William Long Dimmitt was born to "William Demmett" and Esther Long abt. 1801 in the parish of St. Saviour, within the Borough of Southwark. in the County of Surrey. He lived 19 years, before being arrested for burglary in England. A later court proceeding revealed William's original charges. On 18 January 1820, at around 7pm, he was accused of breaking into Sarah Cousin's residence (St. Saviour Parish, Borough of Southwark, County of Surrey). He was accused of taking:
1 umbrella, value 7s.
1 flute, value 7s. 6d.
1 gold watch, value 20l.
1 key, value 10s. 6d.
4 silver table-spoons, value 3l. 6s.
6 silver tea-spoons, value 1l. 10s.
1 pair of silver tea-tongs, value 16s.
2 counterpanes, value 3l.
1 quilt, value 10s.
5 sheets, value 2l. 10s.
3 blankets, value 15s.
11 gowns, value 9l. 9s.
5 petticoats, value 1l.
3 table-cloths, value 2l. 2s.
8 printed bound books, value 10l. 10s.
1 tea-caddy, value 1l.
1 pair of stays, value 10s.
1 silk shawl, value 10s.
1 cloth pelisse, value 3l.
5 pairs of stockings, value 1l. 1s.
4 pillow-cases, value 10s.
5 habit shirts, value 5s.
He was indicted on 23 March 1820 and ordered hanged until dead. At the mercy of King George the IV'th, he was "allowed" to be shipped to New South Wales.
He absconded, then was recaptured.
Original sentencing document
No: 6
Name: William Dimmitt
Age: 19
Offense: Felony
When convicted: 23 March
Where convicted: Kingston Upon Thames
Sentences: Life
How disposed: NSW - 21 May 1820
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| (1a) Circular Quay, Sydney 1856. By S.T. Gill. National Library of Australia nia.pic-an 7537525 |
William was returned to New South Wales, but absconded again. Precocious to say the least.
Sources from here to the Old Bailey Court portion: Ancestry.com
William Dimmitt
Ship: Guilford
"Absconded June 1821"
The excellent site "Free Settler or Felon?" lists the following regarding the Guildford:
"The Guildford was the next convict ship to leave England for New South Wales after the departure of Mary Anne in December 1821. The Guildford departed London on 7 April 1822
The Guard consisted of one Lieutenant, one Serjeant, one Corporal and twenty Privates and 6 women and 3 children belonging to 3rd Regiment
James Mitchell kept a Medical Journal from 9th March to 24 July 1822. In a summary in his Journal after he reached Port Jackson he wrote:
'It gives me very great pleasure to state that the number of sick on this voyage was comparatively small when it is taken into account the number of Guards, convicts (in all 232) cooped up which in a small space for such a length of time and for the safety of the ship the prisoners were only allowed on deck in divisions, added to this the greater part of them were those who had led a rustic life and accustomed to a vegetable diet. However to the kindness of Providence, to the liberality of Government in supplying wind and preserved meats and to the discipline I enforced amongst them by keeping the moving about as much as possible, their beds up in the nettings and to the cleanliness of the prisons and their own persons as also fro the attention paid to ventilation, I ascribe the healthy stat in which the men landed. The boy Wharton that died shortly after leaving England was work out with sea sickness, and anguish of mind owing to his degraded situation. The 12 cases of Catarrh and pneumonia were produced by out running down in a high southern latitude and the prisoners dress being too thin for such a climate.'
The men were disembarked on 24th July 1822. One hundred and four prisoners were sent to Parramatta on arrival.
source: http://www.jenwilletts.com/convict_ship_guildford_1822.htm
The Guildford arrived in Port Jackson on 15 July 1822 just nine days before the Asia."
It turns out William Dimmitt was not aboard.
"158 / Dimmett Wm / Guildford / Missing"
"Colonial Secretaries Office
12th July 1822
Sir
Upon receipt of this letter <unk> to proceed on board the Schooner governor Brisbane and receive unto your charge a runaway Convict named John Demmett, and bring him to this office.
I am Sir
your obed't Servant
F. -oulburn
Colleny (?)
Wm. Thomas Divine (?)
Chief Constable
Sydney"
I'm uncertain if this is a misunderstanding, as William Dimmitt was returned on the governor Brisband at one point. Perhaps there's actually a convict named John Demmett. That will have to take some more investigation.
"Colonial Secretary's Office
30th August 1822
Sir
I have the honor to acquaintance you that H.M. Colonial Brig Lady Nelson is dispatched to Port Macquarie for a cargo of cedar and pine logs.
By this conveyance you will receive thirty prisoners under various sentences to Port Macquarie for which I beg to refer you to the accompanying List.
James McAloonge a prisoner of the brown is permitted to go to Port Macquarie for the reason mentioned in the accompanying memorial.
Susan Taylor and child are likewise permitted to proceed to Port Macquarie. _ her husband being one of the prisoners now embarked.
I have the honor to be
Sir,
Your obed't able servant
(signed) F. Goulburn
<unk.>
Cap'n Allman
Commandant
Port Macquarie"
"List of eleven prisoners transported to Port Macquarie on board H.M.S. Brig Lady Nelson to the respective sentences annexed thereto; and also their original places and tines of trial and sentences, Extracted in the deed polls or indents of the ships by which they arrived in the Colony. -
Sydney, New South Wales, 30th July 1822"
"William Dimmitt ran from the colony, returned in the Gov'n Brisbane"
Convicted, where: Sydney
When: 29 July 1822
Sentenced: - org. Sen'n
Trade: Laborer
- served by: Guilford (4)
Original place and times of trial and sentences. Where: Kingston
When: 23'd Mar 1820
Sentence: Life"
---
HMS Lady Nelson
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Lady_Nelson_(1798)
Modern location of the HMS Lady Nelson
http://www.mountgambiertourism.com.au/visit.asp
Logbooks of the HMS Lady Nelson
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/7509/7509-h/7509-h.htm
---
Gaoler's (Jailer's) Report
William Dimmett
Ship: Guildford (4)
Where Convicted: "Ran from the colony, ret'd in the Schooner Governor Brisbane - Sent by order of the Sec't."
Sentence: "Rest of orig'l Sentence"
Date: 29 July 1824
"Colonial Secretarys Office
7th May 1824
Sir
<unk> - An Account with thee - - - - , of the experiences incurred by the Gover- , for the Subsistence, clothing and Medical - of the Runaway Convicts William Smith and William Demmet during their detention in the Isle of France amounting to <Pounds> 210.10.7 Sterling having been submitted to the Governor I have been honored with this -, to request you with be pleased to cause a Bill to be remitted to that - in liquidation of the amount.
- the hours to be
Sir
Your obed't Servt
F. Goulburn
Wm Wemyss Eag're
Deputy Counn Ulpenersl"
My land, if you can read this better than I, please send me a message.
Gaoler's (Jailer's) Report - Portsmouth
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| http://interactive.ancestry.com/1989/31791_221377-00394/83173?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=ReturnRecord |
Name: William Dimmitt
Page: 156
Gaoler's Report: "Transported before"
Ship: Leviathan
The HMS Leviathan
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| http://s941.photobucket.com/user/stuartwaters/media/leviathan/leviathanboardssanaugustinoattrafalgar_zps44cede5f.jpg.html |
The New South Wales Government's State Records describes Norfolk Island as follows:
"Governor Phillip's instructions of 25 April 1787 had ordered him to send a detachment to Norfolk Island as soon as circumstances permitted. On 12 February 1788 Phillip appointed Philip Gidley King Superintendent and Commandant of the Island and on 5 March 1788 King landed there with a group of soldiers and convicts. Others were sent to relieve the strain on the mainland where food was scarce.
From 1788 to 1814 Norfolk Island existed as an extension of the penal settlement in NSW but by the early 1800s the Island was no longer needed as Van Diemen's Land was available to convicts. Though the settlers were reluctant to move, the settlement was steadily reduced over the years. Rough seas and suitable landing sites posed difficulties in supplying provisions and communications. By 1810 the population had decreased to 117 and in 1813 plans were put in place for the abandonment of the Island. It was finally deserted in February 1814.
In 1824, as pastoralists were settled across the mainland, the Colonial Office decided to revive the penal settlement on Norfolk Island as a place of banishment for the worst re-offenders. On 6 June 1825 Major Turton, with 34 troops, six women and children, and 57 convicts, reoccupied the Island. By 1829 there were 211 convicts on Norfolk and by 1834 there were close to 700 convicts, all employed by the government which, according to personal accounts of convicts and visitors, inflicted on them harsh punishments verging on the inhumane. It was not until Alexander Maconochie was appointed as Commandant of Norfolk Island in 1840 that the convicts started to be treated more humanely. In February 1844 Maconochie was replaced by Captain Joseph Childs and Norfolk regained its reputation for brutality. The penal settlement finally closed in 1853."
http://www.records.nsw.gov.au/state-archives/research-topics/convicts/convict-settlement-norfolk-island
9 years later, William (...or someone falsely accused of being William) was caught and tried in the Old Bailey courthouse in London. He'd been captured for the following:
16th April 1830 - for "being feloniously was at large, without any lawful cause, within his Majesty's dominions, to wit, at St. James, Clerkenwell , before the expiration of the term..."
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| Source: Ancestry.com. Australian Convict Transportation Registers – Other Fleets & Ships, 1791-1868 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. |
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| Source: http://www.londonlives.org/static/Prisons.jsp |
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| http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clerkenwell_Prison |
Three (3) witnesses spoke against the man tried as William Dimmitt. One said he knew him as "Dundy Bill, the Barber".
I say "the man tried as William Dimmitt" as we have records indicating that William married Matilda Brown around 1840. Perhaps it's another William Dimmitt, or perhaps William's son. Perhaps though, someone went to death in place of William, based on the faulty memories or deliberate lies of one or more of the people in question.
The man charged in the case gave the following defense: "Prisoner's Defence. In January last I was apprehended on the same charge, and the prosecutor of Dimmitt swore I was not the man; the Governor of Brixton gaol also swore so, and the chief constable of Union-hall- those persons had Dimmitt in their custody for months after he was tried, and this man now swears to me for nothing but the purpose of getting the reward; I had three examinations in January."
Whatever the case, the man named as "William Dimmitt" was convicted and sentenced to death.
Transcript from the Old Bailey Court's trial
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http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?div=t18290611-201
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OLD COURT.
FIFTH DAY. TUESDAY, JUNE 16.
First Middlesex Jury. Before Mr. Sergeant Arabin .
1200. WILLIAM DIMMITT. alias LONG , was indicted for that, at the General Session of the Delivery of the Gaol of our Lord the King, of the County of Surrey, holden at Kingston-upon - Thames, on Thursday, the 23d of March, in the first year of the reign of George the 4th, he, by the name of William Dimmitt, late of the parish of St. Saviour, within the Borough of Southwark. in the County of Surrey, labourer, was in due form of law tried on a certain indictment against him, for that he, on the 18th of January, in the 60th year of the reign of George the 3d, about the hour of seven in the night of the same day, with force of arms, at the parish aforesaid. in the County aforesaid, the dwelling-house of Sarah Cousins , there situate, feloniously and burglariously did break and enter, with intent the goods and chattels, in the same dwelling-house then and there being, feloniously and burglariously to steal, take, and carry away, and I umbrella, value 7s.; 1 flute, value 7s. 6d.; 1 gold watch, value 20l.; 1 key, value 10s. 6d.; 4 silver table-spoons, value 3l. 6s.; 6 silver tea-spoons, value 1l. 10s.; 1 pair of silver tea-tongs, value 16s.; 2 counterpanes, value 3l.; 1 quilt, value 10s.; 5 sheets, value 2l. 10s.; 3 blankets, value 15s.; 11 gowns, value 9l. 9s.; 5 petticoats, value 1l.; 3 table-cloths, value 2l. 2s.; 8 printed bound books, value 10l. 10s.; 1 tea-caddy, value 1l.; 1 pair of stays, value 10s.; 1 silk shawl, value 10s.; 1 cloth pelisse, value 3l.; 5 pairs of stockings, value 1l. 1s.; 4 pillow-cases, value 10s., and 5 habit shirts, value 5s., the goods of the saidSarah Cousins , in the same dwelling-house then and there being found, then and there feloniously and burglariously did steal, take, and carry away, against the peace, &c. and was thereupon convicted of feloniously stealing goods and chattels, in the indictment mentioned, in the dwelling-house of the said Sarah Cousins, to the value of 50s., and acquitted of burglariously breaking and entering the said dwelling-house in the night-time, and was ordered to be hanged by the neck until he should be dead, but his present Majesty having been graciously pleased to extend the Royal Mercy to him. on condition of his being transported to the coast of New South Wales, or some one or other of the islands adjacent, for the term of his natural life, which being in due manner signified.&c. he was ordered to be transported accordingly; and that he afterwards, on the 16th of April , in the 10th year of the reign of his present Majesty. feloniously was at large, without any lawful cause, within his Majesty's dominions, to wit, at St. James, Clerkenwell , before the expiration of the term for which he was so ordered to be transported, as aforesaid; against the Statute .
SECOND COUNT, that at the General Session of the Delivery of the Gaol of our Lord the King, holden for the County of Surrey, at Kingston-upon-Thames, on Thursday, the 23d of March, in the 1st year of the reign of his present Majesty, he was ordered to be transported to the coast of New South Wales, or some one or other of the islands adjacent, for the term of his natural life, pursuant to the Statute; and that afterwards. on the 16th of April, in the 10th year of the reign of His present Majesty, feloniously was at large within his Majesty's dominions, to wit, at St. James, Clerkenwell, without any lawful cause, before the expiration of the said term for which he had been ordered to be transported; against the Statute.
JOHN VANN. I produce the certificate of the prisoner's conviction, which I got from Mr. Clark, Clerk of the Arraigns for the Home Circuit - I saw him sign it (read, see indictment.)
GEORGE GOFF. I am a constable of Surrey. I was at the Spring Assizes, Kingston, in 1820; I saw the prisoner tried there - I knew him before, and am certain he is the man; I knew him, as being called Dundy Bill, the Barber - I am certain he is the man who was tried for a burglary at Mrs. Cousins.
FRANCIS KEVS. I am a day patrol, of Bow-street. I apprehended the prisoner as he came out of Clerkenwell prison, Middlesex, on the 16th of April.
Prisoner's Defence. In January last I was apprehended on the same charge, and the prosecutor of Dimmitt swore I was not the man; the Governor of Brixton gaol also swore so, and the chief constable of Union-hall- those persons had Dimmitt in their custody for months after he was tried, and this man now swears to me for nothing but the purpose of getting the reward; I had three examinations in January.
GEORGE GOFF . I was present at his trial - Mr. Baron Garrow tried him; I was not a witness in the case - I had apprehended him, but found nothing on him; I knew him before, and am confident he is the man.
GUILTY - DEATH . Aged 28.
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