Charles Dewhurst, Convict "Roslin Castle" 1828

Findings on Charles Dewhurst

The spelling of the Dewhirst surname appears to have been spelt with a "u" instead of "i" after the move toTasmania.

• Title: Dewhirst, Charles
• Description: Charles Dewhirst, one of 176 convicts transported on the Roslin Castle, 12 August 1828

Sentence

• Details: Convicted at York, West Riding Quarter Sessions for a term of 7 years on 17 July 1828.
• Vessel: Roslin Castle (Ship)
• Date of Departure: 12 August 1828
• Place of Arrival: Van Diemen's Land Subject(s): Convicts

Charles was transported to Tasmania on "Roslin Castle" 1828. He was tried at York, 17 July 1828 and sentenced to 7 years. He was charged with Stealing, at Horton, three pounds of silver, three one pound provincial notes, five pounds weight of band, and a gun, the property of one Samuel Cannon. Three others were charged with the same offence they were John Padgett, George Riley and Abraham Shepherd. He had been tried previously for Felony of a hen but was acquitted. On 2 February 1835 a application to marry was applied for. it read : Application of Charles Dewhurst, free, to marry Elizabeth Banks, convict per Frances Charlotte." Approved 10 February 1835. Offences in the colony - 21 Nov. 1833 Ticket of Leave, Watch House Keep/felony. Committee for trial Supreme Court. 5 Feb 1834 Vide Gazette/"An emancipation granted in consequence of his meritorious conduct in apprehending in concert with others the four desperate bushrangers, Ward, Newman, Buchan and Dawson. Conditional Pardon No. 545 11th February 1834. The description list of Charles reads:- Name, Charles Dewhurst No. 504 Trade, Balacksmith Height 5'9" Age, 22 Complexion, Brown Head, Round inclined to oval Hair, Brown Whiskers, None Visage, Oval Forehead, Perpendicular Eyebrows, Brown Eyes, Brown Nose, Sharp, pointed Mouth, Narrow Chin, Long Remarks, Scar on back of middle finger left hand. Stout Man. In convict's memorials for indulgences:- March 19 1830 - Dewhurst Charles, "Roslin Castle", application to sleep out of barracks. 29 March refused. May 19 1830:- Same request. 1 June refused if he is not married. July 23 1830:, Same request. No answer recorded. Feb 8 1831:- Same request. No answer recorded. Charles was the district Blacksmith, in its early years, He was later landowner and one of the committee of three who in 1861 got the local school built. (it is near the St James Church) Charles left a will, which was probated 23 July 1887. It was for 39 pounds. The executors were George Green, Northdown, farmer and George Brown, Northdown, farmer. The proctors Hooley and Young....Kath McKegg charles dewhurst and his wife elizabeth banks were witnesses at the wedding of grace and charles and then apparently lived quite close to one another - when charles blight died grace married charles dewhurst...Ruth Coomber Was charged with theft in Bradford, convicted and sentenced to 7 years transportation to Tasmania. As Convict No, 504 arrived there on "ROSLIN CASTLE" in 1828. Granted conditional pardon on 11/2/1834 for helping capture 4 bushrangers...G.A.Glass These photos have come from Bernadette Dewhurst-Phillips Here is what she told me about finding Charles Dewhurst's grave: I had a real adventure looking for Charles Dewhurst's grave. The cemetary is on private land still, but the owner is quite a charming old fellow. He gave me a list, with names and a bit of a map, that a family history group had made from about 1970. The little cemetary was completely overgrown with grass and creepers. We had to walk down over farm paddocks and cross barbed wire fences and everything. When we got to the cemetary, the listing said Charles Dewhurst 18, and unknown, 19. I suspected the unknown would be Elizabeth. The headstones went along in order, got to 17, then there were two spaces, with nothing. No headstones, no concrete edgings, nothing. I thought they must have been broken up or lost. I stomped all around in the long grass to see if I could feel anything hard underneath. Then I saw an iron fenced area, that was not marked on the listing. Charles and two of his sons were the blacksmiths in the area, so I thought, I wonder?? The fence was too high to climb over, so I searched around, and found a gap where someone else had broken through and moved a couple of the railings aside. I climbed in, and there were two headstones. One was obviously Charles', with his name still readable. The other was very worn and nothing discernible on it, but I'm sure it's Elizabeth. I was surprised, since Charles remarried, that he was then buried with his first wife, but now you've told me that they were obviously friends from way back, it's not such a mystery. Elizabeth and Grace were probably great friends.