William Armstrong, Convict "Hero" 1835

William ARMSTRONG was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1794. His father was also William Armstrong. His mother’s name is unknown. William married in Ireland and had three children, 2 boys and a girl.

The Dublin "Evening Standard" of Saturday 1st September, 1832 lists City Sessions Courts, Thursday, and under the heading of House Robbery:

Mary Binks, William Rorke, William Armstrong and William Armstrong junior were indicted for having on the 22nd July last, stolen five notes for 50 pounds each, the property of George Penrose; also a gold watch, two gold seals, a gold chain, a quantity of plate, and 67 pounds, the property of James Doyle, in the house of Susanna Doyle, No 7, Hatch Street. The result was (sic) the conviction of William Armstrong junior, the aquital of the other three prisoners. Mary Binks is, however, held in custody on another indictment. Yesterday, Mary Binks, whose aquital, with others, on a charge of felony in the house of Messrs Doyle, Hatch Street, was tried on this occasion upon another indictment, charging her with stealing a gold pin, the property of John Doyle. She was also acquitted in the present instance. William Armstrong junior, who had been found guilty on Wednesday, of robbery in the house of Messrs Doyle, was sentenced to transportation for life.

William Armstrong’s occupation was a shoemaker. He was transported to New South Wales, leaving Dublin on 15 March 1835 on board the "Hero" with 197 male prisoners. The "Hero" was under superintendence of David Boyter, Esq, Surgeon, RN. the ship was under the charge of Captain Dowson. The guard consisted of the Honourable Captain Best, 50th Regiment, Ensign Lucas, 17th Regiment, 29 Rank & File, 7 women & 9 children, attached to the 50th & 17th Regiments. The ship arrived in Sydney on 31 August 1835.

William was assigned to William Wedge Darke, assistant surveyor.

Permission to marry: 1. Declined 2. Granted 28.12.1844. The following is an extract from "The Sydney Morning Herald", dated 4th April 1843:

William Armstrong was indicted for killing and slaying Richard Cawthorne, at Bathurst, on 17th November last. It appeared that both the prisoner and the deceased were in the service of Colonel Morrisset, Police Magistrate at Bathurst; that on the day above named, they were engaged in gathering hay, the deceased being a temporary overseer on the occasion, although the prisoner was not aware of that, and looked on him merely as a fellow labourer; that the deceased found fault with the prisoner, for neglecting his work; and that in the scuffle ensued between the parties, in which the prisoner, with a wooden rake which he had in his hand, struck the deceased a blow to the groin, of which he died in two days. It appeared also that the deceased, who was a much more powerful man than the prisoner, but unarmed, gave the first blow, which was a violent one, and that the prisoner gave the fatal blow with the rake as soon as he recovered his feet. Colonel Morrisset gave the prisoner an excellent character for humanity and general good conduct. The Jury found the prisoner guilty, but recommended him to mercy, in consequence of which, and the good character the prisoner had borne, his Honour sentenced him to the lenient punishment of twenty four hours confinement in Bathurst gaol.

Extract from the "Bathurst Free Press" dated 22nd December 1849, relating to the death of William Armstrong.

William Armstrong, shoemaker, of Kelso, his wife, and a hired servant named Edward Graham, were drinking at the residence of the deceased in Sullivan’s Lane, on Sunday last. Late in the evening he left the house in the company of Graham, to go to his workshop, situated about 100 yards from his residence. Not returning that evening, a search was made on the following morning, when he was discovered in the workshop in a dreadful state. His head and clothes were covered with blood, and his left eye blackened. Medical assistance was not called in until Wednesday, when Dr Machattie was sent for, who found him suffering severely from compression of the brain. Deceased lingered until Friday evening, when he died on Saturday. An inquest was held upon the body of the deceased, at his residence, before the Coroner, Captain Sutherland, when a post mortem examination was undertaken by Dr Machattie, who discovered a severe bruise over the left ear and that a fracture of the inner plate of the skull had been caused. About a pint of blood and scrum was found on the brain, which had caused death. Verdict - died by injuries received on the head, but how, or by whom, there is no evidence to show. We understand that when asked about the manner in which he had received his injuries, Armstrong answered that they were caused by falling from a brick kiln. This story was repeated by his wife, who, to her shame be it spoken, was in a state of beastly intoxication during the time of his sickness, and interment, and, we are informed, is now lying in a dangerous state from the effects of intemperance. The individual, Graham, who accompanied the deceased from the house on Sunday evening, left the house on Monday morning, and has not been heard of since. This circumstance engenders a suspicion that the deceased has met with foul play.

It is known that William had a residence, and probably a business as a shoemaker, in Sullivans Lane, Kelso. There is no record of this amongst the records held by the Bathurst Family History or local history groups. Kelso was a ‘private town’ and little is known of its inhabitants or the town itself.

Convict Ship "Hero" http://www.jenwilletts.com/convict_ship_hero_1835.htm

Kelso: htmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelso,_New_South_Wales#History