Martin Pike (abt. 1808 - 1878)

Descendants

Biography

According to his headstone in Queanbeyan Riverside Cemetery, NSW, Martin Pike was from the Newtown Collery, Queen Co. Ireland, born in 1808, and died 6 Apr 1878.^[1]

Martin Pike arrived in New South Wales on the convict ship "Java" on 18 November 1833. ^[2]

According to records of all male convicts arriving on this ship, Martin was 26 years old, Single, Roman Catholic, R & W, Coalminer; farm laborer, Complexion: Dark sallow and pockpitted, Hair: Black, Eyes: Chestnut, with Several blue marks from coals back of hands. He was one of (at least) 14 men (all of whom had no prior convictions) who were convicted of "Unlawful oath" on 15 March, 1833 at Kilkenny and were sentenced to Life. Martin was effectively a political prisoner often referred to as a Whitefoot or Whiteboy (see section below for further info). ^{[3] [4]}

In Sep 1841, Martin was granted a "Ticket of Leave" to remain in the district of Queanbeyan. ^[5] His details were recorded as:

Prisoner's No. 33/3031

Name: Martin Pike

Ship: Java

Master: Todd

Year: 1833

Native Place: Queens Co.

Trade or Calling: Labourer

Place of Trial: Kilkenny

Date of Trial: 15 March 1833

Sentence: Life

Year of Birth: 1807

Martin probably married Mary Ann Blackburn about 1843. They had (at least) 9 children:

1. John Pike (1845-1937)
2. Anastasia (Pike) Sullivan (1847-1912)
3. Martin Pike (1849-1914)
4. William Martin Pike (1851-1915)
5. James Pike (1852-1923)
6. Thomas Pike (1854-1875)
7. Andrew Pike (1855-1929)
8. Mary (Pike) Slater (1858-1944)
9. Ellen Mary (Pike) McHugh (1867-1933)

In 1847 Martin was recommended for a Conditional Pardon. ^[6]

In August 1865, Martin wrote a letter to the Editor of the Queanbeyan Age regarding access to his land being cutoff; Queanbeyan Age and General Advertiser (NSW : 1864 - 1867) View title info Thu 31 Aug 1865 Page 3 [ADVERTISEMENT.]: ^[7]

To the Editor of the Queanbeyan Age.

SIR,--In looking over your issue of the 14th instant, I found an advertisement signed "A. Cunningham," wherein the writer alludes to a memorial to Government concerning the road from Queanbeyan to Lanyon, and in which he alleges there are false statements.

I feel it to be my duty to answer that letter.

Now I have nothing to do with the respective distances of the two roads; but let such of the public as travel the road and who have signed the memorial speak, and they say that in that respect the memorial contains no misstatement. But as Mr. Cunningham brings the whole charge home to me, I should like to know whether the road is surveyed to the crossing place at Lanyon house; and should Mr. Edwards travel the road in wet weather, would he then report favourably of it?

I still insist that the old road from Queanbeyan to Lanyon has been in constant use upwards of thirty years, as also has the road from Yass to Monaro (to which Mr Cunningham, however makes no allusion in his advertisement.) He says I cannot get to any road, old or new, without crossing his purchased land. Why the public know that the Yass and Monaro road passes by my own door and through my paddock ; and Mr Cunningham has put a fence across the Queanbeyan, Monaro, and Lanyon roads.

When fencing my land some time ago, I encroached about a rod and a half in from my boundary which joins the Queanbeyan road, thus leaving outside my fence at least seventy rod rod of land, for a right to cross to the said road, which is not twenty rods from my own door; and this land Mr. Cunningham has fenced in and enclosed in his own paddock, and thus cut me off from the road.

I am, sir, yours faithfully,

Long Gully, MARTIN PIKE.

29th August, 1865.

The location of Martin's homestead was described in the Queanbeyan Age (NSW : 1867 - 1904) Thu 13 Apr 1871 Page 2 Local and District News.: ^[8]

TUGGRANONG PICNIC.

A smart drive along a road which would be all the better for the expenditure of a little labour upon it here and there, and which at certain elevated points presents some charming landscape views, brought us, in an hour and a half, to Tuggranong Plain, where stands Mr. Cunningham's fine, station and woolshed bearing the euphonious, but not aboriginal, name of Waniassa. Nigh to it stands the snug homestead of Martin Pike; a well-to-do and universally respected settler. While within a distance of two or three miles of this centre, half or altogether hidden in the nooks and glens which skirt the plain, lie other home steads, the abodes of a struggling peasantry or thriving free-selectors.

Near to Mr. Pike's homestead, and on his estate, is erected a school house and teacher's residence, in which is conducted a provisional school under the auspices of the Council of Education. Of this establishment we shall have more to say erewhile. In front of this building and around a spacious booth were hosts of people- " the lads and lasses in their best were dressed from top to toe." Every post of the paddock fence held a horse by the bridle. Lots of more fortunate steeds, freed from their trappings, were rolling in the moist sand of the Tuggranong creek or luxuriating on the juicy herbage growing along its banks. Carriages and carts were scattered everywhere around.

...

Martin Pike died in 1878, aged 70, at Long Gully, near Queanbeyan, New South Wales. ^{[9] [10]} He died intestate, but his wife, Mary, was named as his beneficiary in the Queanbeyan Age (NSW : 1867 - 1904) Sat 15 Jun 1878 Page 2 Advertising: ^[11]

In the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.

In the estate, goods, chattels, credits, and effects of Martin Pike, late of Long Gully, near Queanbeyan, in the colony of New South Wales, deceased, Intestate.

NOTICE is hereby given that after the expiration of fourteen days from the publication hereof in the New South Wales Government Gazette, application will be made to this Honorable Court in its Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction that Letters of Administration of all and singular the estate, goods, chattels, credits, and effects of the above named deceased may be granted to MARY PIKE, of Long Gully, near Queanbeyan, aforesaid, the widow of the said, deceased Dated - this fourteenth day of May, A.D. 1878.

JOHN THOMAS GANNON,

Proctor for the Applicant, Belmore Chambers, Goulburn

Martin was buried in the Queanbeyan Riverside Cemetery. ^[1] His gravestone inscription reads:

SACRED TO THE MEMORY

OF

MARTIN

PIKE

OF NEWTOWN COLLERY

QUEEN - Co - IRELAND

BORN IN 1808

DIED 6th APRIL 1878

He lived and was much respected in the Queanbeyan district for many years

This is erected to his memory by his affectionate Wife and Children

Aug 27 1879

Whitefeet/Whiteboys

Of the 40,000 Irish convicts transported to Australia, as many as one in eight were political or social "protesters"; that is, they committed their crimes, not for personal gain, but as a public protest against the social injustices of their day. Most of the protests were about land — tenure, high rents, taxes, evictions — and despite the severe punishments imposed, persisted for centuries. The protesters were members of various "secret societies" — Whiteboys, Whitefeet, Rockites, Ribbonmen, Terry Alts, Lady Clares etc. Usually dressed in a form of uniform (white shirt, sash etc), and led by a "Captain" and band in mock military style (viz "Captain Starlight" in Australian mythology), they levelled fences, maimed cattle, burned houses, stole firearms, and left threatening letters, usually mimicking the official court language, for those who resisted their demands for the people's "justice". ^[12]

A significant group during the 1830s were the Whitefeet from the Queen's County (now County Laois), large numbers of whom were transported. ^[12]

The Java departed Cork on 24th July only two days after embarkation of the prisoners, probably because of the fear of cholera being brought on board. ^[13]

The crimes of the prisoners of the Java were mostly various forms of theft - stealing clothes, a heifer, a horse, money, mail, sheep, pigs, pick pocketing, house robbery, etc., however there were also several men convicted of the more violent crimes of rape, manslaughter, murder, malicious assault and attacking a house. ^[13]

There were also Whiteboys who had been convicted of administering unlawful oaths. About twelve convicted of this crime had come from Kilkenny where there was much unrest and were all tried on 15th March 1833 at the Kilkenny Assizes and sentenced to transportation for life. The Whitefoot's Unlawful Oath - Kilkenny Assizes: ^{[13] [14]}

1. I hereby swear to keep counsel of all this united business or riband ism.

2. I hereby swear to suffer the right arm to be cut from the left, and the left from the right, and the right to be nailed to the metropolis of Armagh gaol door, before ever I'll waylay or betray a brother, or go on a green cloth to swear against him.

3. I hereby swear never to have carnal pleasure with a brother's wife, sister, aunt, or first cousin, only by lawful permission,

4. I hereby swear never to rob a man or keep company with robbers, unless in gaol or work, where it cannot be helped.

5. I hereby swear to give money to the repair of arms and of ammunition, when called upon by a brother, if I have it.

6. I hereby swear never to have a shilling, and a brother to want sixpence, without giving it to him.

7. I hereby swear never to pity the moans or groans of dying children, hut always wade knee-deep in Orange blood, sail to keep down land-jobbers and tithe-jobbers.

8. I hereby swear never to see a brother in danger of transportation or the gallows, if I am able to make up money for him

9. I hereby swear never to have two coats, two shirt, two pair of stockings, or anything belonging to the body, but will give a brother one if he requires it.

10. I hereby swear never to sit in company and hear a brother spoken ill of. If I am notable to fight or resist, I will walkout and tell the next brother I meet what was said, who said it, and in what company.

11. I hereby swear to go 15 miles on foot, and 21 on horseback, when called upon by a brother upon a lawful occasion, or unlawful, for leant might be unlawful before we could come back.

12. I hereby swear to never give the secret to bishop, priest, or minister, or to any other body, only to a friar, and to never tell the man that made me a Whitefoot, and to keep up to the knight of St. Patrick. - Nile's Register

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com: accessed 16 November 2020), memorial page for Martin Pike (1808–6 Apr 1878), Find A Grave: Memorial #160122394, citing Queanbeyan Riverside Cemetery, Queanbeyan, Queanbeyan–Palerang Regional Council, New South Wales, Australia ; Maintained by Scout (contributor 47319613) .
2. ↑ New South Wales Convict Arrivals, "FIndMyPast", https://www.findmypast.com/transcript?id=ANZ%2FDWILSON_CA_NSW%2F48281,

   First name(s) Martin, Last name Pike, Arrival date 18 November 1833, Ship name Java, State New South Wales, Country Australia,

   Record set New South Wales Convict Arrivals, Category Immigration & Travel, Subcategory Migration, Collections from Australasia, Australia

3. ↑ Office Copies Of Printed Indents 1831-1842 (Nrs 12189), "FindMyPast", https://search.findmypast.com/record?id=ANZ%2FAUSREC%2F907%2F00307&parentid=ANZ%2FAUSCONVICTSHIPS%2F00084861,

   First name(s) Martin, Last name Pike, Occupation Coalminer, Farm Laborer, Age 26, Conviction year -, Place convicted Kilkenny, County convicted Kilkenny, Country convicted Ireland, Arrival year 1833, Ship name Java,

   Series Office Copies Of Printed Indents 1831-1842 (Nrs 12189), Reel 907, Archive State Records Authority of New South Wales, Record set Australia Convict Ships 1786-1849, Category Immigration & Travel, Subcategory Transportation, Collections from Australasia

4. ↑ Irish Convicts to New South Wales, 1788-1849, Martin Pike, http://members.pcug.org.au/~ppmay/cgi-bin/irish/irish.cgi
5. ↑ Ticket Of Leave Butts 1827-1875 (Nrs 12202), "FindMyPast", https://search.findmypast.com/record?id=ANZ%2FAUSREC%2F942%2F00792&parentid=ANZ%2FAUSTICKETSOFLEAVE%2F00035471,

   First name(s) Martin, Last name Pike, Occupation Labourer, Birth year 1807, Birth place Queens County, Conviction year 1833, Place convicted Kilkenny, County/state convicted Kilkenny, Country convicted Ireland, Prisoner Number 33/3031, Ship name Java,

   Series Ticket Of Leave Butts 1827-1875 (Nrs 12202), Archive State Records Authority of New South Wales, Reel 942, Record set Australia Convict Tickets Of Leave 1824-1874, Category Institutes & Organizations, Subcategory Prison Registers, Collections from Australasia

6. ↑ Recommendations For Conditional Pardons 1826-1856 (Nrs 1173), "FindMyPast", https://search.findmypast.com/record?id=ANZ%2FAUSREC%2F798%2F00036&parentid=ANZ%2FAUSREC%2FPARDONS%2F17652,

   First name(s) Martin, Last name Pike, Ship name Java, Pardon year 1847, Pardon date ? ? 1847,

   Series Recommendations For Conditional Pardons 1826-1856 (Nrs 1173), Archive State Records Authority of New South Wales, Reel 798, Record set Australia Convict Conditional And Absolute Pardons 1791-1867, Category Institutes & Organizations, Subcategory Prison Registers, Collections from Australasia

7. ↑ TROVE, [ADVERTISEMENT.] (1865, August 31). Queanbeyan Age and General Advertiser (NSW : 1864 - 1867), p. 3. Retrieved November 18, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article30636073
8. ↑ TROVE, Local and District News. (1871, April 13). Queanbeyan Age (NSW : 1867 - 1904), p. 2. Retrieved November 18, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article30581713
9. ↑ NSW BDM, Deaths, PIKE MARTIN, Registration Number: 9166/1878, AGE 70 YEARS DIED QUEANBEYAN, District: QUEANBEYAN, https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/lifelink/familyhistory/search/
10. ↑ TROVE, Distressing Case of Suicide. (1878, April 10). Queanbeyan Age (NSW : 1867 - 1904), p. 1. Retrieved November 18, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article30673249
11. ↑ TROVE, Advertising (1878, June 15). Queanbeyan Age (NSW : 1867 - 1904), p. 2. Retrieved November 16, 2020, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article30673555
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1} Whitefoot from the Queen's County, Ireland, https://members.pcug.org.au/~pdownes/sharp/index.htm
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1 13.2} Free Settler or Felon, Convict Ship Java 1833, https://www.jenwilletts.com/convict_ship_java_1833.htm
14. ↑ Niles' Register, APRIL 27, 1833, https://books.google.com.au/books?id=r2wAAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA134&lpg=PA134&dq=kilkenny+march+1833+unlawful+oaths&source=bl&ots=0s2UaeUQgJ&sig=Qnp3iLyHVNiu7qEjJC2Noziebsw&hl=en&sa=X&ei=A2CAUOOvKeTnmAWi3YHwBg&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=kilkenny%20march%201833%20unlawful%20oaths&f=false

• Find A Grave: Memorial #160122394, database and images : accessed 17 Jan 2020, memorial page for Martin Pike (1808–6 Apr 1878), citing Queanbeyan Riverside Cemetery, Queanbeyan, Queanbeyan–Palerang Regional Council, New South Wales, Australia; Maintained by Scout (contributor 47319613).
• Queanbeyan Age (NSW : 1867-1904), Wednesday 10 April 1878, page 1