User:Mokgen/Jackey Jackey

Jackey Jackey was an escaped Australian convict, referred to as a "gentleman bushranger" because of his dress and respect for his victims.

Youth and Transportation
Jackey Jackey was born William Westwood in Manuden, Essex, England to James and Ann Westwood on 7 August 1820. In March 1835, at the age of 14 he was convicted of stealing a bundle of clothes from Ann Saunders on the road near Manuden. He was sentenced to a year in Chelmsford Gaol on the treadmill. On 3rd January 1837 he appeared at the Essex Quarter Sessions in Chelmsford charged with stealing a great coat valued at 6 shillings the propery of John Rickett. Found guilty he was sentenced to 14 years transportation to Australia. He was held on the prison hulk 'Leviathan' in Portsmouth Harbour from 2nd February 1837 until he sailed from England on the 'Mangles' on the 9 July 1837

Arriving in Australia he was assigned to Phillip Parker King near Goulburn. The overseer mistreated Westwood, not providing sufficient food and clothing. He tried to run away from his employer on more than one occasion, but each time was recaptured, beaten, and then put back to work. After stealing wheat, Westwood was sentenced to six months in jail on 19 April 1838. Once again escaping and being caught, Westwood publicly received 50 lashes on 4 February 1839.

Bushranging
In September 1840 he escaped again met up with Paddy Curran. and started his life as Jackey Jackey the bushranger. Curran and Westwood parted ways after they robbed Phillip Parker King's house and Curran, tempted by revenge, raped King's wife. Westwood disapproved and assualted Curran, stole his horse, guns, and ammunition, and declared that if they ever met again, Westwood would kill him. Jackey Jackey always a courteous robber, he never actually killed any of his victims.(start) He mainly stole racing horses (to ensure a quick getaway), clothing, guns, ammunition, money, and necessities of living. Along with not hurting his victims, he would never dare to be rude to women. Jackey Jackey often showed up in a suit to a robbery, being declared the "gentleman bushranger." In total he was captured only twice, but escaped both times. A sign was posted across Australia calling for him to be caught, dead or alive.

Capture and Recapture
In January 1841, age 21 a drunk Jackey Jackey was captured at Bungendore near Canberra. Because the town had no gaol he was held in the parlour of the Harp Hotel watched by two armed guards. Jackey Jackey rushed one of the guards took his pistol and escaped. Captured again soon after he was taken to Berrima where he appeared in the Circuit Court on 15th April 1841. Found guilty of highway robbery with firearms he was sentenced to be transported for life to Van Dieman's Land Penal Establishment. On the journey to Sydney Jackey Jackey escaped from the Picton Lockup. Although fettered with chains he managed to scale the wall and hid up a tree where he watched the unhappy guards searching for him.

Jackey Jacey continued his bushranging ways until he was captured again while trying to rob The Black Horse Inn near Berrima. He was taken to Darlinghurt Jail but when the authorities learned he was planning an escape he was transferred to Cockatoo Island in Port Arthur. On the voyage to Hobart an escape attempt was foiled when the guards became aware of the plot.

In Tasmania Jackey Jackey escaped from the notorious Port Arthur Penal Colony only to be recaptured after short spells of freedom  He was sentenced to serve 12 months hard labor and 3 months in solitary confinement on 7 November 1843.

Life to Death
The next year W. T. Champ promoted Jackey Jackey to be on a boat crew of his. After rescuing two men from drowning, Jackey Jackey was removed from Port Arthur to probation at Glenorchy in May 1845. Temptation got the best of him, though, and Jackey Jackey stole guns and ammunition. Jackey Jackey was tried on 4 September 1845, in the Hobart Supreme Court. Sticking to his beliefs and not hurting anyone, he was sentenced to life in prison on Norfolk Island.

Final Escape
The humanitarian Commandant of Norfolk Island Penal Colony had allowed prisoners to grow their own food and make and use their own cooking utensils. When Maconachie was replaced by Commandant Childs this privilage was revoked. On 1 July 1846, Jackey Jackey led a mob of prisoners in an attempt to regain their cooking utensils three constables and an overseer were killed but the rebelion was quickly put down. On 13th October 1846 Jackey Jackey and twelve other convcts were hanged and their bodies buried in unhallowed ground outside the burial ground.