Patricks Sad Story part 1

                                      The Sad Story of Patrick TROY, Part one, (by Anthony Laffan)

Patrick Troy arrived in the  Colony of NSW aboard the "Providence" in 1811. He was tried at County Waterford August 8th 1810 and sentenced to 7 years, for he and an accomplice had held up a Gentleman, Mr Wilson. The Accomplice holding a Bluderbuss, directing Mr Wilson to get his gun from the house and hand it over. Numerous oaths and threats were made to Mr Wilson. Unfortunately for Pat, the servants locked the door, preventing entry. "Ye whores, Ye whores, open the door" Patrick was quoted as saying. Mr Wilson demanded,"If you dont quit the place,you'll certainly suffer", to which the man with the Blunderbuss called,"If he's peppered, then i'll pepper you'. Although bloodshed was threatened, no blood was spilt. Patrick was later identified. A Mr Sheen was brought in Patricks defence, sating Patrick was 5 miles away in Carrick on that day. Patrick was found guilty. He was bracketed witha Michael Powerand also possibly Thomas Greary on the trial list. No one seems to have found his ticket of leave, so his description remains unknown.

A Report by an Edmund Troy, living in Ireland from Wexford, to Carolyn Troy. Said to be a relation of Patrick in Ireland, gives the following story. In a study of the Troys of Wexford, the following information was collected. At Whitetown, 5 miles from Carrick,on Bannow, lived the Troys. In the year 1786, two Patrick Troys were born, one dying young. Patrick was the son of Fintan Troy and Evelyn Mary Vaughan. In 1808-1809, the Land League war was rife, along the east coast of Ireland, including Wexford. Patrick troy was amember of the Flying Column, of the Irish volunteer force, revolting against the English, especially those trying to drive off farmers from their small land holdings. After a skirmish against the Redcoat soldiers, Patrick and 5 otherswere on the run until captured at Fethard-on-Sea, on the Wexford/Waterford boarder, 3 being shot and Patrick captured with a William Tierney. This story goes on with a number of conflicting facts. One thing is sure, many of the facts fit in with the story of Patricks Trial. Age seems reasonable,and as Patrick was attacking a wealthy Englishman, after guns, some of the facts really make sense. We can only speculate if any of this fact or even partly factual. There is also some conjecture that Patrick may have been the son of famous Archbishop John Thomas Troy. He did name his first son Thomas, however, although no factual information has been uncovered, there has been family myths from several sources concerning this romour.

When he arrived, Patrick was assigned to a Mr Squires, an Inn Keeper, and later a wealthy Beer maker. An adopted son of Mr Squires, Francis his illegitimate son, later married a sister in law of Patrick and gives damning evidence against him  at his trial. Patrick was later in Residence next to Squires and obviously had much contact with the family.It appears that the Squires and the Troys were close friends. Patrick must have worked very hard, as he climbed his way to some respectability, becoming a Constable, and having a number of Convicts assigned to him over a period of time. In 1825, a James Brian, was working for Patrick as a Government Servant. Patrick married Elizabeth Smith, the daughter of convicts, Ann Colpitts and Thomas Smith. They had quite a large family in a short time. Thomas Patrick,Ann, Jane  and George, were born in quick succession. Thomas is our ancestor. It was this large  family and the the keeping of this, which was probably influential in Patricks death. Patrick is mentioned in quite a few articles in the Sydney Gazzette and the Australian. Some included advertisments for goods for sale, but most refer to his claim on the Property of Patrick Mc Kew, at 52 Kent St. Manus died will Patrick was resident at his place. Patrick and Joseph Bradley produced a document allegedly , to be the Will of McKew. Patrick Mc Kew, like Patrick, was illiterate, and could only sign with an 'X'. But Joseph was obviously quite Literate.Patrick had properties at Kissing Point and Fields of Mars. In 1825, Patrick is listed in the census, as having purchased a farm with Residence at Concord, with the following acreage; 12 under whaet,7 under maize,1 for barley, 1/2 for potatoes, and 3 for an Orchard., plus 30 of cleared ground, Total 95 acres. He had 2 head of cattle and 16 pigs. Farms of under 100 acres were relatively small. Patrick is also reported of having land at Cockle bay, Darling Harbour.He sold it for 46 pound, 45 pence in 1827. If Patrick had all these properties around town, mostly farms , why was he renting a room at 52 Kent st in 1828? Where was the family living at this time? Of course there was a severe drought in the years,1826-1828, so this may have ben some reason, and in these years of drought, the Colony was not doing as well as previously. As Patrick also had a job as a Constable, not easy to get,and also a License to sell Rum at the Races, he was certainly a busy man. Why was it necessary to gain another property? There must be some answer. The most likely explanation, could have been that he had indeed been promised the property without documentation, and a strong willed Irishman thought it was rightfully his. As a very religious man,his faer of committing a mortal sin, would also have been heavily on his mind, if he thought that he was doing anything seriously unlawful , in the eyes of the Church. So there is a likelyhood, he felt he was the rightful owner of the property.

Some entries in the papers, both the Government Gazette and the Australian, referring to Patrick

5/8/1820 A reward was offered re; burglary at Kissing point farm. 'Five pounds reward;- Whereas on the night of Wednesday 26th, or on the morning of 27th , two men feloniously entered the dwelling house of Patrick Troy at Kissing Point, and stole from ther the following articles; vis , 3 gold rings, 1 pair of gold ear ditto, a new red silk and cotton shawl,3 yards of cotton print,about 2 yards of English ditto,2 1/2 yards of new flannel, 3 mens shirts, a new marseilla waistcoat, 3 shifts, several articles of baby linen, 2 pairs of womens white cotton stockings, 2 check aprons, various articles of bedding, 2 certificates of freedom, one belonging to Patrick Troy and the other to James O'Neil and sundry receipts, between the undersigned and the said Patrick Troy. - Whoever will give such information, as may lead to the apprehension and conviction of the desperadoes, will be entitled to receive the above reward of five pounds from me, James Squire".

Kissing point , July 29, 1820., 13/1/1821, Goods found. " Lawrence Murphy and Daniel Keane, also Prisoners of the Crown, were charged with having sundryitems of wearing apparel, with other property, in their pocession, which were identified as belonging to Patrick Troy, a settler from Kissing Point, whose house was broken into about 6 months since,at which time the articles in question were stolen.The Prisoners said they had found them, but such a declaration , not proving satisfactory to the Bench. They were ordered a Corporal punishment and 3 years to Newcastle".

18/1/1822. Patrick supplied Wheat to Goverment Stores., 8/8/1822, Matilda and Elizabeth Brown and Patrick and Mary Haynes, were convicts assigned to Patrick Troy. Also in 1822, William Brien from the "Brampton", were assigned to Patrick. In 1830, Elizabeth was to marry James Brien, who was the brother of William. James was a Lifer and in 1822 he was on the dreaded road gang. There was another Brien on the "Brampton" as well. 11/9/1823. notice of trespasses on Stroud and Needham farms, Field of Mars. (Sydney Gazzette). 18/91823 Cautioning trespassers on his farm at the Field of Mars.(Cutting Timber and making roads through the properties.  (Australian) 1825 Census Convicts, Mary horton, pat cane (Life), William Brown (7 years) assigned to Patrick Troy. 12/5/1825 At a horse race meeting held at Hyde Park on 25/4/ , Patrick had a License to sell Alchohol at a Booth at the Race Meetings. ( He had been issued this License in March.) Five men convicted of stealing a quantity of Rum from Patrick Troy. This entry describes an interesting scene. At about 10pm on the 25th of April, after the Sydney Races, a group including Phillip Hyde, James Bennett and Peter Mulholland, entered his Booth and stole, 2 gallons of Rum, of Brandy, of Wine, 2 Gallons of Beer and other articles. They were also charged with riot and assault. Apparently  there had been several serious disturbances, that night after the meeting. These men were found guilty and sentenced  to 7 years transportation to Port Macquarie. 1825 Patrick Troy of Kissing Point  write a memorial , requesting a land grant ( see document). 6/5/1826 Patrick was dismissed from the position of Constable for drunkeness. July 23, 25,27, 1827, Patrick advertises a Boat for sale ( Boats were the main form of transport for many in the early days of the Colony) 10, 12, 17 september 1827 Patrick caution against purchasing a property at 52 Kent St. from the estate of Manus McKew. 16/9/1827, Government notice Patrick Troy reappointed Constable.30/1/1828, Patrick resigns from the police force.30/6/1828,  Patrick loses an action brought against him by Edmund Bourke, regarding the property of Patrick McKew. Patrick is taken into custody, on a charge of forgery.

Below is a Brief outline of the Trial.

Manus McKew, James Mc Kew, Margaret Gaffnew brought the action. The executors were, Rev J J Therry and Edmund Bourke, who were also in the Will.The alleged forged Will was in the handwriting of Joseph Bradley, supposedly signed with the 'X' of Mc Kew, witnessed by Bradley. An Ashley Lawry, was said to be the only witness, to Bradley guiding the hand of McKew, signing his'X'. James Williams testified that Troy had said that he was a benificiary of the Will but on being asked to witness the document, he refused, being frightened of being accused of fraud. The most damning evidence against him, was by his brother-in-law, Francis Spencer. Spencer was also a witness at Patricks wedding 10 years earlier. Francis recounted a time , 6 weeks after Mc Kews death, that he had been present in the house in Kent St. with Troy, Bradley and Lawry. Bradley had come down with a Document still not properly dry. This is said to be Document in question. He stated that he had been offered a Bequest and then 5 pounds, but he refused to be a part of the action. Patrick Troy stated he was struggling to keep his large family. The Cross Examiner tried to refute his respectability, referring to another case he had been involved in , when only16. Francis's evidence and that of William's and a Eugene Quinn ( who stated that Troy had offered him 10 pounds to draw up a Deed of Gift ,shortly after McKews death) were indeed very damaging. The Jury took only a short time to come to their verdict.. Both Patrick Troy and Joseph Bradley were found guilty. One of the prosecuting attorneys was T. D. Rowe, who was to marry a Harriet Hanks. Patricks son, Thomas, was to marry Harriets sister, Louisa. I wonder if Thomas was aware of this fact, for although he didnt marry until 1843, he would have known Rowe, as he too, lived at times,in Mittagong until Rowes death in 1839. 1/10/1828, They were both sentenced to hang. The severity of the sentence was to be a warning to others. One of those to give damning evidence against, was his brother-in-law. Patrick and Elizabeth were members of a family, which had obviously been close, but Francis and Patrick fell out , when Francis felt that Patrick had kept from him , the fact, that Patricks sister-in-law, was being unfaithful. Francis was the illegitimate son of  James Squires, the very successful Brewer, who had Patrick as his assigned Convict, and who had formed a very close relationship with. Squires had done much to help Patrick on his way. Father Therry, of St.Marys, wrote a letter , requesting leniency, stating he knew Patrick well and he was honest, hardworking , and trustworthy..It was inferred that Patrick felt he had indeed been offered the Property, on Mc Kews death. Rquest refused. On 20/10/1828, Patrick was hung. His execution was the first of Drop Door, with all executed at the same time. There were many present for all executions, even more for this one. A short time prior to his execution, four of his children were enrolled as Church of England members to Orphanages.According to report in the Australian, 21/10/1828,  Patricks last moments with his family,was reported thus; "Patrick Troy was not only a husband,but a father of five Children,had been for some time a householder (owner) in Sydney .The anguish attendant, on the last parting, between this wretched man, and his wife and children, was said to be indescribable.Troy expressed a wish, neither his wife nor children, nor friends, should be witness to this disgaceful death.". It only shows that even in his most deperate moments, he was thinking of his beloved family and friends.

Australian 21/10/1828, Execution. Monday morning witnessed the awful and disgraceful exit of 9 unhappy culprits ffrom this world, by the hands of the common hangman, from the execution drop, in the rear of the gaol. Frequent as these spectacles have been  after every Criminal Assize, the cicumstances of so considerable number, drew together a more considerable crowd, than perhaps had ever before attended as spectators, on the like occassion, in Sydney.The respective names of the offences of the 9 miserable culprits, were as follows vis:- John Quiglyly and Samuel Clerk, burglary; John Walsh, shooting at George Barber with an attempt to kill and rob him.; Patrick Kegney , Joseph Spicer, and James Tomlins , stealing in a dwelling house and putting the inmates in bodily fear; James Henry, Cattle stealing. Patrick Troy and Joseph Bradley, Forgery. The oldest of them did not exceed 30 years.There was scarcely one amongst the culprits that had ties of kindred or association to be severed from.

End of Part One.  continued; Part two;