AUS-NSW-L Archives

From: Jennifer Lambert Tracey <>
Subject: GWILLIM or WILLIAMS ?
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1999 04:35:29 +1100

Does anyone claim this William GWILLIM? or perhaps it should read
William WILLIAMS so it has been suggested!

The Sydney Gazette (2 October 1823) reported the proceedings of the
criminal court for Wednesday 24 September, at which William Gwillim was
indicted for stealing 200 dollars, the property of Isaac Wise, on 6
August
1823.

The court heard that at about midnight on 5 August 1823, Isaac Wise
decided
for security purposes to bury 211 Spanish dollars in his backyard, near
to
a paling fence which divided his yard from that of his neighbour and
landlord, William Gwillim. Wise inspected the site at 4 am and found the

coins safe. At 7 am when Wise again inspected the site, the coins and
the
handkerchief containing them, had been removed. Gwillim was seen near to

the paling fence and marks on the ground indicated that the coins had
been
dug up and dragged through the fence. Wise challenged Gwillim who
scoffed
at his accusations. Wise informed Chief Constable Dunn of the events and

Dunn advised Wise to ignore the matter for several days.

Fourteen days later, Gwillim's house was searched and 199 dollars were
found in a wet and gritty state. Gwillim, a nailor by trade, unable to
account for the dollars being in his possession, was found guilty and
sentenced to two years "transportation" [to where?].

[There was no questioning during the court hearing as to why Wise
considered that he had to bury the dollars, and further, one would
however
have to question the logic of Wise's actions in burying the dollars in
such
an accessible place.

If you have any answers, or plausible explanations, I would like to hear

from you.
Cheers,
Jen
***********************************************************************
Jennifer Lambert Tracey BA (ANU); M App Sc (UC);
HERITAGE ARCHAEOLOGY
Archaeological & Heritage Assessment Consultants
PO Box 4265
KINGSTON, ACT. AUSTRALIA 2604
Tel. / Fax (02) 6295 6795
Mobile Tel. 0419 011 860
e-mail:
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• GWILLIM or WILLIAMS ? by Jennifer Lambert Tracey <>