Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Alexander Pearce - 'Narrative of the escape of eight convicts from Macquarie Harbour in Sep. 1822, and of their murders and cannibalism committed during their wanderings', ca. 1824
DLMS 3

[Transcriber's note:
This is a rollicking story of escape, adventure, misfortune and intrigue made all the more amazing because it is written or related by the survivor of an escape in September 1822 by eight prisoners from a gaol in Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania’s west coast and their trip across the wilderness of central Tasmania. Unfortunately it is not the entire record as it starts and ends in mid-sentence. Nevertheless, a worthy read.]

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To the Coal Works where they were accompanied by Robert Greenhill – it appeared that this had been in contemplation a considerable time before the opportunity served to answer their rash & disobedient step they now took for as soon as Greenhill perceived the boat approaching the Coal works he was in perfect readings to go with them. Six out of the seven immediately disembarked being armed each with an Axe & proceeded toward the Hut where the men who were employ’d resided in – taking therefrom all the provisions they could find which was about 10lbs of Flour 6lbs of beef & an Axe acting with the greatest precaution by extinguishing the Fire To prevent them from making Signals to the Island. They swamp’d one boat & then proceeded down the River but discovering a light astern were very apprehensive that

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there was some persons after which induced them to disembark near Philips Island here a Consultation took place between them respecting the manner in which they should dispose of the boat & Sails upon which they agreed to Cut her to pieces & to Secret the sails near the place where they was, the then proceeded on their first days journey every Man carrying a Equal share of the Luggage bending their Course towards a High Mountain at which they arrived at about 3 oclock on ascending it they could very distinctly perceive Macquarie harbour & the Island which is inhabited by the Officers & Military they secreted themselves as much as they possibly could behind the Brushiest parts of the mountain they could find, least the Commandant should by the assistance of

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his Telescope perceive them the principal part of the Mountain being so barren & they being so many in number they travelled on in this cautious manner until they arrived at the Summit of the Mountain which was evening here they remained the whole of that night after making the necessary fires for securing themselves from the Inclemency of the weather & regaling themselves with a little of their provisions after the Fatigues of the days Journey they considered it requisite that one of them should watch while the others slept a method that is always adopted by persons in Similar Situations. Early the next morning they arose after arrainging matters respecting their luggage & kept the Tops of Mountains for their travelling for the purpose of

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eluding the vigilant search we were confident would be made after them, They had proceeded far on this days journey before one of them named Brown he suffering more by the fatigues of the journey than the others could not keep pace with them & was frequently at a considerable distance behind them which compelled them to stop for him which delayed much of their time. Brown informed his companions of his inability for travelling being so very weak upon which they informed him that it was their determination to leave him if he did not endeavour to keep pace with them alluding they would not loose so good an Opportunity of gaining their Liberty through him, notwithstanding he still protested his inability & weakness alluding to his being so long in confinement; they heard all these

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Remonstrances & compassionated his sufferings which excited them to endeavour to keep him up with them by easing him of his burden they travelled the whole of this day in this manner until the evening when they arrived at a small Mark near which ran a Creek of Water here they agreed to take up their abode for the night they accordingly made a fire & recruited their Spirits by eating part of their provisions. The ground over which they travelled being dreadfully rough & bushy prevented them from making so great a progress on their Journey as they would wish, they arose at the very dawn of day the third morning & proceeded on their journey through thick woods of Brush in a very Melancholy state. The Weather began to be very unfavourable for them

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for it kept on a constant rain which greatly added to make them far Miserabler than they was & was also excessively cold particularly at nights & they not having sufficient nourishment & being exposed so much to the night dews greatly impaired their constitutions they durst not use that Freedom with their provisions that they would wished to have done allowing themselves scarcely sufficient to keep themselves alive, toward’s the evening they arrived at a small plain & being much fatigued resolved to remain there that night. They now began to Consider themselves entirely out of the reach of their pursuers & were resolved to cross the Rivers as soon as possible.
4th The whole of this day they were travelling on Brush Ground & the Weather still continuing

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[Some correction to the English have been made in pencil on this page. These corrections have been ignored.]
to be very wet & foggy made it very disagreeable travelling at Sun Set they arrived at a high barren Hill on ascending it they could not perceive a single Tree nothing but small sticks of Decayed Brush & having made a considerable distance up it they were resolved not to turn back & as it was night they would rather remain were they was than proceed any further as it would be very difficult travelling in the dark they agreed to remain there that night but it gave them considerable trouble to procure a sufficient Quantity to make the necessary fires for the night to secure themselves from the cold air & night dews, their provisions began to be very low & not the least prospect of procuring any more for there was not a single Reptile in that part of the Country where they was

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that they could find it being so excessively Barren, cold, & Mountainous some of them began to see their Folly & wished themselves at Macquarie Harbour although it was a place where they undoubtedly had to encounter difficulties still they had plunged themselves into greater miseries & hardships than could ever be experienced at that place by them & not the least prospect of ever arriving at any place from whence they might expect to find relief. on the 5th day The weather still continuing to be very wet, the rain falling in torrents, made them very uncomfortable which enabled them to make but very little progress on their Journey the first place

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they arrived at which might afford them any shelter for the night they stop’d at & remained in a very dejected state until the 6th Evening. on the seventh morning the elements had a promising appearance & the weather becoming more favourable elevated their spirits & encouraged them to proceed on their Journey over the Summits of a Teir of Mountains near to that one called Frenchmans Cap where they could discern Macquarie Harbour at about the distance of 20 or 30 Miles. they proceeded on this way until the evening when they all employed themselves cutting small Boughs of the trees to make break winds the Wind blowing so excessively

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Cold on the Top of these Mountains – they arose early on the 8th morning the weather still continuing to be favourable, in consequence of the Brush being so excessively thick they were compelled to direct one of them to go foremost in the turns for the purpose of making way for the rest of them, they had not advanced far in this way before they missed three of their Companions Fizl [viz?] William Brown, William Kennerly & Alex Dalton. as soon as they missed their companions they stop’d frequently Coohing [i.e. calling out] not at all suspecting that they left them with a view of returning to Macquarie Harbour as it afterwards appeared but not seeing any signs of their companions which gave them

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a great deal of Concern & compell’d them to hurry themselves on their journey for fear they should return to Macquarie Harbour & give such information as would be the means of parties of the Military being sent in quest of them – on the 10th day it rained very fast which added to make them miserable but it did not prevent their travelling. We accordingly descended the Mountains which Appeared at first to be impossible to effect a passage it being so rough & Steep they at length with great Trouble effected a passage to the river on the 11th evening where they remained that night. Early the next morning they arose & Consulted among themselves respecting the manner in which they could be able to cross the River

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with safety as two of them could not Swim they accordingly agreed that those who could should swim to some rocks that stood near the centre of the river carrying with them the Whattle pole of 30 or 40 Feet in length handing it to each of them that could not swim which they accordingly did & thus the whole of them cross’d it with safety they then proceeded travelling through a very mountainous Country suffering much for the want of provisions & being so dreadfully weak from the effects of being exposed to the night dews - & cold – their clothing being torn from their backs by the Brush & Rocks & their shoes being totally worn out gave them considerable pain to travel nonetheless they endeavoured to make some little progress on their journey each day though sometimes they could not exceed 4 or 5 Miles a day until the 15th Day when they arrived at a River which

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they supposed to be gordons River inconsequence of their being so weak & exhausted durst not venture to cross the river – here they sat down and being almost famished for want of food began to intimate to each other that it would be much better for One to be sacrificed as food for the rest than the whole of them to perish for want, which must undoubtedly take place unless the proposal was agreed on – being as I have before mentioned, all so dreadfully weak & nearly Starved for the want of food that they were all tired for their lives – therefore the proposal appeared to have been unanimous & they began to make preparations for the horrid Ceremony – they according cast lots who should suffer. The lot fell upon Thos Bodenham. This unfortunate man did not appear the least affected. he

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usued no kind of Language by way of Soliciting their Compassion as many would think he would, the only request he had to make was they would allow him a few minutes to implore pardon of his offended Maker for his past Offences before they commenced with the horrid Ceremony. This they granted & would have given him a longer period than he required. It appears from the verbal Account given us by the Survivor that Greenhill & Traviss requested the other two to go & gather wood at some distance for the purpose of making fires alluding that it perhaps would appear disagreeable to them & equally difficult to get one to volunteer his services as Executioner - & that as he had been place’d by Fortune in a Similar Situation before

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when he had acted as Executioner he would have no objections to fulfill the same office in this case his proposal met the wishes of his Companions, who went to gather wood To recruit the Fire. Then Greenhill taking the Axe gave the unfortunate Culprit Bodenham a Severe blow on the Head which soon deprived him of his life – then taking his knife began to cut the Body to pieces on the return of the other two who were gathering wood a fire was immediately kindled & several pieces of the Body placed thereon to cook which they soon devoured very greedily. It is very natural to suppose that they would most certainly feel much affected at the event of such disagreeable & distressing Circumstances, here we see a young man of about 21 years of Age plunge himself into the gulph of Wretchedness & Misery by applying his

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abilities to bad purposes thus fall a victim to his own folly. The manner in which Greenhill addressed themselves to him on this Occasion was so deeply impress’d on the mind of his Companions that they acted with the greatest precaution for being sensible of his Bloodthirsty disposition they were afraid he would embrace some Clandestine opportunity of taking their lives as soon as they should consume the Carcass of their unfortunate Companion Bodenham – It appears that Greenhill & Traviss were sent to Macquarie Harbour for Seizing in a Piratical manner a Schooner from the Derwent & therefore had a respect for each other which they often showed to each other in many

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Respects – this the other two perceived but not without being concerned & were intent upon guarding against attempts, that might be made by Greenhill & Traviss to Murder them. we travelled on this way for 3 Days subsisting on nothing but the Carcass of unfortunate Bodenham which scarcely kept the Faculties in motion. we had the misfortune to drop our Fire Works early this morning & considering they had lost them it gave them considerable trouble & uneasiness on remembering the road they came they were determined to back in search of them which they did & succeeded in finding them, had they lost them entirely they could not travel much further, for being destitute of Food & having no fire they could

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not exist much longer in so weak & Exhausted a state they then proceeded as usual Travelling as before Crossing the lofty Mountains principally covered with bush & that so extremely Thick made it very bad walking for the space of 4 days when they arrived at a small Valley in which were growing great quantities of Fearn root at which place there was a Creek of Water which afforded them an opportunity of reposing themselves the weather being tolerably fine. Mathers employed in gathering some of the youngest of the fearn root he could find, after he had gathered as much as he considered sufficient, he he put them in a small tin pot they had

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with them placed them on the fire to boil – which when done he began to devour very greedily he had not eaten it long before he found it would not rest on his stomach (no wonder) for such a mess It could not be expected would ever digest in any --- Mortal whatever, which occasioned him to vomit to ease his Stomach & while in the act of discharging it from his Chest, Greenhill still showing his spontaneous habit of bloodskill seized the Axe & crept behind him gave him a blow to the head, which did not have its desired effect upon this Matthers arose & immediately seized Greenhill & wrestled the Axe from him which he succeeded in getting, but Matthers did not seek for revenge as might naturally be expected he would he was of a different

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disposition altogether, he wished to employ Tranquillity. During the scuffle the other two arose to prevent anything that might occur in respect to Mathers seeking revenge but he only requested they would promise that Greenhill should not be permitted to carry the Axe in his possesion any more this they agreed too - & thus pacified Mathers – after this altercation took place he had but little to say to Greenhill he frequently intimated to Pearce that he thought it was the determination of Greenhill & Traviss To embrace the first opportunity, as the[y] always had a partial respect for each other, & Murder him in some Clandesdine manner requesting that as they appeared to be so intimate it would be wisdom on their part to make each other acquainted with whater they

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perceived in any way Treacherous or deceitful in either Greenhill or Traviss they then proceeded travelling in a far worse state than before although the weather had become in some measure considerably favourabler than it was at the commencement of their Journey, although their Miseries were mitigated in this point, still they were considerably augmented by such [Indecipherable – word erased] & distressing circumstances – on the second day after this altercation having not the least morsel of anything to satisfy their appetites with being dreadfully fatigued & near a Creek of Water they agreed to take up their abode for the night. It appears that Matthers being the

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person on whom Greenhill & Traviss were mostly against & the only hopes of Having relief were solely founded on him Pearce who had previous to this sworn to be his confidential friend & to make him acquainted with those proceedings which were or appeared injurious to his Interests now became his enemy, & began to associate with Greenhill & Traviss to deprive unfortunate Mathers of his life accordingly when they all were seated by the fire in a very pensive & Melancholy mood – Mathers had previously discovered the deception of Pearce was much distressed in his mind, had placed himself at a distance from the rest, to guard against any attempt that might be made by them against him -

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hereupon the other Three consulted to take his life to satisfy their hungry appetites with accordingly one of them under the pretence of gathering wood for the fire drew near to were he sat & siezed him & drag’d him to the ground the others perceiving immediately rush’d on him striking him with the Axe on the Head which soon terminated his – Existence they then began to dissect him which was soon accomplished, they then place several pieces of him on the fire which they very soon devoured & having appeased their cannibal appetites laid themselves down by the fire when Greenhill (his spirits being elevated by the sumptuous repast he had eaten) addressed himself to his other Two Companions

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alluding that he could then proceed on his journey considerably better, than if Mathers was still Existing, at the same time considering that they must be drawing very near to some Settlement or Habitation which was impossible for them to tell the Moment they should arrive at, & should Mathers be with them it would be impossible for them to conceal the Murder of their unfortunate deceased Companion Bodenham – for he was apprehensive that Mathers would embrace the first opportunity of Going to Hobart Town & give information against them for the Murder as also, for his striking him with the Axe, that he also considered it much better to rid the World of such a Character than let him live to torment & deceive Society.

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The dissimulating speech of Greenhill being heard by his Companions who appeared to be of the same opinion as him alluding to the observation he had made was in every point very just but Instead of their minds being the same as his they were different, for it was actual necessity that drove them to the Commission of such Horrid & Barbarous Actions for had they considered themselves as near any Settlement as he represented he did, they never would consent to the Murder of Mathers this certainly makes it appear very evident that Greenhill had harboured a spark of Animosity against Mathers a Considerable time before this affair occured, & being drove the last extremity of distress & hunger had made him the object of his revenge, Thus we see the unfortunate

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Mathers fall a victim to his own folly. he was a man naturally of a humane & forgiving disposition & perhaps one in whom the most guarded secrecy might be reposed without any danger – although Greenhill had endeavoured to represent him as a different Character to his other Companions. The other two always gave way to what Greenhill proposed & allowed him to be their Guide in travelling their judgement in point of this was perhaps equally as good as his, for fear that by appearing different with him in opinions, might incur his displeasure he would embrace an opportunity of Murdering them, when asleep – here after they had satisfied their appetites they collected what remained of the carcass

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& laid themselves down to repose - early the next morning they arose & after eating some more of the carcass they proceeded on their Journey crossing several Teirs of high Hills some of which were entirely Barren & some very Fertile the principal part being forest ground made it considerably better Travelling than it was at the commencement of their unfortunate Journey
on the fourth day after the death of Mathers, Traviss had his foot stung by some venemous reptile which so affected his leg as to make him despair of ever arriving at the summit of his wishes finding himself much worse told his companions that it was folly for them to delay time waiting for him as he was totally unfit to proceed any further requesting that as they still had some part of the Flesh of Mathers

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& being only two of them left it would be sufficient Quantity to supply them for the remainder of their Journey which in all probability would not exceed many days, that they not serve him as they had done the other two, addressing himself to Greenhill he said in a pitiful tone, that as they had been Companions for so long a time both in days of Prosperity as well as in the present days of Adversity where they always communicated to each other their Intentions & determinations on every subject & had intrusted each other with the most guarded secrets, he trusted & hoped that they would not delay time in waiting for him but to proceed on their Journey & leave him where he was that he might have an opportunity of making his peace with his Maker before he expired

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as he was convinced that the dissolution of his Mortal Tabernacle was fast approaching. Greenhill was much affected at the Solicitations of his unfortunate Companion but it appeared that he had some Idea he would recover, which made him remain with him for five days, during which time he rendered him all the assistance that Circumstances would then allow, unfortunate Traviss was all this time in great agitation for fear that they would dispose of him as had been done by the others & was continually watching the manouvers of the others, he was not so much afraid of Greenhill as he was of Pearce for seeing nearly the whole of their provisions expended was apprehensive that the same measures would be adopted which had been & he was confident that

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he would be the victim. The unfortunate Man all this time had little but no sleep – his mind was in the greatest distress & agitation & he began to be nearly deranged enough to make him, he was apprehensive that Pearce would endeavour to instill in the Mind of Greenhill the thought of Murdering him. In short the feelings of unfortunate Traviss must evidently be better imagined than described on the 6th morning Greenhill proposed proceeding on their Journey at the same time informing Traviss to raise his spirits & not to despair, for they should soon be where they would have plenty of Fresh Mutton & that he would render him all the assistance that he possibly could for he never could think of leaving him in such a dreadful situation

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informing him that as he intended to proceed on the Journey, he should not think of going without him, for should he have to carry him the whole of the way he would rather do it than leave him, this was great encouragement for Traviss to think that there was too strong a Tye of Affection between them to be broken by the deceitful endeavours of Pearce they accordingly began to proceed on their Journey though they made but very little progress, Traviss’s foot being so dreadfully swell’d they rendering him all the assistance they could when they ascended the Hills or in crossing Creeks of water, this much fatigued the other two & poor Traviss was much more so than them, he suffering

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by the misfortune that happened his leg at length with much difficulty they cross’d a lofty teir of Hills at the foot of which ran a large River here they took up their abode for the night & being dreadfully fatigued lay themselves down by a fire that they had made, to seek the sweets of repose, unfortunate Traviss soon fell off in a profound sleep, the others perceiving began to Comment on the impossibility of ever being able to keep Traviss up with them for their strength was nearly exhausted it was impossible for them to think of making any Settlement unless they left him & as they were quite out of provision

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it would be folly for them to leave him for his flesh would answer as well for Subsistence as the others & therefore it would be a piece of Ignorance on their part to remain with him as they had done before – for if they did & having nothing to eat they would soon be as unfit for travelling as Traviss himself was, here their Conversation was interrupted for Traviss awaken’d by the dreadful aching of his leg & perceiving them near each other as though they had been conversing with each other, in the greatest of agony requested them, in the most affecting manner not to delay themselves

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any longer for it was morally impossible for him to attempt Travelling any more & therefore it would be useless for them to attempt to take him with them, in this manner he Conversed untill his foot was in some measure easier by means of the pain abating – when he again fell of in a sound sleep, the remonstrations of Traviss strengthened the designs of his Companions – for they no sooner perceived him again asleep than they unanimously agreed to act by him as they had done by the other two accordingly one of them took the Axe

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being driven by the greatest distress & hunger, & gave him a blow on the Head, which soon terminated his life. The unfortunate Traviss did not linger long after the fatal blow was struck, for he was nearly dead before he only stretched himself in his agony & then expired, Greenhill was much affected at this horrid scene & stood quite motionless to see one who had been his companion throughout the whole of Troubles compell’d to be slaughtered as food for to subsist on for he had been unfortunate to have

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escaped from being stung there was such a strong tye of affection between him & Greenhill that Pearce would most evidently have fallen the first victim, after Mathers’s carcass was disposed of. They then commenced with dissecting this unfortunate Man - & placed several pieces of him on the fire soon began to devour him. having appeased their appetites they lay themselves down to sleep. Thus fell the unfortunate Traviss. This man it appears from the most authentic accounts to be a person

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who regarded his Liberty as one of the Greatest Blessings kind providence bestows – for he made, as I have before inserted, an attempt to effect his escape from the colony by associating himself with some others in taking a small Schooner – when enjoying a life of ease & plenty for at the same time he was proprietor of a Good Farm - & in a good state of Cultivation with a Good Flock of sheep but still we find he should rather hazard his life in the great cause of his liberty than live in a state of Exilement.

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here they remained at the place where they slaughtered Traviss during which time they done nothing but Gorge themselves on the carcass, & sleep for two days. There being only two of these unfortunate men out of the eight that first started, they protested to each other the greatest Fidelity & Friendship & as they always had travell’d by the Sun or Moon they were confident that they could not be very far from some Settlement or Stock Run, That with the flesh of Traviss’s & what reptile they could get out of the Rotten Trees.

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There was not the least doubt that they should soon arrive at some place where they would be able to get some relief. They then gathered all that remained of the flesh & after packing it up very carefully proceeded on their Journey, over a very high Teir of Hills until they arrived at a most beautiful plain
At the first sight of these plains from the mountains they thought it was a Settlement & their hearts leap’d with joy, but how distressing must it have been to them when they found they

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were dissappointed for what they took to be the Settlement, proved to be no more than a Beautiful & extensive plain but still they did not despair but doubted not but it was a Stock run, this Idea gave them Considerable Trouble for they employed themselves nearly a whole day in searching to find if they could discover the Traces of Sheep or Cattle. Finding themselves totally disappointed they were resolved to loose as little time as possible but to proceed along these plains which were about 30 or 40 Miles in length & about 12 or 14 in

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Breadth. at the extent of these plains they perceived a Smoke which again raised their spirits to go & see what it was whatever the result would be, on approaching near it they heard the voices of some Human beings Conversing but could not understand what they said, this convinced them they were a Tribe of Black Natives - & they knowing that they were seldom or ever without Kangaroos Opossums or other Beast, made them form a resolution of rushing them without any hesitation accordingly they got themselves in readiness. the one

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furnishing himself with a large stick& the other with the Axe then both of them crept slily in ambush until they drew within 20 or 30 yards of them. then they both rushed at them each exerting his utmost strength, striking several of these unfortunate Blacks some severe blows which so terrified them that they all Immediately dispersed in the greatest Confusion to a very Bushy place in the Creek leaving behind them all they were posses’d off, which was consisting of Kangaroo’s flesh Oppossum skins &

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other reptiles, It is impossible to describe the Bewildered & Confused state of these unfortunate Blacks deserted their fires. There was from 40 to 50 of them in number & several Children with them which made a most frightful noise, as soon as Greenhill & Pearce found they had succeeded in their bold & daring enterprize & finding themselves masters of such a valuable store of provisions than they began to destroy their spears by putting them in the fires. They collected all the Kangaroo skins & Flesh & made the best of their way from the place

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for fear that they should summon courage enough to follow them for if they did & succeeded in coming up with them they would not have the least shadow of Chance of escaping without being dreadfully hurt if not cruelly murdered, for although these natives are not cannibals, there has been several instances of people being Barbarously Murdered by them in several parts of the colony, but fortunately they did not follow them. when they considered that they were out of the reach of

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the Blacks they stopt & made a fire & commenced cooking the Kangaroo’s flesh which was no sooner done than they began to devour with the greediness of Cannibals having appeased their appetites they lay themselves down to rest as well satisfied as though they had regaled themselves with the Greatest luxuries the land could afford, for they were as proud of their booty as a Monarch would be at the Success of gaining a decisive victory over his most enveterated enemy – here they remained all night, highly pleased with

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the success of the day early the next morning they arose & eat some part of their provision & after collecting all the fragments that remained, again proceeded on their journey, though they were dredfully reduced in strength & their constitutions dreadfully reduced in strength by the fatigues of this distressing journey – being exposed to the night dews & Cold they being nearly naked & quite barefoot. Their flesh was dreadfully lacerated & torn by the rocks & Briars several ulcerated we[re] showing themselves in several parts of their Bodies which certainly

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must have given them great pain to travel, but they were favoured with forest ground principally. & the Mountains were not so rocky or difficult to ascend as they had been in this manner they proceeded on their Journey their stock of provisions began to be nearly exhausted & no better prospect of arriving at the Summit of their hopes than there was at the associatiation of Travis. They began to murmur with each other considering themselves intirely lost for although they always travelld by observations they took from the Sun

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or Moon yet they were apprehensive they had been Misled & they began to be intimidated at each other Greenhill always kept the Axe in his possesion which made Pearce very shy, he would not associate with him as usual & when they Halted at nights Pearce always made a fire at such a distance from Greenhill as he considered far enough to prevent any attack that might be made by him – but luckily one day they perceived a smoke which they rightly conjectured to be Natives & they began to prepare themselves for attacking them

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as they had done the other Tribe they according lay in ambush until the evening when they approach’d near to them when they perceived about 18 or 20 Blacks all seated round a fire feasting themselves on Kangaroo, Birds, Oppossums, & other reptiles they then Immediately rush’d out & so surprised them that they immediately abandoned their positions & dispersed in the midst of the Greatest noise & Confusion, leaving the whole of their store of provision or what they subsist on, as also their warlike implements

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which was Spear & Clubs called waddies all of which they immediately dispatched to the flames. the next thing they did was to collect all the provision that was there which when done they soon made off with the Booty much better pleased with it - than if it had been as much gold. They proceeded for about 2 Miles until they arrived at a small Creek here they determined to remain that night & very eagerly began to devour some of the Kangaroo until they had satisfied their appetites they then lay themselves down

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to sleep – nearer to each other than they had done for several days they began to converse with each other in the mutualest manner they possibly could – appearently on the strongest terms of Friendship – early the next morning they arose & again began to feast themselves on the Kangaroo – They then proceeded on their Journey until they arrived at a Teir of hills when they had ascended to the Top they perceived a very High Mountain at a considerable [distance] from [them] laying directly in the way that they were then

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steering which they supposed to be the Table Mountain, here a unexpressible beam of joy arose in their breasts at the sight of this Mountain – for Pearce had formerly resided there at a Stock Run as Shepherd & he informing Greenhill that he was positive it was the Table Mountain this gave them great encouragement to hasten themselves on their Journey, they computed the distance that they were from it to be about 20 Miles which would not take them above 2 days to travel too – they accordingly walked the whole of that

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day until the evening when they halted near a Rivulet of Water & eat more freeer of their stock of Kangaroo than they ought to have done. Here they remained the whole of that night & early the next morning they arose & took some part of their provision before they proceeded on their Journey – they travelled the whole of this day on very good Ground until about 12 oclock when drawing near to the foot of the Mountain it was but very indifferent travelling it being very Brushy & Rocky.

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[The narrative now appears to be written by a different person as the writing is quite different from the preceding 56 pages. Pearce is now referred to as "I" so it seems the previous pages might have been dictated by Pearce.]
Where is the Tongue that can find language to express the grief that at once Surrounded them when to their great surprise they found it was not the Table Mountain here they were buried in oblivion surrounded by a large mountain not knowing where they were they at last came to a determination to travel on which they accordingly did, there being only two of us out of the eight & I knowing the Murderous disposition of Greenhill was compelled to act with the greates policy seldom or ever sleeping at night he also acted with the same precaution least I should act by him as I Considered he would by me – we travelled on for several Days over a most delightful Country subsisting on nothing but the flesh of unfortunate Traviss we cross’d two large rivers but it was with considerable

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Difficulty being so dreadfully weak and exhausted. We arrived at several Native Huts where we surprised the Natives who were all immediately dispersed in the greatest confusion to the Bushiest places they could find leaving behind them several skins of kangaroo Oppossums & the flesh of other reptiles which we soon devoured being as well satisfied as if we had dined of the greatest luxuries the Lord could produce we then proceeded on our distressing journey our spirits being somewhat resucited by the Sumptuous repast we lately have the good fortune to meet with. we were apprehensive that we could not be far from Some Stockeepers Residence it being such remarkable good Travelling and such a delightful Country around us nevertheless I began to discover Something of an eviler Tendency in the disposition of Greenhill he being so desirous of having the Axe in his possession but

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I acted with the greatest precaution never trusting myself near him particularly at night for when we halted at any place to rest ourselves where we made a fire I always on the opposite remained. One Evening when we were both lay down he pretended to be asleep & I just in the act of slumbering when I perceived him raise himself up taking the Axe with him in his hand on discovering this I immediately rose as though out of a slumber appearing as I had not perceived him fortunate it was for me that I was not asleep for had I been I should have shared the same fate as the others. This piece of treachery on the part of Greenhill so much affected me that I was determined to embrace the first opportunity of leaving him but he having possession of the Axe at this time

[Page 60]
made me form a resolution of getting possession of the Axe at this time made me form a resolution of getting possession of it we proceeded on travelling for a few Days Continually watching each other during which time he made several attempts to affect his purpose but I always guarded against such attempts & frustrated his design one evening when he was asleep I crept slily to the bush where he lay & took the Axe from under his Head and gave him a severe blow on the Head which deprived him of his life I then left him proceeding on my journey for several days & one day had the good fortune to catch two young Ducks which greatly added to relieve my then distressed and deplorable condition on the seventh day after leaving Greenhill while Travelling through a large marsh

[Page 61]
The weather began to be very warm I was suddenly surprised at hearing the noise of a flock of Sheep I could not believe my Ears but when I found it was so I was almost speechless in short my feelings at this moment are better imagined than described I accordingly went to the place from whence the sound proceeded & drove the sheep together in a very rocky place amongst bush until I had them in a Cluster one on the top of the other I made a rush at them & caught one which I draged me 20 or 30 yards down the rocks I being so weak was Compelled to quit my hold I was much hurt by the fall but when I recovered I gathered the flock together again and caught a Lamb which I made myself master of & soon cut its throat being so very hungry I began to eat the flesh raw when

[Page 62]
On a sudden I heard the Noise of Dogs behind me & a man accosted me by telling me to leave the Sheep alone or he would blow my brains out at the same time presenting his musket at me he asked me where the flock was for it appeared he had lost them the whole of the Day I accordingly acquainted him where the[y] was as soon as he heard my Voice he knew me & said is it possible that this is Pearce I told him it was & he immediately took me to his feet but taking with him the sheep where he cooked part of it & made a Comfortable meal useing[?] me with the tenderness of a Count[?] for several Days until I had recovered myself but I was dreadfully weak on the 5th Day I left this hospital Hut and on my departure he gave me as much provision as I though proper to take with me. I now knew where I was and went a few miles to another stock hut where I knew the stockeeper who acted to me with the greatest Ho[spitality] giving me [Indecipherable]

[Page 63]
I being almost naked my clothing being torn from my back my flesh being almost torn from my bones by the Bush my beard was 3 or 4 inches in length in short my figure was actual distressing & would have moved the hardest Heart to pity me I remained under the roof of this Charitable Stockeeper for a space of Eleven days during which time I recovered greatly, after leaving this Hut I made the best of my way to a Hut that I had built about six months before this time here I had left some flour and several useful articles all of which I found as I left them with the exception of the flour which was rather damaged by the damp here I remained seven Days & then returned to the hut that I lastly left but the stockeeper was not at home he being gone to Hobt Town but I found everything compact, here I resided for 2 days without ever seeing any Person on the second day just as I was undressing [Indecipherable] to bed I suddenly

[Page 64]
heard the whistle of a man very near the Hut I immediately went to the Door but I could not perceive any person near it being black. I then shut the Door and sat myself Down. when I heard the whistle again, I opened the Door a second time when I perceived two Men then at the Distance of about 40 yards who immediately called to me to come to them I proceeded towards them on coming near them I perceived they both were armed with Muskets having knapsacks on their Backs and 3 or 4 Kangaroo Dogs they desired me to tell them who I was and what was become of the Stockeeper I informed them that I was the Person who affected escape from the New Settlement they told me they thought I was one of the Military and should I prove to be such I might expect no Mercy I at length with much difficulty removed their doubts by assuring them I was actually the person that I Represented myself to be, I informed [Indecipherable]

[Page 65]
had not been at home these two Days I at length prevailed on them to come with me to the Hut when we arrived at the Door they desired me to go in first and light the lamp which I did their examining well the outside of the premises then one of them followed me in searching very Circumspectly about the Interior of the Hut the other one remaining outside in a posture of defence after searching till they were convinced there was no person near, the other one entered, I immediately placed the pot on the fire, and cooked some supper for them after regaling themselves they began to converse with me. Respecting a person that I was well acquainted with as they were, they informed me that they were going to another Hut about 3 Miles distant from where we were Informing me that I should go with them which I consented to we according went and after having arranged their private affairs with the person there we returned back to the Hut again where we remained that Night. During the considerable [Indecipherable] of the evening Ralph Churton [Indecipherable but from other sources Churton asked Pearce to ... ]

[Page 66]
to associate with them where I should be enjoying a life of ease and plenty, than to go to Hobart Town to surrender myself for I should perhaps be sent to Macquarie Harbour again. I accordingly consented to the proposal early the next morning we took our departure from the Hut proceeding along the western Tier for about the distance of 7 or 8 Miles from the Shannon Hut where they brought me to a place where they had 180 Sheep secreted they had also two Huts erected here well stored with flour and every thing that they Could Require to supply their wants also 2 Fowling Pieces 3 more Pistols 2 Frying pans 2 iron Cots and several small utensils 3 pounds of Powder in Cannisters 2 Silver Watches three pounds Sterling in Dollars and 7 Pounds in Promissory Notes which is concealed in a hollow tree directly opposite the Hut door this money and watches they had received as payment for Sheep which they

[Page 67]
always sold considerably under value it was not intended to be left there long only until they should return but unfortunately they were taken before they had left it many Days, we remained at this place 6 weeks untill the ears of the Sheep were well being much disfigured by fresh marking them we then proceeded towards Lovely Banks bringing with us the Sheep when at about the distance of 12 Miles from the Lovely Banks we suddenly fell in with a party of the 48th Regiment then in pursuit of us we decamped but it was with considerable difficulty that we could escape being compelled not only to loose the Sheep but also to throw our knapsacks of[f] our Backs and leave them also which was a great loss to us, being stored well with articles that we mostly wanted we then proceeded towards Daviss’s Place where we remained, 2 Days afterwards we went to the Green Point where we got a Supply of provisions we next went to the big lagoon to [Indecipherable] Mr Daviss

[Page 68]
Stock Hut where there was a black Native Girl which we intended to take away with us to the Big Lake to a Stockeeper there who is in want of one, but we were disappointed, we next proceeded towards my Companion Daviss premises again when at about the Distance of 2 Miles from the house we were surprised by a party of the 48th Regiment who came on us when we were resting ourselves beneath the Shade of a Tree Daviss was the first who perceived them & was in the act of retreating but was unluckily shot through the Thigh and Arm the party then siezed on me and Churton before we could rise and secured us and brought us to Hobart Town where we remained for a few Days when Dave’s and Churton were charged with Stealing Sheep to the number of 500 they underwent a Strict examination before Mr Adolirius Henry Humfrey Esquire Magistrate

[Page 69]
of Hobart Town. It was proved by several witnesses that the Sheep in question were the property of John Cassidy a Setter at the Old Beach and that the aforesaid Churton were the persons who stole the Said Sheep the property of the aforesaid John Cassidy under the Circumstances of the examination they were committed to have an examination before the Bench of Magistrates wherein they were fully Committed to abide their Trial before a court of Criminal Jurisdiction at Hobt Town there they remained untill the month of February 1823 When His Honor Judge Wylde opened the Sessions at Hobt Town for the Trial of prisoners, at length the Day approached when they appeared before the Tribunal of Justice to answer to the charge that they had now to stand the hazard of their lives for, They were

[Page 70]
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[Transcriber’s notes:
If so wished, do not read these three paragraphs until the narrative has been read as they summarise the story.

In September 1822 when the weather in Tasmania is still cold and wet, eight prisoners escaped from a prison in Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania’s west coast and try to make their way east towards Hobart. One by one they disappear or die in different ways. The prisoners were Robert Greenhill (first mentioned on page 1, died on page 60), William Brown (first mentioned on page 7, disappeared on page 13), William Kennerly (only mentioned on page 13), Alex Dalton (only mentioned on page 13), Thomas Bodenham (first mentioned on page 16, died on page 18), Matthew Traviss who was Greenhill’s friend (first mentioned on page 17, died on page 38), Mathers (first mentioned on page 21, died on page 26), Alexander Pearce (first mentioned on page 23 and often spoken of in the third person. The writing changes on page 57 and it then seems to have been written by Pearce who then refers to himself as "I").

At various times, six of the seven disappeared or were killed and eaten until only Pearce remained.

After a hazardous and eventful journey, Pearce is discovered (on page 62) while eating a stolen lamb, by a "Stockeeper" who recognises his voice and knows him. The story ends just as the court trials were to commence. The judges did not believe Pearce’s story and assumed that the cannibalism was a ruse to protect the other escapees who were assumed to be still at large. Pearce was sent back to prison at Macquarie harbour. He escaped again with an accomplice and this time, when recaptured Pearce was found to have a limb of his accomplice in his pocket. This time Pearce was found guilty and hanged.

John Cassidy is buried at Richmond Tasmania at the St John’s Roman Catholic Church. He died in 1851 aged 85. Richmond is about 15kms NNE of Hobart. Old Beach where he was a Setter [Settler?] is about 8kms W of Richmond and on the E shore of the Tamar River about 12kms NNW of Hobart.
Fowling Piece – a shotgun for shooting birds and small animals.
Frenchmans Cap is actually only about 12 miles from Macquarie Harbour, not the 20 or 30 miles mentioned in the document.
Adolirius Henry Humfrey – Adolarius William Henry Humphrey sailed as a mineralogist from England in 1803 to found a colony on the southern coast of Australia. In 1814 his appointment as a magistrate was confirmed though Governor Macquarie did not at first approve of him. Because of punishments he had meted out, he was hated by the convicts.  In 1818 he was appointed coroner, superintendent of police and chief magistrate at Hobart. This made him the most powerful man in the colony next to the Lieutenant-Governor. 
Lovely Banks – located mid-way between Melton Mowbray and Jericho and about 50kms N of Hobart.
Mark – used to mean a conspicuous object, line or notch in a rock or tree serving as a guide for travellers but it seems surprising that there would be a mark in such a wilderness.
Philips Island is on the west coast of Tasmania within Macquarie Harbour into which the Gordon River flows.
Table Mountain – this could be reference to Table Mountain at Interlaken in central Tasmanian, implying that the Pearce and Greenhill had thought they were travelling pretty much due east from Macquarie harbour.
Waddies - A waddy, nulla or hunting stick is a heavy war club made of timber. They were generally about one metre in length and sometimes had a stone head attached with bee’s wax and string.
Judge Wylde was John Wylde who had been the Judge Advocate of NSW. Judges from NSW would come to Hobart "for the purpose of holding their respective Courts in the Settlement" (Hobart Town Gazette and Van Diemen’s Land Advertiser, 20 January 1821)]

[Transcribed by Miles Harvey for the State Library of New South Wales]