William Stephen

Book of Trials Held at Moreton Bay

January 1839

New South Wales To Wit – The Information of Thomas Hudson per Ship “Minstrel” Life taken before me Sydney Cotton. Eqs one of Her Majestys Justices of the Peace, in and for the said Colony. - At Moreton Bay on the fourteenth day of February in the Year of Our Lord 1839 in the Presence and hearing of William Covill alias Campion, per Ship “Mellish” Life. James McKinnon, per Ship “Marquis Huntley” 14 Years & William Stephen, per Ship “Blenhiem” 7 Years – charged, before me the said Justice with being Illegally at Large, with Fire Arms and Robbery, and Edward Mott per Ship “? Harcourt” being accessary to the same -Saith on the morning of the 18^th January before Sunrise, I sent the Prisoner, “Coville” who is under my charge at the Government Cattle Station, at Cowpers Plains, to look after a Strayed [?], by my directions, he too, with him, Four Rounds of Ammunition, and a Firelock, belong to Government, and he did not return to the Station again -  The information of Lance Corpl. John Camovan? 28^th Regiment sworn – Saith on the 18^th of January last, I was in charge of the Government Sheep Station at Red Bank, about three o’clock in the afternoon the Prisoner “Coville” came to my Hut with a Firelock, and state he was in pursuit of a lost Bullock, he remained at the Station till the following morning at 9 O’clock, when I saw him leave the Station with is Firelock & about a Quarter of an Hour after the Prisoner “McKinnon” who was a Watchman at Red Bank left the place, I never saw him at the Station after that; Informant further states, that on the night of the 29^th January, between the hours of 9 and 10 O’clock I was alarmed by the night watchman, “Edward Moss” crying out for assistance, after hearing the alarm I went and called Overseer “Allen” and we went together, and assisted in securing the Sheep, which had broken out of the Hold. I heard the watchman singing for about an hour previous to his giving the alarm; it was about half moon light at the time, I was absent from my Hut about ½ an hour and on my return found the Door and window open which I had left Latched; on entering the first thing I saw was a pair of shoes laying on the Cot “the shoes now produced are the same and I am positive either belonged to “Hopher” or “McKinnon” both men had been at different times Employed about my Hut, at Red Bank, and on further examining the Hut I found that the undermentioned Articles had been taken from it during my absence – Viz – three pair of Boots & one odd one, one Linen Shirt, one pair of Linen Trousers, One Razor, one Knife, Ten Round of Ball Cartridges belonging to the Government – and three pair of Boots, One Razor, One Knife, One pair of Scissors, One Ring, and One “Tin Pot” belonging to Private John Brown? Of HM “28^th Regt” of these articles – of the articles now before the Court, I recognize One Knife, & one Razor, as belonging to myself, which was stolen from the Hut. – All three of the Prisoners, “Coville’, Stephen & McKinnon, have at different times, been employed as watchmen, at the Station – Stephen and McKinnon has had frequent access to my Hut, in doing little jobs about it –

The Information of Private, John Brown “HM” 28th Regt. Sworn – Saith, I am on duty at the Red Bank Station, on the 28^th of last month, IU came down to Brisbane Town on duty, and returned on the 30^th Inst during my absence the Hut was Robbed of the Three pair of Boots, One Razor, One pair of Scissors, One Knife, & One Ring belonging to me. I recognise two pair of Boots now produced which I positively sear to, belong to me. –

The Information of Constable Robert Wright, Sworn – Saith, I went on duty with the Chief Constable and others in pursuit of Bushrangers. I was left in charge of the Boat with another man at the South Passage “whilst the Chief Constable and others went towards Point Danger. On Friday Morning the 8^th Inst I observed three Blacks swimming across from the Main Land to where the Boat lay  one of these Blacks was “George Brown” who informed me the three Bushrangers were upon an Oyster Bank about 6 or 7 Miles from the Boat, and that he had sent some Blacks to induce them to come towards the Beach, I accordingly went with ‘Brown” & some Blacks to endeavour to secure them, about Four Miles from the Boat we lay in ambush awaiting the Bushranger whom “Brown” told me must cross that way, in about three Hours, the Blacks with us, reported that they were coming. I allowed them to pass me a few yards’ when I went forth and gave my Firelock to a native’ and called on these men to Surrender as it was no use to resist, as then were others at hand, which they did’ and I then put Handcuffs upon them and marched them down to the Boat, I was rejoined by the Chief Constable on the following day – I found with the Bushrangers the Articles now produced. Viz Two pair of Boots, One Razor, One Knife, two bags also the Mainspring & hammer belonging to a Firelock. The Prisoners before the Court namely “William Covill” William Stephen and James McKinnon, are the men who I apprehended.

The Information of Corpl. William Irwin, “HM” 28^th Regiment. Sworn – Saith, I am Corporal in charge of the Government Sheep Station at the Lime Stone, and early on the morning of the 19^th January last the Prisoner William Stephen, proceeded as usual in charge of his Flock to the Bush, and about 11 O’clock “One Sheep belonging to that Flock returned to the Station, apparently to have been chased by a Native Dog. In consequence of this ‘fancying’ there was something wrong’ the Overseer went to look for the Flock, he found the Prisoner absent since which I have never seen him at the Station.

Wm Covill, Wm Stephen, James McKinnon & Edward Mott committed for Trial to Sydney.