Peter Reilly

218

Dianne Jones on 30th May 2020

DATE OF BIRTH: 1806 (see Ship's Muster Roll), or 1807 (see Certificate of Freedom). Whether 14 or 13, he is the youngest prisoner on the "Dorothy" (see Ship's Muster Roll). NATIVE OF: Dublin, Ireland. CRIME: Felony of wearing apparel; convicted February 1820 (see NSW, Australia Convict Ship Muster Rolls… 1790-1849). DESCRIPTION: In 1820, he was 14 yo, 4'8" tall, had a fair complexion, sandy hair and hazel eyes (see (NSW Convict Indents 1788-1842, Bound Indentures 1820-1821). OTHER: 1821: Labourer. On list of all persons victualled from H.M. Magazines; 1½ rations; listed as RYLEY (see NSW Colonial Secretary's Papers, 1788-1856, p97). 1823, 8 Nov: On returns of convicts discharged from the Establishment, Emu Plains; to the Windsor Bench for assignment. Listed as Ryley (see NSW Colonial Secretary's Papers, 1788-1856). 1823, 13 Dec: Peter RILEY admitted to Sydney Gaol, prisoner, Dorothy, committed by D.W. Esq, [on a charge that he] ran from Mr P…’s employment Windsor; to be sent to Magistrate, Windsor (see NSW Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930, Entrance Book Sydney 1819-1833). 1824, 29 April: Peter REILLY convicted by John Brabyn Esq at Windsor; charge of running away (see NSW Colonial Secretary's Papers, 1788-1856, Copies of Letters Sent Outside The Colony, "Foreign", 1814-1856) 1824, 13 May: Peter RILEY admitted to Sydney Gaol, prisoner, per "Dorothy", before John Brabyn, runaway and charged with robbery, sentence 3 years Port Macquarie, sent there per Lady Nelson 18 May (see NSW Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930, Entrance Book Sydney 1819-1833) 1824: On a list of 20 prisoners transported to Port Macquarie per HM Colonial Brig "Lady Nelson", p136 (see NSW Colonial Secretary's Papers, 1788-1856, Copies of Letters Sent Outside The Colony, "Foreign", 1814-1856). 1825: Peter REILLY, 1820, “Dorothy”, NSW, Government Employ, Port Macquarie, NSW (see NSW and Tasmania, Convict Musters, 1806-1849, NSW General muster M-Z 1825). 1826, 26 April: Appeared before Bench, Wallis Plains, on charges of assaulting a Constable and breaking his irons (see Notation 1 below). 1827, 24 July: Certificate of Freedom - 1st issue (see below, Notation 2). He is also on a list of persons who obtained Certificates of Freedom “during the last week”, published in the Sydney Gazette, 6 August 1827, p3. 1828, 4 June: Certificate of Freedom - 2nd issue - granted to Peter REILLY, 21, born 1807; native place Dublin, Ireland; arrival year 1820; vessel “Dorothy”. Labourer, 5’7¼” tall, with a ruddy complexion, brown hair and grey eyes. Notation 1 on Certificate: “He was sent to Port Macquarie for three years for running away, sentenced on 29/4/1824; and charged with a robbery… sentenced to three years … by the Bench at Wallis Plains 26/4/1826… for assaulting a Constable and breaking his irons.” Notation 2: “This document issued in lieu of No21/717 dated 24 July 1827 returned mutilated and cancelled.” (see NSW Certificates of Freedom, 1810-1814, 1827-1867). 1828, 19 December: Peter REILLY, admitted to Sydney Gaol (see NSW Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930, Entrance Book Sydney 1825-1832). 1829, 6 April: Tried at Newcastle Criminal Court on charge of committing “Felonies” on 19 March 1828; verdict of guilty; Death sentence (see NSW Gaol Description and Entrance Books, as above). 1829, 7 April: The “felonies” are reported in the Sydney Gazette, p2: “Supreme Court Criminal…The three Judges sat this morning, to pass sentence on the following prisoners, who were brought up for judgment, James Gallagher, Wm. Smith, John Crowther, James Smart, PETER REILLY [my emphasis], John Slater, and Wm. Bowen, for stealing in a dwelling-house and putting the inmates in bodily fear. Death.” 1829, 27 April: Executed (see NSW Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930, Entrance Book Sydney 1825-1832).