Lot 4026

Description

Van Diemen's Land, handwritten two page letter and accompanying two page statement, from Police Office Hobart, dated 7th April 1834 to the Police Magistrate for Richmond, concerning a prisoner John Pearce, an absentee from the Grass Tree Hill Road Party and his written statement relative to the men now in custody at Richmond, charged with the robbery at Mr Sharpes. The statement given by John Pearce details the robbery committed by a John Shepherd posing as a police constable and telling the property owner, Mr Sharpes that he had heard bushrangers were there. The statement describes in detail how Mr Shepherd and four others had obtained the goods and who they later sold them to. The items stolen included a fowling piece, a musket, tablecloth, shawl handkerchief, a bedsheet and spyglass. A very interesting and early account of a criminal action in Van Diemen's Land. Small holes in centre fold on first page, also five minor tears to edges, very fine, well preserved and quite legible.