ATKINSON & HOLMES

In other correspondence it was reported that there were up to ten bushrangers who carried out the robbery.(2) This seems likely in light of correspondence to the newspapers at this time. The settlers of the district were becoming greatly alarmed by the 'outrages of a gang of bushrangers'. It was reported in the Monitor that the gang was increasing in number as more and more assigned servants joined their ranks,(12) their depredations becoming more extensive and serious as they gained confidence.

In just ten years, William Atkinson had graduated from  a sixteen year old lad playing 'at top' in a London Street to a convicted bushranger with a colonial sentence of 15 years transportation to a penal colony. His fall from grace began in London in 1826 when he was named by a thirteen year old lad Joseph Sandland as the one who had robbed him a few months previously. Although the charge was denied William had no witnesses or petitions to support him . His story of innocence was not believed and his conviction carried a sentence of transportation for life.(3) He arrived on the Guildford in 1827.

It is not known where he was first assigned on arrival in Australia, however by December 1835 he was with William Cromarty as part of the boats crew at Newcastle.(4) Captain Cromarty had taken over the duties of pilot at Newcastle from William Eckford.  The pilots and their crew at Newcastle were brave men. They were often  called on in the worst of weather to guide vessels into the harbour and were required to perform rescues as well. Their tiny boats were sometimes scathingly referred to as 'cockleshells'. The only life William had known was on the streets of London so it is little wonder that he was unhappy employed as a boat crewman in this tiny seaport. It is to be wondered if he could even swim. Nevertheless it seems he performed his duties bravely at times. One captain was so impressed with his hard work in towing a vessel through heavy seas that he provided William with a quantity of rum as a reward -  which unfortunately for William, led to a charge of drunkenness and subsequent punishment. (5)

William's master, Captain Cromarty was injured while piloting a vessel into port and retired  to his farm at Port Stephens. (where he was tragically drowned with his young son in 1838) and John Patton took over the duties of pilot for a time. William was charged with drunkenness and insolence towards the pilot around this time, however the charge was dropped when the prosecutor failed to appear. William absconded from the pilots department late in February 1837 and after being apprehended in April 1837, he was removed from his perilous duties. He received 25 lashes as punishment for absconding and was 'returned to government service'. (7)

After this he was sent to work for John McCrohon, a former Quartermaster with the King's Owen Regiment who was employed as chief constable at Paterson. William absconded again in December 1837 however his freedom was brief and he was apprehended early in March. He  was described at this time as 5'1" with fair ruddy complexion, fair hair and brown eyes.  - WAHS on upper, anchor & other letters on lower left arm. JF on lower ® arm. (8)

Isaac Holmes arrived on the Grenada in 1819. He had also grown up on the streets of London where he had already begun a life of crime when he was 17, having been convicted of stealing money. He was fined just one shilling for this robbery in August 1817 however wasn't so fortunate the second time he was arrested. For his crime of stealing one pair of pantaloons  valued at  30 shillings, in November 1818 he received a sentence of transportation for 7 years(9)

Like William Atkinson, Isaac Holmes had some minor brushes with the authorities in Australia.  In 1826  he teamed up with Anthony Diamond to rob John Stronach, a Bailiff and baker of Wallis Plains. They were convicted of stealing linen belonging to Stronach and sentenced to 1 month hard labour in the House of Correction.(10) Perhaps Isaac reformed for a while. He had gained his freedom (by servitude) and found employment as a fencer for William Carter at Piercefield by 1828.(11) As a fencer he must have moved around following work. Perhaps this is how he came to be in the Dungog area.

(1)Aust. 21 December 1839

(2)DUNGOG LETTERS - COPIES OF LETTERS SENT 1839/42 AONSW Reel No. 2679

(4) Newcastle Bench Books 1st December 1835

(5) Newcastle Bench Books 1 December 1835

(6) Newcastle Bench Books 14 December 1836

(7) Newcastle Bench Books 12 April 1837

(8) Government Gazette 7 March 1838

(9)Proceedings of the Old Bailey