Hercules Watt

342

Maureen Withey on 19th December 2020

The following case may shed light on the adopted girl child of his wife, raised by Hercules Watt. Attempt to Shoot. — Yesterday Mr. Hercules Watt, Tanner and Currier of Phillip-street, brought before the police, a man named Henry Costello, who had threatened and attempted to shoot him under the following circumstances. Some time since Costello married a young girl under the idea that she had some property, but finding such not to be the case, he parted with her on the very day they were married. Mr. Watt having some knowledge of the girl, allowed her to come to his house for protection, and obtained several situations for her, which she was obliged to leave on account of the outrageous conduct of Costello, who followed and abused her whenever he could find where she was residing. Last Friday-week when in a public-house in Castlereagh-street, he stated to a servant of Mr. Watt's, that he would shoot his master before a month, and on Thursday it appears he attempted to put his threat into execution. During the afternoon of that day, he went up to Mr. Watt, who was standing at his door and demanded his wife; Mr. W. told him she was not there, and that he was at liberty to search; Costello then drew forth a pistol and presented it at the extremity of a curve formed by his arm, towards Mr. W. who seeing his danger, drew gently towards him, and watching his opportunity closed with him, and after a severe struggle took the pistol from him and handed it over to Mr. Bell, Superintendent of the Emigrants ; another pistol was also found in his pocket ; the pistols were both loaded with ball, although one had but a small portion of powder the remainder having escaped during the scuffle. Costello will be brought up this morning and committed to take his trial for the offence. Commercial Journal and Advertiser, 2 Jun 1838. ------------------------------------------------- Henry Costello was indicted for attempting to discharge a pistol at Hercules Watt, with intent to kill and murder him, at Sydney, on the 31st of May last. A second count charged the offence with intent to do some grievous bodily harm. The prosecutor is a master currier and tanner, and the adopted father of the prisoner's wife, who he had brought up from a child. In consequence of the prisoner's ill-usage, she left her husband and went to her adopted father's house, and he allowed her to remain there. The prisoner went to the prosecutor's house on the day laid in the indictment, presented a pistol at him, which the prosecutor luckily seized, and in the scuffle they fell. A second pistol was afterwards taken from the prisoner, both of which were delivered to Mr Bell, who happened to be passing by, and he examined and found them loaded. It appeared on the part of the prisoner that he was labouring under a false impression of the conduct of the prosecutor towards his wife, and that his feelings were greatly excited on that account. The jury returned a verdict of guilty, and, in consideration of all the circumstances, he was sentenced to be worked in irons for three months' at the expiration of which to enter into security to keep the peace, himself in £50 and two sureties in £25 each. The Australian, 7 Aug 1838.

53

Beth Taylor on 23rd September 2019

Hercules Watt (or Watts) (c1799-1861) Hercules Watt (?), arrived per ship Three Bees on 6 May 1814. He was sentenced at County Antrim, Ireland in Aug 1812, for 7 years transportation. He was from Derry (Londonderry), aged 15, a currier (tanner), 5’5” tall, fair freckled complexion, with sandy hair & grey eyes. 1815 - Ellen CHAMBERS, Brox, con, off stores, to Rev Vale, Sydney (7160) Ellen Chambers married Hercules Watt (?) on 16 Sep 1815 at St Philips C of E, Sydney, by banns. (Hercules Watt, aged 28, Bachelor, Abode: Sydney, Currier, Signed X; & Eleanor Chambers, aged 30, Spinster, Abode: Sydney, Signed; married 16 Sep 1815, registered St Philips Church of England Sydney by Banns by William Cowper, Assistant Chaplain; Witness: Lindsey Nimo, Signed; Witness: Thomas Taber, Signed. Source: St Philip's Church of England, Sydney NSW: Church Register - Marriages; ML ref: Reel SAG 90 & V1815-1826-3A) 1817, 15 Oct. – Hercules Watt was tried by Rev Marsden on 13 Oct & sentenced to 1 year at Newcastle. He was sent on the ship Elizabeth Henrietta. (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Letters Sent 6005; 4/3497 p103 1819, 18 Feb. – Hercules was tried by D’Arcy Wentworth & sentenced on 2 Feb to Newcastle for 1 year per Lady Nelson. He gave his occupation as currier. (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Letters Sent Reel 6006; 4/3499 p325) 1819, 19 March – Hercules did not arrive at Newcastle, when he was sent! (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Letters Received Reel 6067; 4/1807 p19) 1820, 15 March – Hercules, of Newcastle, claimed the expiration of his original sentence. He said he came per Prince of Orange [should be Three Bees]. (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Letters Sent Reel 6007; 4/3501 p312) 1821, 15 Sept. - “The undersigned, do hereby Caution all Persons from giving Trust or Credit, on my Account, to my Wife, Eleanor Watts, formerly Eleanor Chambers she having abandoned her home without just cause or provocation :-And I do hereby further caution all Persons from harbouring or concealing the said Eleanor Watts, on pain of prosecution for the offence, Hercules Watts.” (Source: Sydney Gazette, 15/09/1821, p4 & similar notice on 13/10/1821, p4) 1822, Oct. – Eleanor petitioned for mitigation of her sentence. She stated that after her arrival, she married a man & lived with him quite happily while he was a prisoner, for 6 years. But as soon as he gained his freedom, he took up with other women & made false reports about her to the Courts. She had twice ended up at Newcastle because of him & now begged for her freedom. (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Letters Received Reel 6056; 4/1763 pp281-2) 1822 Muster: Eleanor CHAMBERS, con, Brox, 14 years (?), govt employ, Newcastle (A0524) 1823-1825 Muster: 1) Elenor (sic) CHAMBERS, con, Brox, 14 years (?), govt employ, Sydney (15343) 2) Elenor (sic) WATTS, con, Brox, 14 years, FF, Parra (44549) [second entry] Hercules WATTS, FS, Three Bees 1814, 7 years, housekeeper, Sydney (44458) 1823, 15 Oct. – Hercules Watts per ship 3 Bees, was listed as being admitted to Sydney Gaol on 15/10/1823 & bailed the following day, crime/charge not stated but it was a matter before the Criminal Court. (Source: SRNSW Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930; Series: 2514; Item: 4/6360; Roll: 850.) 1823, 18 Dec. – “GOLD SEALS LOST-One large Seal with a crystal stone, engraven with Hindostanee characters ; one Seal, red cornelian, engraven with a man’s bust, and a star on the shoulder ; one small Seal, with the hoop broken and engraven with the initials, H. W. K. The Seals, above described, are supposed to have been taken from the House of Hercules Watts, in Phillip-street, a Tanner, in the employ of Mr. Simeon Lord, on Friday last, the 12th Instant.- Whoever will bring all or any one or more of the said Seals to Mr. Michael Robinson, at the Police Office, shall receive double the Value of the Property recovered ; and, if they were stolen, any Person giving such Information, as may lead to the Conviction of the Offender, shall receive the like Consideration, of double the Value of the said three Seals.” (Source: Sydney Gazette, 18/12/1823, p2S) 1825, 13 Jan. – Hercules wrote to Gov Brisbane stating that it was NOT his intention to sell his town allotment. (Source: SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Memorial Fiche 3160; 4/1844C p11) 1828 Census: Hercules WATTS, 32, FS, Three Bees 1814, 7 years, prot, currier, Phillip St, Sydney (W0567) 1828, 24 Dec. – “NOTICE. IF Elizabeth Richardson does not call at my House, No. 57 Phillip-street, and pay the Sum which is due to me, the undersigned, for Board and Lodging, her Goods, which I have had in my Possession for these 2 Years past, will be Sold by Public Auction, in 14 Days after this Notice, to defray the Expenses. HERCULES WATTS, No. 57, Phillip-street.” (Source: Sydney Gazette, 24/12/1828, p3) 1834, 9 Jan. – Hercules was a witness at a forgery trial against Edward Walsh “…Mr. Hercules Watt being sworn, said I am a tanner and householder residing in Phillip-street – I have known the prisoner for twenty years, and have always considered him an honest man ; he had it in his power to do fraud me a short time of £150, if he had been inclined, but he did not do so ; I had paid him that sum beforehand, as consideration for a house which I purchased of him ; I afterwards found that a question respecting the ownership of this house was pending in the Supreme Court; I had no receipt for the money, but the prisoner afterwards honestly put me in possession of the premises.” (Source: Sydney Gazette, 09/01/1834, p2) 1861, 10 Jan. - “THE TURKISH BATH.-In the course of a conversational discussion, at the Temperance Hall, last evening, one of our oldest colonists, Mr. Hercules Watt, in alluding to the beneficial results which he had experienced from the Turkish Bath, bore the following testimony to its efficacy as a health preserving agent. – “ I wore flannels for a period of forty years," said Mr. Watt, and was continually suffering from cold. I took to the Bath, threw off the flannels, and have never since been ailing.'' We mention this circumstance, not only for the benefit of those who purpose testing the virtues of the bath, but because it is a common notion with the humbler classes that once the practice of wearing flannel next the skin is adopted it can never be got rid of with safety. The experiment of Mr. Watt we take it is a sufficient proof to the contrary.” (Source: SMH, 10/01/1861, p5) 1861, 30 July – “On the 29th instant, at his residence, Phillip-street North, after a long and painful illness, which he bore with Christian fortitude, Mr. Hercules Watt, an old and respected citizen, aged 67 years.” (Source: SMH, 30/07/1861, p1). Also - “DEATHS. WATT- at his residence, Phillip-street, North, after a long and painful illness, which he bore with Christian fortitude, Hercules Watt, an old and much respected citizen, aged 67 years.” (Source: Empire, 30/07/1861, p1) It seems probable that Eleanor died between 1825 & 1828, but no record of her burial has been found. There are records of children born to Hercules & a lady named as Mary Kennedy between 1823-1831. 1861 - “On the 29th instant, at his residence, Phillip-street North, after a long and painful illness, which he bore with Christian fortitude, Mr. Hercules Watt, an old and respected citizen, aged 67 years.” (Source: SMH, 30/07/1861, p1). Also - “DEATHS. WATT- at his residence, Phillip-street, North, after a long and painful illness, which he bore with Christian fortitude, Hercules Watt, an old and much respected citizen, aged 67 years.” (Source: Empire, 30/07/1861, p1). Also - Hercules Watt, aged 67 of Phillip St, died on 29 July 1861 & the service was held at the C of E Newtown. (Source: NSW Church Parish Register, V1861-9604-122) From the book “Journey to a New Life…” the story of the ships Emu & Broxbornebury by Elizabeth Hook (3rd ed. 2014). I am the author & can be contacted on hookey5609@yahoo.com.au for further info

105

Denis Pember on 16th February 2016

Sainty & Johnson; 1828 Census of New South Wales: Page 383... [Ref W0567] Watts, Hercules, 32, free by servitude, 3B's, 1814, 7 years, Protestant, Currier, Philip Street Sydney. [Ref W0568] Watts, John, 3 and a half, born in the colony. And on page 222... [Ref K0521] Kennedy, Mary, 30, Cf, John Bull, 1821, Dressmaker and Housekeeper to Hercules Watts. Hercules and Mary married in 1833, had three children; John 1825, Hercules 1828 and Louisa 1831. Mary died 14th April 1836.

105

Denis Pember on 16th February 2016

In the colony, Hercules appears to have had a relationship with one Eleanor Chambers (nothing known) this was around 1815 and the couple had a daughter Louisa born 1817. Nothing has been located about Eleanor at all, however by about 1822, Hercules was with Mary Kennedy, the daughter of Hugh Kennedy (Convict, Three Bees, 1814). Hercules and Hugh probably met on the ship when being transported.

105

Denis Pember on 16th February 2016

Hercules was tried in 1812 in Antrim and sentenced to 7 years transportation. He was transported aboard the ship Three Bees and was described as a carrier age 15, 5 feet 5 inches, fair-freckled complexion and sandy grey hair, native place Derry on arrival.