Oliver Wilkes

Level 346

Maureen Withey on 13th February 2024

APTURE OF THREE NOTORIOUS BUSHRANGERS. On the 28th inst, about 9o'clock at night, the house of Mr. J. J. Peacock, on the Hawkesbury, was entered by two armed men. Upon their coming in, Mr. P. attempted to defend himself with a chair, when a third man, also armed, came in at the front door, and desired Mr. P. to desist. They then ordered Mr. and Mrs. P. to go into the kitchen, and placed one man as sentry over them, while the other two were rummaging the house. They took goods and cash to a considerable amount, and spent up wards of an hour in packing up the plunder. When they had finished, they released Mr. and Mrs. P. and requested some refreshment, which was given them. They then left the premises, taking with them some provisions, wine, and a boat, for the purpose of conveying the property. When they were gone, Mr. P. lost no time, but collected a small party, consisting of the constable stationed in the district, two prisoners of the Crown, and two other persons, and at daylight the next morning commenced the pursuit, they being all well armed. Upon proceeding a small distance up the First Branch, the party discovered Mr. P.'s boat secured to a tree ; and, upon going up to it, found the track of the robbers-following which, the greater part of the stolen property was found concealed under a rock, and, about half a mile further, they discovered the depredators regaling themselves with mulled wine, bread, and meat. After surrounding the cave, the constables then called to the bushrangers, and ordered them to surrender, or they were dead men. One of them (Oliver Wilks) replied, " Surrender be ________." Upon receiving this reply Mr. P.'s party fired one shot. The bushrangers then attempted to get to their arms - Wilks being the foremost man - and he succeeded in seizing a carbine. The constable then fired, and wounded him in the arm, which caused him to fall, and the other two shortly after surrendered. Mr. P. and his party, after securing them, brought them to Windsor, and lodged two of them in the gaol ; the other (Wilks) was conveyed to the hospital, where his arm was amputated. Too much praise cannot be given to the constable (Cavenagh), the Government men, and others composing the party, for their spirited exertions in the capture : it is to be hoped that His Excellency the Governor will he pleased to bestow upon them some token of his approbation. The names of the bushrangers are, Oliver Wilks, per Guilford, and Philip Eaton, per Bussorah Merchant, both Government servants to Mr. Ogilvie, of Merton ; the other is Thomas Smith, per Malabar, a runaway from an iron gang. They have for a considerable time past infested the old road to Hunter's River by the Bulga, and have committed a great number of robberies in the vicinity of the Lower Hawkesbury and parts adjacent. Eaton joined the others about three weeks or a month since. On the 30th ult. they had a long examination before the Police and another Magistrate, where the money, property, and arms (one carbine and three horse-pistols) found on them were exhibited, and the prisoners remanded. Sydney Gazette, 3 Jan 1832.

Level 346

Maureen Withey on 22nd August 2022

Committed to our county gaol, Oliver Wilkes, for breaking into dwelling house at Seighford, and stealing four one-pound notes and several articles of wearing apparel, the property William Worthington and others; Staffordshire Advertiser, 21 Sep 1822. Condemned. — Oliver Wilkes for house-breaking at Seighford ; ... Staffordshire Advertiser, 22 March 1823.

Level 346

Maureen Withey on 22nd August 2022

Colonial Secretary Index. WILKES, Oliver. Per "Guildford", 1824. 1824 c.Apr, Oct 8 Blacksmith. Assigned convict mechanic whose master was a defaulter in payment for (Reel 6061, 4/1778 p.265i; Fiche 3293, 5/3821.1 p.5) 1824 Sep 2 To be sent to Port Macquarie. On return of fines and punishments in the Police Office (Reel 6023; 4/6671 p.89) 1824 Sep 17 On list of convicts transported to Port Macquarie per "Sally" (Reel 6019; 4/3864 pp.486-7) 1825 Dec 29 Runaway from Port Macquarie being returned per "Mary Elizabeth" (Reel 6019; 4/3865 p.21) -------------------------------------------------- PORT MACQUARIE Extracts from a Journal kept at Port Macquarie by an Officer there of long standing, an Emigrant May 7. Oliver Wilks, prisoner, was, through an informer, suddenly accused before the Magistrate for being short of brass. In defence, the man offered to produce the brass which he was accused of purloining. He was permitted to fetch it. On his return, he placed before the worthy Justice two pair of brass spurs, which the fellow had the audacity to allege, were made by the order of the said Justice for his own use. The Justice said " go along about your business you d-----d rascal." The spurs were ordered to be kept in the King's magazines, and there they are at this day. Sydney Monitor, 13 June 1829.