Shipman, James and William
DESCRIPTION
NameShipman, James and WilliamConvictTransported 1836 'John Barry' for stealing printed cotton - 7 yearsBiographyBrothers James and William Shipman were born in Essex, England to John and Susanna Shipman (nee Bearman/Burman) in about 1810, and 1816.
They were transported to Australia in 1836 aboard the John Barry for their involvement in the Brentwood Gang, a notorious network of rural thieves and receivers that infested Brentwood in the 1830’s. Gangs members under the leadership of Abraham Ballard, systematically robbed and distributed commercial goods.
James, William and three other men were accused of stealing 25 pieces of printed cotton, the property of Henry Walter and James Yeulitt, and were each sentenced to seven years. James Turvey, a cheesemonger and Samuel Rush, a labourer were charged with receiving the stolen goods. It was James Shipman’s second offence.
The case was reported in the Chelmsford Chronicle Friday April 17 1835.
'CROWN COURT.,(Before. C. ROUND, ESQ.) Conviction of the Brentwood Gang. Abraham Ballard, 21, James Shipman, 23, William Shipman, 19, John Cracknell, 21, and Francis Mingay, 20, labourers, were indicted for stealing:, and James Turret, 39, cheesemonger, and Samuel Bush, 31, labourer, for receiving, 25 pieces of printed cotton, at South Weald, the property of Henry Waller and James Yeulitt.
Alexander Robinson, aged 12 years, was admitted to give evidence against the prisoners. Mr. Bassett appeared for the prosecution, Mr. Bullock for Rush, &|Mr. Dowling for the other prisoners.
Joseph Mason deposed. I am in the employ of Messrs. Waller and Yeulitt carriers, and was driving their van on the night of the 7th of March. 1 received a truss at the Blue Boar, Aldgate, directed to "Thos. Knight, Colchester." At twelve o'clock at night, I reached the White Horse, Brentwood. 1 did the foot board up and can swear the truss was then safe. I stopped till just after three. Mingay and others were there, and talked about a wagon being robbed. Mingay remarked that he could " rob any wagon for all any dog." He left the room an hour before me. At three o'clock I missed the truss, and never saw it again. Another truss was cut open.
William Collin. I am landlord of the Swan, Brentwood. On Sunday, the 15th March, about one o'clock in the afternoon, Turvey, Rush, and Robinson, came to my bouse in a cart. Ballard came to the bar with Turvey and Rush, and had a quarter of gin, which Turvey paid for. Turvey asked me if I could lend him anything to put half a gallon of beer in. I lent him a bottle, ana asked where 1 should send for it: he said he was going to send it to Shipman's, and that he would return it himself: they then left to go to Shipman's. I did not know Rush before.
William Jerman, bricklayer, of Brentwood. On Sunday afternoon, the 15lu ult., at three o'clock, James Shipman passed my house in the direction of Warley Wood, having with him a large lump in a sack ; soon after Ballard passed, with a bundle under his arm. 1 then went into Brentwood, when I saw Cracknell with a bulk under his smock, also taking a similar direction. William Shipman was walking a few yards behind, and his pockets seemed bulky; Cracknell, on passing, asked how long Jas. Shipman had gone by ; the men all live in the hamlet.
William Smith, bailiff to Mr. Kavanagh On the afternoon in question, I saw Ballard with a heavy parcel under his arm ; he turned on to Warley Common ; a few rods further, I met Cracknell and Win. Shipman going in the same direction.
John Green. I keep the Horse and Groom, on Warley Common, which is half a mile from Warley Wood. On the day in question, Turvey and Robinson passed my house. I saw Rush afterwards with a horse and cart coming from Warley Wood ; the cart was put up at my house : I afterwards saw Ballard, Cracknell, and the two Shipmans coming from the same direction ; they came to my house and had some beer. Turvey and Rush then came in, and the latter seemed surprised to see the others; they had some gin and beer together, and left my house about nine o'clock.—Cross-examined by Mr. Bullock, 1 have known Rush from bis childhood, and never heard anything against him. His parents live at Brentwood, but he resided in London.
Alexander Robinson was then examined. I live in Brook-street, Ratcliffe Highway; I know Turvey, who keeps a grocer's and cheesemonger's shop; I have been occasionally employed by him, and he engaged me to go with him to Warley on the 15th March. Rush breakfasted with Turvey and accompanied us. We started at eight and reached Brentwood between one and two ; we stopped at the Swan, and I minded the cart whilst they went in; some empty flats and sacks were in the cart I when they returned, we proceeded to Warley Common, where we took up Ballard. Turvey and 1 then got out and Rush and Ballard went over the Common ; Turvey first called upon his mother and then went to the Horse and Groom ; the cart afterwards came up and 1 assisted to take out the horse; in half an hour Ballard came in at the back gate with a sack which appeared to be full; he put il into the cart and Turvey put an empty sack over it. I did not notice a sack in the stable. Turvey and I put the horse into the cart and we then, with Rush, left the Horse and Groom : we took a cross direction and got into the high road near Romford, when we were stopped by the patrol and all taken into custody; Turvey "nudged" me with his foot, but I did not know what he meant.—Cross-examined. Turvey was taking some sugar and tobacco to his father and mother, who live at Warley; the sacks were used to put over me ; I was frightened when I was taken into custody, but they told me if I spoke the truth I should not he hurt. (This witness gave his evidence with remarkable clearness, and strongly excited the sympathy of the Court from the perilous situation in which he had been placed)
George Weston, a Bow-street patrol, stationed at Romford. At 11 o'clock on the night of the 15th ult., I saw a cart, with Turvey, Rush, and Robinson in it; from information 1 had received I stopped it and inquired what they had in it; Turvey replied, nothing but an empty flat. I searched it and found a sack containing 21 pieces of cotton print. 1 took the men into custody, and asked how they came possessed of it. Turvey said that the boy would tell me all about it. Rush said be knew nothing about it, and that he was taken up by Turvey between Brook Street and Hare Street. I apprehended Shipman next day, and on 19th I took Mingay and Cracknell in Warley Wood. Cracknell attempted to run away.
James Othen, patrol corroborated Weston's evidence; and added that Turvey stated that he took up Rush just before he got to Romford, but that he knew nothing of him.
Robert Goodwin. I am in the employ of Swanborough and Co., of Bread Street. On the 6th of March a packet of goods, containing 25 pieces of printed cotton, was sent from our house, directed to Thomas Knight, Colchester." [The cotton found in the cart was produced, and witness identified it by a private mark.] The cotton was worth £l7. 5s.
James Livermore, constable of Brentwood, proved, seeing all the prisoners and principals together late on the evening of the 15th at the Swan.
John Okey, shoemaker, Brentwood on the 19th ult. saw Cracknell and Mingay standing together. A girl spoke to them when they walked away a short distance and then ran. A few minutes after, WEston came up in pursuit of them.
In defence Turvey stated that some man with a smock frock asked him to take the parcel to London. The other prisoners declared their innocence.
Several respectable witnesses were called, who stated that they had employed Turvey to receive their goods and always considered him a trustworthy man - Mr Geo Bridger, builder of Algate, had employed Rush for eight years, and might probably again take him into service if he was discharged.
Certificates were produced of the former convictions of James Shipman and Mingay.
The Jury consulted a few minutes and returned a verdict of guilty against all prisoners.
The Learned Chairman then addressed then as follows - Five of you have been found guilty of a wholesale robbery of valuable property, and two of receiving the same. It appears to the Court that it would not be doing its duty if it did not rid the country of you all. With respect to you Turvey and Rush, the Court if very strongly of the opinion. It has been truly said that if there were no receivers there would be no thieves, and probably in this case the property would not have been stolen if means of disposing of it had not been afford. He then sentenced them to seven years transportation. Mingay, on leaving the dock exclaimed ' Thank ye. Sir, you're overdone it this time.'
William Shipman could read and write. James could not. William was assigned to the Government Public Works and in 1840 received his Ticket of Leave for the District of Campbelltown. He married Mary Anne Friend at Jamberoo in 1849, and died just five years later, aged about 37.
James received his Ticket of Leave in 1840, and was allowed to stay in the Illawarra. He married Mary Jordan, at Wollongong in 1848. Mary was Irish and Catholic and about 20 years younger than James.
James and Mary farmed at Shellharbour in the area known today as Shipman’s Hill at Flinders. Their first eight children were born here from 1849-1862.
In February 1861, their son aged about six (probably William or Henry), was bitten on the foot by a snake whilst picking melons. James applied a ligature to his ankle, cut out the part bitten, and sucked on the wound for some time. A local Aboriginal man ‘Jacky’, was sent for and he continued to suck the wound for over an hour. A mustard poultice was applied and the boy recovered (Illawarra Mercury Friday 1 March 1861).
A month later, their six-month-old baby, Susan died. She was buried at the old sand cemetery at Shellharbour.
James and Mary moved to Robertson soon after this, where five more children were born from 1864 to 1872.
In 1864, Mary Shipman was a witness in a court proceeding. By this time, the family lived at Kangaloon. In court Mary stated -
‘I formally lived at Shellharbour, and Mr Towns was the landlord;
about the beginning of the year my husband owed some money for rent,
and a distress was put in upon the premises; there were some things seized.’
Sydney Morning Herald Friday 22 April 1864.
Mary Shipman died at Glenreagh in the Clarence Valley in 1892 when she was 60 years old. She had suffered a long and painful illness, and died of carbuncle, and old term for a bacterial skin infection that probably led to blood poisoning.
James died at his son Robert’s house at Kangaloon in 1899. He was 90 years old.
They were transported to Australia in 1836 aboard the John Barry for their involvement in the Brentwood Gang, a notorious network of rural thieves and receivers that infested Brentwood in the 1830’s. Gangs members under the leadership of Abraham Ballard, systematically robbed and distributed commercial goods.
James, William and three other men were accused of stealing 25 pieces of printed cotton, the property of Henry Walter and James Yeulitt, and were each sentenced to seven years. James Turvey, a cheesemonger and Samuel Rush, a labourer were charged with receiving the stolen goods. It was James Shipman’s second offence.
The case was reported in the Chelmsford Chronicle Friday April 17 1835.
'CROWN COURT.,(Before. C. ROUND, ESQ.) Conviction of the Brentwood Gang. Abraham Ballard, 21, James Shipman, 23, William Shipman, 19, John Cracknell, 21, and Francis Mingay, 20, labourers, were indicted for stealing:, and James Turret, 39, cheesemonger, and Samuel Bush, 31, labourer, for receiving, 25 pieces of printed cotton, at South Weald, the property of Henry Waller and James Yeulitt.
Alexander Robinson, aged 12 years, was admitted to give evidence against the prisoners. Mr. Bassett appeared for the prosecution, Mr. Bullock for Rush, &|Mr. Dowling for the other prisoners.
Joseph Mason deposed. I am in the employ of Messrs. Waller and Yeulitt carriers, and was driving their van on the night of the 7th of March. 1 received a truss at the Blue Boar, Aldgate, directed to "Thos. Knight, Colchester." At twelve o'clock at night, I reached the White Horse, Brentwood. 1 did the foot board up and can swear the truss was then safe. I stopped till just after three. Mingay and others were there, and talked about a wagon being robbed. Mingay remarked that he could " rob any wagon for all any dog." He left the room an hour before me. At three o'clock I missed the truss, and never saw it again. Another truss was cut open.
William Collin. I am landlord of the Swan, Brentwood. On Sunday, the 15th March, about one o'clock in the afternoon, Turvey, Rush, and Robinson, came to my bouse in a cart. Ballard came to the bar with Turvey and Rush, and had a quarter of gin, which Turvey paid for. Turvey asked me if I could lend him anything to put half a gallon of beer in. I lent him a bottle, ana asked where 1 should send for it: he said he was going to send it to Shipman's, and that he would return it himself: they then left to go to Shipman's. I did not know Rush before.
William Jerman, bricklayer, of Brentwood. On Sunday afternoon, the 15lu ult., at three o'clock, James Shipman passed my house in the direction of Warley Wood, having with him a large lump in a sack ; soon after Ballard passed, with a bundle under his arm. 1 then went into Brentwood, when I saw Cracknell with a bulk under his smock, also taking a similar direction. William Shipman was walking a few yards behind, and his pockets seemed bulky; Cracknell, on passing, asked how long Jas. Shipman had gone by ; the men all live in the hamlet.
William Smith, bailiff to Mr. Kavanagh On the afternoon in question, I saw Ballard with a heavy parcel under his arm ; he turned on to Warley Common ; a few rods further, I met Cracknell and Win. Shipman going in the same direction.
John Green. I keep the Horse and Groom, on Warley Common, which is half a mile from Warley Wood. On the day in question, Turvey and Robinson passed my house. I saw Rush afterwards with a horse and cart coming from Warley Wood ; the cart was put up at my house : I afterwards saw Ballard, Cracknell, and the two Shipmans coming from the same direction ; they came to my house and had some beer. Turvey and Rush then came in, and the latter seemed surprised to see the others; they had some gin and beer together, and left my house about nine o'clock.—Cross-examined by Mr. Bullock, 1 have known Rush from bis childhood, and never heard anything against him. His parents live at Brentwood, but he resided in London.
Alexander Robinson was then examined. I live in Brook-street, Ratcliffe Highway; I know Turvey, who keeps a grocer's and cheesemonger's shop; I have been occasionally employed by him, and he engaged me to go with him to Warley on the 15th March. Rush breakfasted with Turvey and accompanied us. We started at eight and reached Brentwood between one and two ; we stopped at the Swan, and I minded the cart whilst they went in; some empty flats and sacks were in the cart I when they returned, we proceeded to Warley Common, where we took up Ballard. Turvey and 1 then got out and Rush and Ballard went over the Common ; Turvey first called upon his mother and then went to the Horse and Groom ; the cart afterwards came up and 1 assisted to take out the horse; in half an hour Ballard came in at the back gate with a sack which appeared to be full; he put il into the cart and Turvey put an empty sack over it. I did not notice a sack in the stable. Turvey and I put the horse into the cart and we then, with Rush, left the Horse and Groom : we took a cross direction and got into the high road near Romford, when we were stopped by the patrol and all taken into custody; Turvey "nudged" me with his foot, but I did not know what he meant.—Cross-examined. Turvey was taking some sugar and tobacco to his father and mother, who live at Warley; the sacks were used to put over me ; I was frightened when I was taken into custody, but they told me if I spoke the truth I should not he hurt. (This witness gave his evidence with remarkable clearness, and strongly excited the sympathy of the Court from the perilous situation in which he had been placed)
George Weston, a Bow-street patrol, stationed at Romford. At 11 o'clock on the night of the 15th ult., I saw a cart, with Turvey, Rush, and Robinson in it; from information 1 had received I stopped it and inquired what they had in it; Turvey replied, nothing but an empty flat. I searched it and found a sack containing 21 pieces of cotton print. 1 took the men into custody, and asked how they came possessed of it. Turvey said that the boy would tell me all about it. Rush said be knew nothing about it, and that he was taken up by Turvey between Brook Street and Hare Street. I apprehended Shipman next day, and on 19th I took Mingay and Cracknell in Warley Wood. Cracknell attempted to run away.
James Othen, patrol corroborated Weston's evidence; and added that Turvey stated that he took up Rush just before he got to Romford, but that he knew nothing of him.
Robert Goodwin. I am in the employ of Swanborough and Co., of Bread Street. On the 6th of March a packet of goods, containing 25 pieces of printed cotton, was sent from our house, directed to Thomas Knight, Colchester." [The cotton found in the cart was produced, and witness identified it by a private mark.] The cotton was worth £l7. 5s.
James Livermore, constable of Brentwood, proved, seeing all the prisoners and principals together late on the evening of the 15th at the Swan.
John Okey, shoemaker, Brentwood on the 19th ult. saw Cracknell and Mingay standing together. A girl spoke to them when they walked away a short distance and then ran. A few minutes after, WEston came up in pursuit of them.
In defence Turvey stated that some man with a smock frock asked him to take the parcel to London. The other prisoners declared their innocence.
Several respectable witnesses were called, who stated that they had employed Turvey to receive their goods and always considered him a trustworthy man - Mr Geo Bridger, builder of Algate, had employed Rush for eight years, and might probably again take him into service if he was discharged.
Certificates were produced of the former convictions of James Shipman and Mingay.
The Jury consulted a few minutes and returned a verdict of guilty against all prisoners.
The Learned Chairman then addressed then as follows - Five of you have been found guilty of a wholesale robbery of valuable property, and two of receiving the same. It appears to the Court that it would not be doing its duty if it did not rid the country of you all. With respect to you Turvey and Rush, the Court if very strongly of the opinion. It has been truly said that if there were no receivers there would be no thieves, and probably in this case the property would not have been stolen if means of disposing of it had not been afford. He then sentenced them to seven years transportation. Mingay, on leaving the dock exclaimed ' Thank ye. Sir, you're overdone it this time.'
William Shipman could read and write. James could not. William was assigned to the Government Public Works and in 1840 received his Ticket of Leave for the District of Campbelltown. He married Mary Anne Friend at Jamberoo in 1849, and died just five years later, aged about 37.
James received his Ticket of Leave in 1840, and was allowed to stay in the Illawarra. He married Mary Jordan, at Wollongong in 1848. Mary was Irish and Catholic and about 20 years younger than James.
James and Mary farmed at Shellharbour in the area known today as Shipman’s Hill at Flinders. Their first eight children were born here from 1849-1862.
In February 1861, their son aged about six (probably William or Henry), was bitten on the foot by a snake whilst picking melons. James applied a ligature to his ankle, cut out the part bitten, and sucked on the wound for some time. A local Aboriginal man ‘Jacky’, was sent for and he continued to suck the wound for over an hour. A mustard poultice was applied and the boy recovered (Illawarra Mercury Friday 1 March 1861).
A month later, their six-month-old baby, Susan died. She was buried at the old sand cemetery at Shellharbour.
James and Mary moved to Robertson soon after this, where five more children were born from 1864 to 1872.
In 1864, Mary Shipman was a witness in a court proceeding. By this time, the family lived at Kangaloon. In court Mary stated -
‘I formally lived at Shellharbour, and Mr Towns was the landlord;
about the beginning of the year my husband owed some money for rent,
and a distress was put in upon the premises; there were some things seized.’
Sydney Morning Herald Friday 22 April 1864.
Mary Shipman died at Glenreagh in the Clarence Valley in 1892 when she was 60 years old. She had suffered a long and painful illness, and died of carbuncle, and old term for a bacterial skin infection that probably led to blood poisoning.
James died at his son Robert’s house at Kangaloon in 1899. He was 90 years old.
Shipman, James and William. Shellharbour City Council, accessed 24/10/2026, https://discover.shellharbour.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/18198