THREE AMIGOS – WOODHAM RUGLESS LIMPUS + ONE – THOMAS BARRETT
Tuesday, June 13th, 2017‘The grand consideration seems to be, to get them [convicted criminals] out of Europe at all Events…simply landing these people in Africa., to let them shift for themselves’. Governor Richard Miles, Cape Coast Castle to Home Office, London. Cited Mollie Gillen, Founders of Australia, Library of Australian History.
London – 1781 May 30: Samuel Woodham and John Rugless, aged about 16 years – described as ‘boys’ in court papers – appeared at the Old Bailey indicted for assault and highway robbery.
Africa: Found guilty of stealing a silver shirt buckle, a cotton handkerchief and 14 (fourteen) shillings in coin they were sentenced to hang. Reprieved, commuted for a life-time of military service in Africa, both were lodged in London’s infamous Newgate gaol to await shipment.
London – 1782 October 8: Thomas Limpus appeared at the General Quarter Sessions at the beginning of October 1782 charged with theft of a handkerchief. Found guilty he was sentenced to seven (7) years exile in Africa.
Biographical information is taken from Mollie Gillen’s fabulous Founders of Australia (more…)