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Note: rd at Geevagh R.C. Church Ireland before 1850's this info from Father Sharkey, Priest in Charge.
Patrick was known around the area as 'White Horse' Cullen. Patrick was arrested on 12th July 1837 for stealing a cow, in actual fact he was returning the cow to its owner, because the animal had got out or was let out of its enclosure. Unfortunately for Pat nobody seemed to come to his defence, Patrick was about 60yrs old at the time. He was sentenced to Transportation for life, commuted to 7yrs. Patrick was transoprted to Australia aboard 'Willaim Jardine'. After serving his 7yrs, he received his ticket of leave on 12th September 1844, and around October 1844 he arrived in the Bathurst area.
Patrick arrived in Australia as a convict on 11 April 1838 on the "WILLIAM JARDINE".
On Patrick`s convicts papers he had 5 males and 5 females. 5 children came to Australia 3 boys and 2 girls leaving 2 boys and 3 girls missing.
In 1837 Patrick was convicted for the teft of a cow and was transported for 7yrs. For years the family were led to believe that Patrick, unable to pay his rent had to forfeit his cow but later took it back. In our Bi-centerary year
1988 the Irish Government presented the Prime Minister, Mr. Hawke with a copy of the early records. It appears that Patrick was innocent of the crime. Mr. McGarry, the neighbour of Patrick and Margaret was in the habit of ill
treating his wife. Mrs.McGarry would then take refuge at the Cullens thus putting enmity between them. On the occasion when Patrick was reported to have stolen the cow he had been crossing McGarrys land with a load of potatoes and witnessed Mrs. McGarry and her sister stealing her husbnads cow. The irate husband caught them in the act but because he was unable to prosecute his wife he decided to get even with Patrick. At the age of 52 Patrick was sentenced to life imprisonment in Sligo Gaol. At the Parish Priests intervention his sentence was reduced to 7 yrs. transportation to Botany Bay.
He received his ticket of freedom at Bathurst 4th October 1844.
Occupation Farmer. Informant on death certificate Dominic Cullen son Rockley.
This was written by Bryan McManus, Parish Pries to Excellency, the Earl of Mulgrave, Lord Lieutenant General of Ireland.
The Memorial of Pat Cullen of Kilmactrany in the County of Sligo, now a convict for Life in the Gaol of Sligo.
I Humbly relate.....
That in the neighbourhood of Pat lived a man, named Michael McGarry, who being contrary to his wishes to marry, put away his wife and drove the unfortunate object of his hatred, to seek support among her charitable neighbours. Pat, through compassion for her suffering, frequently gave her lodging, for the night or two which displeased her husband so much that he came to his house and forbaqde him to entertain her in future, and vowed vengeance against him if he did. Sometime since, Pat was bringing home potatoes on a horse, which he got
from a neighbour whose land lay beyond McGarry's farm. After leaving the horse at home, whom should he see by McGarry's wife and her sister taking away one of her husband's cows. McGarry having discovered them, also took the cow back and would have prosecuted the wife, were it not that every person informed him, he could not injure her. As previously remarked, he was angry with pat for offering her asylum and therefor as he saw him at the same time in his field, he prosecuted him. Pat, being unprepared and without counsel, got transported for Life. Pat is a
poor man aged 50 having a good wife and 10 children depending upon him for industry.
His Lordship Justice, when sentencing him had said he was the object of great compassion. The pity he felt of him, he trusts the same feeling will actuate Your Excellency, upon consideration of his case, to change his sentence and
remain grateful to Your Excellency.
Sligo Prison Aug. 8th 1837 Pat Cullen
Bryan McManus Parish Priest. Sligo Pat. Cullen, Cow stealing Transport for life.
Prisoner states that he was not concerned only as a spectator.
Reduce the Transportation to 7 years. Aug 19th 1837. I have the honour to state for the information of his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant that I do no find any circumstance in the case of Pat Cullen, which would render him a proper object of mercy. Perhaps Transportation for the term of 7 years may be deemed sufficient for the offence.
Sept. 22nd 1837 Kil. Gaol
I certify that I know a good many of the family of Pat Cullen, I consider them honest proper men and from all that I can learn, it is my impression, that he was not guilty of the crime for which he is under sentence, and believe the
purpose of the Memorial to be true, given under my havnd this 26th Sept. 1837
I have nothing against the Petitioner, Pat. Cullen Bryan McManus P.P. of Kilmactrany. Another Memorial similar wording to the first one, was written by Edwin Eugar Vicar of KIL... and Martin Dillon J.P. and William Bell J.P.
Discription from Certificate of Freedom. Height 5' 5 1/2". complexion Ruddy and much freckled. Hair, Dark brown mixed with grey. Eyes, Bluish.
General Remarks. Third and little finger of the right hand coutracted Little finger of left hand the same mark of a bite? lower part of left arm scar on cup of right knee.
Note: Patrick William & Margaret Cullen had 5 other children who did not come to Australia. No reco
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