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George Jones' more notable exploits as
a 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 knew 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
John 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
by 1842 had already been in trouble with the authorities. After absconding from the
Australian
Agricultural Company in 1833 he was sent to the iron gang at
Newcastle. He absconded again when assigned to William
Blaxland. His description was posted in the Government Gazette -
Occupation - Nailer; age 32; native of York. 5' 7 1/4"; ruddy
and freckled complexion. Light brown hair, light hazel eyes, small scar
over (r) eyebrow, tattoos.
A number of cheques stolen from the Scone Mail
were found on Jones and Bowers 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.
Joseph Bowers was sentenced to transportation for life. He was sent to
Port Arthur but soon absconded. With five other men, he was found guilty
of bushranging in
March 1844 and
sentenced to death without any hope of mercy.
Jones was sentenced
to transportation for Life to a penal settlement and was sent to Van
Diemen's Land also. He met up with Martin Cash in December. They escaped together with another
convict Kavanagh the day after Christmas in 1842.
George Jones was hanged 30
April 1844.
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