Barnaby Fitzpatrick : Short Biography

Barnaby Fitzpatrick was born in 1784 & baptised Oct 1784 at St Mary's (Pro Cathedral) Dublin City, Ireland. He was known as 'Barney' or 'Barnard'. He married Catherine Milling in May, 1806 & his address prior to living with Catherine was Hammond Lane, Dublin. On 16 Dec 1808 he & Catherine were living at 3 Erne Place, near Merrion Square in Dublin. John his first child was baptised 9 March, 1808. Extract from Finns Leinster Journal: Wed 28 Dec 1808 page 3, 'Yesterday Barney Fitzpatrick, who was lately employed as a Letter-carrier in the General Post Office, and for whose apprehension a considerable reward has been offered, was brought before Messrs. Hone, Guinnes, and Magrath, at the Police Office, Duke Street, charged with having embezzled a letter containing bank notes, with which he absconded. The Magistrate dispatched Loftus Kell, an active Peace Officer, the night before, in pursuit of him, who succeeded in apprehending him. Thos Thompson, Esq. Solicitor to the Post Office attended, and after a full and close investigation of the circumstances, he was fully committed to Newgate to abide his trial at the next Commission'. The Freeman’s Journal 24 Feb, 1809 claims the principle witness against Bernard was his cousin CATHERINE WILSON also a Mr Flannigan entered security for Bernard of 200 pounds and would be happy to put up 2,000 although he was found guilty. He received a death sentence with the date of execution being Saturday 25 March, 1809 which was suspended due to an order being received at Newgate Prison 8pm Monday 20 March, 1809 . The sentence was commuted to life & he was transported to Sydney as a convict. The vessel Providence sailed on 10 Dec 1810 & arrived in Port Jackson, Sydney 2 Jul 1811 being a voyage just short of 7 months. His second son Columbus was borne in 1810 but there is no record of his birth or baptism in Dublin, therefore, it is thought that Columbus was a new borne when sailing to Australia. The ships log extract dated 21 April, 1811 reads that..."Fitzpatrick with 50 lashes for insolence and contempt to doctor Hughes in the prison". On arrival Barnaby was 28yo & accompanied by his wife Catherine and their two sons, namely John (3yo) & Columbus (less than 1yo). The British recorded his first name as 'Bernard' which remained with him for the rest of his life. He initially settled & worked with his family on a farm at Portland Head on the Hawkesbury River. In the 1814 Muster of Convicts he was listed a"Convict of the Stores' at Windsor. A petition was lodged in 1817 for the mitigation of his sentence. On 31 January, 1818 he received a Conditional Pardon. At the time he was described as 5' 1 1/4" with a ruddy complexion, sandy hair & grey eyes. Between 1822 - 1825 he appeared on the pay lists of constables in Sydney. He was a constable during this period as shown in the 1822 Muster of Convicts & also in the 1823 - 25 Muster. On 27 May, 1820 he was listed as a Goal Constable. He was granted 40 acres of land in the vicinity of Arygle Rd, Mittagong on the conditional basis that within 5 years he would have 5 acres under cultivation. There is no record that he moved to this location. During 1828 he continued to work as a constable & was based in Castlereagh St, Sydney whilst the family resided in Sussex St. Bernard was appointed as the Chief Bailiff & Cryer for the Court Of Requests NSW on 1 July, 1829 on an annual salary of 100pounds sterling. He resigned from the position of Chief Bailiff on 22 Jun 1838 due to ill health & was replaced by Michael Buckley 23 Jun, 1838 whom he had recommended for the position. Shortly after his retirement, due to ill health, it is likely he relocated to the area known as Cowpastures & went to live with his eldest son John. John and his wife Alice owned the Crown and Harp Inn at Narellan, Cowpasture from 18 Aug 1837 to 1841. It was not unusual for parents to live their senior years with the children given that aged care was scarce in this era. He died on 29 Dec 1839. Cause of death was written in Latin 'Felo de Se' which translates as 'One who deliberately puts an end to his own existence'. The coroner's inquest does not give details as to how he died,however, the death could be linked to his ill health on retirement. Given that the Fitzpatrick's were very closely associated with the Catholic Church, a suicide would not have been received well. It was possibly kept quiet as much as possible. Evidence to this affect is that the cause of death is written in Latin & it being the only Latin entry on the page. The register of burials has his family name only (others have their first name) and the family name is entered 3 times & crossed out twice as if someone was altering the record or pondering as if to hide the entry. The entry for Bernard's occupation & clergyman officiating has also been crossed out. The register was kept by Rev. J.T. Therry who had been known to the family for decades and was very close to Catherine, Bernard's wife. Further, there is no death certificate or record of his grave. Being a death by suicide he would have been permitted a burial in a Catholic cemetery (St John's Campbelltown, Sydney) in unconsecrated ground only. He had four sons with Catherine Milling during their marriage being John 1808, Columbus 1810, Ambrose 1814 & Michael 1816. The two elder sons were born in Ireland whilst the later 2 in NSW, Australia. Catherine outlived Bernard and died on 31 Jul, 1861. Bernard was proof to the English that convicts could be rehabilitated successfully in Australia.