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RESEARCHED BY PETER KILLACKEY
Convict Stories:
Castle Hill RisingIrish convict rebellion at Castle Hill, New South Wales in 1804. From 1791 transportation of Irish convicts (many of them political prisoners) brought a new element of discontent to New South Wales; in 1800 Governor KING firmly supressed an intended riot by Irish convicts. On March 4th, 1804, William Johnson (transported for participating in the 1798 Irish rebellion) gathered more than 300 armed men at Castle Hill. They planned a march of 'revenge on the Anglo-Saxons' from Hawkebury to Parramatta and Sydney, enlisting further supporters en route. Plan was revealed by convict Keo, and Governor KING gave the rebels 24 hours to submit or be court-martialled, a warning which the mob ignored.
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| Pursued by Major Johnston, one preacher and a catholic priest, the 2 leaders (William Johnson and Pilip Cunningham), came forward from their supporters to talk with Johnston at Vinegar Hill under protection of a flag of truce. But, a detachment of 25 soldiers arrived and Major Johnston ordered them to attack the insurgents; many were captured, 9 killed and the remainder fled to Hawkesbury. Principal offenders were tried (March 8th); Hume Hill, Place, Johnson, Harrington, Neale, Brannon and Hogan were sentenced to death. Numerous others received from 200 to 500 lashes, were confined to outer-settlements and the uprising flickered out. |
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