Robert Douglas

Level 347

Maureen Withey on 21st May 2026

Robert Douglass for stealing three cows the property of Michael Black, from a grazing farm at Crossgar. Michael Black said, that having missed his cows, he went in pursuit, and found two them in a stable of the prisoner, near Portglenono, eleven or twelve miles from where they stolen. The Judge explained to the Jury, that the crime laid in the indictment was a capital felony, but with great humanity pointed out to them, that as the cow which had been killed could not be identified as one of those stolen, the ends of justice might  attained, if they found the prisoner guilty of stealing only the two cows, and which would subject the prisoner to transportation, the Jury accordingly found him Guilty of stealing two cows. Belfast Commercial Chronicle, 24 March 1817.

Level 52

Chris Ison on 5th December 2024

WEDNESDAY.-Robert Douglass was indicted for killing three head of cattle, with intent to steal the carcase, being the property of John Rotten, Bullarawooll, in the County of Cook, on the 29th of October, 1832. The prisoner was found guilty, and the learned Judge, in ordering judgment of death to be recorded against him, remarked that his life would be spared, but it was most probable that he would be transported for life. Mr. Rowe defended the prisoner. [Douglas was transported to Norfolk Island where he later led an unsuccessful convict revolt, for which he was hanged. – Chris Ison] (Sydney Herald 23 May 1833, p. 3.)

Level 116

Tony Beale on 26th June 2021

Robert Douglass in the New South Wales, Australia, Colonial Secretary's Papers, 1788-185 3/9/1825 On list of persons who have received orders for grants of land Comments: Per "Martha", 1818; of Newcastle New South Wales, Australia, Certificates of Freedom, 1824 cert no 37/1904 New South Wales, Australia, Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930 for Robert Douglas 8/1/1833 Death recorded New South Wales, Australia, Convict Death Register, 1826-1879 for Robt Douglas Executed 22/9/1834 for his part in the uprising. large article in the Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser 13/9/1834 and 27/9/1834 The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842) Thu 16 Oct 1834 Page 2 Norfolk Island THE brig Governor Philip returned from the modern Gomorah on Tuesday last, after a passage of thirteen days ; baving made the trip from Sydney in five days. Thirteen desperate men have been executed, pursuant to the sentence of the court lately held on the island ; and, as we are informed, died penitent. Their names were Robert Douglas, Henry Drummond, James Bell, Joseph Buller, Robert Glennie, Walter Burke, Joseph Snell, Michael Andrews, William Groves, Henry Knowles, Thomas Freshwater, Robert Ryan, and William McCullock. They received the spiritual attendance of the Rev. Mr. STYLES and the Rev. Mr. ULLATHORNE, according to their respective religious persuasions. Thus have thirteen more human lives been sacrificed to the. Moloch Vengeance, which dooms men to scenes of horror like that of Norfolk Island. True, these wretched men were, as all others similarly circumstanced on the island are, degraded as low as human beings can be degraded-they well deserved to be cut off from all chances of association with their kind-but are there not modes of punishment to be adopted which will not lead to the commission of still greater crimes than those for which they have been doomed to banishment ? If men are thought worthy to live, why reduce them to a state to avoid which they court death, and in order to ensure the last dread punishment which man can indict, commit new and still more fearful crimes ? This is the natural consequence of the unnatural system pursued at Norfolk Island—a system which, so long as it is persevered in, will tend only to multiply crime, and to provide occupation for the executioner. Even in the present instance, the authorities have been obliged to take measures to prevent new murders. Six men belonging to the gaol-gang at Norfolk Island, who were chiefly instrumental in preventing the intended revolt of all the prisoners there, by giving timely information of the conspiracy, have been brought up to Sydney, for safety; and such is the deadly hatred entertained against the whole of the gang to which these men belonged, that we shall not be surprised if, in a very short time, there is a necessity for another special commission and more hanging. It is, we understand, the intention of the government to break up the penal establishment at Moreton Bay, should the measure receive the sanction of the Secretary of State; we hope it will be followed by an alteration in the inhuman system upon which Norfolk Island is maintained.

Level 338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 9th November 2020

New South Wales, Australia Convict Ship Muster Rolls and Related Records, 1790-1849 Age; 22 Offence; Cow Stealing