The Castle Forbes gang
In 1833 Robert was instrumental in the capture of escaped servants who had been assigned to Major James Mudie at his property, Castle Forbes at Patrick Plains. Anthony Hitchcock, John Poole, James Riley, David Jones, John Perry and the youngest, seventeen year old James Ryan, claimed they had absconded after brutal mistreatment by Mudie and his overseer, John Larnach. In November 1833, they took to the bush after stealing supplies, guns, ammunition and horses. Robert led a group of men in pursuit of the escaped convicts. They located the escapees camping in a steep ravine and successfully captured them. Despite the pleas of their Counsel, Roger Therry who argued they had suffered under appalling treatment from Larnach and Mudie, they were found guilty. Five were executed with David Jones exiled to Norfolk Island for life. This trial proved to be one of the most controversial cases in NSW convict history. Mudie and Lanarch's mistreatment resulted in public outcry at the execution of the men and a government inquiry into conditions for assigned servants at Castle Forbes.
Sydney Gazette, Tuesday 26 November, 1833, p. 2.
Sydney Gazette, Tuesday 26 November, 1833, p. 2.
Local settlers established a fund raising campaign to thank Robert for his initiative in capturing the convicts. An article in the Sydney Gazette celebrates Robert’s vigilance and describes the funds raised by donations from grateful Hunter settlers whose properties were now made safe by the capture of the Castle Forbes gang. It was reported that Robert received 'a piece of plate' from the funds raised.
In volume 4 of the Scott family papers is Robert’s correspondence relating to the Castle Forbes bushrangers, including a 4 page list of names of Hunter settlers who donated funds for Robert’s reward. There is also a letter from the Colonial Secretary, Alexander McLeay commending Robert’s involvement in the capture and promising a reward for his duties.
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Correspondence of Robert Scott, Vol. 4, Manuscript A2263
TRANSCRIPTION
Selections from Correspondence of Robert Scott, Vol. 4, A2263
[Page 1]
The undersigned Settlers and Inhabitants of the districts of the Hunter are desirous of recording their suite of the important services rendered to the community by the very active exertions of Robert Scott Esq., of Glendon, JP, in so promptly following up & capturing a strong party of [too faint to read] marauders lately had committed great atrocities in the neighbourhood; and of conveying to him in the substantial shape of a piece of Plate the thanks of the community for his serving on this as well as on former occasions of a similar nature.
Subscriptions will be received by Wakef-d Simpson Esq. Maitland, & applied hereafter under the direction of a Committee.
Hunter River, 16th November 1833
Mr Mudie Castle Forbes paid 5 . .
Mr Larnach Do paid 2.10.
Mr Jones MC paid into Bank 5 . .
Mr Simpson Maitland paid 1 . .
Mr Winder Windermere paid into Bank 2 10 .
Mr Duguid Lochinvar paid 2 10 .
Mr White Greenwood paid 2 . .
Mr J McDougal P Plains paid 1 . .
Mr A McDougal Do paid 1 . .
Carried over ₤22 10 .
[Page 2]
B/over 54 16 –
Mr Jno M Blaxland Jnr 1 - -
Mr E C Close MC paid to WS 2 - -
Mr Bingle JP paid 2 - -
Mr J Adair paid 1 - -
Mr Matthew Chapman Wms Rive paid 1 - -
Mr Carlyle Cressfield paid 1 . .
Mr Little Riverview paid 1 . .
Dr Little Ecclefechan paid 1 . .
Mr George Forbes paid 2
Sir Edward Parry JP paid 2 - -
Mr H C Sempill JP (paid) 2 - -
W P[?] Coleman Paid 1 - -
H Dangar 1 10 –
W Dangar 1 10 –
J P Adair [deleted] Webber JP paid bank 2 - -
A B Spark JP paid 2 - -
Mr D Kilman 1 - -
Mr Bell paid 1 - -
Mr Loder 1 - -
G Wyndham JP (paid) 2 10 –
Dr Radford per L Duguid (paid) 5 - -
Dr Bowman paid into Bank 5 - -
Mr John Allman (paid) 1 - -
95 6 –
Mr G Townshend JP paid 2 - -
Mr Ogilvie JP Merton paid 1 - -
(₤3- to WS)
Mr J E Eyre paid into Bank 1 - -
Mr Bettington paid into Bank 1 - -
Mr Gardiner paid into Bank 1 - -
Mr G B paid into Bank [deleted]
Carried forward 101 6 -
[Page 3]
Brought Forward ₤101 6 –
Capt Biddulph paid 1 1 –
[Page 4]
No- 33/808
Colonial Secretary’s Office
Sydney 13th December 1833
Sir
The Commandant of the Mounted Police having submitted to the Governor your letter to him of the 22nd ultimo, reporting the names of Five free persons and eighteen Convicts concerned in the capture of the Seven Patricks Plains Bushrangers.
I have the honor by direction of His Excellency to acquaint that the reward of Seventy Pounds offered on the Notice of the 12th ultimo for the apprehension of these men, and the ordinary reward of Five Pounds for the Conviction of six of them respectively, established by the 5th Section of the notice of 13th April 1832 Gazette No 7, is to be divided in equal proportions among the Twenty three Captors reported by you as above – and that the First Police Magistrate of Sydney has been instructed to pay to you the amount due under such arrangement to the five free persons
Robert Scott Esq JP
Glendon, Hunter River
Encl/
[Page 5]
in order that it may be distributed by you amongst them. The remaining sum due to the Eighteen Convicts will be paid over to the Principal Superintendent, and by him lodged in the Savings Bank on account of each individual interested.
In making this communication to you I have the honor by the Governors Command to acquaint you that His Exellency appreciates the promptness and effect with which you discharged your duty as a Magistrate on preceeding with a party to search for the Bushrangers who were eventually captured, and that He has had pleasure in being informed that all the persons who accompanied you behaved well.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your most Obedient Servant,
Alex McLeay