William Walsh

342

Maureen Withey on 16th October 2025

Criminal Court. SATURDAY.—William Welsh and John Sullivan were indicted for stealing in the dwelling-house, from the person of Michael Geary (a veteran), a quantity of money and other articles, on the 13th of March last. Geary, it appeared, was at a public-house in George-street, shamefully inebriated, and had been brutally treating his poor wife. The prisoners were close at hand, and in order, as they said, to prevent Geary's brutality from being followed by too serious consequences, they interfered ; but, in the very act of thus lending their humane aid to the distressed woman, before a host of witnesses, the prisoner Welsh contrived to plunder Geary of all his money, with his watch-chain and seal ; and threw the spoil to his associate Sullivan, who was quickly off, but providentially presently stopped with the booty on his person. The act being observed by several credible witnesses, the prisoners were taken before the Police Authority, by whom they were sent to the present tribunal, as Welsh was a free man.—Being called on for their defence, Sullivan said that he was guilty of having the money in his possession, but that he had picked it up without the least felonious intention. Welsh denied the crime, stating how improbable it was that he should have perpetrated such an offence, at a crisis when interposing his friendly offices. The prisoners were found Guilty.—Remanded. Sydney Gazette, 1 May 1823. Wednesday. - The following prisoners, who had been convicted during the session, were now brought up for sentence :-  William Welsh, John Sullivan, … -DEATH! Sydney Gazette, 8 May 1823. ----------------------------------------------------------- List of Prisoners transported to Port Macquarie on HM Cutter “Sally” 3 June 1823. John Sullivan, Tried Crim Court, Sydney, April & May 1823.Capital respites. Life in double irons. Asia(2) Original Conviction: London, 13 Sep 1820, 7 years. William Walsh, Tried Crim Court, Sydney, April & May 1823. Capital respites. Life in double irons. Pilot. Original conviction: Cork, March 1816, seven years. ------------------------------------------------------------ Colonial Secretary Index. WELSH, William. Per "Pilot", 1817 1817 Aug 11 On list of prisoners embarked per "Elizabeth Henrietta" for Hobart; listed as Walsh (Reel 6005; 4/3496 p.295) 1819 Jan 19 On list of prisoners sent to Newcastle per "Lady Nelson" (Reel 6006; 4/3499 p.272) 1823 Apr 14-May 8 Sentenced to death. In reports of prisoners tried at Court of Criminal Jurisdiction (Reel 6023; X820 p.95) 1823 May 27 Tried in Sydney. Sentence commuted to transportation (Reel 6070; 4/1265 p.10) 1823 May 27 Sentenced to death; reprieved on condition that he remain at Port Macquarie (Reel 6069; 4/1817 p.15) 1823 Jun 3 Attested copy of respite extended to forwarded to the Provost Marshal; listed as Walsh (Reel 6010; 4/3508 p.440) 1823 Jun 3 On lists of prisoners transported to Port Macquarie per "Sally"; listed as Walsh (Reel 6019; 4/3864 pp.52, 408-9) 1823 Jun 4 Sentence commuted (Reel 6057; 4/1767 pp.117-117a)

342

Maureen Withey on 6th June 2021

Burials, Port Macquarie, 1828 William Walsh, Abode, Port Macquarie, buried 27 Apr 1828, age 30, Ship, Pilot; Prisoner, Ceremony performed by a Roman Catholic J.C.

342

Maureen Withey on 18th January 2020

https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON13-1-1p81 List of 30 male prisoners and 50 female prisoners embarked on the Colonial Brig Elizabeth Henrietta, for Hobart Town, Van Diemen’s Land. Extracted from the Indents of the ships Pilot and Canada, Sydney, 11 Aug 1817. William Walsh, tried at Cork City, March 1816, 7 years. Irish Convict Database by Peter Mayberry. William Walsh, Ship Pilot, 1817, age 23, Tried at Cork City, 1816. 7 years. Native of Cork City. Trade- labourer