John Smith

343

Maureen Withey on 19th September 2020

The Police. April 24th. William Bird, James Doyle, George Smith, Patrick Welsh, John Todd, John Carey, Thomas James, William Bryan, Thomas Katon, and Walter Levey, prisoners of the crown, who had been all apprehended on the morning of the 22d, at a place called the Paper Mill, about three miles and a half from Sydney, and who made violent and desperate resistance to the constables sent to secure them, were all brought forward this day. A considerable number of articles of cotton prints and some slop clothing were found in their possession when apprehended, and from the deposition of Mr. Wm. Smith, a dealer in York-street, it appeared that his house was broken open on the night of the 18th instant, and property and goods to an extensive amount burglariously removed therefrom. A blue coat, one cotton shirt, two pieces of waistcoating, sixteen pieces of cotton print, and four yards of blue cloth being produced, Mr. Smith positively deposed to the same being his property, and to have been stolen from his shop the night it was robbed. The property thus identified having been found in the prisoners' possession, the weight of evidence was so conclusive against them, that the Bench sentenced them as follow ; viz. Bird, Doyle, Smith, Welsh, Todd, Carey, Bryan, and Caton, to be removed to such penal settlement, as His Excellency may direct, each for the term of three years ; James to have his original term of transportation extended for three years from the period of its expiration : Levey to be worked in irons for three months. Sydney Gazette, 26 Apr 1826. -------------------------------------------------- George was sent to Moreton Bay penal settlement, along with the others. He arrived there 4th November 1826. Moreton Bay Convict Register. John Smith, alias Geo. Greig, alias Creig, alias Frenchie, Prins. Royal, tried at Aberdeen, 15 Apr 1822, 14 years, Shop boy. Colonial conviction: General Sessions, Sydney, 24 Apr 1826, House robbery. 3 years. Returned to Sydney, 18 May 1829. Ran away 25th and returned 28 December 1827. Description: John Smith, age 19, native of Aberdeen, 5ft 2 in, sallow comp, brown hair, hazle eyes. Religion - P.