Francis Walsh

218

Dianne Jones on 17th March 2021

1832 - VDL Conduct Record: On arrival in VDL, Francis WELCH was listed as 52 years old and a seaman. He was married and his wife Kitty was in his native place at Galway. Francis Welch’s behaviour during the voyage to VDL was described as “good and useful”. He was described as 5’9¼” with a ruddy complexion, dark brown hair, hazel eyes, grey eyebrows and “a perpetually wrinkled forehead”. He was tattooed on both arms – on the left, FKW [script] and anchor; on the inside right TW [script] and mermaid, and MAW [script] above a scrolled E. Also on his record is this statement: “I came out here in the Guildford when Governor Brisbane was here. 7 years sentence, was in Governor Sorell’s fishing boat.” (see https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON31-1-46$init=CON31-1-46p170). The first official entry on his new VDL Conduct Record occurs on 22 August 1832 – “Neglect of duty and absent without leave – reprimanded… his Master saying he cannot make him do any work.” On 15 September that year while on a road party he was sent to the tread wheel for 6 days for being “drunk and out after hours”. There are no further misconduct entries in this record but it would be another six years before the system let him go. 1838: Francis WELSH was on a list of prisoners in VDL due to be granted their freedom. A newspaper notice advised: “The period for which the undermentioned persons were transported, expiring at the date placed after their respective names, certificates of their freedom may be obtained then, or at any subsequent period, upon application at the Muster Master’s Office, Hobart town, or at that of a Police Magistrate in the interior… Francis Welsh 1st Dec, Katherine Stewart Forbes…” (see Hobart Town Courier, 30 Nov 1838, p2). NOTE: The separate pages for his voyages to NSW (per Guildford) and VDL (per KS Forbes) - give different dates of birth for "Frank" as per his original convict records.

218

Dianne Jones on 17th March 2021

Francis WALSH's story in the colonies does not end there. He would leave and return again in just a couple of years... as Francis WELCH. 1831, 1 December: FRANCIS WELCH appeared before the Old Bailey. Below is the transcript of his trial: “#291. FRANCIS WELCH was indicted for stealing, on the 25th of October, 2 shirts, value 14s., the goods of William Osterbury. WILLIAM OSTERBURY: I lost two shirts, on the 25th of October, out of a tub of water in the kitchen of the Swedish Flag, at St. George’s in the East; I was not at home when they were taken. MARY ANN LAY: I am servant at the Swedish Flag, in Princes-street. I put the two shirts into the tub about nine o’clock in the evening in question; I met the prisoner coming in from the yard - the shirts were in the kitchen, which communicates with the yard; he came in, and passed me - I went out, and had suspicions; I came in, and missed the shirts about half an hour after I had seen the prisoner; he was then gone - no other person had gone into the yard from the time I put the shirts into the tub till I missed them. PETER PULMAN: I live at a pawnbroker’s. We received some information on the 26th of October, and on the 28th a woman came into our shop to pawn one shirt, marked W. O. 3-31: in consequence of some questions my master put to her, the prisoner came in, and said the shirt belonged to him - I went and got a Policeman; on my return the prisoner was gone. JOHN FLASHAM: I am a Police-officer. I produce the shirt, which I received in the presence of this witness. MICHAEL FLENESEY: I am an officer. I took the prisoner, at No. 13, Dock-street; I knocked at the door - no one opened it or answered; I got a key and opened it, but the prisoner fastened it inside - I got in at last; the prisoner made some resistance, and said he was not the person I wanted.(Property produced and sworn to.) Prisoner: I met a young girl, and we went into the prosecutor’s to have a pint of porter; I never was in there before, and know nothing about taking the shirts - I met the mother of the girl, and a man who used to work in the West India-docks; he said, ‘I will pay the price of a pot of porter,’ and he said to the woman, ‘Take this shirt and get the price of a peck of coals’ - she went in, and we went to see why she stopped to long. PETER PULMAN: The prisoner said it belonged to him, and the woman said it belonged to Frank Welch. Prisoner’s Defence: I never opened my lips, and never saw it till I saw it on the counter. GUILTY. Aged 52 - Transported for Seven Years.” (see https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/).

218

Dianne Jones on 17th March 2021

1821: Back in NSW -- Francis WALSH/WELSH per Guildford 2 was clearly back in NSW by 1821. On 16 April, he was committed by Darcy Wentworth Esq to be held in Sydney Gaol while the records were checked “to ascertain if [he was] out of his time” (see NSW, Australia, Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930; Entrance Book, Sydney, 1819-1833). The records were indeed checked – by the Colonial Secretary’s Office. On 25 April 1821, it sent a letter to Thomas Collins, Commander of the Duchess of York: “A prisoner of the Crown named Francis WELSH having been found at large in the Town of Sydney, and it appearing that he came from the Derwent in the ship under your command, I have to request that you will inform me under what circumstances he was received on board, and why he was permitted to land without being placed under the cognisance of the proper authorities; and generally any information you may be in possession of relating to his case.” (see NSW, Australia, Colonial Secretary’s Papers, 1788-1856; Copies of Letters Sent Within The Colony, 1814-1827). On 4 May 1821, the Colonial Secretary’s Office wrote to Lieut. Gov. Sorell in Van Diemen’s Land: “A prisoner of the Crown named Francis WELSH was recently found at large in the Town of Sydney; by his own report and the representation of the Master of the ship Duchess of York it appeared that he came from the Derwent to this place in that vessel, and that he was embarked by your orders, or with your permission, but as no official communication has been received respecting him, the Magistrates here considered him in the situation of a runaway convict.” (see NSW, Australia, Colonial Secretary’s Papers, 1788-1856, Copies of Letters Sent Within The Colony, 1814-1827). On 8 September 1821, Francis WALSH – a boatman – was on a list of all prisoners victualled from HM Magazines (Col Sec records, Reel 6016; 4/5781 p.83 at http://colsec.records.nsw.gov.au/). 1822: Return to VDL -- By 18 April 1822 Francis WELSH per Guildford-Harriet was back in VDL where his Conduct Record resumes with a minor entry. Then follows a long gap of 4 ½ years. Was he at large again? It’s not clear. Three minor misdemeanours are listed for 1826, 1827 and 1829, with this final entry: “March 9 1830 - Drunk on the street - fined 5 shillings.” (see https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON31-1-45$init=CON31-1-45p24).

218

Dianne Jones on 17th March 2021

1816: On arrival in NSW in April, Francis WALSH was 29 (born in 1787). On 15 April, Francis WELSH [sic] was on a list of convicts disembarked from the Guildford and forwarded to Liverpool for distribution (see NSW, Australia, Colonial Secretary’s Papers, 1788-1856). 1817: Just over 18 months later, the ship Harriet sailed from Sydney for England. The Harriet’s captain had to make an unscheduled detour when several convict stowaways were found on board. On 29 December, he landed the prisoners at Hobart (see Hobart Town Gazette, 3 Jan 1818, p2). Among them, it seems, was Francis WELSH/WALSH. 1818: In VDL, several records help to track Francis WELSH’s life from 3 January 1818. His VDL Conduct Record summary/ID reads: “Welsh, Francis, Guildford-Harriet, May 1815, 7 years”. Then follow details of his misdemeanours and punishments: “Jan 3 1818 - making his escape from Sydney - to work in Gaol Gang until he can be sent back. March 13 1818 - going aboard the Frederick with intent to leave the Colony - 50 lashes and 3 months Gaol Gang. February 22 1819 - Absent from his lodgings at night and concealed himself on Hunter Island with intent to escape - 25 lashes. Nov 30 1819 - Crossing the Derwent without a pass - reprimanded. January 25 1820 - Absent from Sunday Muster - reprimanded… November 23 1820 - Aiding and assisting in an affray - 100 lashes and 3 months for Govt in his own time…” (see https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON31-1-45$init=CON31-1-45p24).