Convict case study - John Knatchbull

This case study has been developed to show what types of records can be found in the State Archives collection.

Biography

John Knatchbull was born in Kent, England in about 1792. He served as a volunteer in the British Navy from 1804-1818, rising to the rank of captain. After retiring from the Navy, Knatchbull seems to have fallen on hard times and in August 1824 he was found guilty of stealing with force and arms at the Surrey Assizes, under the name of John Fitch. He was given a 14 year penal sentence and transported to NSW on the Asia V.

You can find examples of these records scattered throughout the page that detail the rest of Knatchbull's life, including his trial for forgery and his seven year penal sentence served out at Norfolk Island where he took part in a convict mutiny before turning informer on his fellow mutineers. Knatchbull returned to Sydney in 1839 to serve out the remainder of his original sentence. In January 1844 he murdered shopkeeper Ellen Jamieson with a tomahawk while stealing money for his upcoming marriage. He was found guilty of murder and hanged on 13 February 1844.

A list of records

Ship's Muster for Asia V

John Knatchbull used the alias of John Fitch throughout his life in England and NSW. This entry from the Ship's Muster for the Asia V reveals the following details: Knatchbull was tried at the Surrey Assizes on 19 August 1824, found guilty and was transported for 14 years. On his arrival in the Colony in April 1825, Knatchbull was sent to Bathurst.

Ticket of Leave for John Fitch, 1829

The first Ticket of Leave granted to John Knatchbull was in August 1829 while he was working in the Bathurst region. Knatchbull was granted the ticket for having apprehended eight runaways from Windsor Gaol. He moved to Liverpool in November 1829 where he became an overseer on the Parramatta Road and the Bathurst based ToL was cancelled. A later ticket from 1842 (42/1681, Reel 912) is also listed for the district of Port Maqcuarie, where Knatchbull was based on his return from Norfolk Island.

A ToL Passport, 43/767 [Reel 971, 4/4251] was also granted so Knatchbull could work on a cutter travelling between Sydney and New Moruya River.

Forged note 1832

In June 1830 Knatchbull was before the Supreme Court on a charge of forgery. He is listed in the case papers as a labourer and late of Parramatta. Knatchbull was found not guilty. In February 1832 Knatchbull was before the Supreme Court again where he pleaded not guilty to "false making forging and counterfeiting a certain order for payment of money", in the name of Judge James Dowling. The forged note appears here as an exhibit for the prosecution. Knatchbull was found guilty and given a death sentence, which was later commuted to seven years penal sentence to be served on Norfolk Island. Supreme Court: Exhibit of a forgery by John Knatchbull, 1832 [T33 32/55]

Extract from Black Book

It appears Knatchbull was held on the Phoenix Hulkduring 1832 following his conviction for forgery. These entries demonstrate some of the "bad" behaviour of Knatchbull. He was transported to Norfolk Island late in 1832 on the Governor Phillip. While being held on Norfolk Island Knatchbull participated in a convict mutiny but escaped punishment as turned informer on his fellow mutineers. Knatchbull served out his time on Norfolk before returning to NSW to continue his original fourteen years sentence. He lived in Port Macquarie for a period before returning to Sydney by July 1843.

more...

Hyde Park Barracks gaol entry

On 6 January 1844 Knatchbull was arrested for the murder of Ellen Jamieson, a storekeeper.This gaol entrance entry shows Knatchbull (entry #23) was held at Hyde Park Barracks (HPB) while waiting for the results of the inquest into the death of Jamieson, who took twelve days to die. He was found guilty of murder and hanged on 13 February 1844. Mrs Jamieson's two children were eventually adopted by Knatchbull's defence lawyer, Robert Lowe. Sydney and Darlinghurst Gaol entrance book, 1844 No. 23 [4/6440, Reel 854]

more...

Bank exchange from Edward Knatchbull

This is a bank exchange sent by Sir Edward Knatchbull for £50, to his half-brother. The note was torn in the presence of Knatchbull after he was arrested for murder. It includes John Knatchbull's signature.

more...

Execution Letter

In this letter, the Sheriff's Office, which was in charge of executions, requests from the Colonial Secretary more armed guards to be present at the hanging of John Knatchbull. Knatchbull has the dubious honour of being the first man hanged in the newly opened Darlinghurst Prison, in what was to become one of the last public executions in NSW.Sheriff's Department: Letter dated 6 February 1844 relating to John Katchbull and extra guards for his execution.

more...

Police report 1844

The surviving records of Knatchbull's Supreme Court murder trial in 1844 include a copy of this police report detailing the many aspects of Knatchbull's convict life in NSW.

more...

References

Australian Dictionary of Biography, Vol 2 1788-1850, Douglas Pike (General Editor), Melbourne University Press, 1966

GD Woods, A History of Criminal Law in New South Wales: The Colonial Period 1788-1900, Federation Press, 2002

Hyde Park Barracks gaol entry

On 6 January 1844 Knatchbull was arrested for the murder of Ellen Jamieson, a storekeeper. This gaol entrance entry shows Knatchbull (entry #23) was held at Hyde Park Barracks (HPB) while waiting for the results of the inquest into the death of Jamieson, who took twelve days to die. He was found guilty of murder and hanged on 13 February 1844. Mrs Jamieson's two children were eventually adopted by Knatchbull's defence lawyer, Robert Lowe. Sydney and Darlinghurst Gaol entrance book, 1844 No. 23 [4/6440, Reel 854]

Bank exchange from Edward Knatchbull

This is a bank exchange sent by Sir Edward Knatchbull for £50, to his half-brother. The note was torn in the presence of Knatchbull after he was arrested for murder. It includes John Knatchbull's signature.

Execution Letter

In this letter, the Sheriff's Office, which was in charge of executions, requests from the Colonial Secretary more armed guards to be present at the hanging of John Knatchbull. Knatchbull has the dubious honour of being the first man hanged in the newly opened Darlinghurst Prison, in what was to become one of the last public executions in NSW. Sheriff's Department: Letter dated 6 February 1844 relating to John Knatchbull and extra guards for his execution.

Police report 1844

The surviving records of Knatchbull's Supreme Court murder trial in 1844 include a copy of this police report detailing the many aspects of Knatchbull's convict life in NSW.