It all began with a handkerchief. “On the 28th of September, between twelve and one o’clock in the day, I was in Wardour-street, Soho, something drew my attention to my pocket, and I missed my handkerchief. I saw the prisoner and another boy in front, and saw the prisoner tucking my handkerchief under his jacket.Continue reading “Henry Drummond – From Pickpocket to Pirate”
Tag Archives: Convict Absconding
A Brief History of Bushranging in Queensland. Part 1.
1824-1842 Moreton Bay Convict Settlement “Bushranging” was a term invented around 1805 to describe the actions of escaped convicts who took to the bush, often leading violent outlaw lives to secure food and avoid capture. Absconding became an attractive option in the penal settlements of Sydney (est. 1788) and Van Diemen’s Land (est. 1803). Food was scarce, rations wereContinue reading “A Brief History of Bushranging in Queensland. Part 1.”
Jack Bushman’s Tale Part 3
RETAKEN. -THE PUNISHMENT-OTHER ADVENTURES-LIBERTY. GUIDED by the sound I went to the old hut, and asked, – ” are you there, Charley?” “Oh dear! I shall die,” was the response. The gleam from the fire gave me light. I saw Charley was care-worn and beaten. His breathing was short and difficult. I stripped, the coveringContinue reading “Jack Bushman’s Tale Part 3”
Jack Bushman’s Tale Part 1
In 1859, the Moreton Bay Courier published a series of chapters of convict-era reminiscences by “Jack Bushman”. They are quite a tale, but some background research shows that the reminiscences are quite true. The first section deals with his transportation to Australia in 1818, and the beginnings of a longing for freedom, which brought him to MoretonContinue reading “Jack Bushman’s Tale Part 1”
Convict Runaways: The life of David Bracewell (Wandi).
In my recent posts on James “Duramboi” Davis, I have referred in passing to David Bracewell (sometimes called Bracefell or Bracefield), known as “Wandi” to the indigenous people of Eumundi. I think now is perhaps a good time to fill in the details. David Bracewell was born in Shadwell, London in 1805 and worked asContinue reading “Convict Runaways: The life of David Bracewell (Wandi).”
Convict Runaways. James “Duramboi” Davis.
This is the first in a series of posts on the life of James Davis or “Duramboi”. The best-known convict absconder from Moreton Bay, he was considered a very bad character in his teens but after 14 years with the indigenous people of the Wide Bay area, went on to be an Interpreter for indigenousContinue reading “Convict Runaways. James “Duramboi” Davis.”
Convict Runaways – Fagan and Bulbridge pay the ultimate price.
The Moreton Bay penal settlement was designed to be a place of punishment, but not execution. There was no Supreme Court at Brisbane until the 1850s, no scaffold and no executioner. The prisoners who committed capital offences at Brisbane were taken by sea to Sydney, where they were tried, and if found guilty, executed. TheContinue reading “Convict Runaways – Fagan and Bulbridge pay the ultimate price.”
From the Trial Book of Moreton Bay: Bushrangers
In early 1839, the Moreton Bay Penal Settlement was about to be “broken up”. Aside from a basic staff and 39 convicts to maintain the place, the inmates and their Regimental masters were preparing to be sent to Sydney. Doubtless there was a great deal of relief on all sides. Before the breaking-up, a groupContinue reading “From the Trial Book of Moreton Bay: Bushrangers”
Convict Runaways – Sheik Browne
Sheik Browne One of the more fascinating Convict runaways of Moreton Bay was a man named Sheik Browne (or Brown or “Black Jack”). Very little is known of his life before and after his spectacular series of escapes from custody, recorded so painstakingly in Prisoner Registers, Official Correspondence and Court files. In his records, SheikContinue reading “Convict Runaways – Sheik Browne”
Moreton Bay and More 