Patrick Wall

JAIL: 1867, 27 March: PATRICK WALL was arrested and admitted to Dundalk Gaol. On 1 April, he was committed by William Carter Esq, at Dundalk, to stand trial for treason, and some time later was admitted to Kilmainham jail in Dublin. His record from Kilmainham reads: NAME: Patrick Wall ADMISSION AGE: 22 ROLE: Prisoner BIRTH DATE: 1845 BIRTH PLACE: Tullyallen, County Louth, Louth, Ireland ADMISSION DATE: 27 Mar 1867 ADMISSION PLACE: Dundalk, Dublin, Ireland CHARGE: HIGH TREASON JAIL: KILMAINHAM IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 424 PARTIES INVOLVED: 1 --0--

1867, 20 June: PATRICK WALL was sent from Kilmainham back to Dundalk Gaol to await his trial (Ireland, Prison Registers, 1790-1924 for Patrick Wall; Dublin; Kilmainham, 1850-1871). --0--

TRIAL: 1867, 16 July: PATRICK WALL was found guilty of treason-felony [not high treason which is the only option above, under "Crime"] and sentenced at the Louth Assizes, Dundalk, to 5 years’ penal servitude (Western Australia, Australia, Convict Records, 1846-1930; Convict Department, Registers; General Register for Nos 9599-10128 cont. (R16)). --0--

NEWSPAPER REPORTS OF THE TRIAL: 1. From the Newry Telegraph - Tuesday 16 July 1867, p3: COUNTY OF LOUTH, FROM SPECIAL Dundalk, Saturday.—At eleven o'clock this morning the High-Sheriff, Charles Cobbe, Esq., entered the Crown Court, accompanied Barton Brabazon, Esq., Sub-Sheriff, and the grand panel having been called over, the following gentlemen answered to their names, and were sworn on the Grand Jury: 1. Lieut.-Col. Sir John S. Robinson, Bart., (Foreman). 2. Lieut.-Col. John C. W. Fortescue. 3. Blayney Townley Balfour, Esq., D.L. 4. Frederick John Foster, Esq. 5. Richard Macan, Esq. 6. William Ruxton, Esq., D.L. 7. John Murphy Esq. 8. Myles Taaffe, Esq. 9. Finlay A. Chester, Esq. 10. Laurence Waldron, Esq. 11. Michael Caraher, Esq. 12. William De Sails Filgate, Esq. 13. Robert Foster Dunlop, Esq. 14. Richard M. Bellew, Esq., D.L. 15. Major Myles W. O'Reilly, M.P. 16. William Woolsey. Esq. 17. H. St. George Smith, Esq. 18. T. M. Richardson, Esq. 19. Thomas William Filgate, Esq. 20. George Harpur, Esq. 21. John Obius Woodhouse, Esq. 22. J. E. Bigger. Esq. 23. George Boylan, Esq. The jury, after being briefly addressed by the High-Sheriff, adjourned to their room for the transaction of fiscal business. The presentment £1,100 for the construction of main sewer from the County Gaol through Park Street led to an animated discussion, Mr. Waldron strongly opposing the project, which was ultimately defeated on division by eleven to eight. None of the other presentments were of any special importance. The present Assizes would have been a maiden one were it not for the fact that the persons arrested in Drogheda, subsequent to the emeute there on the night the 5th of March have been transferred from Dublin to Dundalk for trial. There are at present fourteen prisoners in the County Gaol charged with being connected with Fenianism. Ten of these were sent to Dublin for trial at the Special Commission; but owing, it is said, to some technical objections, did not appear before that tribunal. The names of the ten Drogheda prisoners are as follow: —Christoper [sic] Byrne, printer; Francis Hanlon, tailor; Lake Fullam, shoemaker; Patk. Bird, tailor, Patrick Wall, labourer; Laurence Fullam, shoemaker; Thomas Corrigan, day labourer; Robert May, spinning master; John Collegan, shoemaker; Hugh Byrne, housepainter. Another prisoner to be tried is a man named Patrick Connor, who was arrested on board the steamer at Drogheda at the time of the movement, but was subsequently released from Dundalk Gaol, but on the evening of his release was again arrested on a charge uttering seditious language. In addition to the foregoing there are three prisoners, who, being arrested under the Lord Lieutenant's warrant, will not be brought at these Assizes. The names of those three persons are:—John Lynch, cutler, Drogheda; Henry Byrne, veterinary surgeon, Drogheda; J. Fitzpatrick, labourer, Liverpool. The judges will not sit until Tuesday, at 10 a.m., and seldom has there been a degree of interest attached to an Assizes holden here than the present, not much from the fact that there is a considerable number of Fenian cases to be disposed of, but from belief that the principal Crown witnesses who gave evidence at previous Fenian trials—Messrs. Massey, Corydon, and others will be in attendance to give general proof of the conspiracy. The evidence of these parties will, it is stated, be amply supplemented by local —i.e., Drogheda witnesses. There was a belief that the prisoners might plead guilty, and the Crown would in that case, it is said, deal leniently with them but is now stated that the prisoners will stand the hazard of the die. In that case as the commission must open upon a fixed date in Monaghan, there will have to be an adjournment of the Loath court on Thursday next to be resumed again when the other business of the circuit is completed. --0—

2. From the Dublin Daily Express - Tuesday 16 July 1867, p3: DUNDALK ASSIZES— This Day. (From our own correspondent.) (Special telegram.) Dundalk, Tuesday. The grand jury of the county of Louth have found true bills for treason-felony against Christopher Byrne, Luke Fullam, Lawrence Fullam, Patrick Bird, PATRICK WALL [my emphasis], John Colligan, and Robert May. The prisoners pleaded “Not guilty”. Luke Fullam and Byrne were then put on trial. They are defended by Messrs. Ferguson, Q.C., and Monroe. Mr. Monroe stated that Byrne withdrew his plea "not guilty," and pleaded “guilty." Counsel asked the court, in awarding punishment, to consider the fact of Byrne having suffered from gunshot wounds calculated to injure him permanently, his long imprisonment, the disappearance of disloyalty, and the growing spirit of tranquility in the country. Counsel examined Dr. Brunker and a witness to character. The Judge approved of the course adopted by counsel, read the informations, and directed the case to stand over till tomorrow, Luke and Lawrence Fullam were then put on trial. (https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001384/18670716/099/0003) --0—

3. From the Dublin Evening Mail - Thursday 18 July 1867, p4: COUNTY OF LOUTH. Dundalk, July 17.—Mr Justice George took his seat in the Crown Court at ten o'clock, when the trial of Luke Fulham and Laurence Fulham, charged with treason-felony, arising out of the Drogheda disturbances, was resumed. Messrs Joy, QC, Harrison, Q C, and R McDonnell appeared as counsel for the Crown; and Mr Monroe as counsel for the prisoners. Several witnesses having been examined as to the “Fenian risings" in different parts of Ireland on the night of the 5th March, concurrently with the rising in Drogheda, the case for the Crown closed. Mr Monroe then called upon the counsel for the Crown to address the jury, as he did not intend to into evidence on behalf of the prisoners. Mr Joy, Q C, on behalf of the Crown, said that this was not a case in which counsel for the Crown could forego their right to the general reply. Mr Monroe urged that no such right existed, except when the Attorney or Solicitor-General prosecuted in person. His Lordship said that his experience of the practice was otherwise, and he would not deprive the Crown counsel of the right of reply. Mr. Monroe then addressed the jury on behalf of the prisoners, and Mr. Harrison, Q.C., replied on behalf of the Crown. His Lordship charged the jury, who, after two hours' deliberation, returned a verdict of guilty against both prisoners, stating that their finding was based on the eighth, ninth, and tenth overt acts charged in the indictment. The prisoners were ordered to stand aside. PATRICK WALL [my emphasis] and Robert May were next put forward, charged with having taken part in the rising at Drogheda. Messrs Joy, Q.C., Harrison, Q.C., and R. McDonnell, instructed by Mr. Parkinson, appeared for the Crown. Mr. Ferguson, Q C., instructed by Mr. Foley, appeared for the prisoners. The case is proceeding.” (https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000433/18670718/031/0004) --0—

4. From the Freeman’s Journal - Friday 19 July 1867, p4: “COUNTY OF LOUTH. (FROM OUR REPORTER.) DUNDALK, Thursday. -- Patrick Bird and John Colligan were indicted under the Whiteboy Act for assembling in arms. The prisoners were boys of 16 and 17 years of age. The prisoners pleaded guilty, and were sentenced to one year's imprisonment from the date of their committal in March last. The trial of PATRICK WALL [my emphasis] and Robert May for treason felony was resumed. [Note: Patrick Wall and Robert May were charged with being members of the Fenian Conspiracy, and having formed part of the body of 800 men who assembled at the Drogheda potato market on Shrove Tuesday night, when the constabulary were fired on. (Newry Examiner and Louth Advertiser, Saturday 20 July, 1867, p3)] Constable Cassidy proved the arrest of the prisoner Wall, in endeavouring to escape from the scene of the outbreak at Drogheda, on the night of the 5th March. Constable Murphy arrested May, lying on the ground, at the same place. The evidence of the existence of the Fenian conspiracy in Drogheda, and the details of the insurrection in that town on the night of the 5th March, and the outbreaks at Stepaside, Glencullen, and Tallaght was [sic] repeated in this case. Mr. Chadwick, the proprietor of the extensive flax-mills in Drogheda, was examined by the prisoners' counsel. He gave the prisoner Robert May an excellent character for industry and general good conduct. Patrick Marry was also examined for the defence. He deposed that Patrick Wall came into his house on the night of the 5th March in a state of intoxication; he had no firearms or other weapons with him; he left the house late at night, after he got sober, saying he was going home. John Farrelly was also examined for the defence. He was an intimate companion and friend of Marry’s and knew him to be a regular attendant to his religious duties, and knew that he belonged to no illegal society. Mr. Ferguson, Q.C., addressed the jury on behalf of the prisoners. Mr. Harrison, Q. C., replied on behalf of the crown. His lordship charged the jury, who returned a verdict of guilty. Lawrence Fullam, Luke Fullam, Robert May, and Patrick Wall were sentenced to 5 years' penal servitude each, and Christopher Byrne to two years' imprisonment without hard labour. A man named Patrick Conner, charged with uttering seditious language, was discharged, the crown offering no evidence against him. This concluded the business of the commission. (https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000056/18670719/023/0004) --0—

TRANSPORTATION: 1867, October: “The hired convict ship Hougoumont, which has been taken up, by the Government for the conveyance of a numerous party of convicts to Freemantle, Western Australia, left the Nore on October 1, and proceeded down Channel, after receiving on board 150 convicts from the establishments at Chatham and Millbank. The convicts from the Chatham establishment, at St. Mary’s, embarked from the dockyard on board the paddle-wheel steamer Adder, Mr. W. J. Blakely, and were in charge of a numerous party of convict guards and wardens, all heavily armed. Among the convicts shipped were a party of fifteen Fenians, who were engaged in the late conspiracy in Ireland, together with the officers and crew convicted of scuttling the ship Severn [only two were on the Hougoumont – Thomas Berwick and Lionel Holdsworth, each sentenced to 20 years for fraud], and some others who have achieved notoriety from their crimes. The Fenian convicts, like the remainder of the prisoners, were chained together in gangs, but it was observed that they were kept apart from the other convicts in a portion of the vessel by themselves. The steamer Petrel also took down a number of convicts from the establishment at Millbank, for shipment on board the Hougoumont, in charge of a strong escort and convict guard. On Tuesday, October 8th, the Hougoumont arrived in Portland roads. Shortly before midday ninety convicts were marched down to the Government pier at Portland under a strong escort of the 12th Light Infantry. The party included twenty-three Fenian convicts, among whom it was said, was Moriarty [not “the” Moriarty, though; this was Bartholomew Moriarty, aged 17]. The Government steamer employed in the breakwater service was used for conveying the convicts on board the Hougoumont transport ship. The convicts were chained together on embarking, and on board the steamer a strong guard of marines from her Majesty’s ship St. George was formed, and saw the convicts safely placed on board the Hougoumont. The Governor of the penal settlement at Freemantle, Captain Young, is on board the Hougoumont, and returns in that ship to his sphere of duty after paying a visit to his native land.” (Sydney Morning Herald, 19 Dec 1867, p4, at https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/28608271). —00—

OFF THE WA COAST: 1868, 9 January: From transportee accounts, Ormond Waters (1997, p100) describes their arrival off the WA coast and transfer next day to the mainland: “The Fenian prisoners were the last to be taken ashore from the Hougoumont in small boats and brought to ‘The Establishment’ as Fremantle Prison was called. One convict described the scene in a letter home: ‘Very early on the morning of the 10th, we were put on shore in Fremantle, and marched through the little town of that name to our destination, The Prison. Here we lay for some two days, going through the ordinary routine of prisoners on the first reception. Dressed in a suit of Drogheda linen, ornamented with a red stripe and black bands, typical of the rank we hold in the colony. To wit, convicts.’ [Note: This is, in fact, from a letter written by Patrick Wall to his parents. More on this below.] The prison rules were harsh. There was a long list of offences, the penalty for which was death. Cells measured seven feet by four feet wide by nine feet high. Prisoners slept in hammocks.” --0—

Thomas Keneally (1998, p575) also describes the Hougoumont’s arrival off the WA coast, and Patrick Wall’s own descriptions feature in the telling: “The Fenians were landed with the other prisoners by way of barge on the sultry morning of 10 January 1868. Patrick Walle [sic], a Drogheda labourer who wrote stylishly, described the houses of the town of Fremantle as constructed ‘of all white sandstone, nothing is seen but white.’ Marching in early light through this pale-stoned, glittering landscape, on a coastline whose winter rains of less than twenty inches produced huge, hardy native forests but whose hinterland was, simply stated, a million square miles of desert, the prisoners entered through the main gate into an immense, high-walled parade ground, very sandy, and so on in through a farther gate which led to the cells. They were bathed, shaved and their particulars recorded. Clothing was issued—according to Walle: ‘A suit of Drogheda linen, ornamented with a red stripe and black bands, typical of the rank we hold in the colony, to wit—convicts.’” --0--

On arrival in WA, Patrick Wall, convict #9903, was described as a labourer, 24, single, no children, Roman Catholic, reads and writes a little [this seems at odds with Thomas Keneally’s observation above]; 5’9” tall with dark brown hair, grey eyes, sallow complexion and a stout build. Father – Edward, Drogheda (Western Australia, Australia, Convict Records, 1846-1930; Convict Department, Registers; General Register for Nos 9599-10128 cont. (R16)). —0—

MORE ABOUT PATRICK WALL’S LIFE – from Thomas Keneally, p576: “Assistant Warder William Howard, an officious and small-minded fellow, and the more lenient Charles McGarry, both of whom had been amongst the new warders shipped along with the Pensioner Guards on Hougoumont, had been given a gang of twenty civilian Fenians each to take into the bush to work. Howard’s group marched south of the little port of Fremantle to a camp on the Clarence Road, four miles outside town. McGarry’s party marched north-east to a road camp at West Guildford, between Perth and Fremantle. Patrick Walle, who lived and worked in the more exacting Howard’s party, described the camp as consisting of ‘four miserable tiny huts and a tent.’ There were constant visitations of bugs and mosquitoes. Though the heat was intense amongst the giant trees of Western Australia, there was the comfort of being near the surf, and swimming at day’s end.” --0--

PATRICK WRITES TO HIS PARENTS – from The Irishman, 11 April, 1868, p6: “LETTER FROM A FENIAN PRISONER. Freemantle [sic], Clarence-road, Jan. 24, 1868. My dear Father and Mother -- I arrived in Freemantle on the 9th of January, in the old ship Hougoumont, after a long and weary voyage of ninety day [sic]. Although a convict ship is not the nicest place in the world to live in, still we passed the time as pleasantly as we possibly could under the circumstances. Knowing that we were not criminals, but banished from homesteads for a good and noble cause, we abide our time like men, knowing that God in His mercy some day shall see our happy return. Whatever instructions the Colonial Government received concerning the way they were to treat England's State prisoners, we know nothing about them; but the fact is this, the greatest criminals that ever England sent to the shores of this colony are not, nor never were, worked harder than are working. Such is the treatment we are receiving; such is the treatment we expect to receive, as long as English statesmen will have voice in this colony. My dear father and mother, don’t be uneasy for one moment for the short time that I will be absent from you. My companions -- I must tell you we are divided into parties -- are principally from Drogheda, Dublin, Limerick, Cork, and Kerry, and are fine, intelligent, and affectionate men. When anything happens to one each person feels, so we cheer, comfort, and console each other with a brotherly love. Whatever we have to do we do it willingly and cheerfully, always gay, happy, and contented. Our life in Australia, to the present, is as follows: -- Very early on the morning of the 10thwe were put on shore in Freemantle [sic] and marched through the little town of that name to our destination, the prison. Here we lay for some two days, going through the ordinary routine of prisoners on the first reception. Dressed in a suit of Drogheda linen, ornamented with a red stripe and black bands, typical of the rank we hold in the colony, to wit -- convicts. Our next move was to make a road outside the prison; to have breakfast, &c., over, in order to be in time to work early we had to be up in the morning at half past four o clock. This continued for one week, when were ordered to what is called "the Bush”. Well may it be called so, for really it is in a bush we live. On last Saturday evening we were marched five miles, with bed and bedding on our backs, to our rude habitation, which consists of four miserable twig huts and a tent. I sleep with twelve others in the tent. We are sure of nocturnal visits from moquietoes [sic], and a species of very small lively insect, which takes the greatest delight in playing with you until morning, waiting for the next night's entertainment to renew the sport. We work pretty hard all day, under a burning sun; the only comfort the place affords us is that we are near the sea shore, where we bathe after our day’s labour. There is well of rather good water convenient to our camp, without which we could not exist, as the heat and our rations make us very thirsty, and we consume a great lot of it. It is in countries like this that the real value of water is known. As to the colony of Freemantle [sic] I know nothing of any consequence about it. It is now just passed midsummer here; the sun is excessively hot all day, but mornings and evenings are beautifully cool. As far as we can see it is rocky and sandy. We miss the beautiful green fields of the old land, as the appearance of the shrubs and trees are [sic] but an apology for the genial smile of our native green. The little town of Freemantle [sic] presents to the immigrant eye a rather strange appearance – the houses are constructed in an old-fashioned style of all white sand-stone, nothing is seen but white -- white is the prevailing colour; streets are covered with white sand, which float [sic] about with the wind, most abundantly; prison all white, yards white, people dressed in white, but not so with our rations, which are dark and salt enough. In the evening with my companions we arrange ourselves on benches round a camp-fire to hear some song or tale of the old land. So passes the time, just as if we were in as good circumstances as any wealthy freeman. So will it be with us whatever is our lot, never abandoning the hope that "we'll meet again together in our own Green Isle.” I was sorry I got no answer to the letter I wrote to you from Portland. It met the same fate as the letters of my companions – no one received an answer. Any letters you shall send me, I can receive them; but I can write only every two months. I will bid you good-bye as space won't allow me to say more. Give love to my brothers and sister. Kind regards to all my friends at home; hoping 1 will have something of importance to tell you in my next letter; best respects to James and Joseph Grimes and to all my old companions. I am very anxious to hear from my friend, Patrick --- ; bid him write to me at the earliest opportunity. Joseph Nunan begs to be remembered to him; he is one of my friends in exile. He, if he remembers, was the man who jumped from the railway carriage. Love and respect to Mary --- . Believe me, dear father and mother, your affectionate son, P. Walle. Direct to Freemantle [sic] Prison, Swan River, Western Australia.” (https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0001423/18680411/018/0006) --0--

--00-- From his FREMANTLE JAIL RECORD: WALL, Patrick; inmate #9903; arrived 10 Jan 1868 per Hougoumont Date of Birth: 1843 Place of Birth: Drogheda, County Louth Marital Status: Single Occupation: Labourer Literacy: Semiliterate Sentence Place: Dundalk, Louth Crime: Treason Sentence Period: 5 years Comments: One of 62 Fenians transported on the Hougoumont, the last convict ship sent to Australia. Its arrival at Fremantle on 9 Jan 1868 signalled the end of transportation to this country. To New South Wales, 21 Sep 1869 (https://fremantleprison.com.au/). —0—

From KW Amos, 1987, “The Fenians and Australia c1865-1880”, p375: Wall, Patrick, b 1843, son of Edward, Drogheda, Louth; u/m labourer, Drogheda, semi-lit., RC, convicted Dundalk 16/7/67: 'one of the mob assembled in arms in Drogheda market place on the 5th March '67'; treason-felony, 5 years p/s; Portland prison (inmate #6326); Fremantle prison, Clarence road party, Perth prison, Bannister road party (inmate #9903); 4 letters home, character good. Record: (1) Malingering, 11/2/68 - 1 day Bread & Water [B&W]. (2) Positively refusing to work, 4/3/69 - 10 days Solitary Confinement, 7 on B & W. (3) Refusing to proceed to work, 16/3/69 - 10 days B & W. Release: Free Pardon 15/5/69; sailed for Sydney on Rangatira 21/9/69, then to San Francisco on Baringa 21/10/69. —0—

FREE PARDON: 1869, 5 February: PATRICK WALL was one of 35 Fenians who had been transported to Western Australia (as well as others imprisoned in Great Britain) who were given Free Pardons / “unconditionally discharged” by the House of Commons. For a full list, see the Melbourne Advocate, 22 May 1869, p4, at https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/169267360?. —0— 1869, 9 October: From the Freeman’s Journal, p2: “ARRIVAL OF THE LIBERATED IRISH STATE PRISONERS IN SYDNEY. The Rangatira, with twenty five of the Amnestied State Prisoners on board, left Melbourne at about half-past four o’clock on last Saturday afternoon, but did not arrive in Sydney until some short time after eight on Tuesday morning. This detention was caused by a strong northerly breeze and head sea which the vessel encountered immediately on rounding Cape Howe. The Sub Committee appointed by the Central Committee of Sydney had secured apartments for them at the Italian Hotel, in north George street, and were at their post at the hour when the steamer was due. It had first, on the report of apprehended disturbance on the part of the Orangemen, been arranged that the subcommittee should engage a small steamer and take their friends off the Rangatira somewhere below Port Denison. This intention was abandoned because it might be subsequently alleged, by people who have shown some anxiety to misrepresent the real state of affairs, that the patriots were smuggled ashore. Accordingly the gentlemen deputed to receive the guests took their station on the wharf as soon as they learned that the steamer was coming up the harbour and awaited their arrival. The news of the arrival of “the Fenians” spread with astonishing rapidity in the vicinity, and crowds were immediately rushing to the water’s side to catch a glimpse of the much dreaded revolutionists. By the time time the men had disembarked there were some hundreds on the wharf. There was not even the semblance of a demonstration on either side, not a voice was raised not a gesture made. Indeed save and except the numbers present not the least difference could be noticed between the landing of the ex-prisoners and the landing of an equal number of ordinary immigrants from the neighbouring colonies. The men then marched four abreast to the carriages waiting for them and were driven off to the hotel abovementioned. None of them seemed much the worse for their imprisonment, and all of them declared that bad as penal servitude in Western Australia was, it was infinitely preferable to incarceration in any of the English prisons. They are chiefly from Cork and Limerick, with a few from Dublin, as will be seen by the annexed list. They are very favourable specimens of the young and intelligent Irishmen of the present day, and are evidently imbued with a manly and patriotic spirit. We understand that none of them care about remaining in the colony; the great majority of them will return home to Ireland, and the remainder of them will proceed by the first opportunity to San Francisco. We were highly pleased to see that they were accorded a genuine Irish “Cead mille failthe” without the slightest pretext being given to certain parties, who shall be nameless for the present, at all events, to cry out that a “Fenian demonstration” was taking place, or that “old sores”, whatever kind of wounds they may happen to be, were being ripped open once more. A constant tide of friends and sympathisers, anxious to clasp the hands of the patriots and to congratulate them on their release from their unmerited suffering, flowed through the rooms and threatened occasionally to become a decided nuisance to our gallant young countrymen. It must have been a great relief to them when the hand shaking terminated and they were allowed to retire and rest themselves after their protracted and disagreeable passage from the Sound. On one occasion two members of the detective force mingled with the throng in the room, and although they were instantly recognized there was no more notice taken of their presence than if they had been but a couple of cur dogs that followed the crowd. We regret that we are quite unable to say whether they were able to report anything important to their highly respected, intelligent, and efficient chief. Our friends are by no means confined in their movements, they ramble freely about the city, and so far as we can hear, they have been subjected to no unfriendly molestation or interference of any kind. Their quiet unostentatious and gentlemanly manner has favourably impressed both friends and foes, who have come in contact with them. We append a list of their names, place of birth, where convicted, and nature of sentence, which we make no doubt will prove interesting to many of our readers as by this means they can tell whether they have been acquainted in the old country with the prisoners, or their families:— 1. Mr. John Kenealy [sic], born at Newmarket, county Cork; convicted at Cork, December 1865; sentence, 10 years penal servitude. 2. Mr. Jeremiah O’Donovan, born at Blarney, county Cork; convicted at Cork, December 1865; sentence, 5 years penal servitude. 3. Mr. John S. Casey, born at Mitchelstown, county Cork; convicted at Cork, December 1865; sentence, 5 years penal servitude. 4. Mr. Michael Moore, born at Dublin; convicted at Dublin, December 1865; sentence, 10 years penal servitude. 5. Mr. Patrick Dunne, born at Dublin; convicted at Dublin, December 1865; sentence, 5 years penal servitude. 6. Mr. Denis B. Cashman, born at Waterford; convicted at Dublin, January 1866; sentence, 7 years penal servitude. 7. Mr. John B. Walsh, born at Dublin; convicted at Dublin, January 1866; sentence, 7 years penal servitude. 8. Mr. Patrick Doran, born at Dublin; convicted at Dublin, April 1867; sentence, hanged, drawn and quartered. 9. Mr. Eugene Lombard, born at Cork; convicted at Cork, May 1867; sentence, 7 years penal servitude. 10. Mr. Eugene Geary, born at Cork; convicted at Cork, May 1867; sentence, 5 years penal servitude. 11. Mr. David Joyce, born at Ballamacoda, county Cork; convicted at Cork, May 1867; sentence, hanged, drawn and quartered. 12. Mr. Thomas Cullinane, born at Ballamacoda, county Cork; convicted at Cork, May 1867; sentence, hanged, drawn and quartered. 13. Mr. Simon Downey, born at Cork; convicted at Cork, May 1867; sentence, 7 years penal servitude. 14. Mr. Morgan McSweeny, born at Cork; convicted at Cork, May 1867; sentence, 7 years penal servitude. 15. Mr. Denis Hennessy, born at Kilmallock, county Limerick; convicted at Cork, May 1867; sentence, 7 years penal servitude. 16. Mr. Maurice Fitzgibbon, born at Kilmallock, county Limerick; convicted at Cork, May 1867; sentence, 5 years penal servitude. 17. Mr. Thomas Daly, born at Kilmallock, county Limerick; convicted at Cork, May 1867; sentence, 15 years penal servitude. 18. Mr. John Sheehan, born at Kilmallock, county Limerick; convicted at Cork, May 1867; sentence, 7 years penal servitude. 19. Mr. David Cummins, born at Youghal, county Cork; convicted at Cork, May 1867; sentence, 7 years penal servitude. 20. Mr Michael Noonan, born at Kilmallock; convicted at Cork, May 1867; sentence, 5 years penal servitude. 21. Mr. Patrick Riordan, born at Kilmallock; convicted at Cork, May 1867; sentence, 7 years penal servitude. 22. Mr. Patrick Leahy, born at Thurles, county Tipperary; convicted at Cork [incorrect; Nenagh], May 1867 incorrect; 29/7/1867]; sentence, 5 years penal servitude. 23. Mr. Thomas Fogarty, Kilfeacle, county Tipperary; convicted at Cork May 1867; sentence, 5 years penal servitude. 24. Mr. Robert May, born at Drogheda; convicted at Dundalk, August 1867; sentence, 5 years penal servitude. 25. Mr. PATRICK WALL [my emphasis], born at Drogheda; convicted at Dundalk, August 1867; sentence, 5 years’ penal servitude. —0—

1870, 30 April: From the Sydney Freeman’s Journal, p7: THE EXILES ARRIVED IN CALIFORNIA. We are also glad to be able to announce the safe arrival in San Francisco of the exiles who left for that city! The following brief account of their arrival will, we feel sure, be read with interest. A local journal says: — “Last evening the British ship Baringa arrived in this port from Newcastle New South Wales, bringing as passengers the following named persons who were convicted in Ireland in 1865 to 1867 for lending their efforts to secure the freedom of their native land, and sent to penal servitude for terms varying from 5 years to life. The gallant men were convicted during the time the English government had the Habeas Corpus Act suspended, and when it was impossible for an Irishman to secure a fair trial in the land of his birth. They were transported to Australia, where they were compelled to suffer indignities such as no other country under the sun but England would offer to political prisoners. The names of the men are as follows:— John Keneally, D. C. Cashman, Denis Hennessey, Maurice Fitzgibbon, Patrick Leahy, Thomas Fogarty, David Joyce, John Sheehan, PATRICK WALL [my emphasis], Michael Moore, David Cummins, Eugene Geary, John Walsh, Patrick Dunn, Patrick Doran. A correspondent of the ‘Irishman’ says: ‘Several friends were consulted, and it was at once agreed upon that they should receive a thorough Irish greeting from their friends on the Pacific coast. The “Irish Battalion” (Col. Winter’s) were ready to turn out at a moment’s notice. At nine o’clock p.m., it was ascertained that the Baringa had arrived in the bay. The lateness of the hour prevented any further demonstration. Warm and affectionate were the greetings on both sides — As hand grasped hand, and eyelids filled, And friends met friends once more. They were not strangers; besides, being brothers in a cause, most of those gallant fellows were intimately acquainted with their visitors. After fond and affectionate inquiries for home (sweet word), country, and friends, they proceeded on shore. As their little boat with her precious freight floated down the bay, the splendid chorus — Dear old Ireland, brave old Ireland, Ireland, boys, hurrah! was raised and kept up until they landed on the free soil of America. They were conducted to the Russ House where rooms had been provided for them by Colonel Smith. During the evening they were visited by a large number of citizens — Irish and American — who warmly welcomed them to America and freedom. At an early hour this morning the scene was renewed, and hundreds of persons flocked to the hotel to greet the exiles.’” —0—

PATRICK WALL is named in this republished letter, written by one of his fellow Fenians who received a free pardon and also went to America, per the Baringa, in 1869 (see the Freeman’s Journal, Sydney, Sat 2 Jul 1870, p13): NEWS OF THE RELEASED IRISH POLITICAL PRISONERS. The Boston Pilot — per favour of Mr. John Boyle O’Reilly, the military political prisoner who escaped from Western Australia — publishes the following letter received by that gentleman. We regret the want of success which met those [15 men who went to America aboard the Baringa] who expected to find happy homes in California: “34, Minna street, between 1st and 2nd streets, San Francisco, Cal., March 9, 1870. MY DEAR O’REILLY,— It was more by chance than good luck I happened to hear of your being in New York, and so I write to be one of the first to congratulate you on your escape from Western Australia. Of course we were aware of your escape, but did not know in what quarter of the world you were. The majority of us thought you were soldiering down in South America, but I am very glad to find you are better off. Before we left Western Australia we visited the boys in prison; they all seemed to be in pretty good health — that is as far as health in a prison goes — and spirits. I give you, on the other side, the names of those here with me, those in prison in Fremantle, those gone home, those free in Western Australia, and of our soldier friends still prisoners in bush parties, and out on a ticket- of -leave. I am afraid there is but very little chance of their getting out. On the road up from Perth to King George’s Sound we met a few of our military friends, stationed in different bush parties on the road; they all seemed to be in good health and spirits, except [James] Wilson. He looked like a man that had to put up with a great deal of annoyance, as I believe he has, from his warder, who is continually reporting him for the slightest cause. Martin Hogan is up in the Champion Bay district. I did not see [Patrick] Keating, neither do I know where he is; but I heard that he and [Patrick] Killeen were working in different parties on the York road. [Michael] Harrington is somewhere about Northam; Keeley [James Keily/Kiely] is in some other quarter. With the exception of those, I have seen all the others. Although we had a police escort, we managed to speak to the boys ‘for a’ that.’ We had rather hard times after getting out of prison; some of us had to go miles away into the infernal bush, where I suppose we would be now, only for the noble-hearted Irishmen and women in the Australian colonies. You would not believe how kind they were to us. I could not find words enough in the dictionary to express their goodness; where-ever we went we found them the same… Had we stayed in Sydney we would have all got first-class situations from the wealthy Irishmen there; but like fools, as we were, nothing would do us only to come out to this place, where we are loafing about for the last six or seven weeks, and can’t get employment. Were it not for the money we got in Australia we would be ‘hard up’ indeed; some of us would be off soldiering for Uncle Sam — perhaps down in Arizona, or some other place — by this time. There are only five or six out of the fifteen of us at work. Since I made out the list, I have learned from a letter received by Denis Hennessy from Western Australia, that Hugh F. Brophy was to start for home the following mail, and that James Flood was about going to New Zealand. That is all the news from that benighted land. Send all the news from home, as I have not had a letter from any one since last August. We do not know how the wind blows in that quarter. Letter from M. Cody yesterday. Father Lynch gone home to Ireland for twelve months. Father McCabe, of Bunbury, in his place. Hoping soon to hear from you, I am yours, very sincerely, JOHN B. WALSH.” LIST… In San Francisco, California: John Keneally, Patrick Doran, Denis B. Cashman, Patrick Dunne, Denis Hennessy, Thomas Fogarty, Eugene Geary, David Cummins, Michael Moore, David Joyce, Patrick Leahy, John Sheehan, Maurice Fitzgibbon, John B. Walsh, PATRICK WALL [my emphasis]. In Prison in Fremantle, West Australia: John Flood, 15 years, Corn. D Keane, 10 years, J. Edward Kelly, life imprisonment, Daniel J. Bradley, 10 years, Michael Cody, 20 years, Thos. Baines, 10 years, Thos. Fennell, 10 years, James Kearney, 7 years, Geo. Connelly, 15 years. Gone Back to Ireland: Thomas Daly, Morgan McSwiney, Jeremiah O’Donovan, Michael Noonan, John S. Casey, Thomas Cullinane (alias Bowler) Eugene Lombard, Patrick Riordon, Simon Downey, Robert May. Free in Western Australia: Hugh F. Brophy, Cornelius O’Mahony, Joseph Noonan, Jeremiah Aher, James O’Reilly, John Goulding, Thomas Duggan, Laurence Fulham, James Flood, Luke Fulham. Our Military Friends Prisoners in different Bush Parties, and on Ticket of Leave in Western Australia: Sergeant Major [Thomas] Darragh, life, 11th Regiment. James Wilson, life, 5th Dragoon Guards. Martin Hogan, life, 6th Dragoon Guards. James Mecoy, 15 years, 61st Regiment. Patrick Keating, life, 5th Dragoon Guards. Thomas Delaney, 15 years, 5th Dragoon Guards John Foley, 7 years, Royal Horse Artillery. Thos. Hassett, life, 24th Regiment. J. [John] Shine, 20 years, 60th Rifles. Patrick Killeen, 7 years, Royal Horse Artillery. Michael Harrington, life, 61st Regiment. Robert Cranston, life, 61st Regiment. — Keely [James M. Kiely], life, 53rd Regiment. On Ticket of Leave: William Foley, 5th Dragoon Guards. John Lynch, 5th Dragoon Guards. John Donoughue, 24th Regiment. —00—

OTHER SOURCEs: Waters, Ormond D.P. (1996-97), “The Escape of the Fenians, Western Australia, 17 April 1876”, in Seanchas Ardmhacha: Journal of the Armagh Diocesan Historical Society, Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 95-107.