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THE MOUNTED POLICE OF THE GOVERNMENT DOMAIN, THOMPSON SQUARE Windsor had one of the earliest police units in the land which ran concurrently with the military units stationed here and eventually fully handed over to them about 1860. The Police Station took over the Barracks Area of the Domain and its buildings. All have gone except for the original stables built for the 1817 Macquarie Barracks hidden and forgotten behind fences but in excellent condition – for now! |
CONSTABLE GALLAGHER, AN ANT HEAP..... AND TWO FELONS
The life of a Mounted Police Officer in Windsor in the 1800’s could, at times, prove to be very interesting, to say the least. But they competently performed their duties to protect the law-abiding populace from villains of all sorts....and they often put their own lives at risk to do so.
The following stories tell of the important role they played in maintaining law and order in the fledgling colony........
In August 1843, a Constable by the name of James Gallagher had an experience he never quite forgot. He was assigned to take two prisoners, Polston and Boorman, from Windsor Gaol to Parramatta Gaol. The method used in those days was to fasten the prisoners by long chains to the stirrups of the escort, the men trotting alongside the horse. They left Windsor and made their way down the Sydney Road . When they got to Vinegar Hill the prisoners begged to have their chains removed as they were hurting and Constable Gallagher trusting to their oaths, did so. They then turned on him, bound him up and put him on an ant mound. One of the prisoners had wanted to shoot Gallagher but the other one talked him down from his lethal intent towards the poor humane Constable. Fortunately for Gallagher, the mail coach happened directly along and rescued him from the horrors of the biting ants.
But the Windsor Police were a sharp lot, particularly one Corporal Lane and one Sergeant Morrison both of the Mounted Police. On the day of the escape they leapt on their fine steeds and proceeded to Emu Plains to the house occupied by the wife of Polston. Morrison secreted himself in Mrs Polston’s garden whilst Lane stopped in the house. It must have been a long night for the policemen for it wasn’t until just before daylight the prisoners made their way up to the house, when they were immediately captured. Boorman was armed but gave himself up when summoned to surrender. They were brought back to Windsor Gaol and the next day Polston was escorted to Parramatta Gaol by Lane.
“The inhabitants of the district are highly pleased that the activity of the Mounted Police has freed them from the visits of these men, who are known to be reckless and determined scoundrels” SMH Aug. 1843.
In 1850, Constable Gallagher again features in the transportation of a prisoner....and we see he has learned from his experience with the ant heap.......
From the SMH 1850 “A man named Davis was apprehended through the activity of Constable Gallagher, upon a charge of committing rape upon a young girl going to school at Wilberforce. Upon this charge he was sentenced to Cockatoo Island. Afterwards, obtaining his ticket-of-leave, he went to Hyde Park Barracks, from which he absconded. Constable Gallagher, having received intimation of his whereabouts, searched in company with Constable Grainger and found him on the premises of Mr Delaney.
He was secured and was this morning safely lodged in custody. He has been accused of similar attempts before; and on its being understood that he was at large, parents would not allow students to go to school as usual. It is to be hoped that the Gov. will reward such active officers of the police as Gallagher and Grainger. They brought him into Windsor handcuffed – Gallagher walking behind with a loaded piece, as he was a desperate character.”
THOMPSON SQUARE was a place where punishments for crime were publicly displayed as a deterrent to others.
Sydney Gazette 1826
PILLORY
“On Saturday the 2nd September, James Cunningham, of the ship “Dorothy”, was exhibited at Windsor, for the third time, in the disgraceful attitude adjudged in his case, by the Court of Petty Sessions at Sydney Feb. 1826. His offence was that of assaulting a child, with intent to commit rape.” ( Note – this is not the James Cunningham of the Vinegar Hill Rebellion gibbetted in the same spot.)
JAMES GALLAGHER ( Constable Windsor Police ) – some background notes -
Born – 1779 in Wexford, Ireland (19 years old and at the centre of the Irish Rebellion)
Trade – Ploughman (possibly absconded to England after the rebellion as many did)
Convicted – For highway robbery at Lancaster on 1st Sep. 1824 – Death commuted to Transportation for Life. Age 46.
Arrived – on the “Minstrel” 22 Aug 1825
Census 1828 – Town Gang 24 at Windsor
Colonial Secretary’s Office 16 Feb 1836 – His Exc. the Gov. has been pleased to approve the following alterations in the Police of the Colony.......At Windsor....."and James Gallagher, holding a ticket-of-leave to be ordinary constables.....” a position he held until 1857 when he moved to Wilberforce.
Conditional Pardon – 1841 – James must have earned the respect and friendship of his employer because it is none other than Samuel North, Superintendent of Police for the district of the Hawkesbury,who recommends his Pardon.
1st Class Conditional Pardon – 1846 – Recommended by R. Fitzgerald J.P., L.D. Whitaker J.P. and William Cox J.P. James had really impressed the movers and shakers of Windsor!
Married – 1842 – to Mary Ann McGinn/McGee at St Mathew’s R/C Church – Age 56 ( ages were a little “undefined” in those days) They had 5 children!
Death Notice – Police Gazette – 1863 – James Gallagher, Police Pensioner, 30 April, 1863. Aged 82.
VALE (respectful notice of death)
William Green – a Constable of the Windsor Mounted Police - who lost his life in the execution of his duty on the 20th August, 1826. Buried St Mathews C/E
The life of a Mounted Police Officer in Windsor in the 1800’s could, at times, prove to be very interesting, to say the least. But they competently performed their duties to protect the law-abiding populace from villains of all sorts....and they often put their own lives at risk to do so.
The following stories tell of the important role they played in maintaining law and order in the fledgling colony........
In August 1843, a Constable by the name of James Gallagher had an experience he never quite forgot. He was assigned to take two prisoners, Polston and Boorman, from Windsor Gaol to Parramatta Gaol. The method used in those days was to fasten the prisoners by long chains to the stirrups of the escort, the men trotting alongside the horse. They left Windsor and made their way down the Sydney Road . When they got to Vinegar Hill the prisoners begged to have their chains removed as they were hurting and Constable Gallagher trusting to their oaths, did so. They then turned on him, bound him up and put him on an ant mound. One of the prisoners had wanted to shoot Gallagher but the other one talked him down from his lethal intent towards the poor humane Constable. Fortunately for Gallagher, the mail coach happened directly along and rescued him from the horrors of the biting ants.
But the Windsor Police were a sharp lot, particularly one Corporal Lane and one Sergeant Morrison both of the Mounted Police. On the day of the escape they leapt on their fine steeds and proceeded to Emu Plains to the house occupied by the wife of Polston. Morrison secreted himself in Mrs Polston’s garden whilst Lane stopped in the house. It must have been a long night for the policemen for it wasn’t until just before daylight the prisoners made their way up to the house, when they were immediately captured. Boorman was armed but gave himself up when summoned to surrender. They were brought back to Windsor Gaol and the next day Polston was escorted to Parramatta Gaol by Lane.
“The inhabitants of the district are highly pleased that the activity of the Mounted Police has freed them from the visits of these men, who are known to be reckless and determined scoundrels” SMH Aug. 1843.
In 1850, Constable Gallagher again features in the transportation of a prisoner....and we see he has learned from his experience with the ant heap.......
From the SMH 1850 “A man named Davis was apprehended through the activity of Constable Gallagher, upon a charge of committing rape upon a young girl going to school at Wilberforce. Upon this charge he was sentenced to Cockatoo Island. Afterwards, obtaining his ticket-of-leave, he went to Hyde Park Barracks, from which he absconded. Constable Gallagher, having received intimation of his whereabouts, searched in company with Constable Grainger and found him on the premises of Mr Delaney.
He was secured and was this morning safely lodged in custody. He has been accused of similar attempts before; and on its being understood that he was at large, parents would not allow students to go to school as usual. It is to be hoped that the Gov. will reward such active officers of the police as Gallagher and Grainger. They brought him into Windsor handcuffed – Gallagher walking behind with a loaded piece, as he was a desperate character.”
THOMPSON SQUARE was a place where punishments for crime were publicly displayed as a deterrent to others.
Sydney Gazette 1826
PILLORY
“On Saturday the 2nd September, James Cunningham, of the ship “Dorothy”, was exhibited at Windsor, for the third time, in the disgraceful attitude adjudged in his case, by the Court of Petty Sessions at Sydney Feb. 1826. His offence was that of assaulting a child, with intent to commit rape.” ( Note – this is not the James Cunningham of the Vinegar Hill Rebellion gibbetted in the same spot.)
JAMES GALLAGHER ( Constable Windsor Police ) – some background notes -
Born – 1779 in Wexford, Ireland (19 years old and at the centre of the Irish Rebellion)
Trade – Ploughman (possibly absconded to England after the rebellion as many did)
Convicted – For highway robbery at Lancaster on 1st Sep. 1824 – Death commuted to Transportation for Life. Age 46.
Arrived – on the “Minstrel” 22 Aug 1825
Census 1828 – Town Gang 24 at Windsor
Colonial Secretary’s Office 16 Feb 1836 – His Exc. the Gov. has been pleased to approve the following alterations in the Police of the Colony.......At Windsor....."and James Gallagher, holding a ticket-of-leave to be ordinary constables.....” a position he held until 1857 when he moved to Wilberforce.
Conditional Pardon – 1841 – James must have earned the respect and friendship of his employer because it is none other than Samuel North, Superintendent of Police for the district of the Hawkesbury,who recommends his Pardon.
1st Class Conditional Pardon – 1846 – Recommended by R. Fitzgerald J.P., L.D. Whitaker J.P. and William Cox J.P. James had really impressed the movers and shakers of Windsor!
Married – 1842 – to Mary Ann McGinn/McGee at St Mathew’s R/C Church – Age 56 ( ages were a little “undefined” in those days) They had 5 children!
Death Notice – Police Gazette – 1863 – James Gallagher, Police Pensioner, 30 April, 1863. Aged 82.
VALE (respectful notice of death)
William Green – a Constable of the Windsor Mounted Police - who lost his life in the execution of his duty on the 20th August, 1826. Buried St Mathews C/E
