work in irons — their overseer had run away from Port Macquarie. The Australian, 26 May 1825. Accompanying the following list was a letter from the Colonial Secretary, dated 14 Nov 1825, to A. Hely, the Principal Supt. of Convicts. Sir, I beg to call your attention to the enclosed list of runaways, whose names have not, I believe, been published in the Gazette, and I solicit a statement of the reasons of these omissions to enable me to adopt measures to prevent their recurrence. Signed, F. Goulburn. List of Runaways specifying their names, ships, assignments and dates of desertion. All were assigned to Govt, Hunters River, and deserted on 11 May 1825. William Tunnecliffe, per Elizabeth, James Obery, Per Coromandel Charles Day, Per Lady Castlereagh John Patterson, per Guildford. James Johnston, per Larkins Lewis Collins, per Neptune Thomas Greenway, per Dick Danl. Delahantry, per Earl St Vincent Charles North, per Recovery Joseph Collins, per Medway William Wheatley, per Batavia George Cain, per Elizabeth George Spencer, per Shipley. --------------------------------------------------- Nothing further was heard of the Eclipse and the 13 men who sailed in her.

343

Maureen Withey on 9th May 2019

Committed to Fisherton Gaol, - John Smith and James Obry, charged with having, the 26th ult, uttered at Avebury, forged £1 Bank note, with intent to defraud the Governor and Company of the Bank, and also thereby defrauding James, of Avebury, 20s. ( there are six commitments against these men for similar offences.) Bath Chronicle, 13 May 1819. James Obry and John Smith were among 12 prisoners received on the prison hulk Laurel from Salisbury. Both were transported on Coromandel. HO 9-9-1 Records of Laurel, Hardy and York Hulks, in Portsmouth Harbour, 1805-1831, p 51. (Laurel) Recd from new Sarum, 23 Sept 1819 (12 prisoners) James Obry, age 27, convicted at New Sarum 24 July 1819, for forged Notes, sentenced to 14 years Transportation. 24 Oct 1819, NSW. John Smith, age 26, convicted at New Sarum 24 July 1819, for forged Notes, sentenced to 14 years Transportation. 24 Oct 1819, NSW.

221

D Wong on 11th January 2017

2/8/1819 Salisbury and Winchester Journal Wiltshire, England: Salisbury John and James Obry, for having forged notes in their possession, were sentenced 14 years transportation. No ship found for John Obry. James Obry arrived in VDL 12/3/1820. 16/6/1821 Hobart Town Gazette: John Kempster and James Obrey, stock-keepers to Edward Abbott, Esq, junior, were found Guilty of stealing sheep, the property of Mr. George Salter, and also of making away with same sheep, the property of their master, two of which they had sold to a settler at the River Plenty; and were sentenced to be transported to Newcastle for the remainder of their original terms of transportation. May 1822: Newcastle - James Oberry and John Birch both punished with 50 lashes for having in their possession suet supposed to be stolen from the Rev. Middleton when conveying to the Stores. Listed as 'Oberry'. 1824: County Northumberland and Durham - On monthly return of convicts assigned to Alexander Livingstone. 3/1/1825: Runaway from Newcastle in Government boar. retaken. Listed as 'Abrey' March 1825: Newcastle - William Tunnicliffe, Thomas Smith, Joseph Pritchard, James Johnston, John Duncan and James O'Berry all assigned to government service. The first four sentenced to 100 lashes and the last two to 50 lashes for absenting themselves from the settlement at Newcastle and on a strong suspicion of piratically seizing, carrying away and destroying a boat, the property of the Crown. 25/11/1825: Escaped from Newcastle in the cutter 'Eclipse'. 28/6/1833 Hobart Town Gazette: CP