William Darlison of Bedworth

Thomas Darlison (Darlistone/Darliston)

(Red Tom)

1805/6

Thomas Darlison born to Robert Darlison and Sarah Warrant (Warren, Worrends, Warrands) in Bedworth, Warwickshire. Thomas was the third youngest of 11 children of Robert and Sarah Darlison:

1787 William
1788 John
1790 Mary
1792 Robert
1796 Richard
1796 Sarah
1799 Dinah
1801 Frances
1805 Thomas
1807 Hannah
? Susanna

20 May 1807

Thomas Darlison and younger sister, Hannah (born approximately 1807) baptized together in All Saints Church of England Bedworth.

2 October 1815

John Darlison married Mary Herbert in the presence of George Hammersley and Sarah Danning at Bedworth.

22 September 1817

John Mockford married Sarah Darlison in the presence of Richard Cleaver, Elizabeth Leggis and John Darlison at Bedworth.

11 May 1825

Thomas Darlison married Mary Hadden (both of Bedworth Parish) in Bedworth Church. Thomas Warren and John Darlison were witnesses.

25 September 1825

William Darlison, son of Thomas and Mary Darlison, baptized in Bedworth.

February 1828

Thomas Darlison, son of Thomas and Mary Darlison, born in Bedworth.

24 February 1828

Thomas and James, sons of Thomas and Mary Darlison, were baptized in Bedworth.

7 April 1828

Thomas Darlison, son of Thomas and Mary Darlison, was buried in Bedworth aged 6 weeks.

11 May 1828

William Darlison, son of Thomas and Mary Darlison, was buried in Bedworth aged 2 years.

19 December 1828

Just before Christmas 1828 around midnight on 19 December, Thomas Darlison (Red Tom) and eleven others (probably related) from Bedworth, Colleycroft and Nuneaton made their way to D S Dugdale’s estate at Merevale near Atherstone with the intention of poaching some pheasants. Mr D S Dugdale Esq., described as an enlightened landowner, did not allow his game-keepers to carry guns nor even sticks. The eleven poachers carried a number of guns (possibly four or five). They came across three of the game-keepers, William and James Yardley and Thomas Smith who were employed by Thomas Hood, the head game-keeper to D S Dugdale. The game-keepers carried small sticks. After some words, the game-keepers were told to be off. They were chased and shots fired to make them hurry up. The head game-keeper, Thomas Hood, heard the noises and came up to investigate. His evidence, used by the jury to give the Guilty verdict, was that they fired at him and that one shot passed close to his head ripping through the branches in a tree above. The poachers left with seven pheasants. One of the poachers, Joseph Cross, gave evidence against the poachers. He was a tailor, older than the others, with prior convictions and was not tried. Thomas Hood had approached him to give evidence with a reward. It would appear that the poachers were not arrested immediately but committed to gaol around 4 March 1929.

The poachers were:

Joseph Warren (alias Goldby)
John Mogford (Mockford?)
William Ireland (alias Catchall)
Thomas Darlistone
John Squelch
John Mellor
William Goldby
James White
Henry White
David White
John White

and Joseph Cross.

A jury found them guilty of the capital offence and they received the death sentence. This was commuted to Transportation for Life for some and 14 years for others. There were just three sentences of Transportation to the Colonies (Life, 14 years and 7 years).

8 March 1829

Report in Warwick & Warwickshire General Advertiser

On Saturday last, James Goldy, Judith Catchall alias Ireland and Thomas Darliston, were committed to our County gaol, by C H Bracebridge Esq and Rev S B Heming, Clerk, charged with having feloniously shot at Thomas Smith, Thomas Hood, William Yardley at Merevale within the township of Atherstone, on the night of 19 December 1828. And on the same day were committed by the Magistrates, John Squelch, John Mellor and William Goldby, charged with having feloniously shot at Thomas Smith and Robert Hood in company with William and James Yardley on the same night also at Merevale or within the township of Atherstone – James White for feloniously shooting at William and James Yardley and others.

11 April 1829

Trial of the eleven poachers before Sir James Burrough during the Warwickshire Lent Assizes at the Crown Court in Warwick.

18 April 1829

Very similar reports of the trial were in newspapers (Warwick & Warwickshire Advertiser and the Leamington Gazette – both weekly newspapers). The details in these newspapers were researched in 1996 by Gai Roberts (nee Hasler) of Canberra, Australia. She is a great-great-granddaughter of Red Tom Darlison/Darliston through Sarah Darliston (born3 February 1880 - See below) . Extracts from Warwick & Warwickshire General Advertiser follows:

POACHING, AND SHOOTING WITH INTENT TO MURDER, AT MEREVALE

Joseph Warren, John Mogford, William Ireland, Thomas Darlistone, Henry White, John White, David White, John Squelch, John Mellor, William Goldby, and James White, were indicted, capitally, for having feloniously shot at Thomas Smith, Robert Hood, William Yardley, and James Yardley, on Saturday morning the 20^th of December last, in the preserves of D S Dugdale Esq MP at Merevale in this County.

JURY

Nicholas Wright Thomas Olerenshaw

John Heath Thomas Grove

Daniel Lynton William Potter

Thomas Mann John Parker

John Morris Thomas Palmer

John Osborne Thomas smith

The Indictment contained several counts; - the first charged the prisoners with shooting at Robert Hood, and others with intent to murder, the second charged them with intent to do them some grievous bodily harm, &c.

The prisoners all pleaded Not Guilty.

Mr Reader, in a speech replete with eloquence, discrimination, feeling, and judgment, stated the case.

William Yardley – was employed by Robert Hood, head game-keeper to D S Dugdale, Esq. on the night of the 19^th of December, to watch the game; his brother James Yardley and Thomas Smith were with him. They had no guns, but sticks only. – (Mr Reader had previously stated, that such was the tenderness of the worthy Proprietor of Merevale, even to those who trespassed upon him and destroyed his property, that he would not suffer his keepers to carry a gun, nor even a stick.) – The sticks were small ones. When they had passed through the Park and into Atherstone Outwoods, they met several men, some of them armed with guns, as soon as they got over the bridge. The poachers came up within three or four yards of them, and said, "You d…..d bloody ……….., what brings you here?" "You d…..d scamps be off, or we’ll give you something. Out, be off." They pointed four or five guns at them. One of the poachers stepped sideways, and pointed his gun at witness’s breast, when only two yards from him; he was a short man, but he did not know him. Witness said, "Don’t hurt us, lads, and we’ll go back." They went back, and then he heard one of the poachers say, "D……d their eyes, don’t let them go off that way, get something into them." Witness and the two others retreated at a quick pace, and the poachers followed them. When they got to the stone-pit, witness heard a copper-capped gun struck down, but it did not go off. When they got into the open Park, he heard another gun fired from the same party, who were about 40 or 50 yards off; and they heard two other guns fired just before Robert Hood came up. After Hood came up the poachers retreated, and they saw no more of them. Warren was like the man who pointed the gun, but he could not swear to him.

Joseph Cross – (an accomplice) – lives at Chilvers Coton, he knew all the Prisoners, four of them lived at Collycroft, and the others at Nuneaton. They met at Thomas White’s home between 7 and 8 on the evening of the 19^th of December, except Squelch. They were to go to Mr Dugdale’s woods and shoot pheasants. Warren, Mogford, Squelch and the White’s had guns, Ireland had a pistol. They left old White’s house a little before twelve; they separated and met again at Gents Barn, 13 in the whole. They got to the Outwoods a little after twelve, and entered the drive by one , when they observed three keepers; those in front called "Form the line," and they all got together. – (He then confirmed the preceding witness with respect to the language and threats used to the keepers.) – When they got in the stone-pits; a gun was fired after the keepers to make them run away faster. Soon after another gun was struck down, but it did not go off, it was a capped gun. We pursued them up the field; witness, Mellor, Warren and Ireland were in the front. There were two other shots fired; Warren fired the last shot; Warren and Ireland, who were first, rejoined the party, when Warren loaded his gun again. They saw no more of the keepers; they killed seven pheasants. They all met again at Gents Barn, and they finally separated.

Cross-examined, by Mr Hill. – They were two or three yards off the keepers when they called out "form the line;" they were further off when they fired; he was the oldest of the whole party, was a tailor; did not know when the reward was to be paid; the keeper came to him upon the business; he had been in prison 3 or 4 times; the two first times were for assaults, the third time was for some ducks that he and one of the White’s fetched. What do you mean by fetched? Stealing. – (Loud laughing.) – The 4^th time was for throwing a net away, and the keepers found it. He had three months for that, but it was three or four years ago, he believed; he came out of prison then; they put him in for safety! – (Laughing.) – He had deserted once, and went on board a ship; it was only for a day; they fetched him back; he was not flogged. Did you not get into trouble about a matter of perjury? Perjury! What’s that? – (Loud laughing.) – False swearing: No. Don’t you know, that by giving your evidence this day you are to save your own neck? It would be a good thing. I don’t think so, said Mr Hill.

The Leamington Gazette adds "It appears Cross was not a very credible witness."

Robert Hood, game keeper to Mr Dugdale, went into the Park, and when he got to the top of a small hill, he saw three men running away; he heard some firing, and saw two men come in face of him; he went round about five steps, when another gun was fired after the men; the last gun he thought, was fired at him; he saw the man with the gun in his hand take it from his shoulder; it seemed to be pointed straight at him; he heard the shot strike the branches of a tree he had just come from under about the height of his head; and he heard the hissing of the shot, which came close by his head; he saw the flash. He did not know the man who fired.

Several other witnesses were examined, whose testimony corroborated the former witnesses.

William Vero, constable, stated that nearly all the Prisoners resisted and threatened him, when he apprehended them. Darlistone said he would advise Mr Dugdale to be as easy with them as he could, or he must look to it. David White ran away undressed, but he was afterwards taken up the chimney. One of the White’s got away.

Joseph Needham found a copper capped gun in Squelch’s house.

The judge summed up, with great clearness and impartiality, and the Jury, after deliberating for some time, returned a verdict of Guilty against all the Prisoners, upon the first count in the Indictment, viz Shooting with intent to murder. – The conviction was confined to the shooting at Robert Hood, the head-keeper.

His Lordship observed that they had all been clearly convicted of a capital offence, and some Judges would not have saved one of them from the severest punishment of the law. There was no intention, however, of putting the law into full force against them, and he should represent their case favourably in the proper quarter. They were all young men, and it was extremely painful to see that so many young men, who were able to work, and to maintain themselves profitably in life by their own industry, should have brought perpetual ruin upon themselves, and upon their families, by the means they had done. They would all be punished, however, according to their offences.

2 April 1829

Another newspaper report.

Warwick County Sessions – Poaching and Shooting

The following poachers against whom Judgement fo Death was recorded at our late Assizes have been finally sentenced as under –

Shooting at Mr Dugdale’s Keeper. Darlistone, Warren, Mogford, Squelch, Ireland – transported for life.

D White, John Mellor, James White, William Goldby, H White, John White – transported for 14 years.

T H E T I M E S - 13 April 1829.

Joseph Warren (alias Goldby), John Muckford, Judith Catchall (alias Ireland), Thomas Darlistone, James White, Henry White, John White, David White, John Squelch, John Mellor, and William Goldby were indicted for feloniously shootingat Robert Hood, gamekeeper to D.S. Dugdale Esq., M.P., at Merivale on the night of Friday the 19th December last, with intent to murder him, the said Hood, or to do him some grievous bodily harm. There were other counts in the indictment charging Warren as principal and the other 10 prisoners as accessories.

The principal witness in support of the prosecution was an accomplice, named Joseph Cross, a tailor, nearly 60 years of age, who admitted on his cross-examination that he had been twice in prison on charges of assault, been once convicted of stealing ducks for which he had suffered 6 months imprisonment; and again for stealing some nets, for which he was imprisoned for 3 months; and that he had been a deserter from His Majesty's service. He had been one of the ringleaders on the present occasion, but perceiving by an advertisement, that a reward of £100 offered by Mr Dugdale, together with a promise of pardon to any one of the offenders except the man who had actually fired the shot, who should give such information as would lead to the conviction of the other offenders, he immediately availed himself of the offer and informed against his accomplices. His testimony, however, was partly corroberated by other evidence as to the identity of the prisoners, from which together with the statement of the prosecutor and his assistants, it appeared that the greater part of the prisoners assembled at the house of the father of the four Whites near Nuneaton on the night in question from which they proceeded towards Merivale, and were joined by the remainder of their party, which amounted to 13 in number on their way. Of these 8 or 9 had guns, one a horse pistol, and the others sticks. Arrived at Mr Dugdale's grounds, they entered a drive that led through a wood, and were there met by 3 of the gamekeeper's men, unarmed, at whom some of them pointed their guns and threatened to "put something into them" if they did not instantly "cut and be off". The keepers requested them not to hurt them, and they would go away, and accordingly turned back and retreated towards the head keeper's house, the prisoners following in their rear and firing a shot or two to stimulate them to quicken their pace. In the meantime Hood, the head keeper, was attracted in this direction by the shots, and when about 20 or 30 yards from the poachers, two guns were fired the first of which did not appear to have been aimed at him, but the second it was sworn was, although the shot struck a tree which was 4 yards distant from him on one side. The keepers having retired, the prisoners turned their attention to the pheasants, of which they shot seven before they returned home.

The jury after some deliberation, found all the prisoners Guilty. Mr Justice Burrough ordered sentence of death to be recorded, but intimated to the prisoners that their lives would be spared. His Lordship took occasion, however, to point out the serious and miserable consequences to which illegal courses of this description were calculated to lead all those who were addicted to them.

16 April 1829

Another newspaper report:

Warwick.

The magistrates were concerned there may be an attempted gaol break while the prisoners were awaiting transportation to Australia.

The magistrates of the County, apprehensive that mischief might arise by the place being left entirely without troops applied to the proper authorities for a military force. The request was complied with and on Saturday an express warrant after the troops of the 14^th Dragoons which had left that morning. In consequence, Captain Smith’s troop returned to the city at 7 in the evening. When the soldiers arrived a considerable mob had collected and were entering the tradesman’s shops who sold provisions, and were selling them at their own prices. Some of the ring leaders being taken into custody, the rioting ceased. A detachment of the 93^rd Highlanders marched into that place from Weedon on Sunday morning.

In the same newspaper:

Convicts

The following convicts have been removed from our County gaol this week and put on board ‘Justica’ Hulk at Woolwich; - For Life: - Joseph Warren, William Ireland, John Mogford, Thomas Darlistone and John Squelch for shooting at Mr Dugdale’s gamekeeper. Fourteen Years: - William Goldby, John Mellor, John White, Henry White, David White also for shooting at Mr Dugdale’s gamekeeper.

Mr Adkins, with that circumspection which enabled him for so many months to frustrate the various plots and contrivances to escape of nearly 100 of as desperate ruffians as ever congregated at one time within the walls of a prison, took the ten poachers on Tuesday through Southam. He knew the state of excitement that existed amongst the populace at Coventry, and that almost any pretext might have prompted them to mischief. A great number of the prisoners acquaintances who knew the day they were to be sent off, were expected to meet them at that place; and although he was not afraid of a rescue, we are convinced that he acted very wisely in avoiding that city; which, upon other occasions is the usual route.

17 June 1829

The Layton sailed from London.

23 June 1829

The Layton sailed from Sheerness.

5 October 1829

Thomas Darlison arrived at Sydney Cove on the ship, Layton, Master Hurst. He was one of 188 male English convicts who were mustered on board the ship. Two convicts died during the voyage. In the Convict Indents, Red Tom was described as:

Age: 28
Education: Read and write
Religion: Protestant
Married: Family 1
Native Place: Warwick
Trade or Calling: Ribbon weaver and wool comber
Offence: Shooting to murder
Tried: Warwick (Date 4 April 1829)
Sentence: Transportation for Life, no former convictions
Height: 5ft 9¾ins
Complexion: Ruddy, freckled
Colour of Hair: Sandy
Eyes: Hazel
Disposed of: N M Gore, at Artomon (North Shore)
Distinguishing Marks: Horizontal scar over left eye

Anchor tattoed on right arm

‘PD’ on upper on left arm

Small scar on right shin

Red Tom was assigned as an indentured labourer, convict, to N M Gore at Artomon (modern Atarmon) on Sydney’s North Shore. This area of Sydney is still known as the North Shore and was joined to Sydney Town by the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the 1930s.

10 May 1830

Thomas Darlison received 50 lashes for insubordination. N M Gore is described in the history of Sydney Cove as a particularly harsh master of convicts – being one himself. Gore Hill in Sydney today, on which stands several of the TV transmitting antennas for the City of Sydney, is named after him.

June 1830

Red Tom joined the employ of Captain Francis Nicholas Rossi. Rossi had been the Chief of Police of Sydney Town but appears to have been too honest and was removed by the influence of the remnants of Sydney’s notorious Rum Corps who were by then the establishment of Sydney Town. He was born in Corsica (Napoleon’s birthplace) which had been taken over by Britain at this stage. While he was a British citizen, he was still regarded as a foreigner (and French at that). He decided to become a farmer and take up residence at Goulburn, NSW.

Early 1837

Thomas Darlison applied for a mitigation of his sentence to the British Home Authorities through the interposition of a Member of the British Parliament, Lord John Russell.

11 February 1837

Lord John Russell wrote a reply and refused the petition of Thomas Darlison. He stated that "there is no ground to justify the Secretary of State in interfering with the exercise of the discretion reposed in the Governor of New South Wales, as to the recommendation of Convicts for a Remission of Sentence".

October 1837

The 1837 Muster of Convicts in the Colony of New South Wales lists Thomas Darlison aged 31 years working at Rossi’s property at Goulburn NSW.

11 February 1838

Thomas Darlison petitioned the NSW Colonial Secretary for mitigation of sentence. There is an attached letter from Captain Rossi saying that Darliston had been his servant since June 1830 and "during that period, his conduct has been very good and satisfactory".

19 February 1838

Thomas Darlison was granted a Ticket of Leave which stated he was "allowed to remain in the district of Goulburn on recommendation of Goulburn Branch, dated September 1837". A Ticket of Leave meant that he was no longer an indentured labourer to Captain Rossi. Red Tom had first been assigned to N M Gore in 1829 and then to Captain Rossi in 1830. He could now sell his labour to whomever he wished (although most convicts remained in the employ of their former master for some time). He was no longer required to live on the master’s property. However, he had to live in the magistrate’s district (ie Goulburn). When he marries in 1846, Red Tom gives his address as Rossiville, Captain Rossi’s property.

13 July 1838

The Governor and Commander in Chief of the Colony of New South Wales, Colonel Snodgrass, refused a petition which was a recommendation given by the Acting Governor of New South Wales to Home Government (Britain) "commending petitioner for the Indulgence prayed for; namely a mitigation of Rigid Sentence". Colonel Snodgrass said "I really do not see anything in this case to call for a special recommendation for mercy. He shall not be recommended for a conditional pardon until he has held a ticket of leave for six years".

4 October 1838

Thomas Darlison was granted a Ticket of Leave Passport allowing him to remain in the Lachlan District (West of Goulburn) in the employ of Captain Rossi for twelve months. A Ticket of Leave Passport was a document that allowed the convict holder to travel (usually for employment purposes) outside the jurisdiction of the local Magistrate where he was situated. In Thomas Darlison’s case, he was under the jurisdiction of the Goulburn Branch of the Magistrates. Oral family history has Red Tom as a bullock driver or bullocky driving a cart (dray) pulled by many cattle.

8 November 1840

The Ticket of Leave Passport was renewed and this allowed Thomas Darlison to remain in the Monaro District (South of Goulburn) in the service of Captain Rossi for twelve months.

9 April 1842

A Ticket of Leave Passport was again issued allowing Thomas Darlison to travel between Goulburn and Sydney as a carrier for twelve months for Captain Rossi. He moved Captain Rossi’s furniture from Sydney to Goulburn (to Rossiville) during this time.

20 April 1843

The Ticket of Leave Passport was renewed allowing Thomas Darlison to travel between Goulburn and Sydney as a carrier for twelve months.

27 February 1845

A petition was received for Thomas Darlison’s conditional pardon. This was a standard procedure after a certain time had elapsed from the granting of the Ticket of Leave and the convict had shown good behaviour.

13 August 1845

Thomas Darlison was conditionally pardoned. The Conditional Pardon is not a "Pardon" but a remission of remaining sentence. The condition was that the convict remained in the Colony of New South Wales until the expiration of the original sentence. As Red Tom’s sentence was Transportation for Life, he could never return to Britain. In most respects, he was now a free man. He could sell his labour, buy a farm, conduct a business, live where he liked. In Australian history, this was a contentious issue which split the Colony. The Emancipationists wanted the pardoned convicts to be ordinary members of society and have all citizen’s rights – having served their time. The free settlers, on the other hand, looked down on the ex-convicts and their families. They resented the loss of the cheap labour that the indentured labourer system had provided for the first half of the 19^th Century. Britain debated the cessation of Transportation to the Colonies as a sentence around this time and the wealthy landowners saw a threat to their profitability. However, another more dramatic event was about to overshadow the Colony and produce the egalitarianism that characterizes Australia. This was the alluvial Gold Rushes of the 1850s where ex-convict, freeman and scoundrel all toiled alongside each other to dig the gold without regard for position or wealth. The structure of the Australian society was turned on its head during the ten years from 1851.

21 March 1844

Mary Darlison died in Bedworth aged 39.

24 March 1844

Mary Darlison was buried in Bedworth.

7 August 1846

Red Tom (Church of England) married Bridget Hayes (Roman Catholic) (widow of William Hickey) at Ss Peter and Paul’s Roman Catholic Cathedral in Goulburn NSW. As Red Tom was a convict, a special licence had to be obtained from the Principal Superintendent of Convicts in Sydney NSW and approval granted for the marriage. The witnesses were William & Catherine Hayes. All four people came from Rossiville – a large property a few kilometers west of Goulburn. The civil marriage registration and the church records show Thomas Darlison (not Darliston).

1 December 1846

Red Tom’s wife’s son, William Hickey, drowned at Cardross aged four. Cardross is a property on the Pomeroy Road between Goulburn and Kippilaw/Rosemount. William Hickey is buried at the old Goulburn Roman Catholic Cemetery Lagoon Street North Goulburn (near Mulwaree Ponds alongside the main road in from Sydney) in the same set of graves as his mother, Bridget Hayes/Hickey/Darliston (died 30 October 1893 aged 84 years), and other Darlistons.

17 June 1847

A daughter, Sarah Darliston, was born at Bacord near Maxton Park. Maxton Park is a property on the Pomeroy Road between Cardross and Goulburn.

18 July 1847

Sarah Darliston was baptized at Ss Peter & Paul’s Cathedral in Goulburn. William and Ellen Hayes were godparents.

25 October 1848

A son, John Darliston, was born at Bacord near Maxton Park.

23 January 1849

John Darliston was baptized at Ss Peter & Paul’s Cathedral in Goulburn. Patrick and Margaret Ryan were godparents.

19 July 1851

A son, Thomas Darliston, was born at Mummel.

4 August 1851

Thomas Darliston was baptized at Ss Peter & Paul’s Cathedral in Goulburn. Patrick Meanes and Johanna Cahill (nee Hayes) were godparents.

Early 1850s

Red Tom and his wife, Bridget, worked hard. Alluvial gold had been discovered in Australia in 1851 after miners returned from the California Gold Rush of 1849. This set off the Gold Rushes in the Colonies of NSW and Victoria. Gold was being found everywhere but the greatest fields were in central Victoria, Ballarat and Bendigo. Some way South from Goulburn lay the Ovens Gold Field. This was around the town of Beechworth in Northern Victoria just across the border from the Colony of New South Wales. This was a distance of approximately 400Km from Goulburn. Oral family history has Red Tom and Bridget capitalizing on their skills to grow fruit and vegetables, make jams and cheeses and to drive a bullock wagon. In Goulburn, Red Tom loaded up his bullock wagon with goods for sale including home produce and mining supplies (picks, ropes, etc). He walked beside his bullock wagon to the Ovens Gold Field over about a month, camping out as he went or staying in inns. He had previously carried out similar tasks for Captain Rossi round the Monaro and Lachlan Districts and to and from Sydney Town. Once at the Ovens Gold Field, we understand he sold the goods on the wagon, slaughtered half the bullocks to be sold as fresh meat and returned with an empty dray pulled by the better lead bullocks. He was paid in gold dust. There are many stories of encounters with bushrangers on the return trips. He hid the gold in several ways including false bottoms brazed into the grease cans that swung on the backboard of the dray and in oilskins inserted inside the grease of the axle joints. He shared meals with bushrangers but managed to convince them that he was a poor ex-convict. The trade that Red Tom and Bridget carried out was lucrative enough for them to build some solid houses in Goulburn township. We understand that these were sold to purchase the farms at Mummel.

1854

Thomas Darlison bought 600 acres at Mummel (part of Evansdale).

16 May 1855

Son, Thomas, died aged three years and ten months. Oral history is that he was burnt to death in a kitchen.

January 1860

Thomas Darlison bought another 300 acres at Mummel (now part of Rose Mount). Remainder of Rose Mount (to 500 acres) was later purchased by his son, John Darlison. Red Tom commenced building the family home on Rose Mount. This was built by ex-convicts in the style of the day. Local stone was quarried and made into thick walls with mortar between the stone. The outer and inner faces were rendered and then painted. The floors were dirt. Red Tom had grand ideas. There were three original buildings:

A low single storey bungalow for sitting rooms and bedrooms;
A separate kitchen building; and
A farm shed.

These buildings were arranged around a square. The bungalow and kitchen were to be the servants’ quarters later when a grander two storey building was to be constructed at one side of the square. This building was never started.

9 September 1862

Red Tom’s surviving son in Bedworth, James Darlison, married Mary Marson. James was 34 (bachelor) and a weaver. Mary was 26 (spinster) and a throwster of Bedworth.

15 March 1866

Red Tom died of pneumonia after a month’s illness. He died on Rose Mount, one of his two properties, at Mummel about 15Km west of Goulburn. Oral family history is that he went swimming in the Wollondilly River which forms one boundary of the property and caught a chill while swimming one afternoon after undertaking strenuous farm work.

18 March 1866

Red Tom was buried in the Churchyard at Kippilaw Chapel. Kippilaw is the next farm to Rose Mount where he died. The Kinghornes and then the Chisholms (through marriage into Kinghorne family) owned Kippilaw. The Chapel is Church of England. There is a disparity in the size of the properties with Rose Mount being 500 acres and Kippilaw being much larger at approximately 2,000 acres. Kippilaw is a heritage property with many buildings including its own Chapel and churchyard. He has a headstone over his grave which reads "Thomas Darliston died 15.3.1866 aged 60".

14 July 1868

Sarah Darliston (daughter of Red Tom Darliston) married William Kennedy at Ss Peter & Paul’s Cathedral, Goulburn. Witnesses were Thomas McCormack and Bridget Hayes. They had 13 children:

29 October 1869 Thomas Kennedy

20 February 1871 Mary Kennedy

12 November 1872 James Martin Kennedy

26 January 1874 John Kennedy

4 March 1877 Michael Kennedy

21 May 1875 William Kennedy

6 October 1878 Bridget Kennedy

31 March 1880 Patrick Kennedy

6 May 1882 Joseph Kennedy

21 June 1883 Richard Kennedy

3 June 1885 Sarah Kennedy

30 April 1887 James Edmond Kennedy

21 February 1889 Johanna Kennedy

28 October 1869

John Darliston (son of Red Tom Darliston) married Mary O’Brien at Spring Valley Church, near Goulburn.

They had 9 children who survived childbirth:

15 September 1870 Thomas Darliston

5 November 1871 James Darliston

29 May 1874 Bridget Darliston

1 May 1876 Nora Darliston

3 February 1880 Sarah Darliston

3 September 1881 Lily Darliston

12 March 1883 Ada Darliston

28 June 1884 Gertrude Darliston

John Darliston