Description:

CAMPBELLTOWN POLICE MAGISTRATES COURT, VAN DIEMEN'S LAND "RECORD BOOK" 1839-1840

Large ledger containing numerous handwritten records of the proceedings of the court between August 1839 and April 1840, which appears to have been a particularly busy period.

The extensive records provide an unique and valuable insight into the problems associated with the large percentage of the convict population who had been assigned to work for local landowners or merchants, those on chain-gangs and those already granted tickets-of-leave.

A few examples:

William Frost [Transported for Life, arriving on the "York" in 1832]: Charged with "Idleness in not breaking a sufficient quantity of stones". Found "Not Guilty of Idleness but Guilty of not breaking the quantity of stones required by the overseer." Sentenced to "Fourteen days imprisonment and hard labour in chains."

Grace Grant [Transported for 7 years, arriving on the "Francis Charlotte" in 1832]: Charged with "Misconduct. Leaving their masters premises (with another female convict) without leave, after dark, and Drunkenness". Found "Guilty" and sentenced to "Nine months imprisonment and hard labour at the Female House of Correction Launceston."

Charles Franklyn [Transported for 7 years, arriving on the "Bardaster" in 1836]: Charged with "Absconding from Campbelltown on the 14th August last, and remaining illegally at large until apprehended by a Constable at George Town." Found Guilty and sentenced to "Twelve months imprisonment and hard labour in chains."

Joseph Love [Transported for 14 years, arriving on the "Henry Porcher" in 1836]: Charged with "Misconduct; making use of obscene language". Found guilty and sentenced to "One hour in the stocks after working hours on Saturday afternoon."

Samuel Cook [Transported for 14 years, arriving on the "Lord Lyndoch" in 1836]: Charged with "Absconding" and found Guilty, his sentence was "Original term of transportation extended twelve months."

Aquilla Brodrib [Transported for Life, arriving on the "Eden" in 1836]: Charged with being "Drunk and disorderly with the mail bags in his possession". Found guilty and sentenced to "Fourteen days solitary confinement on bread and water, and recommended to be dismissed from the Post Office department."

Samuel Smith [Transported for 7 years, arriving on the "England" in 1832]: Charged with "Misconduct, being absent from his master's residence and found drinking in Mr Whitehead's Public House, and also offering a bribe to Constable Morgan." He was found guilty and sentenced "To receive a corporal punishment of 36 lashes and then returned to his service, the dollar forfeited to the Crown."