Robert Bryan

Level 106

Carol Axton-Thompson on 30th September 2013

Colonial Times 8 Dec 1835: " MR. ROBERT BRYAN arrived in Hobart Town gaol on Saturday last, from Laun- ceston; he had performed this journey on foot á distance of one hundred and twenty miles. He was handcuffed, and a chain fastened him and six malefactors; besides his own servant to a cart's tail. The guard consisted of six convict constables and the chief constable of Launceston, with a military guard of six privates. On entering the town, the people assembled in numbers to witness the procession. The most orderly conduct was evinced -the people shewing what there feelings were regarding Mr. Bryan, by taking off their hats as he passed by. Soon after his arrival in gaol, he was put into irons, and we observed this process through the iron gratings of our cell- the irons appeared too small for him. Mr. Bryan is of a stout athletic figure, and it was, owing to the size of his limbs that the irons cramped him- for we cannot imagine it possible that anyone in this gaol would willingly hurt a man by such torture, unless ordered so to do so by the authorities. On the rivets being fastened, he was evidently in much pain---and as each blow of the hammer fastened more firmly the rivet he started evidenly in an agony that he could not prevent shewing. Fully confident of his innocence, we immediately applied to be allowed to furnish him with food, and wrote the gaoler, Mr. Capon ,the following letter:-- SIR- "Hearing that Mr. Robert Bryan has arrived from Launceston, a prisoner under sentence, and being aware that the rations of a felon's jail is not such food as he has been ac- customed to, you will oblige me by allowing me to furnish him with food from my table, so long as he may remain in jail.-Your humble servant, H- MELVILLE. Thos. Capon; Esq. Dec 5 1838 "

Level 106

Carol Axton-Thompson on 30th September 2013

Robert Bryan arrived free in Australia 1824. He was convicted at Launceston Supreme Court, Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) 23 Oct 1835 for cattle stealing. Life Sentence. Per ship Argent. Labourer; aged 24yrs; 5'7"; dk brown hair; lt Hazel eyes. Native Place: Kilkenny, Ireland. GOVERNMENT NOTICE. No. 122. Colonial Secretary's Office, 29th May, 1841. The Lieutenant-Governor has been pleased to grant a Ticket-of-leave to 2359 Robert Bryan, per Ardent. By His excellency's command, JOHN MONTAGU. (Hobart Courier 11 Jun 1841) Conditional Pardon approved July 1844.