John Rowlands

This material is a work-in-progress ...

Like his Woodsdale neighbour, John Palmer, John Rowlands has often been wrongly documented as "... born in Wales and arrived as a (free) immigrant to Tasmania ..." who worked for the Parson's family. John actually arrived in VDL as a convict on the transport ship Lady Kennaway (I) on 13 February 1835. 1
It is his convict Conduct Record 2
that confirms his involvement with Charles Octavius Parsons on the Kimbolton property near Hamilton in the upper Derwent Valley.  His convict Description List 3
states his native place as "Lewiston, Somerset." From later records, this is believed to actually be "Ruishton" near Taunton in Somerset.

John Rowlands is buried in the St Mathias Anglican cemetery at Woodsdale. His memorial plaque reads - "ROWLANDS, JOHN 10.4.1814 - 28.11.1897" 4
So far to date, no records matching this possible birth or baptism date, which is also reportedly in Wales, UK, has been found.

John had been tried at the Devon assizes in Exeter on 20 March 1834, for the crime of Highway Robbery and received a sentence of death recorded against himself and his three co-accused companions. Although no trial details were recorded, the arraignment of the four in Kingsbridge caused quite a stir among the local community and details of the sensational "daring highway robbery" event were recorded by the local press.

Little did John realise that his soon-to-be new VDL neighbour, John Palmer, had been tried for horse stealing at Shrewsbury, Shropshire, 200 miles to the north, only two days earlier; also receiving a sentence of transportation for life to VDL.

After hearing his sentence of death being announced and his removal to Exeter prison, the local Devon County gaol; in early April, John petitioned the King for mercy in an attempt to have his execution commuted. John's petition was ultimately successful. It was also whilst awaiting in Exeter gaol for transportation to the hulks, that John wrote a letter to his parents.

May 4th 1834

Dear Father and Mother

I hope a few lines will find you in good health as it leaves me at present. Dear Father and Mother this is to inform you that I received my sentence on Sunday May the 4th and my sentence is Transportation for Life. The time of my going away is not yet fixed on but I expect it will be in the corse of a week. I received your kind letter on Thursday morning do not trouble yourselves about me for I hope I shall do better in another Country than I should here in this I hope I shall see you once more before I leave this Country. I give thanks to my old master and the gentlemen that sined my petition but it did me no good at all.

My love to all Father Mother Brother and Sisters Master & shopmates

So no more at present from your affectionate son

Jhon Rowland

John was eventually removed from the gaol in Devon to the hulks on Monday 26th May and reported accordingly

On Monday, Llewellin Jones, the Exiseman, John Dodderidge, Charles Wills, and John Rowland, directed to be transported for life ; and Joseph Vosper for 7 years, were removed from the Devon County Gaol, to the hulk at Woolwich. At the same time, William Hope, under commuted sentence of transportation for 7 years was removed to the Penitentiary Milbank. 5

John wrote a subsequent letter once onboard the convict transport ship taking him to VDL.

On board the Norfolk Convict ship, Spithead, Portsmouth

June 23rd 1834

Dear Mother

I am happy to inform you that I received your affectionate letter of the 15th instant by which I am happy to learn that you and my dear father are enjoying good health as l do at present and also to hear that you are doing everything in your power to endeavour to obtain a commutation of my sentence which if obtained will follow me to the place of my future destination. Dear Mother I beg to inform you that I am pennyless and the allowances on board the ship being very little in consequence of which I humbly beg that you will by the return of post, send me a little money to alleviate my present distress do not send the money in a purse but send it in a letter by a Post office note and pay the postage which will arrive safe and without much expence. My kind love to you and dear father and remain

Dear Mother

Your affectionate son

John Rowland

Although John was originally scheduled to sail on the transport ship Norfolk, on July 7th, the voyage was not "completed"; and John eventually departed Spithead on another transport ship, the Lady Kennaway in November, after the vessel had departed from Cork in Ireland on 27 October 1834.

FEB. 13. - Arrived the ship Lady Kennaway, 583 tons, Captain Bolton, from Cork the 28th October, with 276 male prisoners. 6

John was most likely assigned to Charles Octavius Parsons soon after his arrival in Hobart Town, and is recorded in the convict muster of December 1835 as being at Hamilton. 7
John may have been working as a farm labourer on Parson's Kimbolton, Clevland or Athol Brae properties, comprising 6120 acres (2477 ha), in the Hamilton / Ouse district until 1837, when Parsons put the properties on the market; only Kimbolton selling. Whilst working for the Parsons family, John's behaviour must have been exemplary to have only one offence detailed on his convict record -

Novr 16th 1835 / Parsons / Being at large yesterday without a pass. / Admonished. / T. Mason

Parsons then purchased and moved to the Camden property near Richmond, where John is recorded as being located in September 1838; having followed his employer. Parsons was later to move to Brush Farm near Runnymede in 1842; 8
John following him again, resulting in John being in the neigbourhood of the Quested family, his future wife, and the Woodsdale area where he would eventually settle and raise a large family.

Most Important Sale of very Valuable Estates at Hamilton and the River Dee.
MR. W. T. MACMICHAEL,
Is instructed by the proprietor, C. O. Parsons, Esq., (intending to proceed to England in about 12 months) to sell by Public Auction his two truly valuable Estates at Hamilton and the river Dee.
The sale will take place at his Rooms, Liverpool street, on Friday the 3rd/ November next, at one o'clock precisely, (unless the property should be previously sold by Private Contract, of which due notice will be given)
LOT 1 comprises the very invaluable ESTATE
KIMBOLTON
Situated adjoining the township of Hamilton and the Lawrenny Estates, and containing one thousand acres of land. This property commands a considerable frontage on the river Clyde ; the whole is fenced in and subdivided into paddocks, all suitable for agricultural purposes. The homestead is one fit for the accommodation of a large family of the highest respectability ; the house comprises fourteen well arranged and proportioned apartments, and the outhouses are such as are required on an estate of this description. There is also a brick dwelling house containing nine rooms with stable and kitchen attached, situated on the banks of the Clyde.
Four hundred acres of the land is in English grass and under crop, and four hundred acres more may he ploughed without any further expense.
It is confidently asserted, without fear of contradiction, that there is not in the Colony an Estate of the extent of Kimbolton, possessing so many real advantages, or so much good land.
Possession will be given on the 1st January, 1838. 9

In February 1842, John received his ticket-of-leave; 10
and in January 1845, he was recommended to receive a conditional pardon, which was ultimately granted later that same year on 16 December.

CONVICT DEPARTMENT.
Comptroller-Generals Office, Jan. 4, 1845.
It is hereby notified to the undermentioned individuals, that it is the Lieutenant-Governor's intention to recommend them to the gracious consideration of Her Majesty the Queen for Conditional Pardons; such Pardons to be available within the limits of the Australian Colonies : John Rowland, Ly. Kennaway
M. FORSTER, Comptroller-General. 11

The Lieutenant-Governor having received instructions from Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, signifying Her Majesty's approval of Pardons being granted the undermentioned Convicts upon condition of their remaining in the Island of Van Diemens Land, or some or one of Her Majesty's Australian Colonies or New Zealand, His Excellency has directed their names to be published for general information ; these persons not having committed any offences since they were recommended to the Queen's mercy which would disentitle them to the indulgence approved of : John Rowland, L. Kennaway 12

Parson's Land - Runnymede
C. O. Parson's extensive landholdings at Brushy Plains (Runnymede)
(TAHO: County Maps - Pembroke)

Whilst developing his Runnymede properties, C. O. Parsons became insolvent in 1846, and John may have still been in his employ, now as a conditionally pardoned emancipist convict who had only served almost 11 years and 9 months of his original life sentence. In early January of 1847, John, aged 29, married Jane Quested, aged 22, and began a whole new chapter in his long life. 13

Locations
Hamilton
Richmond
Woodsdale