Johnny Gilbert (alias Roberts, alias Gentleman John)

The Goulburn Herald reported on 15 August 1857 on the capture of Gentleman John, who was a Ticket of Leave man. The story revealed that:

"Captain McLerie was riding up Castlereagh Street, accompanied by Captain Scott, A. D. C., he espied a person approaching him attired in a somewhat peculiar manner. Struck by his appearance, Captain McLerie reined up his horse, and viewing the man closely, at once discovered he was a notorious offencer, well known as Gentleman John, who had been several times tried and convicted of various offences in the interior. Captain McLerie at once apprehended the man. His cognomen was derived from a habit the fellow had of visiting hotels, particularly in the Southern Districts, as a travelling gentleman, on which occasions he was always accompanied by another offender against the laws, who was usually dressed as a servant. For the last offence John was sent to Cockatoo Island; he was then assigned upon a ticket-of-leave to Ipswich, Moreton Bay, from which place it appears he has escaped. During his career he had borne various names, but favoured those of Somerfield and Campbell. Three years of his last sentence are now unexpired, and in the afternoon of Saturday he was brought before the Water Police Magistrate, who ordered him to be returned to Government. This morning, most likely, Gentleman John will be forwarded to Cockatoo, to chew the bitter cud of reflection."