Charles Clay Todhunter

343

Maureen Withey on 1st November 2022

WARWICK ASSIZES.—These assizes terminated on Wednesday; when the following prisoners were tried, and sentenced as under:— and Charles Clay Todhunter, for stealing in the dwelling house of Mr. George Cook, of this town, four pairs of stays, his property, for seven years, ... Aris’s Birmingham Gazette, 15 Aug 1814.

221

D Wong on 25th May 2017

18/4/1814 Aris's Birmingham Gazette West Midlands, England: BIRMINGHAM, April 11, 1814 Charles Clay Todhunter John Yates, for steeling handkerchief. Colonial Secretary Papers: TODHUNTER, Charles Clay. Per "Baring", 1815 1815 Sep 15: On list of convicts disembarked from the "Baring" and forwarded to Parramatta for distribution (Reel 6004; 4/3494 p.177) 1821 Jan 3: Painter. Petition for mitigation of sentence (Fiche 3211; 4/1863 p.91) 13/12/1822: Had an assigned servant, Peter Butchard (Grenada 1821) who was a gilder. He was returned to the Barracks in June of 1823 on a charge of being wilful, on 21/8/1823 he was sent back to TODHUNTER before being again returning to the Government for transfer of assignment. 1822 Mar 31-1823 Sep 30: On lists of persons to whom convict mechanics have been assigned (Fiche 3296; X53 pp.9, 22, 35, 50, 66, 81) 1824 c.Apr, Oct 8: On lists of defaulters in payment for assigned convict mechanics (Reel 6061, 4/1778 p.265i; Fiche 3293, 5/3821.1 p.6) 1824 Apr 28: Of Castlereagh Street. On list of individuals to whom bonded mechanics have been assigned (Fiche 3293; 5/3821.1 p.7) Feb. 1827: Was living in Pitt Street, Sydney and working as a general dealer, he was free at this point. 6/9/1826: Found guilty of receiving stolen goods, knowing them to have been stolen. Listed as Charles Clay. 13/9/1826 Sydney Gazette: Charles Clay and John Walton, for receiving stolen property - to be transported for fourteen years. 10/2/1827 Sydney Gazette: The brig Wellington, belonging to Mr. Joseph Underwood, which was carrying prisoners to Norfolk Island, with the notorious Anthony Best, and other criminals on board, when within two days sail of her destination, was piratically captured by the convicts—the captain, crew, and troops made prisoners—and Mr. Buchanan, the engineer, had his head laid open with a musket. As soon as the vessel was in their possession, the pirates made for New Zealand, where it providentially happened that the Sisters was lying at anchor off the Bay of Islands. We hear that an action commenced between the pirates and the whaler, which lasted for six hours, in which two of the former were killed. Captain Duke then went on board with a flag of truce, and declared if they did not surrender, he would bear down upon them, assisted with 200 or 300 natives, and put every man to death. This had the effect, and the pirates surrendered. Some of them, however, made their escape on shore, but by means of the extraordinary exertions of Captain Duke, assisted by the natives, the whole were soon retaken. The following is a list of the gang which have been brought back to Sydney, on the Sisters—the remainder being on board the Wellington, which was off the heads yesterday evening late, having Anthony Best on board:— John Walton, ex-captain of the pirates; Charles Clay Todhunter, James O'Neal, Henry Drummond, Charles Daley, William Leddington, William Ryan, William Holt, John Jennings, John Lynch, William Webb, Patrick Flannigan, Cornelius Callaghan, John Stewart, Thomas Quin, Richard Johnson, Thomas Edwards, Edward McGuiness, John Swan, Richard Carter, Thomas Carvell, William Brown, Patrick Geary, James Bennet, John Smith, Thomas Bayley, Edward Colethurst, William Bateman, John McGuinness, Abraham Davis, William Walker, John Boyde. 21/2/1827: All were tried for Piracy - Clay was found guilty and sentenced to death, along with the others except for Carline, Magennis and Davis who had been found not guilty. Six of the men were sentenced to death and five were eventually executed, William Douglas being reprieved at the gallows. EXECUTION. Yesterday morning John Edwards, alias Flash Jack, Edward Colthurst, William Leddington, James Smith, and Richard Johnson, who were convicted of piracy, suffered the dreadful sentence of the law. A reprieve arrived for Douglas, as he was proceeding, with the other unhappy culprits, to the place of execution. Charles Clay was not hung - found the following mentions of him/or another Charles Clay:- 7/6/1832: Sydney Gazette: Charles Clay, a private in the 36th regiment, was stationed at Cox's River in January last. 13/7/1842 New South Wales Examiner: On Monday, Charles Clay, one of the five men who have been in custody for some time, on a charge of robbing Mr. Armstrong, Veterinary Surgeon, Castlereagh-street, was discharged, as there was not sufficient evidence for the case to be sent before a Jury. The bench admonished him as to his future conduct. This could be his funeral:... 9/10/1856 Sydney Morning Herald: FUNERAL.—The Friends of the late Mr. CHARLES CLAY are respectfully invited to attend his Funeral, which will take place THIS DAY, at 3 o’clock p.m. The funeral will move from the Sydney Infirmary, Macquarie-street, at the hour above mentioned precisely. N.B. —No circulars will be issued. JOHN HILL, JUN., and SON, undertakers, King and Riley streets.

7

lorraine Boyle on 24th May 2017

Charles Clay Todhunter part of the Wellington piracy plot that occurred in 1826. He was sentenced to life transportation to Norfolk Island and apparantly sent Mar 1827 on Amity.