Robert Holmes1

#1507, (1797-)
FatherRobert Holmes1 (c 1770-a Feb 1842)
MotherElizabeth (?)1 (c 1775-b 1842)
ChartsDescendents of Robert Holmes
Last Edited11 Sep 2022
Biographical Database of Australia ID:B#10014430201.
WikiTree ID:https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Holmes-19525.
     (For a brief history and context on the Holmes family see this page)

NOTE: The information on this page is my research to date and is subject to change as I become better informed. I very much welcome any corrections or additional info you might have - my email address is at the bottom of this page. Whilst historical facts are not copyright, my writing about these facts are. If you wish to use any text from this site on Ancestry or on any other website, please ask me first - Tim Hill.
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Robert Holmes was born in 1797 at Kilmallock, County Limerick.1 He was the son of Robert Holmes and Elizabeth (?)1

On 25 February 1817 a Robert Holmes and a John Keary were committed to jail for 'for attacking and robbing the house of Pat Roche, of Kilmallock'.2 It has been suggested that Robert was a Whiteboy (na Buachaillí Bána). This was a secret agrarian organisation that defended the rights of tenant farmers to subsistence farming. They were violent opposed to the rich landowners from enclosing the commons, without reducing the rent.3,4

On 6 June 1817 a Robert Holmes, a Henry Holmes and a James Leo were charged with assault:
At an early hour on the morning of Friday last, a body of men, with cars and horses went to the lands of Clonegarry, between Bruff and Kilmallock, in order to procure potatoes; they demanded them of some farmers resident on the lands, of the name DRISCOLL—but were informed that they had not a sufficency for themselves, therefore could afford them none— they, not content with this reply, were proceeding to violence, when a scuffle ensude—the DRISCOLLs proving the stronger party, they thought it proper to retire, and effected their retreat to Kilmallock, where having been joined by others, to the number of 100 men, women and children, armed with various weapons of destruction, such as scythes, swords, pitchforks, sticks, &c.—they returned to the fray with animated vigour, and were received by the DRISCOLLs with equal spirit, who being in expectation of their return, had prepared for them.— On the meeting of the respective parties, hostilities were renewed, and desparately continued for some time—many were dangerously wounded, and it is impossible to say where it would have ended, but that H. BEVAN, Esq. who is a magistrate for the county, and his son, the Rev William BEVAN, providentially for the combatants, heard the shouts and clamgoar of hostile arms, and immediately rode into the midst of them, regardless of personal safety, in their benevolent exertion to stop the effusion of human blood.—On the appearance of these gentlemen, the delinquents fled, but not before three of the principals had been captured.2,5



On 28 October 1817 a Robert Holmes and a John Keary 'were convicted and sentenced, the two former to two months, and the latter to six months confinement' for a riot near Kilmallock, County Limerick.6 Robert Holmes he was given a life sentance for "attacking and robbing the house of Pat Roche of Kilmallock, Limerick Co" in 1819 at Limerick.1 He was a farmer's servant in 1819.1,4,7

On 20 July 1819 a Robert Holmes was arrested for murder:
Wednesday night, William WHITE, Esq. Sheriff Elect of Cork, arrested Robert HOLMES, on board an American ship, charged with the murder and robbery of James BOURKE, near Kilmallock, in the County of Limerick. A constable was sent express on the Limerick coach, with letters to the Mayor and Alderman HARDING, requesting their assistance. Mr. WHITE was applied to, and attended by the constable, whom Mr. W. recommended to be disguised lest he should be known, which was accordingly done; they proceeded to search the ships bound for America, and fortunately discovered HOLMES on board a ship at Lapp's isalnd, that was to sail in a day or two. He was lodged in Bridewell on Wednesday night, and on Friday taken before the Mayor; he acknowledged being present at the murder, but denied having taken and part in it.—Blood was discovered on his coat on the day the murder was perpetrated, he said he had—he was committed to the County gaol of Cork.

This committal took place three days later, when he was brought back from Cork 'to abide his trial at the ensuing Assizes'.2,8,9

He was sentanced to be hanged on 6 August 1819 but was initially respited for a further 12 days, then a day before the respite was due to expired he was respited 'until further orders'.10,4 He was transported for life to New South Wales on the 'Hadlow' with 149 other convicts, departing on the 2nd of April and arriving at New South Wales on the 5th of August.11,4 He was described as five foot ten with a fair and ruddy complexion, light brown hair and hazel eyes in August 1820.7

In September 1822 he was working as a labourer for the government and living in Concord, about 15 km to the west of Sydney.12 He was working on a 'road party' in September 1825, living in Cawdor, New South Wales, about 70 km to the south-west of Sydney.13

A Robert Holmes, a barrack constable, was charged with taking a bribe (rather than arresting an absconder) and was sentenced to six months on an iron gang.14

On Friday, 23 May 1828 a Sydney newspaper reported that a Robert Holmes was being held in gaol for attempted murder, but perhaps they had it wrong as this seemingly had not further mentions.15

However, Robert apparently didn't stay on the straight and narrow. He was convicted in Sydney on Wednesday, 28 May 1828 for a house robbery where he stole goods to the value of £5 in the previous year in Windsor on the Hawkesbury River and was given a seven year sentence.4,16,17 He was described as being 32 years old, 5 feet and 10 inches tall with a fair complexion, light brown hair and dark grey eyes.4 He was described as being of the 'E (English) religion.4'

In November 1828 he was living in Moreton Bay (now Brisbane), New South Wales, and was recorded as a householder.18

On Thursday, 15 August 1833 the Commandant of Moreton Bay said that Robert, one of his constables, had his term expiring.4 He returned to Sydney on Thursday, 13 February 1834.4

In December 1837 he was employed in the Benevolent Asylum, in Sydney.19

Robert received a ticket of leave dated 1 July 1842 for residence at Brisbane Waters, New South Wales.20,21

Members of the protestant Holmes family who had come from Kilmallock, County Limerick, perhaps read with apprehension how Daniel O'Connell, 'The Liberator', mobilised hundreds of residents in support of Ireland's independence.22

Robert's ticket of leave was altered to Port Stephens, New South Wales, on 21 December 1846.21

On 21 December 1846 Robert's ticket of leave was altered to Sydney with the proviso that he live with his brother William, a policeman. He was granted a conditional pardon a week later.23,24,21

Timeline

DateEventPlace
Family
Family
1797BirthKilmallock, County Limerick1
1
1817Note memo only CR CR2
Note memo only3,4
1817Quotation type 32,5
1817Note memo only CR CRKilmallock, County Limerick6
1819NoteLimerick1
1819Occupation1,4,7
1819Quotation type 3County Limerick2,8,9
1819Note memo only CR CR10,4
1820Note memo onlyNew South Wales11,4
1820Description7
1822Note memo only CR CRConcord12
1825Note memo onlyCawdor, New South Wales13
Note memo only CR CR14
1828Note memo only CR CR15
1828Note memo only CR CRSydney4,16,17
Description4
Religion4
1828Note memo only CR CRMoreton Bay (now Brisbane), New South Wales18
1833Note memo only CR CR4
1834Note memo only4
1837Note memo only CR CRthe Benevolent Asylum, in Sydney19
1842Note memo only CR CRBrisbane Waters, New South Wales20,21
1846Note memo only CR CRPort Stephens, New South Wales21
1846Note memo only CR CRSydney23,24,21

Citations

  1. [S368] Irish Convicts to NSW 1788-1849 (http://members.pcug.org.au/~ppmay/convicts.htm) http://members.pcug.org.au/~ppmay/cgi-bin/irish/irish.cgi
  2. [S948] Nick Reddan's Newspaper Extracts (http://members.iinet.net.au/~nickred/newspaper/) LGA 1817/2/25 HOLMES, Robert http://members.iinet.net.au/~nickred/newspaper/…
  3. [S415] Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org) Whiteboys - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiteboys
  4. [S1151] Convict Records of Australia (https://convictrecords.com.au/) https://convictrecords.com.au/convicts/holmes/robert/135895
  5. [S948] Nick Reddan's Newspaper Extracts (http://members.iinet.net.au/~nickred/newspaper/) http://members.iinet.net.au/~nickred/newspaper/driscoll.htm
  6. [S948] Nick Reddan's Newspaper Extracts (http://members.iinet.net.au/~nickred/newspaper/) LGA 1817/10/28 HOLMES, Robert http://members.iinet.net.au/~nickred/newspaper/…
  7. [S1296] Biographical Database of Australia Biographical Database of Australia, (https://www.bda-online.org.au/) Convict Indents & Ship Musters, various; SRNSW ref: Vol. 4/4004 - 4/4013.
  8. [S948] Nick Reddan's Newspaper Extracts (http://members.iinet.net.au/~nickred/newspaper/) http://members.iinet.net.au/~nickred/newspaper/…
  9. [S948] Nick Reddan's Newspaper Extracts (http://members.iinet.net.au/~nickred/newspaper/) LGA 1819/7/23 HOLMES, Robert http://members.iinet.net.au/~nickred/newspaper/…
  10. [S948] Nick Reddan's Newspaper Extracts (http://members.iinet.net.au/~nickred/newspaper/) LGA 1819/8/17 HOLMES, Robert http://members.iinet.net.au/~nickred/newspaper/…
  11. [S368] Irish Convicts to NSW 1788-1849 (http://members.pcug.org.au/~ppmay/convicts.htm) http://members.pcug.org.au/~ppmay/cgi-bin/irish/irish.cgi
  12. [S1296] Biographical Database of Australia Biographical Database of Australia, (https://www.bda-online.org.au/) General Muster of New South Wales 1822; TNA ref: Reel 72 Vol. HO10/36, published in "General Muster & Land and Stock Muster of New South Wales 1822", edited by Carol J. Baxter, published by ABGR, Sydney, 1988.; ; Book entry number: A10353.
  13. [S1296] Biographical Database of Australia Biographical Database of Australia, (https://www.bda-online.org.au/) A General Muster List of all the inhabitants (with the exception of the Military) of the Colony of NSW for the years 1823, 1824, 1825; TNA ref: Reel PRO 66 Vol. 10/19 & 10/20, published in "General Muster List of New South Wales 1823/1824/1825", edited by Carol J. Baxter, published by ABGR, Sydney, 1999.; ; Book entry number: 25453.
  14. [S1328] The Monitor, Sydney, New South Wales, 1828 'DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE CONTINUED.', The Monitor (Sydney, NSW : 1826 - 1828), 14 January, p. 8. (EVENING), viewed 10 Apr 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31759379
  15. [S590] The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1828 'Shipping Intelligence.', The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), 23 May, p. 2. , viewed 10 Apr 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2190440
  16. [S612] The Australian, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1828 'CRIMINAL COURT—(Friday.)', The Australian (Sydney, NSW : 1824 - 1848), 28 May, p. 3. , viewed 10 Apr 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article36865449
  17. [S612] The Australian, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1828 'CRIMINAL COURT—(Tuesdsay.)', The Australian (Sydney, NSW : 1824 - 1848), 30 May, p. 2. , viewed 10 Apr 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article36866684
  18. [S1296] Biographical Database of Australia Biographical Database of Australia, (https://www.bda-online.org.au/) Census of NSW November 1828, published in "1828 Census of New South Wales", edited by Malcolm Sainty & Keith Johnson, revised edition published by Library of Australian History, Sydney, 2008 (CD-ROM).; ; Book entry number: H2135.
  19. [S1296] Biographical Database of Australia Biographical Database of Australia, (https://www.bda-online.org.au/) Return of General Muster of Convicts in New South Wales on 31 December 1837; TNA ref: Reel PRO 71-72 Vol. 10/32-35, published in "General Return of Convicts in New South Wales 1837", edited by N.G. Butlin, C.W. Cromwell & K.L. Suthern, published by ABGR, Sydney 1987.; ; Book entry number: 12813.
  20. [S1296] Biographical Database of Australia Biographical Database of Australia, (https://www.bda-online.org.au/) Tickets of Leave (Index) NSW - 1810-1848 transcript by Dr Perry McIntyre. Original Butts held by SRNSW - see details under Sources Tab for full source listing.; Source Reference: SRNSW 4/4168; Reel 946.
  21. [S369] E-mail from Nick Reddan to Tim Hill, 04 April 2011.
  22. [S1329] The Austral-Asiatic Review, Tasmanian and Australian Advertiser, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 1843 'LORD FRENCH.', The Austral-Asiatic Review, Tasmanian and Australian Advertiser (Hobart Town, Tas. : 1837 - 1844), 6 October, p. 4. , viewed 10 Apr 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article232481906
  23. [S1296] Biographical Database of Australia Biographical Database of Australia, (https://www.bda-online.org.au/) Pardons for Convicts Recommended 1826-1856 - compiled by SRNSW - 4/4479, Reel 797 & 4/4480, Reel 798 and added to BDA with their permission.; Source Refernce: 4/4480; Reel 798 Page 109.
  24. [S268] The Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1849 'METEOROLOGY.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 10 January, p. 2. , viewed 10 Apr 2022, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12904211