CONVICT LINKS

Admin notes: I believe the above list is the first time the names have been published as a list! Two years ago I had the information but did not publish out of concern for descendants. I think we learned the true back story at school - many were sent for minor crimes (usually against their “betters”!”)

Combined list of convicts with links to Gnowangerup

Jimmy Quinn

William Whitehead

Edward Treasure

Charles Jordan

James Corbett Snr (father of Michael ‘Mick’ Corbett)

Thomas McGuire (?)

George Coyne

Robert Gamble

William Searle (Searl)

William Hiscox

Sam Swift

Henry Adams

‘Convict Graham’

West Australia refused to take convicts for many years however the fledgling colony could not become self sufficient without roads and farms - all requiring young strong male labourers……so then they agreed but set out “none convicted of serious crimes”. I believe there were a few who were convicted of serious crimes, but by and large the men were convicted of minor, non violent acts and became law abiding citizens, building the foundation of our state - farms, roads, bridges etc.

Yes, most did well and many became very wealthy, well respected and so moved socially upward. I haven’t met anyone yet who is ashamed of their convict ancestry - quite the opposite - it is a sought after designation, knowing how cruel and unfair those with power and privilidge in their hands act on so many occasions! For instance, Edward Treasure was reported to the authorities by a minister of religion….for stealing his handkerchief!

You have really set this long overdue discussion and recognition of what is an important historical note of a proud past in motion…thank you!

Chris Parnell: “Henry Adams is my great great grandfather”.

Robynne Walsh: “William Whitehead was my great grandfather and Charles Jordan was my great uncle. Yes they were convicts when they arrived in the colony and served their time in Fremantle, Perth and York but by the time they arrived in Broomehill in their late thirties people thought they were wealthy free settlers. According to my understanding no one knew they were convicts until very recent times around the 1950s. If it is the same person as my MCGuire family Thomas wasn’t a convict. Philip MCGuire my great great grandfather came out as a pensioners guard to Albany and he and his children were all free settlers in Eticup”.

GNOWANGERUP CONVICT HISTORY

Reg Gillespie – Notes on Martinup

"Old Martinup joins Pallinup on the North side. In 1865 it was used as a convict station barracks, later it was sold to Leo Treasure and family and has now been sold to neighbours. There is part of an old road that goes through Pallinup, in the early days this was used by Sandalwood cutters taking their wood to Albany...Martinup Soak, as it was called then, was a camp and watering hole for travellers and drovers. It was still going strong when I left in 1977”.

(Reg Gillespie Notes for local Heritage Group)

A Concise History of Pallinup, Reg Gillespie, Edited by Patricia Penfold, Gnowangerup Star Jan 12 1995

West Australian Museum: “Just five pieces of clothing survive from the convict period in Western Australia - this jacket and trousers being two of those five items.

The bizarre parti-coloured uniform was worn as extra punishment by prisoners sentenced to work in iron leg chains. It is made of coarse wool tabby in black and bright mustard yellow halves. The right hand front half of each piece was black and the left half yellow; this was reversed on the back and the collar. Because the punishing iron chains remained on the prisoner’s legs 24 hours a day, the sides of the trousers buttoned up (and could be unbuttoned) like a fly. The pieces are stamped with the infamous broad arrow that signified British Government property”.

Every endeavour has been made to accurately record the details however if you would like to provide additional images and/or newer information we are pleased to update the details on this site. Please use CONTACT at the top of this page to email us. We appreciate your involvement in recording the history of our area.

References:                 Article:      

                                  Image:     

Copyright : Gordon Freegard 2023