Person:Richard Newman (5)

On his marriage certificate, Richard's name is given as John but on all of the children's births etc. it is Richard. One of his daughters, Mary Ann, called her son John Richard Newman CANHAM, so perhaps his name was actually John Richard NEWMAN.

There is also a John NEWMAN who married Elizabeth LEE (aged 31) at Avoca on 3 August 1840. His stated age was 29, indicating a birth date around 1811. It has not been determined if this is the same person. It was indicated on his Norfolk Island record, 1846, that he was married, so he did have a wife before marrying Mary Ann Jacobs.

Richard's native place is cited as Eastbourne and as Brighton, both in Sussex, in his convict records.

Richard's age is uncertain. On his convict description for Waterloo in 1834, his age is given as 18 which would mean he was born around 1816. When sent to Norfolk Island in 1847, his age is given as 28, making his birthdate about 1819. His marriage certificate in 1861 gives his age as 38. This would indicate that he was born around 1823. However, on his death certificate, his age is given as 84, indicating that he was born around 1810.

The following information is on the Tasmanian Convicts CD: Surname: Newman. Given Name(s): Richard. Ship Name: Waterloo (1). {now referred to as Waterloo 4] Departure Port: Portsmouth. Departure Date: 20/11/1834. Arrival Date: 3/03/1835. Conduct Record: CON37/3 p686, CON31/33. Indent: CON16/3 p272. Description List: CON18/21. Muster Roll. Other Records. Appropriation List: CSO1/788/16831, MM33/6.

1834 - Description: Trade: Laborer & sweep Height: 5 ft 5 1/4 inches Age: 18 Complexion: pale Head: M.S. (medium size?) Hair: Light brown Whiskers: --- Visage: long Forehead: high Eyebrows: light brown Eyes: blue Nose: M.L. (medium length?) Mouth: M.W. (medium width?) Chin: long Remarks: A + H. R + C. man & woman on right arm, R. C. A. A. H., horse left arm. It was also indicated that he was from Eastbourne.

1834 - 1853 - Convict Conduct Record: 1834, 26 July: Sussex assizes. Single. Offence was stealing 7 ducks. He had a previous sentence of 1 month of vagrancy and suspicion of ??? 1835, 2 March: Waterloo. Surgeons report indicated that he was quiet and orderly throughout the voyage. 1839, 9 April: Ticket of leave. 1839, 2 Oct: Disobedience of orders, reprimanded. Suspicion of rape and felony discharged. 1840, 26 Dec: Drunkeness, find 5/-. 1841, 28 June: Misconduct in not? leaving the township? according to his pass, severely reprimanded. 1846, 2 July - Tried at Launceston for stealing 15 bags of wheat, the property of D. Walters. Not Guilty. 1846, 3 July - Sentenced to death for Burglary being armed and stealing 20lbs tea, 40lbs sugar, 40lbs bacon, 9 coats, 5 waistcoats and a silver watch. 1846, 15 July - Sentence changed to 10 years at Norfolk Island. 1848, 3 March - Conduct at Norfolk Island was good and it was ordered that 1/5 of his sentence "should be remitted if he is without offence between this date and the completion of his first 5 years on the island." 1853, 14 April - It was noted that 1/5 of the original period of probation was now remitted. (No more is recorded in this document.)

1839 - Listed in The Hobart Town Courier on Fri 12 April under Tickets of Leave: Richard NEWMAN, Waterloo.

1846 - Report in the Launceston Examiner on Sat 4 July: SUPREME COURT. CRIMINAL SITTINGS. [Before his Honor Mr. Justice Montagu.] Thursday, July 2... Thomas Somers, Richard Newman, George Evans, and Robert Blythe, were indicted for stealing forty-five bushels wheat the property of D. Walters. The prisoners belonged to the gang of thieves who were suspected of committing a number of depredations in and near Longford. They were acquitted on this charge. Friday, July 3.... Richard Newman, John Williams, and Robert Blythe, (three of the Norfolk Plains gang) were indicted for the capital offence of committing a robbery under arms, at Mr. Cutts'. One of the gang was admitted approver, and related the circumstances. His Honor directed the jury to receive with necessary caution, the evidence of such a witness; against two of the prisoners, there were conclusive corroborative facts; but Williams escaped, the testimony not affecting him to the same degree. His Honor ordered sentence of death to be recorded against Newman and Blythe. The approver, Evans, and Blyth were probation servants of Newman, and all three planned and effected the robbery In concert.

1846 - Report in the Launceston Examiner on Mon 6 July: SUPREME COURT.— Criminal Side. Thursday, July 2. Before His Honor Mr. Justice Montague. Thomas Somers, Richard Newman, Geo. Evans, and Robert Blyth, were charged with stealing, on the 13th March, forty-five bushels wheat, and fifteen bags, the property of David Walters. Prosecutor deposed that he resides at Norfolk Plains. On the night of the 13th March left a waggon containing thirty bags of wheat (each hag holding about three bushels) standing near his own door ; the next morning missed one half of the wheat, and looking round observed the tracks of a cart, extending to within about a quarter of a mile of Perth ; all along the track was scattered a quantity of wheat, closely resembling that stolen from his cart: the footmarks of several men were also distinctly visible in the same direction, and the cart appeared to have turned off through "Ball's Forest," and to have stopped within about two hundred yards of the prisoner Newman's house. Mr. James Hortle deposed to searching Newman's premises on the 29th March ; the prisoner Evans accompanied him ; the latter conducted him to a spot within a short distance of the house, and pointed out to him a quantity of fallen timber, amongst which the bags now produced were found. Evans subsequently went to a large tree, and described to witness the manner in which the wheat had been shot down under it; he added that he had himself been present at the robbery, and helped Newman to remove the wheat from the premises of the prosecutor. The jury, under the direction of his Honor, acquitted the prisoners. Three of the prisoners were remanded to take their trial on a second information, Somers being the only one discharged. In consequence of the indisposition of the Attorney-General, the court was adjourned until ten o'clock the following morning. Friday, July 3. Richard Newman, John Williams, and Robert Blyth, were put to the bar, charged with feloniously breaking and entering the dwelling-house of James Cutts, on the night of the 26th March— putting him in bodily fear, and stealing from him nine coats, a quantity of tea, sugar, bacon, tobacco, and other articles. Prosecutor deposed that he resides at Longford; on the night in question he was in bed ; about the middle of the night the window was forced in, and two men entered the apartment ; presently afterwards somebody exclaimed "Stand, or I will blow your brains out." The prisoner Blyth asked for a candle — prosecutor told him where he would find a lamp ; having lighted it, witness then observed Newman standing at the bed-room door, armed with a gun ; he threatened if witness attempted to stir, that he (Newman) would blows his brains out. Whilst uttering the threat, he held the gun pointed at witness's head. Blyth also had a gun in his hand. He advanced to the side of the bed, and demanded to know where witness kept his money ; witness replied that there was none in the house, he (witness) having paid away a large sum to his landlord ; Newman then joined in assuring witness that it would be better for him to "turn it up" at once. They then searched the house, rummaging over a desk, pulling the clothes off the bed, and committing similar outrages. Witness told them that if they would remain quiet, he would get up and shew them his landlord's receipt for £161. Having done so, they appeared satisfied in that respect, and commenced tying up witness's clothes in a counterpane ; they also took possession of half-a-chest of tea, 40 lbs, of sugar, some lbs. of tobacco, a watch, nine coats, and other articles. Witness was sure of the identity of Blyth, from the circumstance of his having two or three times approached him with the light in his hand. By Newman. — I came to your house, after the robbery, in company with Mr. Hortle, I immediately recognised Blyth, and was prelty certain of you ; witness could not swear to the prisoner Williams. By the Court.— A little dog came in during the time the prisoners were in the house, and fawned on the third man ; the articles now produced are the property of witness; Newman's face was partly concealed under a black handkerchief, and he wore a cap; it was not until after seeing him two or three times at the police office, that witness was enabled to swear positively to him. The testimony of Mr. James Hortle was to the effect that a day or two after the robbery, he searched the house of the prisoner Newman, and found some articles which the prosecutor immediately identified. The following day, Newman himself took him to a tree, and pointed out to him where the rest of the properly was concealed within its trunk ; witness afterwards found three pairs of boots bidden in some tussocks of grass ; George Evans subsequently claimed a pair of them, and not having been sworn to by the prosecutor, they were given over to him. Thomas Burke, the next witness, deposed that he is under-gaoler at Launceston, and received the letter now produced, from a javelin man named Thomas, who stated that he had found it concealed in a shirt belonging to the prisoner Newman. Thomas Thomas deposed to finding the letter in the manner described by the last witness. A stranger had that day been permitted to visit Newman, and the latter had given him a shirt to carry out, in which witness ultimately discovered the letter. The letter was produced and read : it was addressed by the prisoner to one of his acquaintances, requesting as he valued his (the writer's) "precious" life, to come and prove an alibi in his favour at the ensuing Sessions. The epistle contained ample directions as to the manner in which this object was to be effected ; it bore the signature of prisoner Newman, and was altogether very explicitly indited. George Evans, a probationer— (having previously been admitted as evidence for the crown)— deposed to the following effect: that on the 13th March last, he and Blyth were in the service of the prosecutor; the forenoon of the 26th was very wet, and Newman remarked that us he could not work out of doors, he would take the opportunity of going to the New River ; he came home about half-past six in the evening, and about half-past eleven at night, witness, Newman, Williams, and Blyth, (having previously arranged their plan of operations) started for the residence of the prosecutor, three of the number being armed withguns, whilst witness carried a bag. Arriving on the premises, Newman went up to the bed-room window and forced it out ; witness at the same time heard him tell Cutts to "stand, or otherwise he would blow his brains out ;" Blyth and Newman then got in at the window, whilst Williams and witness remained outside; Blyth lighted a lamp, and demanded Mr. Cutts's money ; the latter replied that he had none, having just paid it away to his landlord ; Newman then remarked that "it would be better for him to turn it up at once," and Blyth confirmed his words; Cutts then got out of bed and shewed them the receipt for £161, which he had just paid away. Witness having been formerly in the service of the prosecutor, to avoid being recognized, was of course compelled to remain outside. Upon going away, Newman told the prosecutor to remain quiet and keep within his house for at least half-an-hour, for that if within that time he attempted to create any alarm, he (Newman) would return and blow his brains out. The property was carried home and taken in-doors, until the next morning, when part of it was taken out and concealed in a hollow tree. Williams came to the house only a few days previous to the robbery; he was not in the service of Newman, but lived with a person at Westbury ; witness had just left the service of Mr. Cutts, and entered that of Newman. It was in he course of a conversation about wheat that the robbery was first spoken of; Newman remarked to witness "that as the prosecutor had so much wheat, it was probable he had also a good deal of money by him." The prisoner Williams having called the evidence of his master, a small settler near Westbury, the latter stated that he had given him a pass to go to the house of the prisoner Newman, to ask whether he would (according to promise) come and saw some timber for him ; the prisoner remained absent nearly a week, and witness in consequence reported him to the chief constable of the district. His Honor summed up with his usual impartiality; and the jury returned a verdict of guilty against Newman and Blyth, but acquitted Williams. The two prisoners were then sentenced to transportation for life.

1846 - Norfolk Island Indent: NEWMAN, Richard, Waterloo F.S. (free by servitude), tried at Launceston Supreme Court on 3 July 1846, height 5 ft 9 1/2 inches, aged 28, death sentence recorded, protestant religion, can neither read nor write, married, sawyer, native place is Brighton, Sussex, has 3 brothers - Matthew in London, George and Robert in Brighton, and a sister, Eliza at N.P. Statement of Offence: Burglary Mr Cutts' a farmer wearing apparel, a watch & some tea and sugar, with Robert BLYTH. Arrived in this colony per Waterloo 1835, burglary, 7 years.

1846-1868 - Norfolk Island Record: NEWMAN, Richard, life, death recorded, tried at Launceston Supreme Court on 3 July 1846, protestant, can neither read nor write. transported [to Norfolk Island] for Burglary being armed and stealing tea, sugar, a watch, wearing apparel etc. tried with Robert BLYTH. Arrived in this colony per Waterloo 1835, burglary, 7 years. Married. Description: Trade: sawyer, Height: 5 ft 9 1/2 inches, Age: 28, Complexion: fresh, Head: oval, Hair: light brown; Whiskers: light brown, Visage: long, Forehead: high broad; Eyebrows: brown, Nose: large, Mouth: medium, Chin: large, Native Place: Brighton Sussex, Marks: A x H R x C x woman & man arm in arm on right arm below the elbow, R x C A A x H and horse left arm on left arm blow. Scar on 2nd finger of right hand. Period of Labour: 10 years. Station of Gang: Norfolk Island. Departed 28/12/46. Offences and Sentences: 1847, 20 Jan: Arrived Norfolk Island 1848, 7 Aug: Allowing a prisoner ??? in his master's quarters - 14 days hard labour. 1849, 24 Sep: Disorderly - 1 month hard labour chains. 1850, 15 Oct: Disobedience - 14 days hard labour chains. Same date: Disobedience - 3 months hard labour chains. 1851, 19 May: Idleness - 4 months hard labour chains. 1851, 16 June: Disobedience - 14 days hard labour chains. 1851, 11 July: Disobedience - 1 month hard labour chains. 1853, 27 Sep: P.H. (returned to VDL? see Remarks) 1854, 1 July: Beresford/King/ General misconduct. Not to be assigned the district of the Huon 1855, 9 Nov: Farm/ Misconduct in harbouring Driscoll & King, absconders. Not to enter service on the Northern side/??/ app. 16/11/55. 1856, 11 March: Ticket of Leave. 1858, 17 July: Larceny under 5 pounds - 6 months hard labor. Applied 17 Jult 1858. Ticket of Leave revoked and to serve a probation on expiration of sentence. 1858, 2 Nov: Ticket of Leave revoked. 1859, 20 Jan - Ticket of leave issued. 1868, 26 May - Free Pardon. Remarks: 1846, 15 July: Period of sentence fixed by Col. Sect. memo. 1848, 3 March: 1/5 of original period to be remitted if he is without offence between this date and the completion of the first 5 years on the Island. Established from old record 24/8/48. 1853, 11 Aug: P.A.? Returned per Franklin with 6 months and 1 day of Norfolk Island time unexpired. Unexpired portion of Norfolk Island extensions remitted. 1853, 4 Oct: PB? 11th J? Price? Huon. 1853, 5 Oct: Not to live in Hobart or North of Oatlands. 1854 (some references I don't understand) 1854, 10 Aug: Not to reside in or any district South of Hobart. 1855, 9 Jan: Must serve 2 years ??? from 127 Oct 53. 1855, 9 Oct: Must serve 2 years 6 months from 27/7/53. 1855, 10 Nov: Not to enter service North of Oatlands. 1855, 21 Nov: PB 30th N. Bush Snell?? 1858, (some references I don't understand) 1859, 20 Jan: Ticket of leave. (One other entry mentioning conduct that I can't read.)

1884 - News report from the Mercury, Hobart, from St Helen's correspondent on 9 Feb: On the 1st inst., Richard Newman was convicted before Messrs. Henry Dawson, S. M., and J. C. Macmichael, J. P., of stealing a pig, valued at £2, the property of a Chinaman, named Ching Wing, and was sentenced to three months imprisonment with hard labour.

1894 - Death Registration: Richard NEWMAN, shoemaker, aged 84 years. Cause of death was exhaustion.

1894 - Obituary in the Launceston Examiner on 21 June: THE LATE RICHARD NEWMAN. (FROM A CORRESPONDENT.) On Saturday, the 2nd inst., at his residence, St. Helen's, died Richard Newman at the age of 84. It may be said he died of old age, though it has only been for the last 18 months that any symptoms revealed themselves which denoted a break down of the system. At the age of 82 the deceased was as strong and active as most men of 60. Mr Richard Newman was one of the oldest pioneers of George's Bay; his first appearance at St. Helen's dates back 32 years. On March 23, 1862, he leased a piece of scrub land from one of the pioneer settlers. Mr Newman scrubbed, cleared, and cropped several acres of this land. It afterwards transpired that the land on which he had commenced to make a home belonged to the Government. A shrewd settler applied for it, and Mr Newman was turned out, and had to go to the back and hew out a new home for himself and family. In 1889 Mr Newman left the George's Bay district and went to Ringarooma port, where he stayed two years, and then returned to George's Bay. He then purchased some land on Constable's Creek, but finding it was too far from the township for his business (he was a shoemaker by trade) he rented a house on the township from Mr W. Lade, and here he lived with his wife and children until the day of his death. Dr. Gormley visited Mr Newman regularly, but told Mrs Newman that in a few days her husband would pass away. On Friday night internal haemorrhage set in and Mrs Newman saw that her husband could not last long. On Saturday morning deceased saw his wife watching at his bedside. He said, " Go to bed, my dear, and try to get some sleep." She said, "I can't leave you." He said, "I am going, I can't live." As she made no answer he said, " I am dying, you know I am," and drawing his wife to him kissed her tenderly. He said," We have been 32 long years together; we have had thousands of difficulties to contend with; God has always taken care of us; it is hard to part now. I am not afraid to die. I know that sooner or later we must part, but oh! how hard it is to leave you and the children. I have not been much help to you for some time past, but I have been a little protection. You will be very sad and lonely when I am gone." He then drew his youngest daughter to him, and kissed her affectionately. Five minutes before he died Mrs Charles Dalton said, "Do you know me ?" He said, " Mrs Dalton, God bless you." Mrs Newman then called Willie, her youngest son. Deceased fixed his eyes on Willie as he entered the room, but was too weak to speak. His eyes closed, his pulse fluttered, he gasped, and fell to sleep in the arms of Jesus. He was a sober and industrious man, a good husband and father, and, better still, he died trusting in God to receive his spirit and care for his children.