GEORGE JONES & JOSEPH BOWERS

George Jones' more notable exploits as bushranger began after he left the Hunter Valley. He arrived at George Bowman's property after Martin Cash had departed but knew Cash by reputation. Cash met him in Port Arthur and wrote of Jones in his memoirs: -

'I was now employed in carting stone from the quarry in charge of a free officer, and it being close upon Christmas, I deferred making another attempt for a least a fortnight or three weeks, when by that time, I should be perfectly recovered from the effects of my last adventure. The men who worked in the quarry, although belonging to the party, yet formed a separate body. We were permitted however, to converse freely; and here I became acquainted with Kavanagh and Jones, both of whom had been transported for life from Sydney for being under arms in the bush (but not together).

My last affair being the current topic, Jones in conversation privately informed Kavanagh that my name was not unfamiliar to him, having heard it frequently mentioned while in the service of Captain Pike (but this was after I left the service of Mr. Bowman). Some time before, he also informed him that I was considered the cleverest bushman in New South Wales and a person who could be depended upon. Of course, I was ignorant of all this at the time, and only recollect that while waiting in the quarry for the carts to be laden, Jones called me aside and enquired if I had been a stock rider for Mr. George Bowman. I answered "Yes". He then told me that he new me well, if not personally at least by report, being assigned to Captain Pike shortly after I left the Hunters River "And now Martin", he observed," since we know each other, is it your intention to go again (meaning to abscond)?" I looked at him for a moment, "Yes." I replied.'

George Jones arrived in 1830 on the Dunvegan Castle having been tried in London for high way robbery. He was assigned to Captain Pike in the Hunter Valley and first seems to have come to the attention of the authorities in January 1842 when he joined with Joseph Bowers to rob the Scone mail. Soon after they also robbed John Lucas on the Muswellbrook road. Joseph Bowers was an assigned servant to William Blaxland of Cassilis. He had arrived on the Lady Harewood in 1831 and had already been in trouble, having absconded from the A. A. company in 1833. A number of cheques stolen from the Mail were found on them when they were apprehended and they were committed for trial at Sydney. Captain Innes remarked at the time that he would commit them for trial for the robbery of John Lucas which would insure them as severe a punishment as the other, but that it would do away with the necessity of forwarding them to Maitland, where there was a greater chance of their escaping.