Category: Tasmanian Bushrangers

Articles pertaining to bushrangers that operated predominantly in Tasmania.

Article, Matthew Brady, Spotlight, Tasmanian Bushrangers, The Bolters, Thomas JeffriesLeave a comment

Spotlight: Brady, Jeffries and McCabe reports (07/01/1826)

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On Saturday evening Brady and his party, appeared at Mr. Haywood’s, and robbed him of a large quantity of tea, sugar, tobacco, rum, and flour, besides all the bedding and wearing apparel in the house. Brady alone was mounted on horseback. On coming up, he said, “Mr. Haywood, I am Brady.” He desired him to be under no apprehension of being hurt on account of the late execution of Broadhead, who, he said, was not a bushranger. He wanted provisions only and after remaining about 3 hours, they departed, taking with them 2 horses, besides the one Brady had mounted, to carry their plunder. Continue reading Spotlight: Brady, Jeffries and McCabe reports (07/01/1826)

Article, Michael Howe, Spotlight, Tasmanian BushrangersLeave a comment

Spotlight: Inquest on William Drew and other news (18/10/1817)

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On Wednesday sailed the ship Pilot, Captain PEXTON, for Port Jackson, having on board Colonel DAVEY, late Lieutenant Governor of the Colony, Mr. O’CONNOR, Lieut. STEWART, and Mr. WINDER. The following prisoners, lately committed to take their trial before the Criminal Court at Sydney, were sent up in this Vessel:- Collier, Hillier and Watts, the bushrangers; Clarke, Scott and two Crahans, for sheep stealing. A number of evidences on behalf of the Crown also went up in this vessel, amongst whom is Black Mary, a native of this Colony, who some time back was an active guide to the military parties in quest of the bush-rangers. Continue reading Spotlight: Inquest on William Drew and other news (18/10/1817)

Biography, Feature, Overview (individual), Tasmanian Bushrangers, The Bolters, Thomas Jeffries1 Comment

Thomas Jeffries: an overview

AJFPhelan56

He was referred to as “the monster”, accused of a string of horrific crimes including murder, infanticide and cannibalism. His reputation was so repulsive that the gentleman bushranger Brady threatened to break him out of prison so he could have the privilege of hanging the villain himself. But was Thomas Jeffries (aka Jeffrey) as bad as he was claimed to be? Continue reading Thomas Jeffries: an overview

Article, Bushrangers, Rocky Whelan, Spotlight, Tasmanian BushrangersLeave a comment

Spotlight: The Man Whelan and Convict Discipline (28 May 1855)

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“He has been for years the play-thing and sport of officials, who scarcely deserve the name of men. Many years ago he was sentenced to transportation beyond the seas for a limited period. That sentence did not say one word about the petty tyranny which has been practised upon him and upon his fellows, under the name of prison discipline. Those who are conversant with the history of Botany Bay, at the time when Whelan was sent there, will be free to acknowledge, that it was not a convict paradise.” Continue reading Spotlight: The Man Whelan and Convict Discipline (28 May 1855)

Article, Rocky Whelan, Spotlight, Tasmanian BushrangersLeave a comment

Spotlight: Apprehension and Robbery (21 May 1855)

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Tasmanian Colonist (Hobart Town, Tas. : 1851 – 1855), Monday 21 May 1855, page 2 APPREHENSION OF ROCKY WHELAN. — The celebrated Norfolk Islander and bushranger John Whelan, was apprehended by constables Mulrenun and Gabriel, formerly non-commissioned officers in the 99th Regt. Whelan was in the act of purchasing a pair of boots from Mr. Gourney, of Liverpool-street on Saturday evening, when he was recognised by constable Mulrenan, to whom he was not unknown during his stay on Norfolk Island. He was not unarmed at the time of his capture, and was in no way short of cash. HIGHWAY ROBBERY. … Continue reading Spotlight: Apprehension and Robbery (21 May 1855)

Article, Matthew Brady, Spotlight, Tasmanian BushrangersLeave a comment

Spotlight: Brady’s Threat (17 May 1826)

AJFPhelan56

Brady, on Tuesday night, told Mr. Dodding, one of the turn-keys at the gaol, that if Jeffries was not taken out of the cell ” he would be found in the morning without his head.” Jeffries was consequently removed to another cell. He voluntarily gave up two knives, which he had concealed about his person, either to carry his former threats into execution, or to cut his irons, in attempting to escape. Continue reading Spotlight: Brady’s Threat (17 May 1826)

Article, New South Wales Bushrangers, Spotlight, Tasmanian Bushrangers, The Bolters, William Westwood3 Comments

Spotlight: Westwood writes to his parents (29 April 1847)

AJFPhelan56

In a former number we gave the copy of a letter written by William Westwood, better known as Jackey Jackey, and at the time of its appearance an attempt was made to shew that he had died breathing a spirit of bitterness very unsuited to any man at the last hour of his existence. What the motives for doing Westwood such an injustice, it is not our present purpose to inquire; certain however it is, that such was not the fact, as the following copy of another letter will show. “Justice to free and bond” is our maxim in such matters, and we see no reason why the last dying thoughts of the malefactor should not be as fairly represented as those of him whose life has not been forfeited to the offended laws of his country. Continue reading Spotlight: Westwood writes to his parents (29 April 1847)

Article, Cash and Co, Spotlight, Tasmanian BushrangersLeave a comment

Spotlight: Cash and Co. near Richmond (14 March 1843)

AJFPhelan56

Colonial Times (Hobart, Tas. : 1828 – 1857), Tuesday 14 March 1843, page 3 Domestic Intelligence. BUSHRANGERS.— On Sunday last the township of Richmond was put into great excitement by a report that Cash, Kavenagh, and Jones were in the neighbourhood. “What is to be done?” was the general inquiry, there being only two or three constables at the place. These, with the Police Magistrate and Captain Forth, were soon in pursuit, and in the end two men with a woman were apprehended ; the latter being an assigned woman from a farm near the township. It appears that being … Continue reading Spotlight: Cash and Co. near Richmond (14 March 1843)

Article, Matthew Brady, Spotlight, Tasmanian BushrangersLeave a comment

Spotlight: The Bush-Rangers – Dreadful Outrages and Murder! (10 March 1826)

AJFPhelan56

Colonial Times and Tasmanian Advertiser (Hobart, Tas. : 1825 – 1827), Friday 10 March 1826, page 2 THE BUSH-RANGERS. Dreadful Outrages and Murder! Extract of a letter from Launceston, dated on Monday last :— “On Saturday evening last, Brady, with his whole party of fourteen attacked Mr. DRY’S house ; and, after putting in the necessary centinels and securing the servants in an inside room, proceeded to rifle the house of all its contents —very coolly emptying all the drawers and boxes of their contents of linen, clothes, and everything valuable, and deliberately tying them up in bundles to be … Continue reading Spotlight: The Bush-Rangers – Dreadful Outrages and Murder! (10 March 1826)