Convict Histories

Charles Wright (c1832 – 1905) (Reg. No. 6762)

By Irma Walter, 2024.

Charles Wright was born c1832. His mother’s name was Mary Wright and they lived in the Lambeth area of London. [At the time of Charles’s death in Western Australia in 1905 his father was recorded as Charles Wright, printer,[1] who may have died when his son Charles was quite young, as his mother Mary was recorded as his next-of-kin in early Court records.]

Young Charles’s criminal activities began at an early age, with one conviction occurring at the age of 13 years, when he faced trial at the Central Criminal Court in October 1846, along with three other boys named Sage, Evans and Pennell. They were charged with stealing a quantity of rope from a barge at Lack’s-dock, at Vauxhall, in Lambeth. Evans, Pennell and Sage received sentences of three months and Charles Wright was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and was whipped.[2] [This probably indicates that previous convictions for Wright were taken into account.] All four were sent to Brixton Prison.[3]

Brixton Prison in Lambeth had a bad reputation because of its small cells and poor living conditions. A treadmill for grinding corn was introduced there in 1821. Prisoners were forced to spend hours at a time on this machine.[4]

In January 1848 Charles was back in the Central Criminal Court, charged with stealing six pounds of beef from Edward Sheppard. This time he received a term of 12 months’ hard labour. He was sent from Newgate Prison to serve out his term in Guildford Prison. He was described as a labourer, aged 13(?), 4’7” tall, with dark brown hair, of slender build, with a scar on his forehead and blue marks on his left arm.[5]

On 3 August 1854 he appeared at the Guildford Assizes, this time charged with burglary and was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment, with three previous felonies taken into account.[6] On 1 September 1854 he was transferred from the Horsemonger Lane Gaol to Pentonville Prison.[7]

The Pentonville Registers describe him as a labourer, his religion C. of  E., his height 5’5”, with dark brown hair, hazel eyes, a dark complexion, freckled, with a scar on his forehead, the initials ‘J.W.’ tattooed on his left arm and a pistol on his right arm. His next of kin was listed as his mother Mary Wright, of 6 Francis Street, Vauxhall, Lambeth. His conduct in Pentonville was recorded as ‘Bad’, before he was removed to Portland Prison on 28 November 1855.[8]

The dates of his reception at different prisons were listed as follows –

Horsemonger Lane Prison, 3 August 1854.

Pentonville, 1 September 1854.

Portland, 28 November 1855.

He was employed at public works at Portland for six months before being transferred to Gibraltar on 8 July 1856, most likely employed in building the harbour. His Gibraltar record described him as a prisoner from the Europa hulk, laborer, able to read and write well, sentenced to four (?) years’ imprisonment on 3 August 1854 in the Guildford Court.[9] He was discharged from there and sent back to England per the Delta, on 19 August 1860.[10]

It wasn’t long before Charles Wright was in trouble again, on a far more serious charge. On 3 April 1861 he appeared in the Central Criminal Court, along with a woman named ANN RILEY, together charged with being in possession of a mould for making coins. Their appearance in Court that day followed that of THOMAS JONES (39), and MARY ANN FREEMAN (30), also on trial for feloniously having in their possession a mould impressed with the obverse and reverse sides of a florin. Jones and Freeman had been arrested in Lant Street, Southwark, in a room previously occupied by Charles Wright.[11] Charles Wright and Ann Riley were arrested on the same day, in a room at 97 Union Street, Lambeth-walk, and were charged with being in possession of a plaster-of-paris mould, which matched coins in Jones’s possession.

Charles Wright (aged 26), and Ann Riley (27), pleaded guilty to the offence. Charles was sentenced to 15 years’ penal servitude and Ann Riley to six years.[12] Ann had a previous record, having spent three months in Wandsborough Prison.[13]

[Ann Riley, hawker, (next-of-kin her mother Ellen Riley), was transferred from Newgate Prison to Brixton,[14] before being sent to the Fullham Refuge for Women, a prison where female prisoners were taught domestic skills to equip them for employment after their release. On 30 September 1865 Ann Riley was granted her freedom under Royal Licence,[15] a system similar to a Conditional Pardon.]

 

Fullham Refuge for Women.[16]

After spending a month at Newgate Prison, on 17 May 1861 Charles Wright was transferred from Pentonville Prison to Millbank, as a consequence of information that he was planning an escape. His mother Mary’s address at this time was given as 67 Tyrrell Street, Lambeth.[17] After spending seven months and 29 days at Pentonville, his conduct was recorded as ‘Bad’, and he was received back at Millbank on 16 January 1862.[18] He was sent to Chatham Prison from Millbank on 8 March 1862.[19] His next of kin, mother Mary Wright, was residing at 67 Piper (?) Street, Lambeth at this time.[20] The Chatham Prison record described him as a 26-year-old laborer,  5’5” tall, with dark brown curly hair, hazel eyes, a fair complexion, of stoutish build, his ear pierced, slightly freckled, with five dots, a ‘W’ and other blue marks on his left arm, and a pistol on his right arm.[21]

A Fresh Start in WA

Charles Wright, Protestant, left Chatham Prison, where his conduct had been ‘Good’, to be taken onboard the convict ship York, bound for Western Australia, one of 300 convicts. [Also onboard was his associate, Thomas Jones (Convict No. 6628), convicted of being in possession of coin moulds on the same day as Charles in the Central Criminal Court. Jones later died at Bunbury from the kick of a horse in 1868.[22]]

The ship sailed on 8 October 1862, arriving at Fremantle on 31 December 1862. There was one death during the voyage. [A copy of a diary written by carpenter John Gregg during the voyage makes interesting reading, giving details of the weather, the crowded conditions on the ship and events which took place during the voyage.[23]]

The Inquirer newspaper wrote an article at the time of the ship’s arrival in WA, expressing the desperate need for this new source of convict labour to be applied to public works, such as the construction of roads and bridges.[24]

Wright’s early records while at Fremantle Prison have not been found. On 6 July 1865 his  possessions, listed as three books, a tract, letters, a looking-glass, pouch, needle, comb, thread and a knife, were forwarded to Bunbury.[25]

He was employed from 25 July 1865 as a servant by William Smith at Australind, paid 20/- per month, and received his Ticket of Leave on 10 August that year at Bunbury. From then his employment record in the Bunbury District demonstrates a steady work ethic–

10 Jany 1866 – Shepherding, at 20/- per month, for R. Clifton.

30 June 1866 – Laborer, 30/- per month, for R. Clifton.

21 Dec. 1866 – His P/record sent to R. M. at Bunbury.

31 Dec. 1866 – Laborer, 45/- per month, R. Clifton.

13 May 1867 – General servant, 30/- per month, by T. Crampton at Myalup.

30 June 1867 – Laborer, ditto.

31 Dec. 1867 – Ditto.

18 Jany 1868 – Laborer, 25/- per month, by Simon Staines at Australind.

30 June 1868 – Ditto, 30/- per month.

31 Dec. 1868 – Ditto.

30 June 1869 – Ditto, 40/- per month.

31 Dec. 1869 – Ditto.

30 June 1870 – Ditto, 30/- per month.

11 Jany 1871 – Bootmaker, piece work, R. W. Clifton, Australind.

14 Feby 1871 – Laborer, 40/- per month, William (?) Jackson, Bunbury.[26]

13/7/71 to 11/2/1873 – Employed by Ben Piggott at Springhill, Australind. No wage recorded.[27]

Charles’s conduct during this period was fairly typical of the convict class, with several minor offences listed –

5 Jany 1869 – Using obscene and profane language, fined 5/-.

12 Jany 1870 – Drunk, fined 5/-.

31 Dec. 1870 – Drunk on Christmas Day, 14 days’ Hard Labor.

31 Jany 1871 – Idling around Public Houses, seven days’ Hard Labor at Depot. 370/3 – Not

eligible for Conditional Pardon before 29-4-71. Signed R. M. 6-3-71.[28]

[He received his Conditional Pardon on 22 Aug 1871.[29]]

Marriage

In 1876 at the age of 44 years, Charles married Elizabeth Jones, the 15-year-old daughter of the late William Jones, ex-convict school-teacher of Picton in the 1860s, and his wife Rose Ann Breen (or Briene). By this time Charles had acquired some land on the estuary at Australind.

[Rose’s husband William Frederick Jones had died in 1871 and was buried at St. Mark’s Church in Picton.[30] Faced with raising her young family of five children alone, Rose Ann was married for a second time in 1874, to ex-convict John Thomas Hutchinson.[31] She went on to have five more children. The Hutchinsons were close neighbours of Charles Wright in Australind, which probably explains how Charles became interested in marrying young Elizabeth Jones.]

The children born to the Wrights were as follows –

Rose Ann Wright, born 1880

Charles Frederick (‘Freddie’), born 1884.

Arthur William, born 1887, died 1895

Elizabeth Lilian, born 1890.

Mary Ann, born 1893, died 1895.

Mary Agnes (‘Aggie’), born 1896.

Mary Grace (‘Gracie’), born 1899.[32]

The custom of calling children by names other than their birth names makes it difficult to trace these children. At the time of their father Charles Wright’s death on 30 November 1905, his surviving children were listed on his death certificate as follows –

Mary R.A. (24)

Charles F. (21)

Mary E. (16)

Mary A. (9)

Mary G. (6)

Deceased children were listed as one male (William) and one female.

[When his wife Elizabeth died much later in January 1941, aged 79 years, their children were listed as Rosie Ganfield, Charles (deceased), Willie (deceased), Lizzie Doherty, Aggie Plunkett, Grace Plunkett, and William (an adopted son).[33]]

Despite the wide disparity in their ages, Charles’s life with his wife Elizabeth appears to have been a happy one. Charles was a steady worker, listed in the WA Almanacks as a shoemaker in the Australind and Coast Road area between 1877 and 1889.[34]

He was still described as a shoemaker in 1895 –

NOTICE.

ANY person or persons interfering with the fences or trespassing on the land at Australind, belonging to the estate of the late James Gainder, will be prosecuted. Mr. C. Wright, shoemaker, of Australind, has been appointed caretaker of this property.

W. B. MITCHELL,

Agent for the Curator of Intestate Estates Bunbury, May 29th 1895.[35]

Charles Wright’s death from nephritis and cardiac failure on 30 November 1905 left his family mourning the loss of their husband and father –

WRIGHT.— On the 30th November, at his residence, Australind, Mr. Chas. Wright, aged 73 years. Deeply regretted by his sorrowing wife and family.[36]

His death certificate confirms that his father was also named Charles Wright, who was a printer, and his mother was Mary Elizabeth (former surname unknown).

Charles was buried in the Roman Catholic Cemetery in Bunbury on 1 December 1905. [This was in spite of being christened Anglican.] He had been in Western Australia for 44 years. His children were listed as Mary RA aged 24, Charles F (21), Mary E (16), Mary A (9) Mary G (6), plus two deceased, one male and one female.[37]

Charles hadn’t made a will and died intestate. Through solicitors Stanley, Money and Walker, Elizabeth Wright applied to administer her deceased husband’s estate. Witnesses were George Henry Hayward and George Canler Rose.[38]

Elizabeth inherited the property of her husband Charles Wright, farmer, to the value of

£127.11s.[39] She had to register her claim to her husband’s property in 1907 –

TRANSFER OF LAND ACT, L1853, AND THE REAL PROPERTY-LIMITATION ACT, 1878.

7/1907.

TAKE NOTICE that Elizabeth Wright, of Australind, in the State of Western Australia, widow, has made application to be registered as the proprietor of an estate in fee simple in possession as administratrix of the estate of Charles Wright, late of Australind, farmer, deceased, in the following parcel of land, situate in the Wellington District and being Part of Wellington Location 1 (containing 22 acres 15 perches). Bounded by lines starting from a point on the Australind Road, situate 7 chains 76 2-10 links South of Paris Street and extending in an easterly direction 4 chains 93 4-10th links, thence South-Westerly 1 chain 2 3-10th links, thence Easterly 5 chains 47 9-10th links, thence Southerly 23 chains 36 7-10th links, thence Westerly 7 chains, thence Northerly 7 chains 87 2-10th links, thence Westerly 2 chains 11½ links, thence Northerly along the Australind Road for 14 chains 88 links to the starting point.

The land is more particularly defined on Diagram 2552 deposited in the Land Titles’ Office.

And further take notice that all persons other than the applicant claiming to have any estate, right, title or interest in the above parcel of land are hereby required to lodge in this office on or before the 20th day of April next a caveat forbidding the same from being brought, under the operation of the Act.

ALFRED E. BURT,

Registrar of Titles. Land Titles’ Office, Perth,

24th January, 1907.

STANLEY, MONEY & WALKER, Bunbury, Solicitors for the Applicant.[40]

A family memorial notice appeared in 1913 –

WRIGHT.—In loving memory of our dear husband and father, Charles, who died at Roseleigh, Australind, November 30, 1905, aged 73. At rest. — Inserted by his loving wife and children E., C F., M. E., A. G. Wright.[41]

 Australind 1904, showing Australind Cemetery, Upton House, Dunn’s, Wright’s farm and Hutchinson’s. [42]

 ‘Granny Hutchinson’s House’ corner of Elizabeth Street and Old Coast Road, Australind, demolished May 2000. Photo: Harvey History Online Collection.

……………………………………………………………………………

ELIZABETH WRIGHT

Elizabeth’s working life continued. In 1920 a fund was set up for contributions towards the purchase of a new horse, to replace the one owned by Mrs Wright of Australind which had dropped dead in the street, in order that the owner could resume her egg deliveries to Bunbury customers.[43]

Mrs Wright’s Tea-Rooms

The family property ‘Roseleigh’, on the edge of the estuary at Australind, was for many years a welcoming meeting place for locals and the visitors, who called in at the tea-rooms (current site of Chicken Treat) to sample Elizabeth’s scones and cream for afternoon tea.[44]

Elizabeth Wright on left, standing beside old family friend George Bliss. Photo courtesy Ali Anderson, Memories of Bunbury Facebook.[45]

Mrs Wright’s Tea Gardens, 1927, next to her house at Australind.[46]

Mrs Elizabeth Wright passed away in 1941, leaving behind 30 grand-children and 21 great grand-children –

Her death came as a great shock to the ones who loved and respected her. Requiem Mass was celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church, Bunbury, Rev. Monsignor Hayes being the celebrant. Her remains left the Roman Catholic Cathedral at 3.30 p.m. In his address Monsignor Hayes spoke of her sterling qualities and the lovely life she had led, which was an outstanding example.[47]

GEORGE BLISS – a loyal friend

Another former convict, George Bliss (Convict No. 7344), became a close friend and employee, living with the family for 40 years. George had been convicted of firing a hay stack and was sentenced to eight years’ transportation, arriving in WA on the Lord Dalhousie on 28 December 1863. He earned his Ticket of Leave on 6 March 1865, then his Conditional Pardon at Bunbury on 10 March 1868. He worked as a bootmaker and general servant.[48] He passed away at the Wright’s property ‘Roseleigh’ on 25 June 1924.[49]

AUSTRALIND

By the death of Mr. George Bliss, which occurred at Australind on June 23, the district has lost another of its old residents. The late Mr. Bliss landed in Australia at the end of 1859, and shortly after came to Australind. Over 40 years ago he went to reside with the late Mr. C. Wright, and had remained with members of the family ever since. The funeral was attended by many old residents of the district.[50]

[See further details of George Bliss’s story on this website.]

………………………………………………………………….

[1] Certified Copy of Charles Wright’s Death Certificate, dated 4 September 1906, (AU WA S29 – Cons 3458, 1906/200.)

[2]Trial of Charles Wright, Edward Sage, Henry Evans & William Pennell, Old Bailey Proceedings Online, www.oldbaileyonline.org, t18461026-2158

[3] Pentonville Prison Registers, Series PCOM2, Piece No. 66.

[4] Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HM_Prison_Brixton

[5] Newgate Prison, Register of Prisoners, PCOM2, Piece No.211.

[6] Note: His third conviction was possibly on 8 March 1845, when a Charles Wright was found guilty at the Central Criminal Court of stealing a handkerchief from William Bate, valued at 6d, and was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment for pocketpicking. No age of the culprit was given. (Trial ID: t18450303-730)

[7] Pentonville Prison Registers, Series HO34, Piece No.16.

[8] Pentonville Prison Registers, Series PCOM2, Piece No.66.

[9] Hulks Register of Prisoners on Hulk Europa, at Gibraltar, Series PCOM2, Piece No.137.

[10] Gibraltar Prison, Register of Prisoners, Series PCOM2, Piece No.11.

[11] Note: Charles Dickens was a resident of Lant Street as a child, during the time that his father spent in a debtors’ prison. (Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org>wiki>Lant Street)

[12] Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org), April 1861, (t18610408-397)

[13] Newgate Prison Registers, PCOM2, Piece No.215.

[14]  Millbank Prison Registers, Female Prisoners Vol.2, Series HO24, Piece No.13.

[15] Home Office And Prison Commission: Female Licences, Series PCOM4, Item Reference 45.

[16] Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fullham_Refuge.

[17] Pentonville Prison Records, Register of Prisoners, Series PCOM2, Piece No.69.

[18] Millbank Register of Prisoners, Series PCOM2, Piece No. 45.

[19] Chatham Prison Registers, Series PCOM2, Piece No.2.

[20] Millbank Prison, Register of Prisoners, Series PCOM2, Piece No.45.

[21] Chatham Prison Registers, Series PCOM2, Piece No.2.

[22] Convict Department Registers, General Register R22.

[23] Diary of John Gregg,  Crime and Punishment | State Library of Western Australia Blog (wordpress.com)

[24] Inquirer, 7 January 1873.

[25] Convict Establishment, Miscellaneous, Prisoners’ Property Book (V14)

[26] Convict Department, General Register (R22)

[27] Pat Rodgers, from Benjamin Piggott Diaries, Springhill, Australind.

[28] Ibid.

[29] Convict Department, General Register (R22)

[30] Billion Graves website, https:/billiongraves .com

[31] Note: John Hutchinson, Convict No. 2909, arrived in WA on the Sea Park on 5 May 1854.

[32] WA Department of Justice, Registry of Births, https://www.bdm.justice.wa.gov.au › _apps › pioneersindex

[33] Harvey Murray Times, 27 February 1941.

[34] Herald and WA Almanacks, Carnamah Historical Society website, https://www.carnamah.com.au

[35] Southern Times, 30 May 1895.

[36] Southern Times, 9 December 1905.

[37] Certified Copy of Charles Wright’s Death Certificate, dated 4 September 1906, (AU WA S29 – Cons 3458, 1906/200.)

[38] AU WA S29 – Cons 3458, 1906/200.

[39] Western Mail, Probate & Letters of Administration, 13 October 1906.

[40] Southern Times, 12 February 1907

[41] West Australian, 29 November 1913.

[42] Battye Library: Western Australia, Commonwealth Military Forces, [partial] Zone of operations [cartographic material] : Staff Ride : Brunswick, August 1904 / map compiled by Colonel P.R. Ricardo, CB., H.J. Pether, Government Photolithographer, Perth, W.A. 1904.

[43] Southern Times, 25 November 1920.

[44] Raylee J. Jones, Across the Ocean For Five Pounds, printed by Raylee J. and Donald L. Jones, 2002.

[45] Memories of Bunbury Facebook, posted 14 July 2020.

[46] Battye Library, No. BA1181/8

[47] South Western Times, 21 February 1941.

[48] Rica Erickson, Dictionary of Western Australians 1829-1914, Vol.2, Bond 1850-1868, WA University Press,, Nedlands, 1879.

[49] Bunbury Herald and Blackwood Express, 27 June 1924. NB Death dates differ in the two newspapers and the Bunbury Cemetery records.

[50] South Western Times, 5 July 1924.