 |
History of the Roman Catholic Church in the Colony of New South Wales - 1800 to 1836
The Convict Priests
Reverend James Harold
Reverend James Harold was transported for complicity in the Irish rebellion of 1798. Aged 55 years, he arrived at Sydney in the transport ship Minerva on 11 January 1800. On the passage out, an attempt was made by the Irish convicts on board to murder the master and officers and take over the ship. The master was rescued from the mutiny, after being obliged to fire on the convicts who had him in their possession, and the insurgents were overcome. It appears the master and officers found it necessary to hang one of the principal ring leaders and to shoot another in the affray.
Reverend Harold was one of the convicts suspected of
supporting the mutiny, and as a result he and others were locked away in a
separate secure part of the ship for the balance of the trip to Australia.
After months in the Colony, Reverend Harold sought permission from Governor Hunter to be permitted to leave and be allowed to travel to Rio de Janeiro on the condition that he not return to Europe. He claimed his allowance was inadequate to maintain him and that he was being marginalised by others in the Colony. Governor Hunter did not approve of the request and instead referred Harold’s letter to the Duke of Portland in England for consideration.
Governor John Hunter
(Source:
Old Government House)
On suspicion of being concerned in a proposed Irish
insurrection in the Colony during the months of September and October 1800, he
was re-transported to Norfolk Island, where he remained until the Island was
abandoned in 1807.
On 3 January 1809 he was granted a Conditional Pardon and in July 1810, he was allowed to leave the Colony. He sailed for America and five years later returned to Ireland. He died on 15 August 1830 and was buried in the old Richmond Cemetery, Dublin.
Reverend Harold’s request to Governor Hunter
EXTRACT FROM LETTER OF JAMES HAROLD TO GOVERNOR HUNTER – DATED 23 April
1800
‘I am sorry to assure your Excellency my present situation
is, and likely to be, of the most distressful kind..... I did, indeed, expect
some assistance from individuals and from the people, but I am sadly
disappointed. The people are so devoted to the gratification of their passions
that they do not allow themselves a single moment’s rational consideration.
Another intolerable grievance is that, from a disorder in my head of thirty
years duration, I cannot read or study, even for the space of an hour. Hence the
want of society, to which I was always accustomed, and which would be amply
supplied by books, could I attend to them, renders my condition almost
insupportable.
Those with whom I should think proper to associate find it
their duty to keep me at a distance, while a few others begin, especially of
late, consider it unsafe to hold communication with me. Thus am I obliged either
to spend my time in places of riot and intoxication, or commit myself to the
dreary walls of a solitary hut, how or with what accommodation I shall not
mention.
Under these melancholy circumstances I hope your
Excellency’s generosity ... will pardon the liberty I take of begging a favour,
which alone can possibly relieve me – leave to pass into Rio de Janeiro under
the most solemn engagements never to return to Europe without permission’.
[Historical Records of Australia, Series 1, Volume 2, pp
503-4].
Reverend Peter O’Neil
Fr. Peter O'Neil
(Source:
Wild Geese Heritage Museum and Library, Galway)
Peter O’Neil was also arrested in Ireland on suspicion of complicity with the
Irish rebels, and was thrown into prison without any trial, as was often the
custom at the time. Three days later, he had been submitted to a searching
examination, but no incriminating evidence was discovered. He was also stripped
and given 275 lashes and this also failed to extort a confession.
He was transported to the Colony on the Anne, and arrived in Port Jackson on 21
February 1801. By instructions from the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, he received
permission to return to Ireland on 19 November 1802 by the Atlas.
EXTRACT OF DESPATCH FROM GOVERNOR KING TO DUKE OF PORTLAND – DATED
10/3/1801
‘We have been very quiet until the arrival of the Ann, transport, from Cork,
with 137 of the most desperate and diabolical characters that could be selected
throughout that Kingdom, together with a Catholic priest of most notorious,
seditious and rebellious principles, which makes the numbers of those who,
avowing a determination never to lose sight of the oath by which they are bound
as United Irishmen, amount to 600, are ready, and only waiting an opportunity to
put their diabolical plans in execution.
I respectfully submit the propriety of any more of those violent Republican
characters being sent here for some time, and particularly the priests (of whom
we have now three)’.
[Historical Records of Australia, Series 1, Volume 3, p 9].
(Source:
Wild Geese Heritage Museum and Library, Galway)
Reverend James Dixon
Reverend James Dixon was tried and sentenced to death for suspected complicity
in the Irish rebellion. The sentence was commuted to transportation for life. He
arrived at Sydney on the Friendship on 16 January 1800. In a Despatch dated 29
August 1802, Lord Hobart in England authorised Governor King to employ Dixon in
the exercise of his clerical duties, provided his conduct in the Colony had been
satisfactory. On 19 April 1803 he was granted a Conditional Pardon.
EXTRACT FROM DESPATCH OF LORD HOBART TO GOVERNOR KING – DATED 29/8/1802
‘The Catholic priests Dixon, O’Neal and Harold, .... have been represented
to me as persons who may not be undeserving of the conditional emancipation. If
their conduct should have justified this representation, and you should be of
opinion that the Priests may be usefully employed, either as Schoolmasters or in
the exercise of their clerical functions, you may avail yourself of their
services and allow them such moderate compensation as you may judge reasonable’.
[Historical Records of Australia, Series 1, Volume 3, p 564].
EXTRACT OF PROCLAMATION RESPECTING THE TOLERATION OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC
RELIGION – ISSUED BY GOVERNOR PHILIP GIDLEY KING ON 19/4/1803
‘Whereas I have judged it expedient and admissible .....to grant unto the
Reverend Mr. Dixon a conditional emancipation to enable him to exercise his
clerical functions as a Roman Catholic priest, which he has qualified himself
for by the regular and exemplary conduct he has manifested since his residence
in this Colony, and his having taken the oath of allegiance, abjuration, and
declaration prescribed by law’.
[Historical Records of Australia, Series 1, Volume 4, pp 104].
EXTRACT OF DESPATCH FROM GOVERNOR KING TO LORD HOBART – DATED 9/5/1803
‘By directions from Lord Hardwick, Rev. O’Neal has been permitted to return
to Ireland. I am glad to say that the conduct of Dixon, another Catholic priest,
has been exemplary since he has been here, whilst Harold’s (who is at Norfolk
Island) has been the reverse. To employ them as schoolmasters would be giving
them the means, were they so disposed, of instilling improper ideas into the
minds of their pupils. However, I do not think that would be the case with
Dixon.... I believe it will be admitted that no description of people are so
bigoted to their religion and priests as the lower order of the Irish, and such
is their credulous ignorance that an artful priest may lead them to every action
that is either good or bad. The number of this description now in the Colony is
more than a fourth of the inhabitants. They have frequently felt uneasy at being
excluded from excising their religion, which has been heightened by the idea of
having priests among them who are forbid preaching to them’.
[Historical Records of Australia, Series 1, Volume 4, p 83].
Fr. James Dixon's Plaque
(Source:
Resume of Rev.
Fr. James Dixon PP (1758 - 1840)
Tolerance of Roman Catholic Worship
As a preliminary step to provide for the tolerance of Roman Catholic Worship, on
12 April 1803 Governor King ordered every person in the Colony professing the
Roman Catholic religion to register their names and places of abode with the
Reverend James Dixon at Sydney, or with the Magistrate’s Clerk at Parramatta, or
with Thomas Arndell, Magistrate at the Hawkesbury. On the 20 April 1803, these
co-religionists met by command at Government House, Parramatta, when the
provisions made for the administration of the rites of their church were
announced.
On 19 April 1803, Reverend Dixon in the presence of Judge-Advocate Atkins and
Surgeon Jamison, subscribed his name to the seven regulations to be observed by
himself and his congregations in the conduct of their worship.
The first public mass was celebrated on 15 May 1803. This was the first official
recognition of the Roman Catholic Church in Australia.
Reverend Dixon was given a salary of £60 per year from 30 June 1803.
REGULATIONS TO BE OBSERVED BY THE REVEREND MR. DIXON, AND THE CATHOLIC CONGREGATIONS IN THIS COLONY – ISSUED BY GOVERNOR PHILIP GIDLEY KING ON 19/4/1803
1. They will observe, with all becoming gratitude, that this extension of
liberal toleration proceeds from the piety and benevolence of our most gracious
sovereign, to whom, as well as our parent country at large, we are (under
Providence) indebted to the blessings we enjoy.
2. That this religious exercise of their worship may suffer no hindrance, it is
expected that no seditious conversations that can anywise injure His Majesty’s
Government, or attest the tranquillity of this Colony, will ever happen, either
at the places prescribed for their worship, or elsewhere; but that they will
individually manifest their gratitude and allegiance by exerting themselves in
detecting and reporting any impropriety of that or any other nature that may
fall under their observation,
3. As Mr. Dixon will be allowed to perform his clerical functions once in three
weeks at the settlements of Sydney, Parramatta and Hawkesbury, in rotation, the
Magistrates are to strictly forbid suffering those Catholics who reside at the
places where service is not performing from resorting to the settlement and
district at which the priest officiates for the day.
4. The Catholic service will be performed on the appointed Sundays at nine
o’clock in the morning.
5. No improper behaviour during the time of service is to be allowed by the
Priest, who will be responsible to the Magistrates for his congregations going
regularly and orderly to their respective homes after the offices are ended.
6. And to the end that strict decorum may be observed, a certain number of the
Police will be stationed at and about the places appointed during the service.
7. Every person throughout the Colony will observe that the law has sufficiently
provided for the punishment of those who may disquiet or disturb any assembly of
religious worship whatever, or misuse any priest or teacher of any tolerated
sect.
[Historical Records of Australia, Series 1, Volume 4, pp 104 - 105].
On 4 March 1804, Irish and other convicts staged the abortive
Vinegar Hill
rebellion. As soon as the rebellion was quashed, Governor King revoked the
Proclamation which set out the Regulations for the conduct of Roman Catholic
Worship. Governor King also cancelled the salary he had paid Reverend Dixon. The
Governor stated that this was ‘to prevent the seditious meetings that took place
in consequence of the indulgence and protection he received’.
Reverend Dixon returned to Ireland in 1808 and after his departure, the recognised celebration of the rites of the Catholic Church was discontinued until the arrival of Reverends Joseph Terry and Phillip Connolly in 1820.
Stained Glass Window in St. Marys Cathedral, Sydney, depicting the celebration
of a Mass by Reverend James Dixon in the kitchen of a house in 1803.
A lookout is at the door, looking for soldiers.
(Source: Kevin McGuinness)
Links
Australian Catholic Historical Society
Australian Dictionary of Biography: James Harold, (1744 - 1830)
Australian Dictionary of Biography: James Dixon (1758 - 1840)
Australian Dictionary of Biography: Peter O'Neil (1757 - 1846)
Australian Dictionary of Biography: Governor John Hunter (1737 - 1821)
Hills Directory: Battle of Vinegar Hill [Vinegar Hill rebellion]
Resume of Rev. Fr. James Dixon PP (1758 - 1840)
Wild Geese Heritage Museum and Library, Galway
Hawesbury City Council: Battle of Vinegar Hill Commemoration
The
Catholic Weekly: Convict Priest was in favour....and out [James Dixon]
Back to Resource Materials Index.
History Services NSW will consider undertaking further searches of its databases to accommodate any special research requests. Please email your request.
Kevin McGuinness
© HISTORY SERVICES NSW