Daniel Bernard Matthews ²⁰³

  Research Notes:

Brian Kelly notes:
DANIEL BERNARD MATTHEWS

Compiled by Max Matthews - January 1997 - last edited July 2014

Born 17 May 1842 at Sutton Forest NSW, fifth of ten children to Benjamin Matthews and Mary Ann (nee Clarke), this one-time bushranger and reputedly rough living man ruled his family with an iron hand and not much love. He left behind stories and rumours of his life and love exploits, and even some mystery surrounding his burial.

The Early Matthews Family

Daniel's father Benjamin arrived in the Colony of NSW, as a convict on 23 January 1822 on the ship Mary II. His offence was uttering a forged note. He was granted a Ticket of Leave on 8 November 1830. Daniel's mother Mary Ann (nee Clarke) was the daughter of Daniel Clarke and Hannah Stanley (a former convict), who were married in St. Matthew's Windsor on 2 May 1814. Benjamin and Mary Ann were married at Sutton Forest on 11 June 1832 with the consent of His Excellency the Governor. Daniel Bernard was the fifth of their nine children.

At the time of the 1841 census Benjamin Matthews (spelt Mathews) and family lived at Sutton Forest and had two male and two female children. They lived in a wood house (which was stated to be unfinished) and Benjamin's employment came under the heading of "Gardeners, Stockmen and Persons employed in Agriculture". They were Church of England religion. Between 1846 and 1848 it is known that the family had moved and then lived at Shelly's Flats, and subsequently at Kingsdale (Goulburn area). Benjamin died on 30 August 1852 at Goulburn Hospital, just one day before the birth of his son Robert. Benjamin's widow Mary Ann re-married to Donald McDonald on 2 February 1853 in Goulburn, and had one further child to him, Alexander McDonald. The three youngest Matthews children were raised as McDonald, and are incorrectly reported on her Death Certificate (she died 5 May 1904) as children of her second marriage. The older children, including Daniel who was only 10, were apparently forced to leave home and make their own way in life. Perhaps this explains why Daniel later fell into the company of some disreputable characters.

The Bushranging Days

According to some earlier notes on Daniel, he was reportedly mentioned in Charles McAlister's book "Old Pioneering Days in the Sunny South" as having stolen a racehorse from the Hillas station at Bannaby near Taralga, using the alias "Flash Dan". However, having searched this book from cover to cover, I can attest that there is no reference to anyone named Matthews at all. McAlister does report such a robbery of Hillas's by a Flash Dan, but adds that he "cannot recall his name just now".

Research of newspapers of the time has shown that another man, Daniel Bell, used the name Flash Dan, and was arrested in 1850 at in the Burrogorang Mountains for horse stealing. One of the stolen horses was
from the Hillas station at Bannaby. It was most likely this robbery that McAlister was referring to, and as Daniel Matthews was only 8 years old at the time he could not have been involved.

In 1863 yet another man, Daniel Charters, used the alias of Flash Dan and was associated with bushrangers Gardiner and Gilbert, but with no mention of horse stealing from the Hillas station.

Despite the conjecture about whether or not Daniel Matthews may have used the alias of Flash Dan, or whether or not he was associated with the alleged horse stealing, what we do know is that on 18 November 1863, Daniel was to participate in an event that would change his life forever. In company with bushrangers Lynham, Crookwell and Seary, Daniel participated in the robbery of William Sidwell's "Governor's Arms" Inn at Towrang, just north of Goulburn. Over a period of about eight hours, the group "stuck-up", robbed and threatened patrons and staff at both Sidwell's and Wood's inns. That night after the group left, Seary returned to the Governor's Arms alone, and was overpowered and arrested, but the others had escaped into the bush. (A full account of this event is detailed in the report of their court appearance on 2 May 1864, and reported in the Goulburn Herald & Chronicle of 4 May 1864).

The Prison Years

On 5 December 1863, Daniel Matthews was apprehended at Taralga by sub-inspector Zouch, and placed in custody. He subsequently appeared in Court at Goulburn and was remanded in custody. A description of Daniel in the Goulburn gaol records reads:

Gaol Annual No. 253 Standing No. 3223 Name Danl. Matthews Arrival (in colony) N.C. (Native of the Colony) Year of Birth 1841 Height 5' 9" Make slight Complexion dark Colour of Hair brown Colour of Eyes (undecipherable - overwritten) General Remarks Mole on rgt. Shoulder blade - long scar from a scratch on left breast, pockmark by the side of it - cut on forehead over(?) rgt. eye.

Last column is unheaded, but appears to indicate ability to read/write. Daniel's entry states "No" Daniel and the other three accused faced the Goulburn Circuit Court on 2 May 1864 (see court report for full details). Daniel was sentenced to 15 years hard labour. Five days later on 7 May 1864, according to the records of Goulburn gaol, he was "forwarded to Cockatoo". That would be Cockatoo Island in Sydney, which at the time was used as a gaol.

As part of his punishment, Daniel was to undergo "hard labour on the roads, or the public works of the colony", and in September 1865 he was transferred to Port Macquarie gaol. This gaol was apparently a minimum security facility, built to house prisoners while they were used as labour on public works. On 26 October 1865, between 4am and 5am, Daniel and five other prisoners escaped from their prison dormitory by levering up the floorboards, and crawling out under the room, and thence through a small hole in the wall. After almost two weeks on the run, hungry and exhausted, he was captured on 8 November and returned to prison. These escapees appeared before a visiting magistrate on 18 November and were sentenced to additional imprisonment ranging from 28 days to three years. The following month Daniel and five other inmates were returned to Darlinghurst gaol.

The Return of Prisoners held in Darlinghurst gaol, dated 30 April 1866, lists Daniel with the following details:

Name Daniel Matthews Age 23 Nationality N.S.Wales When Sentenced 2 May 1864 Where and by Whom Goulburn Ct. Court, Mr Justice Milford Offence Robbery being armed Trade or Calling Farmer Physical Condition Large frame, but bad chest and unfit for hard labor Education Learning to spell, read and write. Very attentive in school. Conduct, Character, General remarks: 15 years roads: Once punished: Sent to Port Macquarie Sept 1865. Was there committed for trial for escaping. Returned here Dec last with others: Orderly and industrious since he came here.

The same type of gaol report for 30 June 1866 reads similarly to the above. Another Darlinghurst return dated 31 December 1866 shows him with surname spelt Mathews, and his "Education" comment states "read and write".

Daniel was released from Darlinghurst gaol on 17 September 1871. This event is listed in the Darlinghurst gaol record, and confirmed by the NSW,Police Gazette of 27 September 1871, which lists Daniel Matthews as one of the prisoners "discharged free, since last publication". The comment next to Daniel's record states "Sentence remitted" (i.e. reduced). After almost nine years of incarceration Daniel was free to return to the Abercrombie hills, and now had some basic education.


The Families

Daniel became involved with twin sisters Mary and Susannah Buckman (born 20 February 1849 to Gideon Buckman and Margaret nee Gardner/Gardiner), who lived in the Abercrombie River district. Mary already had a baby child called William Murdoch (born 21/1/1871 - father John Murdoch who later married Isabella McKinnon). Daniel married Mary Buckman on 4 June 1873 at Fullerton.

Perhaps the twins looked alike, or more likely because of a love or desire for both, but in any case, by early 1874 both his wife Mary and her sister Susannah were pregnant to Daniel. The sisters' baby girls were born three weeks apart and were both named Mary. Over the next 14 years further children were born to Daniel by both sisters, and it seems that for many years Daniel provided for two homes and families. In later life (after Daniel's death) Susannah married William Grundy on 18 February 1901 but had no children to him.

The homes were rough humpy-type buildings, made from whatever was available in the bush. They were located in the vicinity of the Little River, a tributary of the Abercrombie River. It is doubtful that Daniel ever owned any land, but squatted on it - this fact remains to be proved.

He lived off and provided for his large families from the land - trapping and fishing and earning wages from whatever odd jobs he may have been able to pick up.

Children of Daniel Bernard Matthews:

to Mary (nee Buckman): to Susannah Buckman:

Mary Jane Margaret b. 25/9/1874 Mary Jane b. 16/10/1874 Daniel b. 28/1/1876 Susanna b. 1/8/1876 John Thomas Alexander b. 9/8/1877 Catherine (Kate) b. 14/12/1878 Alice Maria b. 18/8/1879 James b. 29/9/1880 Hannah Edith b. 23/3/1881 Margaret (Magge) b. 10/6/1883 Rose Ellen b. 9/1/1883 Robert b. c1884 (died aged 13) Robert b. 19/7/1885 John b. c1888 Arthur Joseph James (Henry) b. 22/1/1888 Sylvester (Sid) b. c1890 Francis Henry Augustus b. 22/1/1888

The Closing Years

His grandchildren relate stories told of Daniel as a crabby patriarch, to be feared and avoided whenever possible. He was apparently difficult to live with and treated his spouses harshly. As an older man and not being in good health, Daniel decided that he should dig his own grave, which he proceeded to do under a large tree at the back of his home. The grave remained in full view for a number of years prior to his eventual death on 8 January 1897 at age 54.

On his death, the family (whether it was his wife or children or both) decided that he should be given a decent burial. The body was conveyed by two people carrying it over some very dense hilly country from the Little River to approximately the Yorkborough/Curraweela area - a distance of some thirty miles. From there it was conveyed a further 12 miles on a horse-drawn vehicle to Stonequarry Cemetery near Taralga.

On 9 January 1897 the Taralga Coroner Mr N. H. Whiting dispensed with an Inquest, with the reason given as being unnecessary. Daniel's body was duly interred on 10 January 1897. As there was no Minister of Religion present it is difficult to say in what part of the cemetery he was buried.

On his Death Certificate it states that Joseph Fleming (his son-in-law) and William H Bradbury (who lived at Curraweela) were witnesses to his burial. As both of these gentlemen were of Christian principles and belonged to the Church of England and Presbyterian religions it is possible that they read the burial service and conveyed his body to the ground. The undertaker was Mr George Ross of Taralga.

Disclaimer: The above information has been gained from official records, publications on bushrangers, newspapers and family folklore. The accuracy of this information cannot be guaranteed, and no malice or hurt to any person, living or dead, is intended.

  Noted events in his life were:

• Newspaper Story. ²⁰³ DANIEL BERNARD MATTHEWS NEWSPAPER TRANSCRIPTS

The Empire, Sydney Friday 20 November 1863:

GOULBURN. Thursday.

Last night four bushrangers stuck-up several teams, and also Mr. Sidwell's public-house, two miles from Goulburn. The bushrangers drank a good deal at Sidwell's house, and he, aided by two teamsters, secured one of the robbers, who was too drank to make effective resistance. The man was brought to town this morning, and delivered over to the proper authorities. Some troopers have gone out in pursuit of the other three bushrangers.

Thursday Evening. The bushranger who was apprehended by Mr. Sidwell, has been identified as Michael Leary, who escaped from Mudgee gaol in March last.

Sup-lnspector Stephenson (who shot Lowry) at eleven o'clock to-day, brought in another of the bushrangers who stuck up Sidwell's house last night. The man is known as Patrick Lynham. These two have been identified as belonging to the gang of three who stuck up the township of Dalton last Thursday.

Leary was brought up at the Police Court today, and comitted for trial on two charges. Lynbam was remanded for farther evidence.

About forty people, two public houses, and Towrang toll, bar were stuck up by a gang of bushrangers yesterday.


The Golden Age, Queanbeyan Thursday 26 November 1863:

WHOLESALE BUSHRANGING NEAR GOULBURN.\emdash On Wednesday night four bushrangers stuck up several teams, and also Mr. Sidwell's public-house, two miles from Goulburn. The bushrangers drank a good deal at Sidwell's house, and he, aided by two teamsters, secured one of the robbers, who was too drunk to make effective resistance. The man was brought to town this morning, and delivered over to, the proper authorities. Some troopers have gone out in pursuit of the other three bushrangers. The bushranger who was apprehended by Mr. Sidwell has been identified as Michael Seary, who escaped from Mudgee gaol in March last. Sub-inspector Stephenson (who shot Lowry) at 11 o'clock on Thursday, brought in another of the bushrangers who, stuck up Sidwell's house last night. The man is known as Patrick Lynham. These two have been identified as belonging to the gang of three who stuck up the township of Dalton last Thursday. Leary was brought up at the Police Court, and committed for trial on two charges. Lynham was remanded for further evidence. About forty people, two public-houses, and Towrang toll-bar were stuck up by a gang of bushrangers yesterday. Telegram to Empire. [The prisoner Lynham was again brought before the bench on Tuesday, and it was proved that he was not one of the robbers; but is a free-selector at Tarlo; and it is supposed that his brother Joseph Lynham who has long been wanted by the police is one of the men, and that Patrick was mistaken for him. He was however subsequently charged with being one of the men who stuck up the village of Dalton, and was sent to Yass to be examined on that charge.]

The Empire, Sydney Tuesday 8 December 1863:

GOULBURN. Monday.

A man named Daniel Matthews was apprehended at Taralga, on Saturday, by Sub-Inspector Zouch. He has been identified as one of the three lobbers who plundered Mr. Sidwell, the publican's house, on the 18th November last. All three are in custody now.

The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 9 December 1863:

GOULBURN. Tuesday, 9 p.m.

Yesterday a man named Daniel Matthews was charged with being one of the men engaged in the recent robberies at Towrang. Three witnesses to the best of their belief identified him. He was remanded.

The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser Thursday 10 December 1863:

GOULBURN.

Monday. \emdash A man named Daniel Matthews was apprehended at Taralga, on Saturday, by sub-inspector Zouch. He has been identified as one of the three robbers who plundered Mr. Sidwell, the publican's house, on the 18th November last. All three are in custody now.

Tuesday, 9 p.m. \emdash Yesterday a man named Daniel Matthews was charged with being one of the man engaged in the recent robberies at Towrang. Three witnesses to the best of their belief identified him. He was remanded.

Goulburn Herald Sat 12 Dec 1863:

POLICE REPORT.\emdash On Wednesday Daniel Matthews was brought up on remand, charged with the recent highway robberies at Towrang. He was identified by Mrs. Feltham by the poncho he wore, which is bound with blue, and has a burnt hole in it,which was noticed by Mrs. Feltham and the groom at Wood's, on the occasion of the robberies. He was committed to take his trial at the circuit court for the robberies at Wood's and Sidwell's, and remanded till next day for assaulting Mrs. Feltham with intent to rob. William Rushmore and George Smith, brought up for disorderly conduct, were discharged. Sarah Sullivan for being of unsound mind, was remanded till Friday. In a case of stealing fire wood, in which Mr. Rossi was complainant, and William Ryan defendant, the complainant did not appear. \endash On Thursday Thomas Connors, on remand for horse-stealing, was further remanded for eight days. Daniel Matthews, on remand for assaulting Mrs. Feltham, as above mentioned, was committed for trial at the circuit court.
The Sydney Mail Saturday 12 December 1863:

GOULBURN Tuesday, 9 p.m.

Yesterday a man name Daniel Matthews was charged with being one of the men engaged in the recent robberies at Towrang. Three witnesses to the best of their belief identified him. He was remanded.

Clarence and Richmond Examiner and New England Advertiser Tuesday 15 December 1863:

GOULBURN.\emdash On Monday, a man named Daniel Matthews was charged with being one of the men engaged in the recent robberies at Towrang. Three witnesses to the best of their belief identified him.

The Empire, Sydney Tuesday 3 May 1864:

GOULBURN Monday.

Michael Seery, Daniel Matthews, George Lynham, and James Cook were convicted, at the assizes today, of "robbery "under arms. Seerey was sentenced to twelve years on the road, and the other three to fifteen years each.

The Goulburn Herald and Chronicle Wednesday 4 May 1864:

ROBBERY AT TOWRANG, NEAR GOULBURN.

Michael Seerey, James Crookwell, Daniel Matthews, and George Lynam were placed at the bar, charged with committing a robbery, being armed, at William Sidwell's, Towrang, on the 18th November last. Prisoners pleaded not guilty, and were undefended.

William Sidwell sworn: I live at Towrang, about three miles from Goulburn; I keep an inn called the Governor's Arms; remember the night of the 18th November; on that night about sundown three men rode up to my house; they were each armed with guns; two of the prisoners, Crookwell and Matthews drove me back with their guns to the counter and told me to bail-up ; Crookwell then took £2 7s. from out of my waistcoat pocket; Seerey came in by the back door; he was armed with a double-barrelled gun and a revolver; he, Seerey, sent Matthews outside to keep guard, and I was ordered to go to the bar; Crookwell handed his gun to Seerey, and then seized me by the throat, putting a revolver close to my head, and threatening to shoot me if I did not show my cash-box; prisoner Crookwell took the till from the counter and emptied it of its contents; he then took me to my bed-room, but got no money; he took some rings and brooches belonging to my family; he then put me into a room with others, over whom Matthews was keeping guard; prisoners remained on the premises between two or three hours sticking up every one that passed; I did not see prisoner Lynham in the house at the time of the robbery, but I observed a man standing at a distance while the prisoners had possession of my house. To prisoner Crookwell: I have no doubt about your identity; you were the first of the party that entered my house; you were armed with a double-barrelled gun and a revolver; never saw you before the robbery, but on that occasion you chatted with me for two hours, and I had therefore plenty of time to observe you, both in person and voice; I am positive as to your identity.
William Norris deposed: I am a carrier; on the 18th November last I was on the Goulburn road, in company with a man named Wallace; we had drays; we reached Sidwell's public-house about 7 o'clock in the evening; one of the prisoners at the bar, Matthews, ordered me to stop; he then had a gun in his hand; I told him I wanted to camp behind Sidwell's house; he told me to go and do so, but to return to the house as soon as possible; he afterwards came to me, and ordered me into the house; he (Matthews) helped me to put my horses into a paddock; he marched me into the house and confined me in a room with others, about fourteen in number; Seerey was standing guard in the room, armed with a gun; Crookwell was at the bar with a gun; I did not see Lynam in Sidwell's house, but saw him outside; he called on the others to come away, as it was time; the prisoners went away; Seerey after some time returned to the house alone; I was in the kitchen at my tea at the time; I was called to the bar, and again ordered into the room by Seerey; my mate, Wallace, and I then rushed Seerey, threw him on the ground, disarmed him, and handed him over to the police; I saw prisoners Matthews, Crookwell, and Seerey about 2 o'clock on the day of Sidwell's robbery; they stuck me up that time, and compelled me to go down a gully, where I found four others also stuck-up; saw Lynam there in the gully, armed, acting as a guard: I was robbed by prisoners of some silver, but it was afterwards returned to me; after this I saw the four prisoners near Wood's public-house, at Towrang, and next at Sidwell's. To prisoner Lynam: Never saw you before the 18th November, the day I was stuck-up: I accused another man in mistake for you at the police-office; he was your brother.

To prisoner Crookwell: I have not seen you since the night of the robbery till to-day.

To prisoner Matthews: I identify you by your person and features; never saw you before the robbery. John Wallace deposed: I am a carrier; was in company with the last witness on the 18th November last; reached Sidwell's that evening. [The rest of this witness's testimony was corroborative of that of the former witness, William Norris.] Cannot be mistaken as to the identity of the prisoners; had eight hours acquaintance with them \endash namely from 2 o'clock till 10 p.m. Louisa Sidwell deposed: I am the daughter of Wm. Sidwell; on the 18th November, about sundown, two men came into my father's house; I believe Matthews was one of the men; cannot recognise the other man amongst the prisoners; the two men searched me, my sister, and my father; they took away what money they could get, also some jewellery ; saw Lynam outside the house; he called on the others to come away, as they were there long enough; Seerey gave Lynam a glass of ale outside; Lynam never came into the house that evening; cannot be mistaken as to his identity, as I have known him a long time; I was standing quite close to him when he got the glass of ale. To prisoner Matthews: I recognise you by your features; you wore strapped trowsers at the time, also a poncho and cabbage-tree hat with a velvet band; I cannot swear to these articles now produced ; they look like the poncho and hat you wore the night of the robbery; I did not swear positively to you at the policeoffice. Jane Feltham deposed: I am a married daughter of William Sidwell; I recognise the prisoners Lynam, Matthews, and Seerey; I am not sure about Crookwell; the three I name and a fourth man, stopped me on the 18th November, on the Towrang road, and compelled me to turn into the bush, where other persons were in custody; I was not robbed. To prisoner Matthews: I identify you positively as the man who compelled me to turn off the road on the 18th November last.
Henry Zouch deposed: I am a sub-inspector of police; I arrested prisoners Matthews and Crookwell on a charge of robbery. This was the case for the Crown.

Prisoner Crookwell addressed the jury. He said that the prosecution was the result of conspiracy against him; he was as innocent of assisting in committing the robbery in question as his Honor himself. His Honor carefully went over the evidence, and the jury returned a verdict of guilty against all the prisoners. They were sentenced \endash Lynham, Crookwell, and Matthews to fifteen years' hard labour on the roads or other public works of the colony; and Michael Seerey to twelve years.

The Golden Age, Queanbeyan Thursday 5 May 1864:

MONDAY, MAY 2.

Daniel Ryan and Walter Toodles, robbery near Young ; the jury returned a verdict of not guilty in the case of both prisoners.\emdash Michael Seerey, James Crookwell, Daniel Matthews, and George Lynham, robbery at Towrang, near Goulburn; verdict of guilty against all the prisoners. They were sentenced\emdash Lynham, Crookwell, and Matthews, to fifteen years' hard labour on the roads or other public works of the colony; and Seerey to twelve years.\emdash Charles Jones, alias William Herbert, horse-stealing near Yass ; guilty. Sentence deferred, there being other charges against prisoner.\emdash The same prisoner was again placed at the bar, charged with robbery, being armed, on the Burrowa road; guilty: sentence deferred.\emdash The court then adjourned till next morning.


The Sydney Morning Herald Thursday 5 May 1864:

ROBBERY AT TOWRANG, NEAR GOULBURN.

Michael Seerey, James Crookwell, DanielMatthews, and George Lynam were placed at the bar charged with committing a robbery, being armed, at William Sidwell's, Towrang, on the 18th November last. William Sidwell sworn: I live at Towrang, about three miles from Goulburn; I keep an inn called the Governor's Arms; remember the night of the 18th November; on that night about sundown three men rode up to my house; they were each armed with guns; two of the prisoners, Crookwell and Matthews drove me back with their guns to the counter, and told me to bail up; Crookwell then took £2 7s from out of my waistcoat pocket; Seerey came in by the back door; he was armed with a double-barrelled gun and a revolver; he (Seerey) sent Matthews outside to keep guard, and I was ordered to go to the bar; Crookwell handed his gun to Seerey, and then siezed me by the throat, putting a revolver close to my head, and threatening to shoot me if I did not show my cash-box; prisoner Crookwell took the till from the counter and emptied it of its contents; he then took me to my bedroom, but got no money; he took some rings and brooches belonging to my family; he then put me into a room with others, over whom Matthews was keeping guard; prisoners remained on the premises between two or three hours sticking up every one that passed. To prisoner Crookwell: I have no doubt about your identity; you chatted with me for two hours, and I had therefore plenty of time to observe you, both in person and voice; I am positive as to your identity.
William Norris deposed: I am a carrier; on the 18th November last I was on the Goulburn road, in Company with a man named Wallace; we had drays; we reached Sidwell's public-house about seven o'clock in the evening; one of the prisoners at the bar, Matthews,ordered me to stop he then had a gun in his hand; I told him I wanted to camp behind Sidwell's house; he told me to go and do so, but to return to the house as soon as possible; he afterwards came to me, and ordered me into the house; he (Matthews) helped me to put my horses into a paddock ; he marched me into the house and confined me in a room with others, about fourteen in number; Seerey was standing guard in the room, armed with a gun; Crookwell was at the bar with a gun; I did not see Lynam in Sidwell's house, but saw him outside; he called on the others to come away, as it was time; the prisoners went away; Seerey after some time returned to the house alone; I was in the kitchen at my tea at the time; I was called to the bar, and again ordered into the room by Seerey; my mate, Wallace, and I then rushed Seerey, threw him on the ground, disarmed him, and handed him over to the police; I saw prisoners Matthews, Crookwell, and Seerey about two o'clock on the day of Sidwell's robbery; they stuck me up that time, and compelled me to go down a gully, where I found four others also stuck-up; saw Lynam there in the gully, armed, acting as a guard. John Wallace deposed: I am a carrier; was in company with the last witness on the 18th November last; reached Sidwell's that evening. [The rest of this witness's testimony was corroborative of that of the former witness, William Norris.] Cannot be mistaken as to the identity of the prisoners; had eight hours acquaintance with them \endash namely, from two o'clock till ten p.m. Louisa Sidwell, daughter of the first witness, remembered the 18th November; about sundown, two men came into my father's house; believed Matthews was one of the men; saw Lynam outside the house; he called on the others to come away, as they were there long enough; Lynam never came into the house that evening; cannot be mistaken as to his identity, as I have known him a long time. His Honor carefully went over the evidence, and the jury returned a verdict of guilty against all the prisoners.

They were sentenced \endash Lynham, Crookwell, and Matthews, to fifteen years' hard labour on the roads, or the public works of the colony; and Michael Seerey to twelve years.

The Empire, Sydney Friday 6 May 1864:

ROBBERY AT TOWRANG, NEAR GOULBURN.

Michael Seerey, James Crookwell, DanielMatthews, and George Lynam, were placed at the bar, charged with committing a robbery, being armed, at William Sidwell's, Towrang, on the 18th November last.

William Sidwell deposed : I live at Towrang, about three miles from Goulburn ; I keep an inn called the Governor's Arms ; remember the night of the 18th November ; on that night, about sundown, three men rode up to my house; they were each armed with guns ; two of the prisoners, Crookwell and Matthews, drove me back with their guns to the counter, and told me to bail up ; Crookwell then took £2 7s. from out of my waistcoat pocket ; Seerey came in by the back door; he was armed with a double-barrelled gun and a revolver; he (Seerey) sent Matthews outside to keep guard, and I was ordered to go to the bar ; Crookwell handed his gun to Seerey, and then seized me by the throat, putting a revolver close to my head, and threatening to shoot me if I did not show my cash-box ; prisoner Crookwell took the till from the counter and emptied it of its contents; he then took me to my bed room, but got no money; be took some rings and brooches belonging to my family; he then put me into a room with others, over whom Matthews was keeping guard; prisoners remained on the premises between two or three hours sticking up every one that
passed ; I did not see prisoner Lynam in the house at the time of the robbery, but I observed a man standing at a distance while the prisoners had possession of my house. William Norris deposed: I am a carrier ; on the 18th November last l was on the Goulburn Road in company with a man named Wallace; we had drays; we reached Sidwell's public-house about seven o'clock in the evening; one of the prisoners at the bar, Matthews, ordered me to stop; he then had a gun in his hand ; I told him I wanted to camp behind Sidwell's house; he told me to go and do so, but to return to the house as soon as possible; he afterwards came to me, and ordered me into the house ; he (Matthews) helped me to put my horses into a paddock; be marched me into the house and confined me to a room with others, about fourteen in number ; Seerey was standing guard in the room, armed with a gun ; Crookwell was at the bar with a gun ; I did not see Lynam in Sidwell's house, but saw him outside ; he called on the others to come away, as it was time ; the prisoners went away ; Seerey after some time returned to the house alone ; I was in the kitchen at my tea at the time ; I was called to the bar, and again ordered into the room by Seerey ; my mate, Wallace, and I then rushed Seerey, threw him on the ground, disarmed him, and handed him over to the police; I saw prisoners Matthews, Crookwell, and Seerey about 2 o'clock on the day of Sidwell's robbery ; they stuck me up that time, and compelled me to go down a gully, where I found four others also stuck-up ; saw Lynam there in the gully, armed, acting as a guard; I was robbed by prisoners of some silver, but it was afterwards returned to me ; after this I saw the four prisoners near Wood's public house, at Towrang, and next at Sidwell's. Louisa Sidwell deposed : I am the daughter of William Sidwell; on the 18th November, about sundown, two men came into my father's house ; I believe Matthews was one of the men ; cannot recognise the other man amongst the prisoners ; the two men searched me, my sister, and my father ; they took away what money they could get, also some jewellery ; saw Lynam outside the house; he called on the others to come away, as they were long enough ; Seerey gave Lynam a glass of ale outside; Lynam never came into the house that evening ; cannot be mistaken as to his identity, as I have known him a long time ; I was standing quite close to him when he got the glass of ale. His Honor carefully went over the evidence, and the jury returned a verdict of guilty against all the prisoners.

They were sentenced\emdash Lynam, Crookwell, and Matthews to fifteen years' hard labour on the roads or other public works of the colony; and Michael Seerey to twelve years.

The Sydney Mail Saturday 7 May 1864:

ROBBERY AT TOWRANG, NEAR GOULBURN

Michael Seerey, James Crookwell, Daniel Matthews, and George Lynam were placed at the bar charged with committing a robbery, being armed, at William Sidwell's, Towrang, on the 18th November last. His Honor carefully went over the evidence, and the jury returned a verdict of guilty against all the prisoners.

They were sentenced\emdash Lynham, Crookwell, and Matthews, to fifteen years' bard labour on the roads, or the public works of the colony and Michael Seerey to twelve years.



The Goulburn Herald and Chronicle Wednesday 8 November 1865:

SYDNEY SUMMARY. MONDAY afternoon.

A Port Macquarie correspondent says:\endash It gives me much pleasure to inform you that four of the desperate follows who affected their escape from the gaol here on the morning of the 26th ultimo, have been recaptured. They were those undergoing very long sentences, viz., Robinson, under sentence df life for a rape on a child; Johnston, under sentence for twelve years; Daniel Matthews, for fifteen years; and James Bromley, for ten years. It is not improbable that the other two prisoners will be in custody in the course of a few hours. Johnston and Bromley had managed to get about twenty-five miles off, and were taken by the police in a hut, where they were found regaling themselves. The inhabitants here rose en masse when it was discovered that these desperadoes were at large. They are now safely lodged in their old quarters. The three men who the other day endeavoured to cut their way out of their cells have been committed for trial at the next court of quarter sessions to be holden here.

The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser Saturday 11 November 1865:

PORT MACQUARIE. (From a Correspondent of The Empire..)

No doubt you have heard, ere this, of the escape of six desperate characters from the gaol here, as also of another attempt of three of the very bad characters confined here, a day or two back, which very fortunately was prevented, by the vigilance of the gaoler here, Mr. Gates, who discovered that they had, by some means, cut through one of the boards of the cell in which they were confined. These men have since been committed for trial for prison breaking.

I have much pleasure to inform you that four of the desperadoes who effected their escape on last Thursday morning, have been apprehended, and are now safely lodged in the gaol here. These men are convicts all undergoing long sentences to the roads or public works of the colony. Their names are John Johnson, James Bromley, Daniel Matthews, and William Robinson, the three former with sentences ranging from fifteen years down to ten years ; the latter prisoner being sentenced to be confined for life, for a most diabolical rape upon a child. The other two men who effected their escape with them, it is expected will be in the hands of the police in the course of a few hours.

Bromley and Johnston had managed to get about twenty-five miles from here, but fortunately was cut short in their career by the police, who came upon them in a hut regaling themselves. They are now safely lodged in the gaol here. Too much praise cannot be given to Mr. Inspector Garvín, who hunted them down.

Port Macquarie, 30th October.

Another correspondent writes :\endash

Mr. Tozer, a resident here for about twenty-five years died at his residence on the 28th October.

The two wardsmen, McDonald and Fitzgerald, who were suspended on the escape of the six prisoners, have been allowed to return to their duties, no blame being attributable to them.


The Empire Thursday 16 November 1865:

PORT MACQUARIE. (FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT)

NOVEMBER 8TH.\endash On the 7th instant, an inquiry was held at the gaol, in the case of the notorious John Johnston, who, with his mate, James Bromley, escaped from the Port Macquarie gaol, on the 26th ultimo, by cutting through a portion of the wall, in which work it appears they were aided by four other prisoners, viz \endash William Robinson, Daniel Matthews, George Willison and Thomas King (the last-named worthy is one of the four who, some time since, during the day broke into the branch establishment of the Bank of New South Wales, in George-street, Sydney, and bailed up the clerks and porters.) Robinson and Matthews gave themselves up to the police, and they will be tried on Saturday next. They are recovering from the exhausted and prostrate state to which they were reduced from want of food and shelter, during the seven or eight days they were at large. Captain Sinclair, Dr. McDonald, and Mr. T. G. Wilson, J.P.'s, together with Mr. F Backa, the clerk of the bench, who took down the proceedings, attended on the 7th. The evidence of sub-inspector Garvin, a most active and efficient officer, Mr. Gates, the gaoler; Mr. T. W. Palmer, William McDonald, and William Griffiths (servants of Mr. Palmer), and Bennett Bennett, constable of police, was taken. Johnston and Bromley were at large from 26th October until Sunday last when they were cleverly arrested by Mr. Garvin, at Colonel Gray's Bridge, Huntington, when they were taken to Mr. Lindsay's house, at that place, and there searched. Some twenty-five pounds of flour, a teapot, basin, dinnerknife, razor, pencil, saddle-straps, match-box with tinder, together with a coat, vest, and trousers, (the clothing was identified by Mr. Palmer, as his property) were found on the prisoners. A Crimean shirt was on the prisoner Johnston during the hearing of the case, this was identified by one of the witnesses (Macdonald), as his property. Johnston, of course, declared it to be his (Johnston's), and that the witness was in error! Both the escape and robbery were very clear against the prisoners; neither of them put a single question to the witnesses. The prisoners were respectively asked if they had anything to say in their defence (the usual caution being given, in accordance with the Act 11 and 12 Vic., Cap. 42, when Johnston said: " I decline making any statement at present;" and Bromley, " I have nothing to do with the robbery." The prisoners were then fully committed to take their trial at the Port Macquarie Quarter Sessions, to be holden on 11th December. It is due to the prisoners to admit that during the inquiry they conducted themselves in a very orderly manner. They were removed to their ward immediately after the hearing of their case. John Johnston, one of the abovenamed offenders, was afterwards charged with using threatening language and highly insubordinate conduct on the evening of the 6th instant, to the officers of the gaol. The case was fully inquired into and after mature deliberation on the part of the justices (above named), Johnston was sentenced to fourteen days solitary confinement. Their Worships had the power to inflict twenty-eight days, and certainly Johnston deserved the full period of incarceration. He is a determined scoundrel, and avows that he will again effect his escape. He broke and relieved himself of a powerful pair of bracelets (handcuffs) on Monday night in his cell. He needs extreme vigilance, and may again escape owing to the insecurity of the gaol, it having no outer wall. He has openly boasted before the police, that he "will have the life of the gaoler," Mr. Gates. \endash George Willison and Thomas King were then arraigned on a charge similar to the above, on the same date, the 26th ultimo, and also with having, on the night of the 29th, or morning of the 30th October last, whilst unlawfully at large, stolen certain articles, viz., tea, sugar, wine, butter, &c., the property of Mr. Llewellyn Rudder, from his residence, at Port Macquarie. The witnesses examined were Mr. sub-inspector Garvin, Mr. Gates, governor of the gaol, Llewellyn Rudder, Esq, Mary Turnham, and Ann Thompson, all of Port Macquarie. The evidence was very voluminous \endash unnecessarily so. The robbery at Mr. Rudder's appears to have been on the part of the accused a necessary step, (?) as they were famishing. The prisoners were then committed for trial at the next ensuing Court of Quarter Sessions, on 11th proximo, and the several witnesses bound over to prosecute the rest.

Whilst our gaol remains in its present insecure state, in as far as desperate offenders are concerned, we must not be surprised at further escapes. It is wrong to send prisoners here to perform hard labour when there is nothing further for them to do but eat, drink, sleep, and concoct mischief. Only aged and infirm prisoners should be sent here. The dietary scale appears to be very liberal, excepting tobacco, which is very properly not allowed at the Port Macquarie gaol, unless at the sanction of the surgeon, to invalid confinees urgently needing such indulgence. " Idleness is the parent of crime." It is lamentable to see the prisoners lounging about the airing yards, holding conversations with each other, with hands in their pockets, concocting mischief and means of escape. In France, Germany, Prussia, and America, the gaols are to a great extent self-supporting, why should it not be so in this colony? The confinees in the Port Macquarie gaol are nearly all " well in flesh," and physically speaking, capable of maintaining themselves. Our roads and streets want repair; why not have gangs set therein composed of the halking vagabonds now thrust on our community, apparently composed of the very dregs of the several gaols, Darlinghurt and Cockatoo included, sent here to a place of confinement called a gaol, which affords every means of escape at present. Johnston, the worthy above adverted to, boasts that he will again escape, and settle the gaoler. We shall see \endash "forewarned, forearmed."

Goulburn Herald Friday 30 October 1896:

TARALGA. [From our Correspondent] ACCIDENT\emdash KILLED BY A FALLING TREE.

A fatal accident occurred on Monday evening last at a place known as the Little River, about twenty miles from here near the Abercrombie. Mr. C. Ross J.P. held a magisterial inquiry on Tuesday, when the following facts were elicited in evidence :\endash It appears that on Monday evening two boys named respectively Henry Matthews, aged nine years, a son of Mr. D. Matthews, an old resident of Taralga, and another lad named Buchanan, aged seven, were engaged fishing; and while thus occupied a burning tree which was adjacent broke off some twenty feet from the ground, and a limb struck young Matthews across the loins and another on the side of the head, precipitating him into the water and, it is believed, killing him instantaneously. The other boy was thrown into the water but was not hurt. He ran at once to his mother, but when she came Matthews was quite dead. Mr. Ross after hearing the facts recorded a verdict of death from injuries accidentally received. The remains were interred today (Wednesday) in the R.C. cemetery at Stonequarry.

Goulburn Herald, Friday 15 January 1897:

TARALGA.

DEATH.\emdash A very old resident of Taralga district in the person of Mr. Daniel Matthews died at his residence near the Little River on Saturday last after a short illness. Mr. Matthews had been in indifferent health for some months, an old hurt of an internal nature sustained a long time ago coming on him and causing much uneasiness, though nothing very serious was anticipated. Mr. Matthews was almost fifty-five years of age and leaves a widow and large family. The remains were interred in the R.C. cemetery at Stonequarry on Sunday last.
Goulburn Evening Penny Post Saturday 16th January 1897:

DEATH OF AN OLD RESIDENT.\emdash Mr. Daniel Matthews, a very old Taralga identity, died somewhat suddenly at his residence near the Little River on Saturday last. Some years ago, Mr. Matthews sustained an internal injury, and of late this had caused him much trouble, though fatal results were not anticipated. The remains were interred in the R.C. cemetery at Stonequarry on Sunday. The deceased leaves a widow and a large family of children. One of his children was recently killed by a falling tree while fishing in the Little River.

• information. ²⁰³ Brian Kelly notes:
Polygamy in Australia… and in my family… SHAME! The Twins Story! *Facepalm*

It begins sadly with a young man by the name of Daniel Bernard Matthews born May 17 1842 (my great great great great uncle), was the 5th of 9 children, but around the time Daniel turned 10 years old, his dad passed away. Only one year later his mother remarried, soon after this the new husband claimed the three youngest children and raised them as his own, but all of the older children were apparently kicked out of their home and forced to make their own way in life. Including Daniel who would have been in his very early teens at this stage. Daniel fell in with a bad crowd and was traveling with a known criminal bush ranger by the name of Laurence Cummins, and Daniel went by then went by the name "Flash Dan". These 2 got themselves into a lot of trouble over a lot of years. Theft of famous racehorses and shootouts with local law :-( As always they were eventually captured and were sentenced to 15 years in prison.
After his early release he met Susannah Buckman (shown above) and her twin sister Mary Buckman. Mary already had a child to another man and was apparently divorced, but he chose to marry Mary out of the twins anyway. But this didn't stop him! Now maybe the twins were identical, looked similar or it was just he loved them both, whichever the case may be in early 1874 both of the twin sisters gave birth to a little girl each to Daniel and they even both named their daughters Mary. Popular name back then obviously lol. Anyway he continued to father another 16 children with the twin sisters! That's a whooooole lot of kids right there! They had 2 old wooden shacks side by side in the Abercrombie River area in central NSW Australia, (We have a pic somewhere I'll add it when we find it) so Daniel apparently provided for both families! That would have been a bloody hard task I'd say! WOW! He died in 1897 at age 54. Four years later Susannah married another man but Mary never did.
A quick disclaimer here…The above information has been gained from official records, publications on bush rangers, and family folklore. An earlier record of Daniel's history by Judith Matthews of Golspie is acknowledged as a source, as is Max Matthews's compilation written in 1997, and my mum Beverley Bourke. The accuracy of this information cannot be guaranteed, and no malice or hurt to any person, living or dead, is intended.

So there you have it! Apparently the sisters were into right into sharing… but they shared everything! Including their husband! Who said polygamy wasn't practiced in Australia! Ohhh goodness….. You can't say history isn't interesting, right? hahahahahaha Plenty more family stories like this however!
Anyway, signing off for now,
Aimee Bourke

ANCESTRY PUZZLES UNTANGLED!

• connection. ²⁰³ Brian Kelly (1955)'s links to me are as follows:

Brian Kelly (1955)
His father was Henry Kelly (1916)
His father was George Kelly (1885) who married Margaret Matthews (Buckman) (1883)
Her father was Daniel Matthews (1842) & her mother was Susannah Buckman (1849)
& they also had Mary Buckman (1874) who married Maurice Jeffery (1871)
His father was Charles Jeffery (1843)
His father was William Jeffery (1803) & he also had James Jeffery (1837)
He had Mary Ann Jeffery (1860) who married William South (1854)
They had Annie South (1891) who married Leslie Rice (1885)
They had Hazel Rice (1913) who married Emmett Whyte (1899)
They had Sandra Whyte (1943) who married Colin Parker (1936)
His father was Arthur Parker (1894)
His father was William Parker (1868) who married Martha Butler (1872)
Her father was Joseph Butler (1844) who married Elizabeth Roser (1844)
Her father was John Roser (1812) & he also had John Roser (1838)
He had George Roser (1868)
He had Charles Roser (1897)
He had George Roser (1923) who married Olive Elliot (1924)
Her father was Frank Elliot (1891) who married Doris Emery (1903)
Her father was Jack Emery (1867) who married Phoebe Davies (1876)
Her father was Joseph Davies (1852) & he also had G. A. Davies (1894)
He had Colin Davies (1925)
He had me - Robyn Bray (nee Davies) (1950)


Another 2nd connection between Brian Kelly & myself through the Keighran line is:
Brian Kelly (1955)
His father was Henry Kelly (1916)
His father was George Kelly (1885) who married Margaret Matthews (Buckman) (1883)
Her father was Daniel Matthews (1842) & her mother was Susannah Buckman (1849)
& they also had Mary Buckman (1874) who married Maurice Jeffery (1871)
His father was Charles Jeffery (1843)
His father was William Jeffery (1803) & he also had James Jeffery (1837) who married Bridget Naughton (1828)
Her father was Edward Naughton (1803) & he also had Catherine Naughton (1831) who married John Broderick (1823)
They had Bridget Broderick (1857) who married Charles McAleer (1850)
His father was Owen MacAleer (c1810) & he also had Rose McAleer (1850) who married John Dooley (1845)
They had Roy Dooley (1896)
He had Gloria Dooley (1928) who married Leslie Peterson (1925)
His father was Levin Peterson (c1890) who married Alice Lillian Hall (1893)
Her father was William Hall (c1870) who married Matilda Darnley (nee Pye) who also married Joseph Keighran (1879)
They had Leslie William Keighran (1904)
He had Mary Keighran (1927) who married Mervyn Collins (1924)
They had Les Collins (1950) who married me Robyn Bray (nee Davies) (1950)

Daniel had a relationship with Susannah (T) Buckman, daughter of Gideon Buckman and Margaret Gardner, on 4 Jun 1872 in Fullerton, NSW Australia.²⁰³ (Susannah (T) Buckman was born on 20 Feb 1849 in Yorkborough, via Taralga, near Goulburn, NSW Australia and died on 20 May 1913 in Yorkborough, via Taralga, near Goulburn, NSW Australia ²⁰³.)

Daniel next married Mary (T) Buckman, daughter of Gideon Buckman and Margaret Gardner, on 4 Jun 1872 in Fullerton, NSW Australia. (Mary (T) Buckman was born on 20 Feb 1849 in Yorkborough, via Taralga, near Goulburn, NSW Australia ²⁰³ and died on 2 Jun 1903 in Taralga, near Goulburn, NSW Australia.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

• note. ²⁰³ I know that this indicates that Daniel married Mary as well as Susannah on the same date.
This is yet to be sorted out.