William Westaway

71

Robin Sharkey on 21st February 2017

William Westerway’s younger son with Mary Nichols, was named: PERCY LINDEN WESTERWAY, B 1862 Percy started with a promising Tasmanian life – at the age of 16 in 1878 he was rowing in an U16 pairs + cox skull in the annual Regatta on the Derwent. However 1890 committed an act of fraud on his employer at Launceston by systematically stealing piping over a period of time and was sentenced to three years imprisonment. He also had a prior conviction at the time. TASMANIAN CONVICT BOOK: Image 414. Tried Supreme Court Launceston. Embarked 27 March 1890 for Hobart, aged 29. Three years imprisonment. Native of Tasmania, No personal details recorded. PERCY had already married at the age of 25 years in 1887. His father was then very elderly, almost 90 years old. * 1887, 20 July – Married, 25 y.o labourer, to Elizabeth Elliott aged 20, spinster, at Launceston, in the manse of the York St Baptist Church. Percy was aged 25. Elizabeth had a two year old son as a single mother when she married Percy – birth registration in district of Launceston – Edward Albert Elliott born 15th February 1885. No father listed. Elizabeth was presumably aged 17 or 18 yrs. The boy would have been brought into the family on Elizabeth’s marriage. Percy and Elizabeth then had a child together, who only lived for 18 months: * 1888 BIRTH - Percy John born 8 May 1888. Informant was the mother, resident at Hall’s Track; father an engine driver. (Hall’s Track was fairly remote between Huonville and Sandfly, south of Hobart). • DEATH - January 1890 aged 18 months. At his grandparents’ residence, Bathurst St. (This would be Elizabeth’s parents). WIFE ELIZABETH ELLIOTT After Percy went to Gaol, Elizabeth Elliott Westerway set up house with a widower named George Horsely. He killed her in July 1896, but was found guilty of manslaughter, nt murder, hitting her in the head with a shovel. She and Horsely lived at Garibaldi near miner’s diggings outside Launceston, near Bradleys Creeek, with Horsely’s teenage son and, reportedly, the son of Elizabeth’s born before she married Percy. They lived rough. 1896 – ELIZABETH ELLIOTT WESTERWAY HORSLEY Murdered. Death Cert – Elizabeth Horsley alias Westerway. Aged 28 years. Laborer’s wife. “at an inquest held at the Pioneer Hotel, Scottsdale, 8 July 1896 and 5 following days, the verdict of the jury was that George Horsley did on the night of 4/7/1896 at Garibaldi feloniously wilfully and of malice aforethought, kill and murder the said Elizabeth Horsley by striking her on the head with some instrument, producing cerebral haemorrhage. The Launceston Examiner dated 16 July 1896 p.5: Gives detailed description of the murder and the living circumstances of Elizabeth and Horsely. As some facts about her are incorrect, were incorrect, other facts may also be incorrect. Incorrectly stated that her husband was then doing three years in gaol. This was Percy, and his sentence of three years had expired three years before 1896. Stated that generally, Elizabeth was a heavy drinker and Horsely, a widower, had gone through all his savings while living with her, and then lost his job. They camped out. The two boys were poorly cared for – they presented “a woebegone miserable appearance” and people often gave them charitable assistance. On the night, they were at a public-house drinking, took some rum home to get tea. Elizabeth was seen to be very drunk and some local Chinese miners loaned one of the teenage boys a lamp and a wheelbarrow to take her home in. SECOND WIFE: After Elizabeth’s murder in July 1896, Percy was free to marry again. He was at the mines at Queenstown where he met Annie Bibby. *In 1898 they had a son together, Frederick born 28 Dec (registered as Bibby, & unnamed). *In December 1900, they got married at Queenstown. *Percy was an engine driver at Queenstwon when most of his children were born *Annie Bibby had been born about 1875, at Navarre, Victoria (From Keith’s birth cert, and her own 1942 Obituary. She went to the West cost of Tas and there met Percy Westerway). Children: 1898 – 28 Dec - Percy Linden JNr DIED 1942 ‘aged 45”. Buried Zeehan 1901, 2 Feb – John Linden B Queenstown. Father an engine driver. Died 1974, age 73. Buried Zeehan 1903, 22 May – Keith Henry B Queenstown. Percy aged 39, MINER, Annie aged 28. Died 1979, age 76. Buried Zeehan 1905, 18 April - Lorna Jane B Queenstown. Percy, 42, an engine driver. Annie age 30. Married as Mrs F Bradshaw 1907, 20 Oct – Derwent Leslie, Queenstown. Percy engine driver. Mm now age 34 1910, 5 June – Lyell William, Born at Linda, Father engine driver. Mum had 5 sons and 1 daughter alive to this point. Lyell died, Zeehan Cemetery, 1983 ‘aged 73’ 1915 – Donald. Died 1985, aged 70. Buried Zeehan cem. 4 Dec 1916 Launceston Examiner: Percy Westerway , stealing firewood at Zeehan - went to gaol for three months. Death of Percy somewhere between 1932 and his wife’s death in 1942. Advocate, 3 March 1942 WESTERWAY- On March 1, 1942 at the Zeehan District Hospital, Annie, dearly beloved wife of the late Percy Lindon Westerway, and loving mother of Percy, Fred, Jack, Keith, Lyell, Leslie, Don and Lorna (Mrs. Bradshaw), aged 57 years. A patient sufferer at rest.

71

Robin Sharkey on 21st February 2017

WILLIAM HENRY WESTERWAY Their son WH Westerway, was described variously as a labourer, and a carpenter. At the time of his mother’s death in 1881, he was already married with three children. He recorded that he lived at “Kangaroo Point” which was the area now known as Bellerive. However, for most of his early adult life he was employed by Ebenezer Shoobridge on the Shoobridge Bros’ large hop-growing property “Bushy Park” 58 km north west of Hobart in the Styx Valley, near Glenora. Shoobridge was a good employer to his workers, providing cottages and running a garden competition among them to encourage beautification. William Henry won this competition in 1877. William Henry was a respectable worker, never in trouble with the law, growing a pretty garden at his cottage and sending his children to the Glenora School near Bushy Park. After his first wife died following the birth of a third child, a little girl, WH married again within six months – probably needing a mother for the children. MARRIAGE (1) 1874 - aged 21 married Caroline Hodgins, aged 18, 19 Feb 1874 in the Wesleyan Church, New Norfolk in the presence of Samuel leathern? and Caroline GEAGAN, both witnesses making their mark. Caroline was recorded as a domestic residing with her guardians, at New Norfolk. This was probably the Geagans, since Caroline Geagan was Mary’s aunt (from birth registration of daughter Ada). Children: 1. WILLIAM LINDEN (recorded as “Tenden”) Born 10 April 1875 at New Norfolk to Caroline & William, a labourer. Informant was W Phillips, subinspector, Glenora. Known as Linden. He died intestate on 18 June 1939, (aged 64), he lived at Glenora, and his executor was Annie Johanna Caroline Westerway. His obit said he was a carpenter & joiner, lived at Glenora, had been in WW1 at Sth Africa. Took a very keen interest in Bushy Park Club & Library. No children survived him. When his widow died in 1947 she left a “substantial legacy” to the Bushy Park Methdist Church. 2. ADA MARY B 22 Feb 1877 Informant was Caroline GEAGEN, child’s great aunt, who made her mark. William recorded by Ms Geagan as a blacksmith. Ada married Henry Herbert Clifford, and had child Gilbert William Clifford. 3. HENRY PERCY B 5 March 1879. Informant was his father William Westerway of the River Styx. Born to Caroline (formerly Hodgens) & William Henry a farm labourer. Percy died in May 1942, being ‘of Glebe” Hobart and had been for 40 years a guard in the Tasmanian Railways. Buried at Launceston. “He joined the [railway] service on December 30, 1897, and was promoted to guard five years later. For the past 10 years he was guard on the Launccston-Hobart express. He was an active member of the National union of Railwaymen.”Widower. Leaves a son, Lynden, in the navy and a daughter Mrs McDonald in Qld. 4. a baby daughter – 29 July 1883 - mother Caroline died one week later . Wife Caroline died 5 August 1883, wife of labourer. Cause of death: Puerperal and Liver (??) Disease. Informant, William Westerway, husband of Bushy Park. MARRIAGE (2) 1884: January 8th 1884 at Cof E Church of the Evangelist at River Plenty To RHODA CATHERINE HIGGINS, laborer’s daughter, Spinster, in the presence of Matilda Higgins, John Dodd and George Rumley?. Specific ages not stated. 5. ELWIN JAMES born 14 Sept 1884. Married Mabel Eva McDougall 1911 6. NORMAN WILFRED, born 4 December 1887 registered at New Norfolk to WH ( a carpenter) and Rhoda Catherine In 1930 Norman was made the Worshipful Master of the Glenora Masonic Lodge. 7. EDGAR, B 27 January 1890 born to WH ( a carpenter) and Rhoda Catherine Westerway formerly Higgins. Died 29 Sept 1918, Bushy Park 8. JANET BYERS WESTERWAY B. 16 June 1891. Father was a carpenter. Registered at New Norfolk. William Henry died 8 Dec 1930 and he left his sheep run named “Westerway” to his son Norman and everything else to his widow, Rhoda Catherine Westerway, leaving assets of £5,800 ________________________________________________

71

Robin Sharkey on 21st February 2017

William Westaway got his conditional Pardon approved in 1845 but seems to have got it finally in 1852. Immediately, he went off to Melbourne. Departed 28 January 1852, steerage passenger, “Jane” to Melbourne. [Tasmanian Colonist 29 January 1852 p. 3 “Remaining in Harbour, Jan 28th – Barque “Jane’] However, he came back to Hobart: MARRIED Mary Nichols in TASMANIA 26th Sept 1854 [should be aged 46]. Kangaroo Point is actually now Bellerive, on the opposite shore to the main Hobart town. MARRIAGE RECORD: William “Westerway”, farmer aged 46 married Mary Nichols, Farmer’s daughter aged 21. At the chapel of St Mark, Kangaroo Point. Registered Clarence Plains. Wm Made his mark, Witnesses John Punch ( his mark) and Mary Ann Punch. These two had married in Feb 1853 (Mary Ann Brown, convict per “Anna Maria’), John Punch convict per William and Mary had two children: (1) William Henry B about 1853. Became a carpenter and lived at “Bushy Park” estate near Glenora, later had a sheep run at Westerway. (2) Unnamed MALE born 14 March 1862. This would appear to be Percy Linden Westerway, - from later Certificate held with railway department records. His wife Mary died 1881: Mary Ann “Westerway” DEATH 16th July 1881, aged 48 years, laborer’s wife. Cause of death “ Cancer of the womb” Informant her son William Henry Westerway, Kangaroo Point. Death registered Clarence District. William died 1895: William “Westerway” DEATH 21 May 1895. age 85. [i.e born in 1808]. Laborer. Died of old age and chronic bronchitis. Registered at New Norfolk, Tasmania. He had many grandchildren at his death: William Henry was a solid citizen working as a labourer and carpenter on the Bushy Park, and had produced all 8 of his children (from two wives). However, sadly he William had lived to see his younger son Percy do a jail term at age 28 for stealing iron from his employer (sentenced 1890). William must have been grateful that times had changed and transportation no longer existed. __________________________________________________________

71

Robin Sharkey on 20th February 2017

TASMANIAN CONVCT RECORDS DESCRIPTION BOOK: Age: 21 Trade: Ploughman Pale complexion, pockmarked Brown hair, dark brown eyes & eyebrows, Round head, round visage, high perpendicular forehead, medium length nose, medium wide mouth & thick lips. [ Archives of Tasmania, Description List - Digitised records CON18-1-1, image 176 of 283 (p 339) CON23/1/3 surnames “P-Z” Digitised record W921-950 York arrived 29 August 1829 Age 21, ploughman, 5’4” dk br hair/eyes, Pockpitted. native of Plymouth. Tried Devon Assizes 17 March 1829. 1830 Muster – assigned to Mr Boultbee 1832, 1833 & 1835 Muster – assigned to Mr Pybus William WESTAWAY was transported for Life on convict ship 'York' departing Devon 17 March 1829, arriving Hobart, Van Diemens Land in December 1829. His crime was assault and robbery. He was probably born 1808 or 1809 since his Tasmanian conduct record card said he was aged 21. The family name, from Devon especially around villages of South Tawton and Sampford Courtenay is “Westaway”. In Tasmania, the spelling of the surname became corrupted in records to “Westerway”. There are dozens and dozens of William Westaways in Devon at the same period as this convict. [See online Westaway One Name Study]. His family appears to have been a branch that moved to Plymouth because he gave Plymouth as his native place on convict records. Western Times (Devon) 28 February 1829 p.4 “Two other men, named Westaway and Dollinson, were also fully committed for stealing a watch from the person of Jane Davis.” Sherborne Mercury (Sherborne, England), Monday, March 23, 1829 p. 4 “Wm Westaway and Wm Dollinson were indicted for assaulting Jane Davis, and stealing from her person a watch and seals, of the value of £8. “Jane Davis is a widow woman, lives in the parish of St Andrew, Plymouth, was at the Ship Inn on the 11th February, in returning home the prisoners attacked her and insulted her very much; was defending herself when the watch slipped from her bosom, and one of the prisoners snatched it up. Westaway ran away, and she thinking Dollinson had the watch, seized him by the collar, when he knocked her down and ran away. “John Winter took the prisoners into custody and found at Dollinson’s lodging a part of the watch-guard worn by the prosecutrix on the night of the robbery. He saw the prisoners attack the prosecutrix on the night in question, one snatched a handkerchief from her hand and in an endeavour to defend herself her watch slipped from her bosom. “Westaway snatched it up and ran away. On her seizing the other he knocked her down; snatching the watch the guard was broken. “The prisoners denied the charge. Dollinson received a good character from one of the witnesses for the prosecution. “The jury found Westaway guilty of robbing from the person and acquitted the other prisoner. Westaway was sentenced to transportation for Life.” William was taken from the Exeter county gaol on Wed 1st April 1829, to the hulk at Devonport, together with William Gloyn, also a transport for life, and six other 7-year transports (who included a John Johnson. (Ref: North Devon Journal, Thurs 9 April 1829 p.3]. Five women under transportation were removed from the same gaol the next day to the Woolwich hulks. TASMANIAN CONVCT RECORDS DESCRIPTION BOOK: Age: 21 Trade: Ploughman Pale complexion, pockmarked Brown hair, dark brown eyes & eyebrows, Round head, round visage, high perpendicular forehead, medium length nose, medium wide mouth & thick lips. [ Archives of Tasmania, Description List - Digitised records CON18-1-1, image 176 of 283 (p 339) CON23/1/3 surnames “P-Z” Digitised record W921-950 York arrived 29 August 1829 Age 21, ploughman, 5’4” dk br hair/eyes, Pockpitted. native of Plymouth. Tried Devon Assizes 17 March 1829. 1830 Muster – assigned to Mr Boultbee 1832, 1833 & 1835 Muster – assigned to Mr Pybus TASMANIAN CONDUCT RECORD: CON31-1-45, at digital Image 316 [handwritten page 326] [In England, his] gaol report was ‘good’; hulk report “good”. He stated that this offence was for stealing a watch. Previous offence –“once before” stealing a cabbage (3 weeks gaol). Jan 21 1834 [status: assigned to Mr] Pybus: Leaving his Master's service & coming to Hobart Town under pretence of preferring a Complaint against his Master for insufficient food. Proved to be utterly frivolous & unfounded. 36 lashes (APM) [this stands for Asst Police Magistrate, who gave him the sentence]. May 7 1838 [status}TL: having signed articles to join Messrs Kerr & Co as a whaler and wilfully neglecting to Join his Party. Kept to hard labor in the House of Correction for 1 month (KF Com) Sept 3 1841 [status] TL: Misconduct in being late at annual Muster. 7 days hard labor at House of Correction Ticket of Leave restored May 13 1842 [status] TL: Misconduct in being absent from his authorized place of residence and remaining with another person under suspicious circumstances. 6 months hard labor recommended to be deprived of his TL and not to be allowed to return to Brunie Island. TL suspended. Conduct reported Vide Lieut Governors Decision 20/5/42---  TL restored Vide Memo of the xx 15th Nov (H.M) Dec 28th 1843 [status] TL: Misconduct (A.S) Aug 5 1844 [status] TL: Misconduct. Admonished. (I.P) * Conditional Pardon approved 14 Mar 1845  C.P. Extended 18.1.52 TL [granted] 3.11.37 ____________________________________________________

71

Robin Sharkey on 20th February 2017

Western Times (Devon) 28 February 1829 p.4 “Two other men, named Westaway and Dollinson, were also fully committed for stealing a watch from the person of Jane Davis.” Sherborne Mercury (Sherborne, England), Monday, March 23, 1829 p. 4 “Wm Westaway and Wm Dollinson were indicted for assaulting Jane Davis, and stealing from her person a watch and seals, of the value of £8. “Jane Davis is a widow woman, lives in the parish of St Andrew, Plymouth, was at the Ship Inn on the 11th February, in returning home the prisoners attacked her and insulted her very much; was defending herself when the watch slipped from her bosom, and one of the prisoners snatched it up. Westaway ran away, and she thinking Dollinson had the watch, seized him by the collar, when he knocked her down and ran away. “John Winter took the prisoners into custody and found at Dollinson’s lodging a part of the watch-guard worn by the prosecutrix on the night of the robbery. He saw the prisoners attack the prosecutrix on the night in question, one snatched a handkerchief from her hand and in an endeavour to defend herself her watch slipped from her bosom. “Westaway snatched it up and ran away. On her seizing the other he knocked her down; snatching the watch the guard was broken. “The prisoners denied the charge. Dollinson received a good character from one of the witnesses for the prosecution. “The jury found Westaway guilty of robbing from the person and acquitted the other prisoner. Westaway was sentenced to transportation for Life.” William was taken from the Exeter county gaol on Wed 1st April 1829, to the hulk at Devonport, together with William Gloyn, also a transport for life, and six other 7-year transports (who included a John Johnson. (Ref: North Devon Journal, Thurs 9 April 1829 p.3]. Five women under transportation were removed from the same gaol the next day to the Woolwich hulks. _______________________________________________________

71

Robin Sharkey on 20th February 2017

William WESTAWAY was transported for Life on convict ship 'York' departing Devon 17 March 1829, arriving Hobart, Van Diemens Land in December 1829. His crime was assault and robbery. He was probably born 1808 or 1809 since his Tasmanian conduct record card said he was aged 21. The family name, from Devon especially around villages of South Tawton and Sampford Courtenay is “Westaway”. In Tasmania, the spelling of the surname became corrupted in records to “Westerway”. There are dozens and dozens of William Westaways in Devon at the same period as this convict. [See online Westaway One Name Study]. His family appears to have been a branch that moved to Plymouth because he gave Plymouth as his native place on convict records. He does not appear to be directly related to any of the other three Westaway convicts to NSW who all do have direct connections to one another. ____________________________________________________