Timeline: 1867
This Timeline documents all the information discovered for Frederick Ward and Mary Ann Bugg for the year 1867, with associated source-references. Many of the referenced newspapers are now accessible online (see Online Newspapers).
For further information about Fred's accomplice, see Thomas Mason.
Copyright Carol Baxter 2011
For further information about Fred's accomplice, see Thomas Mason.
Copyright Carol Baxter 2011
1867 Jan 4 4 Jan: Information reached Paterson that Thunderbolt was in the upper portion of district; 5 Jan: Senior Constable Johnstone set off in pursuit; 6 Feb: a party of young male residents joined Johnstone and on the same day they came across Thunderbolt and Mary Ann on horseback with a child reported to be around 15 months old; they chased Thunderbolt but he escaped[1]
1867 Jan 6 + Mary Ann arrested near Henry Jarrett’s Allyn Vale property (on Allyn River near Eccleston) by Senior Constable James Johnson, Paterson Police, charged with having goods in her possession that were suspected of being stolen (7 yards of calico, 5½ yards of derry and 2 pieces of tweed), and taken to the Paterson lock-up; the police took custody of her horse, saddle and saddle bags and reported them to be stolen; 8 Jan: Mary Ann brought before Edward G. Cory Esq. JP of the Paterson Bench and remanded for a week; 15 Jan: Mary Ann again brought before the Paterson Bench and depositions taken then she was remanded for a week so she could find evidence of legal purchase of the stolen goods; 24 Jan: Mary Ann again brought before the Paterson Bench and could produce no evidence of her legal possession of the goods so Cory found her guilty and sentenced her to 3 calendar months’ imprisonment in Maitland Gaol; 25 Jan: Mary Ann received at East Maitland Gaol from Paterson; Feb: Mary Ann petitioned the Governor to examine her case; mid-Feb: Edward Denny Day, Maitland Gaol’s Visiting Magistrate, made enquiries at Wolfe and Gorrick and took their draper, Frederick D. Edwards, to the gaol where Edwards picked Mary Ann out of a group of women as the purchaser of the goods in question; 14 Feb: letter to editor of Maitland Mercury complained of ‘gross injustice’ in Mary Ann’s case; 16 Feb: Paterson correspondent of Maitland Mercury reported on the public interest in her case and the ‘absurd’ grounds for her conviction; 25 Feb: Draper Edwards made a statement identifying the derry cloth but not the calico; 26 Feb: Maitland’s Police Superintendent Morisset sent Edwards’ statement to the Colonial Secretary and reported the results of his own enquiries[2]
1867 Jan 17 No news reported of Thunderbolt in the Paterson district[3]
1867 Feb 3 Thunderbolt robbed Warialda-Tamworth mailman, Abraham Bowden, near Manilla and also took cheques and silver from his companion, Mr Dorrington, but returned the silver before he rode off towards Manilla; policemen from Barraba and Warialda who were passing through Manilla chased him but he escaped with Constable Norris’ extra horse, leaving behind his own packhorse with saddlebags containing £427 in notes and cheques[4]
1867 Feb mid Thunderbolt joined by Thomas Mason (see Thomas Mason)
1867 Feb 25 Thunderbolt and Thomas Mason robbed Samuel Cooke, storekeeper, at Moonan/Denison Diggings, and stole goods and horse, also Richard Simpson, innkeeper, of cash and gold and Fred the Tailor of a horse (as well as another horse); at Simpson’s, Neil McInnes attempted to seized Thunderbolt and a warrant was later issued charging Thunderbolt with shooting at McInnes with intent to murder him; early Mar: the police returned home after an unsuccessful search (NB. The Maitland Ensign’s Upper Hunter correspondent reported that three men attempted to assist McInnes but that they soon let go and bolted, however witness depositions make no mention of any assistance)[5]
1867 Mar1 Mary Ann Ward discharged from Maitland Gaol, the remainder of her sentence having been remitted[6]
1867 Mar 16 Magistrate George Lethbridge writes to the Governor suggesting that Thunderbolt be offered a conditional pardon in return for joining the police force to assist in improving their horsemanship; Governor’s reply states that he cannot be given a pardon but if he surrenders himself he will not be hanged[7]
1867 Apr mid Thunderbolt seen near Slocomb’s place not far from Goonoo Goonoo, near Tamworth, and the following day two horses were missing[8]
1867 Apr 21 Thunderbolt & lad (Mason) robbed the Bendemeer-to-Tamworth mail coach driven by Mr Brereton some three miles south of Bendemeer; afterwards they rode in the direction of Hall’s Creek near Manilla then headed for the Byron Plains/New England locality[9]
1867 May 2 Mason takes cheques to Bonshaw store on the Sovereign (now Dumaresq) River, 50 miles west of Tenterfield and swaps them for rations[10]
1867 May 8+ Singleton Times wrote that the ‘abominable pest’ Thunderbolt was still transacting his nefarious games throughout the northern districts with impunity and that the Government needed to take action; Empire complains about police and bushrangers[11]
1867 May 8 Thunderbolt & Mason robbed Bonshaw hotel and store (and get cheques back – clever thinking!) then head in direction of McIntyre River, Queensland[12]
1867 May 22 Thunderbolt & Mason rob the Warialda-Tamworth mailman, Thomas Hitchener again, at Long Flat near Manilla[13]
1867 May 25 Reward raised to £200 for apprehension of Frederick Ward in response to letter from Inspector General of Police dated same day; letter also mentioned that the best bush constables from the south, no longer needed because of the Clarke’s apprehension, were being sent north to track Thunderbolt; complaints made about using rewards to capture criminals[14]
1867 May 30 Thunderbolt & Mason robbed the northern mail coach driven by William Thom four miles south of Wallabadah as he travelled towards Murrurundi[15]
1867 Jun + Early Jun: Large parties of police arrived in Murrurundi district to search for Thunderbolt; 12 Jun: Telegram sent from Sydney that a party of special police had been despatched after Thunderbolt (were these the ); 24 Jun: SMH writes that, with the imminent execution of the Clarke brothers, Thunderbolt was the only bushranger of consequence still at large; 30 Jun: Thomas P Panton writes to Colonial Secretary offering his services as a secret police officer sent on commission to track Ward; 4 Jul: reply from Henry Parkes that there is a reward for Ward’s apprehension but he would be willing to meet him[16]
1867 Jul 26 Thunderbolt & Mason robbed mail coach driven by Wilkinson heading north to Tamworth at Loder’s Ridges between Murrurundi and Wallabadah; report in early August that there was good reason to believe that it was not Ward and Mason who robbed the mail; however the ‘native trooper’ who reported his endeavours to catch Thunderbolt in the Empire in Dec 1867 dismissed the claim that it wasn’t Thunderbolt as the trooper himself had been searching in the mountains between Narrabri and Barraba and had heard that Thunderbolt was heading down to Murrurundi to rob the mail[17]
1867 Aug 6 Thunderbolt & Mason rob Cassilis, Merriwa and Muswellbrook mail near Hall’s or Wybong Creek not far from Denman; warrant issued by Muswellbrook bench for their arrest; later comment that teacher's salary cheques were among the items stolen[18]
1867 Aug 7 Reward notice published in Queensland Police Gazette; reports that Thunderbolt and his boy companion are supposed to be in Queensland[19]
1867 Aug mid 11 Aug: report that Thunderbolt, his apprentice and lady had been seen about Breeza Plains; 13 Aug: Thunderbolt visited a Mr Logan and two girls at Mr Shepherd’s Terragong station about 2 miles from Merriwa and gave his horse a feed (NB. Tamworth Examiner on 17 Aug mentions the Breeza sighting as occurring ‘on Sunday last’ – that is, the 11th – then reports the Merriwa horse-feeding as occurring ‘on Tuesday night’, which suggests that it was the 13th, however it is more likely that the horse-feeding actually occurred on the previous Tuesday, the night of the robbery, as Breeza, where they were spotted on the 11th, was 70 miles north of Merriwa, and the Borah Ranges, where they were spotted around the 22nd, another 45 miles north again; it would be illogical for Thunderbolt to backtrack in such a way and easy enough for the press to make such an error); 21 Aug: telegram that Thunderbolt continues depredations in the north[20]
1867 Aug 22 In the Legislative Assembly, Mr Pickering asked the Colonial Secretary about the government’s actions or intended actions to capture Thunderbolt; Mr Parkes responded that it would be injudicious to state publicly what steps were being taken[21]
1867 Aug 22+ 22 Aug: Police received information about Thunderbolt’s camp in the Borah ranges between the Manilla and Namoi Rivers; 22-23: Senior Constables Dalton and Cantrill attempted to ambush the camp overnight but in the morning found that Thunderbolt, Mason and Mary Ann had left (NB. the newspapers state that this ambush occurred on the night of Friday 23/Saturday 24 Aug however the Tamworth Police Superintendent’s letter regarding the reward for Mason’s apprehension describes the events of those few days, clearly drawing his information from the troopers’ own reports; as this spreads the various incidents over a longer period of time, which seems more likely, I have used the dates provided by the troopers rather than the newspapers); 23 Aug: the two policemen discovered the bushrangers on a higher part of the mountain and chased them but they escaped so the police returned to the first camp and seized their horses; 24 Aug: Thunderbolt steals a horse and two saddles from William Legard, free selector near Kihi Creek (now Maules Creek), and later that day Constables Rixon & Rixon encounter them on the ranges but they again escape; 28 Aug: police escort Warialda-Tamworth mail and encounter Thunderbolt, Mason and Mary Ann on the Borah Ranges and in the ensuing chase, Thunderbolt and Mason are separated; 7 Sep: report that police believe that Thunderbolt has escaped from the Borah ranges[22]
1867 Aug late Thunderbolt reportedly robbed a young man named Fitzpatrick about 10 miles from Tamworth towards Peel River but as he didn’t press charges the report was doubted[23]
1867 Sep 4 Thomas Mason caught by Narrabri police at Old Oreel station near Millie (see Thomas Mason)
1867 Sep 21 Thunderbolt robs the northern mail-coach driven by Smith as it travelled south and was about four miles from the Chain of Ponds (near Liddell)[24]
1867 Sep late Police encounter Thunderbolt (heading towards Monkerai) at Gum-flat, a mountain glen near the junction of the Little and Chichester Rivers; on 28 Sep Sgt Shannon arrived in Bandon-grove to get assistance of black tracker to follow Thunderbolt’s trail; at some stage during this trip south he left his jaded horse at St Clair and stole two others[25]
1867 Sep late Mr James Bruce, member of the Bush Missionary Society travels to many districts including "Monkerey River (one of the haunts of Thunderbolt[25a]
1867 Oct 8 Thunderbolt robs mailman Smith again between Grass-tree Hill and Chain of Ponds at 2 or 3am; one of the stolen cheques was cashed at Cullen’s Fitzroy Hotel at Singleton around 6am the same day but not apparently by Thunderbolt who was chased by the police north to Murrurundi before they lost in a short distance beyond the town[26]
1867 Oct + 12 Oct: Report in Singleton Times that when Cullen (apparently of the Fitzroy Hotel, Singleton) had recently visited the Borah Ranges (date unknown) he had found the “late female companion” of the bushranger Ward residing at Mr Hook’s station at Keepit on the Namoi (NB. Mary Ann appears to have remained there for some time after Fred and Mason fled the police at the Borah ranges and were separated); 29 Oct: report that Mrs Thunderbolt hiding in the Scone district, that she had been seen frequently in the area and was likely being sheltered at Denison Diggings[27]
1867 Oct 17+ 17 Oct: Question in Legislative Assembly about need for guard for northern mail; report mid-Nov that northern mail now has guard being Singleton and Tamworth but not from Tamworth to Armidale[28]
1867 Oct late Thunderbolt rides with the postman from Kitton’s [property] to the Bradford’s, Mount Hope near Mount Dangar, on the Goulburn River about 20 miles from Denman, and purchases supplies from Mrs M. Bradford; he tells the postman that he crossed the Manilla Mountain coming down the country[29]
1867 Oct 28 Chief Justice Alfred Stephen at the Wagga Wagga Circuit Court appeals to the youth of the colony not to romanticise the bushranging lifestyle, that Thunderbolt was the only long-lasting bushranger and that he would undoubtedly be caught or shot eventually[30]
1867 Nov Reference to horses and notes recovered from Thunderbolt and now in hands of Maitland Police[31]
1867 Nov mid Thunderbolt seen between Chain of Ponds and Jerry’s Plains – police in pursuit; around 11 Nov he was seen at Jerry’s Plains where he gave an acquaintance £5; the next day he purchased goods at Aberdeen then went to Segenhoe where he took a half-caste girl living with “Cranky Bob”, supposedly to help his lady who was in an “interesting” situation, although “corrected” reports stated that he had eloped with her and that she took ill from exposure and was taken into Cassilis (but Cassilis is incorrect)[32]
1867 Nov 15 Thunderbolt again visited Mrs Bradford and purchased a 13 pound cheese; in the evening Mrs Bradford’s son-in-law William Kirk (who resided about a mile from her on the Goulburn River), called at Constable McMorrow’s and informed his wife that a man supposed to be Ward had been hanging about the Goulburn River for three weeks; Constable McMorrow was at Muswellbrook at the time and did not return until the 16th; the same day Sergeant Thompson of the Muswellbrook police was at the Goulburn River only 12 miles from Mrs Bradford’s but heard nothing of Thunderbolt being in the vicinity[33]
1867 Nov 16 Thunderbolt reportedly seen at St Heliers near Muswellbrook (40 miles from Mrs Bradford’s), and Sergeant Thompson and the Muswellbrook police head off in pursuit; later it was reported that Ward was at St Heliers for some time before taking the horse and half-caste from Segenhoe, that he was seen there and had torn up cheques and papers at his camp[34]
1867 Nov 17 Constable McMorrow visited Mrs Bradford’s to make enquiries but could not remain to undertake a search as he was employed on mail guard duty between Denman and Cassilis[35]
1867 Nov 17+ Report that the woman who usually accompanied Thunderbolt was brought in to Mrs Bradford’s in a dying state [apparently some time between 17th and 21st as Ward making “anxious enquiries” on the latter]; later claim that the police received “[no] information of his whereabouts from Bradford or anyone else until after the death of the half-caste”[36]
1867 Nov 20 Mr Kirk’s boy reported to Constable McMorrow that Thunderbolt had returned but McMorrow was about to serve guard duty on the mail and could not act on the information, and told the boy that he thought some of the Muswellbrook police would visit Mrs Bradford’s place that day, but they didn’t[37]
1867 Nov 21 That morning Thunderbolt visited Kirk’s making anxious enquiries[38]
1867 Nov 22 Thomas Hungerford wrote to Sub-Inspector Thorpe, Singleton police, that Thunderbolt was in the district and had visited Mrs Bradford three times during the week to get provisions; Mrs Bradford said that she would have captured Ward if she had any help as he kept playing with her children when he was there[39]
1867 Nov 23 Thunderbolt again visited Mrs Bradford and informed her that he had a dying woman in the bush; Mrs Bradford wrote to Parliamentarian James White of nearby Martindale that the woman was in a dying state, if not already dead; James White wrote to Sub-Inspector Thorpe, Singleton Police, complaining about the lack of response to their information that Thunderbolt was in the district; in the aftermath, letters and reports went back and forth alleging the police’s want of energy and zeal in pursuing Ward although the eventual conclusion that there was no truth to the allegations[40]
1867 Nov 23/4 Thunderbolt seen at Boggabri and cantered towards the Merriwa mail coach but upon seeing an armed man he rode away
NB. Morisset’s letter, written on 6 Dec said that this incident occurred on 23 November (Saturday) but the Singleton Times said it occurred ‘on Sunday afternoon last’[41]
1867 Nov 24 Louisa Mason died at Mrs Bradford’s at 9am; reference a short time later that the woman carried away by Thunderbolt from Chain of Ponds to wait upon his female associate has been brought dead into Aberdeen, probably from natural causes accelerated by exposure[42]
1867 Nov/Dec Thunderbolt seen in Scone district; presumably returned to Mary Ann at this time[43]
1867 Nov/Dec Mary Ann fell pregnant[44]
1867 Dec 3 Police encountered Thunderbolt about 12 miles south-west of Manilla: a woman greeted them loudly then they saw a horseman riding away and they chased him, realising it was Thunderbolt, but he escaped; there is no suggestion that this was Mary Ann as there is no reference to her as being ‘half-caste’[45]
Sources:
[1] Maitland Mercury 12 Jan 1867 p.8, 9 Feb p.5; NSW Police Gazette No. 4 (23 Jan 1867), pp.30 & 33
[2] Maitland Mercury 12 Jan 1867 p.8, 15 Jan p.3, 19 Jan p.5, 26 Jan p.5, 2 Feb p.5, 7 Feb p.4, 9 Feb p.5, 14 Feb p.3, 16 Feb p.4; NSW Police Gazette 1867 No. 4 (23 Jan 1867), pp.30 & 33, No. 6 (6 Feb 1867), p.49; Maitland Gaol - Entrance Book: Mary Ann Ward, 1867 [SRNSW 5/747 – 1867 No.28; Reel 2368] & also [SRNSW 5/790 – 1867 No.28; Reel 2370] & Discharge Book [SRNSW 7/789 – 1867 Mar 1 No.28]; CSIL: Re Mary Ann Ward, 1867 [SRNSW 4/590 No.67/1050]; Attorney General – Register of Letters received: Re Mary Ann Ward, 1867 [SRNSW 5/4663 Nos. 67/334 & 67/423]; Maitland Ensign 9 Mar 1867 p.2. Location of Allyn Vale: Entry for Henry Jarrett in Greville's 1872 Post Office Directory [http://addison.homedns.org/transcriptions/grevilles/names_a_to_z/j.htm]. Re Edward Denny Day: Obit in Sydney Morning Herald 12 May 1876 p.5; ADB Vol.1 p.300; Free Settler or Felon – Edward Denny Day
[http://www.jenwilletts.com/edward_denny_day.htm]. Info for Edward Denny Day: Edward Denny Day: Obit in Sydney Morning Herald 12 May 1876 p.5; ADB Vol.1 p.300
[3] Maitland Mercury 19 Jan 1867 p.5, 26 Jan p.5. Re Wolfe & Gorrick: Maitland Family History Circle – James Ephraim Wolfe [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ausmfhc/Early_Maitland-People2.html#James Ephraim Wolfe]
[4] NSW Police Gazette 1867 No. 6 (6 Feb 1867), p.44, No. 7 (13 Feb 1867), p.54, No.11 (13 Mar 1867), pp.87 & 88, No.19 (8 May 1867) p.150; Sydney Morning Herald 5 Feb 1867 p.5, 8 Feb p.5; Armidale Express 16 Feb 1867 p.2 (from Tamworth Examiner Feb 9); Maitland Mercury 12 Feb p.2 (from Tamworth Examiner 9 Feb); Maitland Ensign 9 Feb 1867 p.3; Brisbane Courier 6 Feb 1867 p.2, 9 Feb 1867 p.5, 14 Feb 1867 p.3 (latter from Sydney Morning Herald – no date); Argus 6 Feb 1867 p.5, 9 Feb 1867 p.5; Empire 23 May 1867 p.3 & Singleton Times 22 May 1867 p.4 (from Tamworth Examiner)
[5] NSW Police Gazette 1867 No. 9 (27 Feb 1867), p.69, No.10 (6 Mar 1867) p.77, No.11 (13 Mar 1867) pp.86, 87 & 88, No.19 (8 May 1867) p.154; Brisbane Courier 4 Mar 1867 p.3 (from Singleton Times 27 Feb), Maitland Mercury 28 Feb 1867 p.3 (abridged from Singleton Times 27 Feb), 5 Mar 1867 p.3 (from Maitland Ensign); Clerk of the Peace – Depositions for Maitland Circuit, 1867: Thomas Mason, No. 956 & 957 [SRNSW 9/6501]; Maitland Ensign 13 Mar 1867 p.4. Reference to Simpson’s inn: NSW Government Gazette 1865 p.2049
[6] Maitland Gaol – Discharge Book: Mary Ann Ward, 1867 [SRNSW 7/789 - 1867 Mar 1, No.28]; Maitland Ensign 9 Mar 1867 p.2
[7] CSIL: from George Lethbridge, 16 Mar 1867 [SRNSW 4/592 No.67/1687]
[8] Singleton Times 1 May 1867 p.3 (from Tamworth Examiner 26 Apr)
[9] NSW Police Gazette 1867 No.17 (24 Apr 1867) p.133; Sydney Morning Herald 23 Apr 1867 p.4; Maitland Mercury 25 Apr 1867 p.2, 30 Apr p.2 (from Armidale Express 27 Apr); Armidale Express 27 Apr 1867 p.2; Singleton Times 1 May 1867 p.3 (from Armidale Express 27 Apr), 22 May (from Tamworth Examiner 18 May)
[10] Hobart Mercury 1 Jun 1867 p.3 (from Tamworth Examiner)
[11] Sydney Morning Herald 9 May 1867 p.5 (from Singleton Times 8 May); Empire 31 May 1867 p.4
[12] NSW Police Gazette 1867 No.20 (15 May 1867) p.156; Brisbane Courier 25 May 1867 p.5 (from Warwick Argus); Singleton Times 22 May 1867 p.3 (from Tamworth Examiner 18 May 1867); Armidale Express 18 May 1867 p.2, 25May 1867 p.2 (including extract from Tamworth Examiner 18 May); Maitland Ensign 29 May 1867 p.4; Maitland Mercury 21 May 1867 (from Armidale Express 18 May); Sydney Morning Herald 30 May 1867 (from Armidale Express 25 May)
[13] NSW Police Gazette 1867 No.22 (29 May 1867) p.172; Sydney Morning Herald 24 May 1867 p.4, 29 May p.5 (from Tamworth Examiner 25 May) also Maitland Mercury 28 May p.2 & Singleton Times 29 May p.2 & ME 29 May p.4 from same Tamworth Examiner; Maitland Mercury 25 May 1867 p.5
[14] CSIL: Inspector General of Police to Principal Under-Secretary, 25 May 1867 [SRNSW 4/646 Item 69/278 No. 67/3513]; NSW Police Gazette 1867 No.22 (29 May 1867) p.171; Sydney Morning Herald 29 May 1867 p.5, 4 Jun 1867 p.6; Maitland Mercury 30 May 1867 p.3; Empire 31 May 1867 p.4 (from Maitland Ensign)
[15] NSW Police Gazette 1867 No.23 (5 Jun 1867) p.180; Sydney Morning Herald 31 May 1867 p.4; Maitland Mercury 1 Jun 1867 p.4, 4 Jun 1867 p.2 & p.3 (from Tamworth Examiner 1 Jun) also Sydney Morning Herald 5 Jun 1867 p.4, ME 5 Jun 1867 p.2, Armidale Express 8 Jun 1867 p.3 & Singleton Times 5 Jun 1867 p.3 from same Tamworth Examiner; Brisbane Courier 5 Jun 1867 p.3
[16] Maitland Mercury 8 Jun 1867 p.2, 11 Jun 1867 p.3 (from Tamworth Examiner 8 Jun); Armidale Express 8 Jun 1867 p.3; Argus 12 Jun 1867 p.5; Sydney Morning Herald 24 Jun 1867 p.4; CSIL: From Thomas P Panton, 30 Jun 1867 [SRNSW 4/599 No. 67/4314]
[17] NSW Police Gazette 1867 No.31 (31 Jul 1867) p.232, No.32 (7 Aug 1867) p.237; Brisbane Courier 29 Jul 1867 p.2; Armidale Express 3 Aug 1867 p.4 (from Tamworth Examiner 27 Jul); Maitland Mercury 27 Jul 1867 p.5, 30 Jul p.2(x3); Sydney Morning Herald 27 Jul 1867 p.7; Empire 12 Dec 1867 p.2 (see also Queanbeyan Age 11 Jan 1869 p.4 & 18 Jan p.4 for policeman's recollections - online)
[18] NSW Police Gazette 1867 No.33 (14 Aug 1867) p.242, No.37 (11 Sep 1867) p.272; Argus 10 Aug 1867 p.5; Maitland Mercury 8 Aug 1867 p.3, 13 Aug 1867 p.3; Sydney Morning Herald 12 Aug 1867 p.5 & Empire 12 Aug 1867 p.5 (both from Maitland Ensign 10 Aug); Sydney Morning Herald 26 Sep 1868 p.4
[19] QLD PG Vol.IV No.9 (7 Aug 1867) p.60
[20] Maitland Mercury 20 Aug 1867 p.3 & Armidale Express 24 Aug p.3 (from Tamworth Examiner 17 Aug); Argus 22 Aug 1867 p.5; Sydney Morning Herald 23 Aug 1867 p.5
[21] Sydney Morning Herald 23 Aug 1867 p.2; Maitland Mercury 24 Aug 1867 p.5, 27 Aug p.2; Bell’s Life in Sydney 24 Aug 1867 p.2
[22] Sydney Morning Herald 4 Sep 1867 p.4 (from Tamworth Examiner 31 Aug); Maitland Mercury 12 Sep 1867 p.4 (from Tamworth Examiner 7 Sep); NSW Police Gazette 1867 No.37 (11 Sep 1867) p.272; CSIL: Police Supt Garland, Tamworth to Inspector General of Police, 20 Mar 1868 [SRNSW 4/646 Item 69/278 No. 68/1624]; Empire 12 Dec 1867 p.2
[23] Maitland Mercury 10 Oct 1867 p.3 (from Tamworth Examiner 5 Oct)
[24] Argus 15 Oct 1867 p.5 (from Singleton Times 9 Oct 1867); Armidale Express 28 Sep 1867 p.3 (from Sydney Morning Herald 23 Sep 1867); Armidale Express 5 Oct 1867 p.4 (from Maitland Mercury’s Singleton correspondent); Empire 25 Sep 1867 p.5; Maitland Mercury 24 Sep 1867 p.3, 26 Sep p.3
[25] Maitland Mercury 1 Oct 1867 p.2, 3 Oct p.3, 22 Oct p.3 (from Singleton Times 19 Oct); Armidale Express 12 Oct 1867 p.4
[25a] Sydney Morning Herald 22 Sep 1868 p.3 (Report from Annual Meeting)
[26] NSW Police Gazette 1867 No.41 (9 Oct 1867) p.296; Sydney Morning Herald 9 Oct 1867 p.5; Maitland Mercury 10 Oct 1867 p.2 (x2 – one from Singleton Times 9 Oct), 22 Oct p.3 (from Singleton Times 19 Oct). Reference to Grass Tree Hill being 20 miles north of Singleton in SMH 21 May 1864 p.5 also mentions of Liddell in other refs which is south of Muswellbrook; other references to both Chain of Ponds and Grass Tree Hill see Maitland Mercury 6 Feb 1866 p.2
[27] Maitland Mercury 15 Oct 1867 p.5 (from Singleton Times 12 Oct), 31 Oct p.3; Armidale Express 9 Nov 1867 p.4 (from Maitland Mercury). Mr J Hooke, Keepit run [Maitland Mercury 5 May 1868 p1]
[28] Armidale Express 26 Oct 1867 p.2, 23 Nov p.3
[29] CSIL: Constable Patrick McMorrow to Sergt Thompson, Muswellbrook Police, 17 Nov 1867, & also Mrs Bradford to Mr White, 18 Nov 1867 [SRNSW 4/609 Item 67/7083]
[30] Sydney Morning Herald 6 Nov 1867 p.2
[31] NSW Police Gazette 1867 No.46 (13 Nov 1867) p.330
[32] Maitland Mercury 21 Nov 1867 p.3 (from Singleton Times 16 Nov), 28 Nov p.4; Empire 21 Nov 1867 p.8 (from Maitland Ensign 18 Nov), 11 Dec p.4
[33] CSIL: Constable Patrick McMorrow to Police Sergt Thompson, 17 Nov 1867, & also Supt Morisset, Office of the Inspector of Police, East Maitland, to Inspector General of Police, Sydney, 6 Dec 1867 [SRNSW 4/609 Item 67/7083]
[34] CSIL: Superintendent Morisset to Inspector General of Police, 6 Dec 1867 [SRNSW 4/609 Item 67/7083] & John H. Keys to Supt Morisset, 30 Nov 1867 [SRNSW 4/616 Item 68/140]
[35] CSIL: Superintendent Morisset to Inspector General of Police, 6 Dec 1867 [SRNSW 4/609 Item 67/7083]
[36] CSIL: Memo by James White, 5 Dec 1867; Supt Morisset to John H. Keys, 2 Dec 1867 [SRNSW 4/616 Item 68/140]
[37] CSIL: Superintendent Morisset to Inspector General of Police, 6 Dec 1867 [SRNSW 4/609 Item 67/7083]
[38] CSIL: James White to Sub-Inspector Thorpe, Singleton Police, 23 Nov 1867 [SRNSW 4/609 Item 67/7083]
[39] CSIL: Thomas Hungerford to Sub-Inspector Thorpe, Singleton Police, 18 Nov 1867 [SRNSW 4/609 Item 67/7083]; also John H. Keys to Superintendent Morisset, 30 Nov 1867 [SRNSW 4/616 Item 68/140]
[40] CSIL: Re Frederick Ward at the Goulburn River in Nov 1867 [SRNSW 4/609 Item 67/7083; & 4/616 Item 68/140]
[41] CSIL: Superintendent Morisset to Inspector General of Police, 6 Dec 1867 [SRNSW 4/609 Item 67/7083]; Sydney Morning Herald 28 Nov 1867 p.4 (from Singleton Times); Maitland Mercury 28 Nov 1867 p.4
[42] Maitland Mercury 28 Nov 1867 p.4 (& Sydney Morning Herald 29 Nov 1867 p.4 & Armidale Express 7 Dec 1867 p.4 from same);Empire 3 Dec 1867 p.5 (from Maitland Ensign); Argus 9 Dec 1867 p.5 (from Singleton Times); Armidale Express 7 Dec 1867 p.4
[43] Argus 9 Dec 1867 p.5 (from Singleton Times)
[44] Birth Certificate: Frederick Wordsworth Baker, 1868 [RBDM 1868/0016881]; Baptism: Frederick Wordsworth Ward, 1868 [SRNSW 5/4036 Part 51, p.13; Reel 4519]
[45] Maitland Mercury 10 Dec 1867 p.3 (from Tamworth Examiner 7 Dec); CSIL: Re Frederick Ward at the Goulburn River [SRNSW 4/616 No.68/140]
1867 Jan 6 + Mary Ann arrested near Henry Jarrett’s Allyn Vale property (on Allyn River near Eccleston) by Senior Constable James Johnson, Paterson Police, charged with having goods in her possession that were suspected of being stolen (7 yards of calico, 5½ yards of derry and 2 pieces of tweed), and taken to the Paterson lock-up; the police took custody of her horse, saddle and saddle bags and reported them to be stolen; 8 Jan: Mary Ann brought before Edward G. Cory Esq. JP of the Paterson Bench and remanded for a week; 15 Jan: Mary Ann again brought before the Paterson Bench and depositions taken then she was remanded for a week so she could find evidence of legal purchase of the stolen goods; 24 Jan: Mary Ann again brought before the Paterson Bench and could produce no evidence of her legal possession of the goods so Cory found her guilty and sentenced her to 3 calendar months’ imprisonment in Maitland Gaol; 25 Jan: Mary Ann received at East Maitland Gaol from Paterson; Feb: Mary Ann petitioned the Governor to examine her case; mid-Feb: Edward Denny Day, Maitland Gaol’s Visiting Magistrate, made enquiries at Wolfe and Gorrick and took their draper, Frederick D. Edwards, to the gaol where Edwards picked Mary Ann out of a group of women as the purchaser of the goods in question; 14 Feb: letter to editor of Maitland Mercury complained of ‘gross injustice’ in Mary Ann’s case; 16 Feb: Paterson correspondent of Maitland Mercury reported on the public interest in her case and the ‘absurd’ grounds for her conviction; 25 Feb: Draper Edwards made a statement identifying the derry cloth but not the calico; 26 Feb: Maitland’s Police Superintendent Morisset sent Edwards’ statement to the Colonial Secretary and reported the results of his own enquiries[2]
1867 Jan 17 No news reported of Thunderbolt in the Paterson district[3]
1867 Feb 3 Thunderbolt robbed Warialda-Tamworth mailman, Abraham Bowden, near Manilla and also took cheques and silver from his companion, Mr Dorrington, but returned the silver before he rode off towards Manilla; policemen from Barraba and Warialda who were passing through Manilla chased him but he escaped with Constable Norris’ extra horse, leaving behind his own packhorse with saddlebags containing £427 in notes and cheques[4]
1867 Feb mid Thunderbolt joined by Thomas Mason (see Thomas Mason)
1867 Feb 25 Thunderbolt and Thomas Mason robbed Samuel Cooke, storekeeper, at Moonan/Denison Diggings, and stole goods and horse, also Richard Simpson, innkeeper, of cash and gold and Fred the Tailor of a horse (as well as another horse); at Simpson’s, Neil McInnes attempted to seized Thunderbolt and a warrant was later issued charging Thunderbolt with shooting at McInnes with intent to murder him; early Mar: the police returned home after an unsuccessful search (NB. The Maitland Ensign’s Upper Hunter correspondent reported that three men attempted to assist McInnes but that they soon let go and bolted, however witness depositions make no mention of any assistance)[5]
1867 Mar1 Mary Ann Ward discharged from Maitland Gaol, the remainder of her sentence having been remitted[6]
1867 Mar 16 Magistrate George Lethbridge writes to the Governor suggesting that Thunderbolt be offered a conditional pardon in return for joining the police force to assist in improving their horsemanship; Governor’s reply states that he cannot be given a pardon but if he surrenders himself he will not be hanged[7]
1867 Apr mid Thunderbolt seen near Slocomb’s place not far from Goonoo Goonoo, near Tamworth, and the following day two horses were missing[8]
1867 Apr 21 Thunderbolt & lad (Mason) robbed the Bendemeer-to-Tamworth mail coach driven by Mr Brereton some three miles south of Bendemeer; afterwards they rode in the direction of Hall’s Creek near Manilla then headed for the Byron Plains/New England locality[9]
1867 May 2 Mason takes cheques to Bonshaw store on the Sovereign (now Dumaresq) River, 50 miles west of Tenterfield and swaps them for rations[10]
1867 May 8+ Singleton Times wrote that the ‘abominable pest’ Thunderbolt was still transacting his nefarious games throughout the northern districts with impunity and that the Government needed to take action; Empire complains about police and bushrangers[11]
1867 May 8 Thunderbolt & Mason robbed Bonshaw hotel and store (and get cheques back – clever thinking!) then head in direction of McIntyre River, Queensland[12]
1867 May 22 Thunderbolt & Mason rob the Warialda-Tamworth mailman, Thomas Hitchener again, at Long Flat near Manilla[13]
1867 May 25 Reward raised to £200 for apprehension of Frederick Ward in response to letter from Inspector General of Police dated same day; letter also mentioned that the best bush constables from the south, no longer needed because of the Clarke’s apprehension, were being sent north to track Thunderbolt; complaints made about using rewards to capture criminals[14]
1867 May 30 Thunderbolt & Mason robbed the northern mail coach driven by William Thom four miles south of Wallabadah as he travelled towards Murrurundi[15]
1867 Jun + Early Jun: Large parties of police arrived in Murrurundi district to search for Thunderbolt; 12 Jun: Telegram sent from Sydney that a party of special police had been despatched after Thunderbolt (were these the ); 24 Jun: SMH writes that, with the imminent execution of the Clarke brothers, Thunderbolt was the only bushranger of consequence still at large; 30 Jun: Thomas P Panton writes to Colonial Secretary offering his services as a secret police officer sent on commission to track Ward; 4 Jul: reply from Henry Parkes that there is a reward for Ward’s apprehension but he would be willing to meet him[16]
1867 Jul 26 Thunderbolt & Mason robbed mail coach driven by Wilkinson heading north to Tamworth at Loder’s Ridges between Murrurundi and Wallabadah; report in early August that there was good reason to believe that it was not Ward and Mason who robbed the mail; however the ‘native trooper’ who reported his endeavours to catch Thunderbolt in the Empire in Dec 1867 dismissed the claim that it wasn’t Thunderbolt as the trooper himself had been searching in the mountains between Narrabri and Barraba and had heard that Thunderbolt was heading down to Murrurundi to rob the mail[17]
1867 Aug 6 Thunderbolt & Mason rob Cassilis, Merriwa and Muswellbrook mail near Hall’s or Wybong Creek not far from Denman; warrant issued by Muswellbrook bench for their arrest; later comment that teacher's salary cheques were among the items stolen[18]
1867 Aug 7 Reward notice published in Queensland Police Gazette; reports that Thunderbolt and his boy companion are supposed to be in Queensland[19]
1867 Aug mid 11 Aug: report that Thunderbolt, his apprentice and lady had been seen about Breeza Plains; 13 Aug: Thunderbolt visited a Mr Logan and two girls at Mr Shepherd’s Terragong station about 2 miles from Merriwa and gave his horse a feed (NB. Tamworth Examiner on 17 Aug mentions the Breeza sighting as occurring ‘on Sunday last’ – that is, the 11th – then reports the Merriwa horse-feeding as occurring ‘on Tuesday night’, which suggests that it was the 13th, however it is more likely that the horse-feeding actually occurred on the previous Tuesday, the night of the robbery, as Breeza, where they were spotted on the 11th, was 70 miles north of Merriwa, and the Borah Ranges, where they were spotted around the 22nd, another 45 miles north again; it would be illogical for Thunderbolt to backtrack in such a way and easy enough for the press to make such an error); 21 Aug: telegram that Thunderbolt continues depredations in the north[20]
1867 Aug 22 In the Legislative Assembly, Mr Pickering asked the Colonial Secretary about the government’s actions or intended actions to capture Thunderbolt; Mr Parkes responded that it would be injudicious to state publicly what steps were being taken[21]
1867 Aug 22+ 22 Aug: Police received information about Thunderbolt’s camp in the Borah ranges between the Manilla and Namoi Rivers; 22-23: Senior Constables Dalton and Cantrill attempted to ambush the camp overnight but in the morning found that Thunderbolt, Mason and Mary Ann had left (NB. the newspapers state that this ambush occurred on the night of Friday 23/Saturday 24 Aug however the Tamworth Police Superintendent’s letter regarding the reward for Mason’s apprehension describes the events of those few days, clearly drawing his information from the troopers’ own reports; as this spreads the various incidents over a longer period of time, which seems more likely, I have used the dates provided by the troopers rather than the newspapers); 23 Aug: the two policemen discovered the bushrangers on a higher part of the mountain and chased them but they escaped so the police returned to the first camp and seized their horses; 24 Aug: Thunderbolt steals a horse and two saddles from William Legard, free selector near Kihi Creek (now Maules Creek), and later that day Constables Rixon & Rixon encounter them on the ranges but they again escape; 28 Aug: police escort Warialda-Tamworth mail and encounter Thunderbolt, Mason and Mary Ann on the Borah Ranges and in the ensuing chase, Thunderbolt and Mason are separated; 7 Sep: report that police believe that Thunderbolt has escaped from the Borah ranges[22]
1867 Aug late Thunderbolt reportedly robbed a young man named Fitzpatrick about 10 miles from Tamworth towards Peel River but as he didn’t press charges the report was doubted[23]
1867 Sep 4 Thomas Mason caught by Narrabri police at Old Oreel station near Millie (see Thomas Mason)
1867 Sep 21 Thunderbolt robs the northern mail-coach driven by Smith as it travelled south and was about four miles from the Chain of Ponds (near Liddell)[24]
1867 Sep late Police encounter Thunderbolt (heading towards Monkerai) at Gum-flat, a mountain glen near the junction of the Little and Chichester Rivers; on 28 Sep Sgt Shannon arrived in Bandon-grove to get assistance of black tracker to follow Thunderbolt’s trail; at some stage during this trip south he left his jaded horse at St Clair and stole two others[25]
1867 Sep late Mr James Bruce, member of the Bush Missionary Society travels to many districts including "Monkerey River (one of the haunts of Thunderbolt[25a]
1867 Oct 8 Thunderbolt robs mailman Smith again between Grass-tree Hill and Chain of Ponds at 2 or 3am; one of the stolen cheques was cashed at Cullen’s Fitzroy Hotel at Singleton around 6am the same day but not apparently by Thunderbolt who was chased by the police north to Murrurundi before they lost in a short distance beyond the town[26]
1867 Oct + 12 Oct: Report in Singleton Times that when Cullen (apparently of the Fitzroy Hotel, Singleton) had recently visited the Borah Ranges (date unknown) he had found the “late female companion” of the bushranger Ward residing at Mr Hook’s station at Keepit on the Namoi (NB. Mary Ann appears to have remained there for some time after Fred and Mason fled the police at the Borah ranges and were separated); 29 Oct: report that Mrs Thunderbolt hiding in the Scone district, that she had been seen frequently in the area and was likely being sheltered at Denison Diggings[27]
1867 Oct 17+ 17 Oct: Question in Legislative Assembly about need for guard for northern mail; report mid-Nov that northern mail now has guard being Singleton and Tamworth but not from Tamworth to Armidale[28]
1867 Oct late Thunderbolt rides with the postman from Kitton’s [property] to the Bradford’s, Mount Hope near Mount Dangar, on the Goulburn River about 20 miles from Denman, and purchases supplies from Mrs M. Bradford; he tells the postman that he crossed the Manilla Mountain coming down the country[29]
1867 Oct 28 Chief Justice Alfred Stephen at the Wagga Wagga Circuit Court appeals to the youth of the colony not to romanticise the bushranging lifestyle, that Thunderbolt was the only long-lasting bushranger and that he would undoubtedly be caught or shot eventually[30]
1867 Nov Reference to horses and notes recovered from Thunderbolt and now in hands of Maitland Police[31]
1867 Nov mid Thunderbolt seen between Chain of Ponds and Jerry’s Plains – police in pursuit; around 11 Nov he was seen at Jerry’s Plains where he gave an acquaintance £5; the next day he purchased goods at Aberdeen then went to Segenhoe where he took a half-caste girl living with “Cranky Bob”, supposedly to help his lady who was in an “interesting” situation, although “corrected” reports stated that he had eloped with her and that she took ill from exposure and was taken into Cassilis (but Cassilis is incorrect)[32]
1867 Nov 15 Thunderbolt again visited Mrs Bradford and purchased a 13 pound cheese; in the evening Mrs Bradford’s son-in-law William Kirk (who resided about a mile from her on the Goulburn River), called at Constable McMorrow’s and informed his wife that a man supposed to be Ward had been hanging about the Goulburn River for three weeks; Constable McMorrow was at Muswellbrook at the time and did not return until the 16th; the same day Sergeant Thompson of the Muswellbrook police was at the Goulburn River only 12 miles from Mrs Bradford’s but heard nothing of Thunderbolt being in the vicinity[33]
1867 Nov 16 Thunderbolt reportedly seen at St Heliers near Muswellbrook (40 miles from Mrs Bradford’s), and Sergeant Thompson and the Muswellbrook police head off in pursuit; later it was reported that Ward was at St Heliers for some time before taking the horse and half-caste from Segenhoe, that he was seen there and had torn up cheques and papers at his camp[34]
1867 Nov 17 Constable McMorrow visited Mrs Bradford’s to make enquiries but could not remain to undertake a search as he was employed on mail guard duty between Denman and Cassilis[35]
1867 Nov 17+ Report that the woman who usually accompanied Thunderbolt was brought in to Mrs Bradford’s in a dying state [apparently some time between 17th and 21st as Ward making “anxious enquiries” on the latter]; later claim that the police received “[no] information of his whereabouts from Bradford or anyone else until after the death of the half-caste”[36]
1867 Nov 20 Mr Kirk’s boy reported to Constable McMorrow that Thunderbolt had returned but McMorrow was about to serve guard duty on the mail and could not act on the information, and told the boy that he thought some of the Muswellbrook police would visit Mrs Bradford’s place that day, but they didn’t[37]
1867 Nov 21 That morning Thunderbolt visited Kirk’s making anxious enquiries[38]
1867 Nov 22 Thomas Hungerford wrote to Sub-Inspector Thorpe, Singleton police, that Thunderbolt was in the district and had visited Mrs Bradford three times during the week to get provisions; Mrs Bradford said that she would have captured Ward if she had any help as he kept playing with her children when he was there[39]
1867 Nov 23 Thunderbolt again visited Mrs Bradford and informed her that he had a dying woman in the bush; Mrs Bradford wrote to Parliamentarian James White of nearby Martindale that the woman was in a dying state, if not already dead; James White wrote to Sub-Inspector Thorpe, Singleton Police, complaining about the lack of response to their information that Thunderbolt was in the district; in the aftermath, letters and reports went back and forth alleging the police’s want of energy and zeal in pursuing Ward although the eventual conclusion that there was no truth to the allegations[40]
1867 Nov 23/4 Thunderbolt seen at Boggabri and cantered towards the Merriwa mail coach but upon seeing an armed man he rode away
NB. Morisset’s letter, written on 6 Dec said that this incident occurred on 23 November (Saturday) but the Singleton Times said it occurred ‘on Sunday afternoon last’[41]
1867 Nov 24 Louisa Mason died at Mrs Bradford’s at 9am; reference a short time later that the woman carried away by Thunderbolt from Chain of Ponds to wait upon his female associate has been brought dead into Aberdeen, probably from natural causes accelerated by exposure[42]
1867 Nov/Dec Thunderbolt seen in Scone district; presumably returned to Mary Ann at this time[43]
1867 Nov/Dec Mary Ann fell pregnant[44]
1867 Dec 3 Police encountered Thunderbolt about 12 miles south-west of Manilla: a woman greeted them loudly then they saw a horseman riding away and they chased him, realising it was Thunderbolt, but he escaped; there is no suggestion that this was Mary Ann as there is no reference to her as being ‘half-caste’[45]
Sources:
[1] Maitland Mercury 12 Jan 1867 p.8, 9 Feb p.5; NSW Police Gazette No. 4 (23 Jan 1867), pp.30 & 33
[2] Maitland Mercury 12 Jan 1867 p.8, 15 Jan p.3, 19 Jan p.5, 26 Jan p.5, 2 Feb p.5, 7 Feb p.4, 9 Feb p.5, 14 Feb p.3, 16 Feb p.4; NSW Police Gazette 1867 No. 4 (23 Jan 1867), pp.30 & 33, No. 6 (6 Feb 1867), p.49; Maitland Gaol - Entrance Book: Mary Ann Ward, 1867 [SRNSW 5/747 – 1867 No.28; Reel 2368] & also [SRNSW 5/790 – 1867 No.28; Reel 2370] & Discharge Book [SRNSW 7/789 – 1867 Mar 1 No.28]; CSIL: Re Mary Ann Ward, 1867 [SRNSW 4/590 No.67/1050]; Attorney General – Register of Letters received: Re Mary Ann Ward, 1867 [SRNSW 5/4663 Nos. 67/334 & 67/423]; Maitland Ensign 9 Mar 1867 p.2. Location of Allyn Vale: Entry for Henry Jarrett in Greville's 1872 Post Office Directory [http://addison.homedns.org/transcriptions/grevilles/names_a_to_z/j.htm]. Re Edward Denny Day: Obit in Sydney Morning Herald 12 May 1876 p.5; ADB Vol.1 p.300; Free Settler or Felon – Edward Denny Day
[http://www.jenwilletts.com/edward_denny_day.htm]. Info for Edward Denny Day: Edward Denny Day: Obit in Sydney Morning Herald 12 May 1876 p.5; ADB Vol.1 p.300
[3] Maitland Mercury 19 Jan 1867 p.5, 26 Jan p.5. Re Wolfe & Gorrick: Maitland Family History Circle – James Ephraim Wolfe [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ausmfhc/Early_Maitland-People2.html#James Ephraim Wolfe]
[4] NSW Police Gazette 1867 No. 6 (6 Feb 1867), p.44, No. 7 (13 Feb 1867), p.54, No.11 (13 Mar 1867), pp.87 & 88, No.19 (8 May 1867) p.150; Sydney Morning Herald 5 Feb 1867 p.5, 8 Feb p.5; Armidale Express 16 Feb 1867 p.2 (from Tamworth Examiner Feb 9); Maitland Mercury 12 Feb p.2 (from Tamworth Examiner 9 Feb); Maitland Ensign 9 Feb 1867 p.3; Brisbane Courier 6 Feb 1867 p.2, 9 Feb 1867 p.5, 14 Feb 1867 p.3 (latter from Sydney Morning Herald – no date); Argus 6 Feb 1867 p.5, 9 Feb 1867 p.5; Empire 23 May 1867 p.3 & Singleton Times 22 May 1867 p.4 (from Tamworth Examiner)
[5] NSW Police Gazette 1867 No. 9 (27 Feb 1867), p.69, No.10 (6 Mar 1867) p.77, No.11 (13 Mar 1867) pp.86, 87 & 88, No.19 (8 May 1867) p.154; Brisbane Courier 4 Mar 1867 p.3 (from Singleton Times 27 Feb), Maitland Mercury 28 Feb 1867 p.3 (abridged from Singleton Times 27 Feb), 5 Mar 1867 p.3 (from Maitland Ensign); Clerk of the Peace – Depositions for Maitland Circuit, 1867: Thomas Mason, No. 956 & 957 [SRNSW 9/6501]; Maitland Ensign 13 Mar 1867 p.4. Reference to Simpson’s inn: NSW Government Gazette 1865 p.2049
[6] Maitland Gaol – Discharge Book: Mary Ann Ward, 1867 [SRNSW 7/789 - 1867 Mar 1, No.28]; Maitland Ensign 9 Mar 1867 p.2
[7] CSIL: from George Lethbridge, 16 Mar 1867 [SRNSW 4/592 No.67/1687]
[8] Singleton Times 1 May 1867 p.3 (from Tamworth Examiner 26 Apr)
[9] NSW Police Gazette 1867 No.17 (24 Apr 1867) p.133; Sydney Morning Herald 23 Apr 1867 p.4; Maitland Mercury 25 Apr 1867 p.2, 30 Apr p.2 (from Armidale Express 27 Apr); Armidale Express 27 Apr 1867 p.2; Singleton Times 1 May 1867 p.3 (from Armidale Express 27 Apr), 22 May (from Tamworth Examiner 18 May)
[10] Hobart Mercury 1 Jun 1867 p.3 (from Tamworth Examiner)
[11] Sydney Morning Herald 9 May 1867 p.5 (from Singleton Times 8 May); Empire 31 May 1867 p.4
[12] NSW Police Gazette 1867 No.20 (15 May 1867) p.156; Brisbane Courier 25 May 1867 p.5 (from Warwick Argus); Singleton Times 22 May 1867 p.3 (from Tamworth Examiner 18 May 1867); Armidale Express 18 May 1867 p.2, 25May 1867 p.2 (including extract from Tamworth Examiner 18 May); Maitland Ensign 29 May 1867 p.4; Maitland Mercury 21 May 1867 (from Armidale Express 18 May); Sydney Morning Herald 30 May 1867 (from Armidale Express 25 May)
[13] NSW Police Gazette 1867 No.22 (29 May 1867) p.172; Sydney Morning Herald 24 May 1867 p.4, 29 May p.5 (from Tamworth Examiner 25 May) also Maitland Mercury 28 May p.2 & Singleton Times 29 May p.2 & ME 29 May p.4 from same Tamworth Examiner; Maitland Mercury 25 May 1867 p.5
[14] CSIL: Inspector General of Police to Principal Under-Secretary, 25 May 1867 [SRNSW 4/646 Item 69/278 No. 67/3513]; NSW Police Gazette 1867 No.22 (29 May 1867) p.171; Sydney Morning Herald 29 May 1867 p.5, 4 Jun 1867 p.6; Maitland Mercury 30 May 1867 p.3; Empire 31 May 1867 p.4 (from Maitland Ensign)
[15] NSW Police Gazette 1867 No.23 (5 Jun 1867) p.180; Sydney Morning Herald 31 May 1867 p.4; Maitland Mercury 1 Jun 1867 p.4, 4 Jun 1867 p.2 & p.3 (from Tamworth Examiner 1 Jun) also Sydney Morning Herald 5 Jun 1867 p.4, ME 5 Jun 1867 p.2, Armidale Express 8 Jun 1867 p.3 & Singleton Times 5 Jun 1867 p.3 from same Tamworth Examiner; Brisbane Courier 5 Jun 1867 p.3
[16] Maitland Mercury 8 Jun 1867 p.2, 11 Jun 1867 p.3 (from Tamworth Examiner 8 Jun); Armidale Express 8 Jun 1867 p.3; Argus 12 Jun 1867 p.5; Sydney Morning Herald 24 Jun 1867 p.4; CSIL: From Thomas P Panton, 30 Jun 1867 [SRNSW 4/599 No. 67/4314]
[17] NSW Police Gazette 1867 No.31 (31 Jul 1867) p.232, No.32 (7 Aug 1867) p.237; Brisbane Courier 29 Jul 1867 p.2; Armidale Express 3 Aug 1867 p.4 (from Tamworth Examiner 27 Jul); Maitland Mercury 27 Jul 1867 p.5, 30 Jul p.2(x3); Sydney Morning Herald 27 Jul 1867 p.7; Empire 12 Dec 1867 p.2 (see also Queanbeyan Age 11 Jan 1869 p.4 & 18 Jan p.4 for policeman's recollections - online)
[18] NSW Police Gazette 1867 No.33 (14 Aug 1867) p.242, No.37 (11 Sep 1867) p.272; Argus 10 Aug 1867 p.5; Maitland Mercury 8 Aug 1867 p.3, 13 Aug 1867 p.3; Sydney Morning Herald 12 Aug 1867 p.5 & Empire 12 Aug 1867 p.5 (both from Maitland Ensign 10 Aug); Sydney Morning Herald 26 Sep 1868 p.4
[19] QLD PG Vol.IV No.9 (7 Aug 1867) p.60
[20] Maitland Mercury 20 Aug 1867 p.3 & Armidale Express 24 Aug p.3 (from Tamworth Examiner 17 Aug); Argus 22 Aug 1867 p.5; Sydney Morning Herald 23 Aug 1867 p.5
[21] Sydney Morning Herald 23 Aug 1867 p.2; Maitland Mercury 24 Aug 1867 p.5, 27 Aug p.2; Bell’s Life in Sydney 24 Aug 1867 p.2
[22] Sydney Morning Herald 4 Sep 1867 p.4 (from Tamworth Examiner 31 Aug); Maitland Mercury 12 Sep 1867 p.4 (from Tamworth Examiner 7 Sep); NSW Police Gazette 1867 No.37 (11 Sep 1867) p.272; CSIL: Police Supt Garland, Tamworth to Inspector General of Police, 20 Mar 1868 [SRNSW 4/646 Item 69/278 No. 68/1624]; Empire 12 Dec 1867 p.2
[23] Maitland Mercury 10 Oct 1867 p.3 (from Tamworth Examiner 5 Oct)
[24] Argus 15 Oct 1867 p.5 (from Singleton Times 9 Oct 1867); Armidale Express 28 Sep 1867 p.3 (from Sydney Morning Herald 23 Sep 1867); Armidale Express 5 Oct 1867 p.4 (from Maitland Mercury’s Singleton correspondent); Empire 25 Sep 1867 p.5; Maitland Mercury 24 Sep 1867 p.3, 26 Sep p.3
[25] Maitland Mercury 1 Oct 1867 p.2, 3 Oct p.3, 22 Oct p.3 (from Singleton Times 19 Oct); Armidale Express 12 Oct 1867 p.4
[25a] Sydney Morning Herald 22 Sep 1868 p.3 (Report from Annual Meeting)
[26] NSW Police Gazette 1867 No.41 (9 Oct 1867) p.296; Sydney Morning Herald 9 Oct 1867 p.5; Maitland Mercury 10 Oct 1867 p.2 (x2 – one from Singleton Times 9 Oct), 22 Oct p.3 (from Singleton Times 19 Oct). Reference to Grass Tree Hill being 20 miles north of Singleton in SMH 21 May 1864 p.5 also mentions of Liddell in other refs which is south of Muswellbrook; other references to both Chain of Ponds and Grass Tree Hill see Maitland Mercury 6 Feb 1866 p.2
[27] Maitland Mercury 15 Oct 1867 p.5 (from Singleton Times 12 Oct), 31 Oct p.3; Armidale Express 9 Nov 1867 p.4 (from Maitland Mercury). Mr J Hooke, Keepit run [Maitland Mercury 5 May 1868 p1]
[28] Armidale Express 26 Oct 1867 p.2, 23 Nov p.3
[29] CSIL: Constable Patrick McMorrow to Sergt Thompson, Muswellbrook Police, 17 Nov 1867, & also Mrs Bradford to Mr White, 18 Nov 1867 [SRNSW 4/609 Item 67/7083]
[30] Sydney Morning Herald 6 Nov 1867 p.2
[31] NSW Police Gazette 1867 No.46 (13 Nov 1867) p.330
[32] Maitland Mercury 21 Nov 1867 p.3 (from Singleton Times 16 Nov), 28 Nov p.4; Empire 21 Nov 1867 p.8 (from Maitland Ensign 18 Nov), 11 Dec p.4
[33] CSIL: Constable Patrick McMorrow to Police Sergt Thompson, 17 Nov 1867, & also Supt Morisset, Office of the Inspector of Police, East Maitland, to Inspector General of Police, Sydney, 6 Dec 1867 [SRNSW 4/609 Item 67/7083]
[34] CSIL: Superintendent Morisset to Inspector General of Police, 6 Dec 1867 [SRNSW 4/609 Item 67/7083] & John H. Keys to Supt Morisset, 30 Nov 1867 [SRNSW 4/616 Item 68/140]
[35] CSIL: Superintendent Morisset to Inspector General of Police, 6 Dec 1867 [SRNSW 4/609 Item 67/7083]
[36] CSIL: Memo by James White, 5 Dec 1867; Supt Morisset to John H. Keys, 2 Dec 1867 [SRNSW 4/616 Item 68/140]
[37] CSIL: Superintendent Morisset to Inspector General of Police, 6 Dec 1867 [SRNSW 4/609 Item 67/7083]
[38] CSIL: James White to Sub-Inspector Thorpe, Singleton Police, 23 Nov 1867 [SRNSW 4/609 Item 67/7083]
[39] CSIL: Thomas Hungerford to Sub-Inspector Thorpe, Singleton Police, 18 Nov 1867 [SRNSW 4/609 Item 67/7083]; also John H. Keys to Superintendent Morisset, 30 Nov 1867 [SRNSW 4/616 Item 68/140]
[40] CSIL: Re Frederick Ward at the Goulburn River in Nov 1867 [SRNSW 4/609 Item 67/7083; & 4/616 Item 68/140]
[41] CSIL: Superintendent Morisset to Inspector General of Police, 6 Dec 1867 [SRNSW 4/609 Item 67/7083]; Sydney Morning Herald 28 Nov 1867 p.4 (from Singleton Times); Maitland Mercury 28 Nov 1867 p.4
[42] Maitland Mercury 28 Nov 1867 p.4 (& Sydney Morning Herald 29 Nov 1867 p.4 & Armidale Express 7 Dec 1867 p.4 from same);Empire 3 Dec 1867 p.5 (from Maitland Ensign); Argus 9 Dec 1867 p.5 (from Singleton Times); Armidale Express 7 Dec 1867 p.4
[43] Argus 9 Dec 1867 p.5 (from Singleton Times)
[44] Birth Certificate: Frederick Wordsworth Baker, 1868 [RBDM 1868/0016881]; Baptism: Frederick Wordsworth Ward, 1868 [SRNSW 5/4036 Part 51, p.13; Reel 4519]
[45] Maitland Mercury 10 Dec 1867 p.3 (from Tamworth Examiner 7 Dec); CSIL: Re Frederick Ward at the Goulburn River [SRNSW 4/616 No.68/140]