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On a cool Tuesday morning late in April 1843, two men marched with great firmness, quite a distance from the old Gaol at Newcastle to the gallows that awaited them.
They
were accompanied on their last journey by Rev. C.P.N.
Wilton, Rev. Innes and Rev. Lightbody. Upon arriving
at their place of execution they joined the Reverend
gentlemen in hymns and prayer before ascending the
drop unaided. The executioner fastened the ropes
around their necks and one of the men then addressed
the waiting crowd in an impressive manner. He exhorted
them to take warning by his own and his companion's
untimely fate and begged them to prepare for eternity.
He told them he died happy and at peace with mankind.
Thomas Forrester - known as 'Long Tom' arrived on the Henry Porcher
in 1835. He was about 30 years old, a
powerfully built man standing 6'3" tall and said to be
one of the swiftest runners in the district. He had
been captured several times before however had always
before managed to outwit the Constables and make his
escape. The last escape was aided by his armed and
desperate fellow outlaws. This prompted the Government
to post the substantial reward of
£25
for his capture, thereby sealing his fate.
His cohort George Wilson (arrived on the
Moffatt in 1836) had been captured
by Corporal Kirk and troopers Stevenson and Scott on the 14th September
1842 when they surprised his camp-out 20 miles from Doughboy's Hollow. He
made a desperate bid to escape into the ranges but was pursued and
captured. His companions, one of whom was thought to be wounded managed to
escape. Wilson had with him
Tom Forrester was captured on Friday the 13th January
1843. Chief Constable
Shields of Scone was the brave constable who finally
outwitted him at
At the Maitland Assizes held on Saturday
18th March George Wilson was indicted for wilfully and maliciously
wounding Francis Edward Bigge with intent to Murder him at Peel River on
18th August 1842 and Thomas Forrester was indicted for aiding assisting
and abetting Wilson. The prisoners (both 'intelligent looking men')
insisted on pleading guilty despite being informed by the Judge that
wounding with intent to murder was an offence punishable by death and he
would allow them to withdraw the plea and make a lesser one of 'shooting
at' if they so wished. Both men explained that they were prisoners under
transportation for life and had no wish to change the plea. The Judge then
stated that it was his painful duty to pass upon them the last sentence of
the law, which was that they should be taken thence to the place of
imprisonment from whence they came, and thence to the place of execution,
there to be hanged by the neck until they were dead, the Lord to have
mercy on their souls.
After this, 'Long Tom' and George Wilson were taken on the long journey
to Newcastle gaol. Here they were lodged in the custody
of the gaol Governor, Mr. Field, with 44 other male
prisoners who were awaiting trial. They were seen to
behave with exemplary conduct. With little over
a month to live and no hope of reprieve, Long Tom was said
to be deeply sensible of his awful situation;
passing his time in the gaol in a state of
depression.
The two were said to have met their fate with Christian resignation.
Sydney Gazette
Sydney Morning Herald, 22 September 1842 Maitland Mercury, 21 January 1843 Maitland Mercury 28 January 1843 Maitland Mercury 29 April 1843
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