James Wickham

Level 346

Maureen Withey on 25th January 2022

Kinnear Indent: https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON14-1-17$init=CON14-1-17P64 and https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON14-1-17$init=CON14-1-17P65 James Wickham, tried at Dublin City, 23 April 1842, 7 years, age 18, 5ft 5 ¼, catholic, can read, single. Offence: Stealing a Key Same as Morris on board p. a jeweller named Bennett of James Street. Once for attempt at robbery, acquitted. Surgeon’s Report: Good. Trade, Shoemaker impt. (Imperfect) Native place, Dublin C. Remarks: F James N.P. 1 S, Mary Ann, N.P. --------------------------------------------------- Conduct Record: https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON33-1-28$init=CON33-1-28p172 3 April 1847. Bagdad. Misconduct in using language calculated to incite the minds of the men and Insolence to his overseer on the same day- three months Imrpt. With hard labor. In Remarks: To be recorded – Services rendered at a fire at Mr Palmers, Baghdad. Vide Petn. 23/4/47. ---------------------------------------------------- The following fire appears to be that alluded to in his record above: Alarming Fire. Information has reached town of the destruction of upwards of eighteen hundred bushels of wheat, the property of Mr. Palmer, of the Swan Inn, Bagdad. The fire is supposed to have originated by the hand of an incendiary. It is strongly suspected to have been fired in consequence of Mr. Palmer having recently prosecuted a probationer, who was apprehended by him while Illegally at large. There were several stacks of hay in the same enclosure, which have, however, escaped injury. Whether the above does not furnish an incontrovertible argument against the admission of Captain Swing’s troop, under the guise of the cheap labour system, we leave the settlers to determine. The Courier, 10 April 1847. (The reference to “Captain Swing’s troop” refers to the actions of agricultural labourers in England during the Swing riots, when farmers premises were set on fire, as a protest against the poor agricultural wages at the time. Many of the convicted farm labourers were transported as punishment for their role in the riots.) -------------------------------------------------- Hobart Town Police. James Wickham was charged with misconduct, disturbing the peace, being out after hours, and falsely representing himself to be free, about 12 o'clock on Saturday. The poor man seemed bowed down under the weight of such a number of charges, and in a feeble voice pleaded not guilty. The constable being sworn, said he heard the prisoner quarrelling with a woman, and threatening to kick her if she did not go away from him. The woman made no reply, but walked away, and be asked prisoner what he was. he replied that he was free. Having some doubts of the truth of his story, he look him to the watchhouse, and found that he was a prisoner. Prisoner denied that he said he was free, and said that he came out of the house to purchase a candle at the shop, and the constable took him in charge. On looking at his character, it was found that he would be free in April next He was ordered to one month's hard labour at Glenorchy. Hobart Town Advertiser, 6 Mar 1849.