Robert Story

Level 52

Chris Ison on 11th December 2024

24th Sept [1826]. Two prisoners named ROBERT STORY and PATRICK CLYNCH absented themselves and took to the Bush – for some time previous much discontent appeared in the countenances of the whole of the prisoners. The work was hard the living from various causes not the best, wild Goats and Pigs were formerly plentiful upon the Island and they had greatly assisted everyone, but now they were forbidden. (‘History of Norfolk Island from the period of its Discovery in the year 1774', to-1 August 1854, by Aaron Price)

Level 347

Maureen Withey on 11th September 2022

Supreme Criminal Court. Thursday November 24.—Patrick Ryan, Robert Storey, Benjamin Bishop, William Percival, and Nathaniel Mitchell, were indicted for arson, in setting fire to the house of Mr. Richard Thompson, at Bathurst, on the 25th of July last. The prisoner Ryan as principal, Storey present, aiding and abetting, and the three other prisoners as accessaries before the fact, in counselling and inciting ; Ryan end Storey Guilty. The three other prisoners. Not Guilty. Robert Storey, William Percival, Benjamin Bishop, and Nathaniel Mitchell, were indicted under the statute of Geo. I. called the Black Act, for maliciously shooting at Mr. Richard Thompson, on the 25th of July last. Mr. Richard Thompson deposed, that he is a settler at Bathurst; that his house was set on fire about 6 o'clock on the evening of the 25th of July last; that at the time he heard a noise without, and his servant begging for mercy, from some men who were outside; witness came out and ran towards the river, which is at some short distance from the home, when a shot was fired after him, and a man pursued close, striking at him as he ran, with the butt end of a gun, crying out at the same time that he would shoot witness if he was his brother; witness gained the river, and as he swam to the other side, he heard a man named Blanchfield, who, together with Storey, had been his servant, and had taken to the bush, calling out to the others to shoot him; witness cannot say who fired the shot, but is positive that he heard Blanchfield's voice. Patrick Blanchfield, an approver, deposed, that he knows the prisoner Storey about 6 months, and the other three prisoners while they were servants on Mr. Rankin's farm. Witness was in company with the prisoners on the night when Mr. Thompson's house was set on fire. It was pre-concerted with Sullivan, who lived with Mr. Thompson, that he should, when the house was set on fire, pretend to beg for mercy from the rest of the party; that he should induce his master to come out, and they could easily shoot him as he passed them. The only reason for this violence was, that Mr. Thompson had the character of being a bad master. It was also planned, when Mr. Thompson should be shot, that a note written for the purpose by the prisoner Percival, should be pinned to his shirt, which they said "would be a terror to the neighbourhood, and a warning to all Scotchmen." The prisoners Percival, Bishop, and Mitchell, were servants to Mr. Rankin, whose farm lies near to that of Mr. Thompson, and used to maintain Storey, witness, and the prisoner Ryan, already convicted, while in the bush. Witness and Storey had a meeting with Percival and Bishop, on the night preceding the fire at Mr. Thompson's, when they regretted that they could not accompany them, as they feared being discovered if they left the farm. Mitchell was not present at the meeting, nor at Mr. Thompson's. Witness saw Storey fire at Mr. Thompson, and afterwards run after him, striking at him with the musket, and crying out that he would have his life if possible. The gun was loaded with slugs. Mr. Rankin deposed, that he lives about a mile and a quarter from the premises of Mr. Thompson; remembers his home being set on fire on the evening of the 25th of July. Percival, Bishop, and Mitchell, were servants to witness. Blanchfield was apprehended about three weeks afterwards; and the other prisoners, with the exception of Mitchell, who was in Sydney at the time, took to bush immediately on hearing it. Witness always had a favourable opinion of the prisoners, particularly of Percival. His Honor summed up the evidence, and the Jury found the prisoners Guilty. Robert Storey, William Percival, and Benjamin Bishop, were indicted for a burglary in the house of Mr. James Kinghorne, overseer to Mr. Icely at Bathurst Plains, and stealing therefrom 30lbs. of tea, 100lbs. of tobacco, 4 gallons of rum, 5 gallons of brandy, 50lbs. of flour, and 10lbs. of soap, the property of Mr. Thomas Icely, on the 22nd of August last. The evidence of Patrick Blanchfield, the approver, who though not present at the robbery, deposed to having heard the prisoners plan the attack on Mr. Icely's house, was in this case strengthened by the testimony of Robert Ferrier, a servant to Mr. Icely, who was in the house, and identified the prisoner Percival.—Guilty. Remanded. Sydney Gazette, 28 Nov 1825.

Level 347

Maureen Withey on 11th September 2022

Irish Convict Database, by Peter Mayberry. Robert Story, age on arrival, 19, Countess of Harcourt (2) 1822, Tried at Monaghan, 1822, 7 years. DOB 1803, native place, Monaghan. Trade, Groom. Remarks: Norfolk Island. --------------------------------------------------- Colonial Secretary Index. STORY, Robert. Per "Countess of Harcourt", 1822. 1822 Dec 26 On list of convicts landed from the "Countess of Harcourt" & forwarded to Parramatta for distribution (Reel 6010; 4/3507 p.116) 1823 May 21; 1825 May, Oct On list of convicts employed by William Lawson; from Dec 1822. Also listed as William Story (Reel 6058, 4/1771 p.313b; Reel 6062, 4/1782 pp.51a, 56a) 1825 Jun 20 Convict in the service of William Lawson of Prospect at the last two musters; listed as Storey (Reel 6014; 4/3514 pp.524-5) 1825 Sep 28 Reward offered for his apprehension due to crimes committed in Bathurst area (Reel 6039; 4/424 p.409) 1825 Oct 11 Bushranger in Bathurst district; apprehended by William Cook (Reel 6065; 4/1801 p.227) 1825 Oct 25 Notorious felon and bushranger; apprehended by William Cook. Referred to in Cook's petition for a free pardon (Fiche 3245; 4/1873 p.42) 1825 Nov 24 On return of prisoners tried before the Supreme Court of New South Wales (Fiche 3298; X727 pp.14, 15) 1825 Dec 7 Convicted of arson, burglary and shooting at Richard Thompson; sentenced to death. On return of prisoners tried and sentenced by the Supreme Court (Fiche 3298; X730 p.27) -------------------------------------------------- Public Notice. Colonial Secretary's Office, September 28,1825. FIFTY POUNDS REWARD, OR A PARDON. FIFTY POUNDS are hereby offered to any Person apprehending and securing a Man of the Name of STOREY, who is stated to have committed many aggravated Outrages in the Neighbourhood of Bathurst. Should the Individual, apprehending this Felon, be a Prisoner himself, the above Reward, at his Election, will be commuted for a Conditional Pardon. By Command of the Governor, F. GOULBURN, Colonial Secretary. Sydney Gazette, 6 Oct 1825. -------------------------------------------------- Storey, the bushranger, whose capture, we stated a few weeks ago, was likely to follow that of the desperate fellow who promised on being taken to point out the haunts of his associates, has fallen into the hands of his pursuers. The Australian, 20 Oct 1825. -------------------------------------------------- Robert Storey was apprehended by William Cook. Date of Doc: 25/10/1825. The most humble Petition of William Cook per ship Malabar - Convict for life, who saith that your most humble Petitioner did apprehend a most notorious Felon and Bushranger named Robt. Storey who had committed various Felonies and almost murdered a respectable settler named Thompson, that your Humble Petitioner in pursuance of the Government and General Orders of September the 7th 1825, most respectfully solicits the promise contained in the said order of Your Excellency – namely a Free Pardon, and your humble Petitioner begs permission to add that your humble petitioner has lodged the receipt of the Caption of the said Robert Storey in the office of your Excellency’s Secretary. Your most humble Petitioner begs to add he shall on receiving such Pardon uphold by his active zeal and assistance the laws of his Country and your humble Petitioner as in Duty bounden will ever pray. William Cook. --------------------------------------------------- Patrick Kyan and Robert Storey, for arson, in setting fire to the house of Mr. Richard Thompson, at Bathurst, on the 14th July last.—Death. Robert Storey, as principal, and William Percival, Benjamin Bishop, and Nathaniel Bishop, as accessaries before the fact, for shooting at Mr. R. Thompson, on the 14th of July last.—Death. Sydney Gazette, 8 Dec 1825. -------------------------------------------------- Patrick Ryan (per Brampton 1823)was charged with Robert Storey (not Kyan, as reported). -------------------------------------------------- On Monday morning last, about half-past nine o'clock, respites arrived at the Sydney Gaol. for Lawrence Cleary, Aaron Price, Robert Story, and Patrick Clynch, four men who were ordered for execution that morning, They were with the reverend clergyman, and were about to ascend the scaffold, when the respite reached the gaol. The under sheriff Mr. James, on reading his instructions to the above effect, cautioned them from indulging in a hope that their lives would be spared, and advised each one to improve that time which might be permitted them to live, to the best of purposes. The men fell on their knees and remained speechless for some moments. Their conduct, while under sentence of death, has been exemplary, and they have evinced penitence and contrition. The Australian, 22 Dec 1825.