BIOGRAPHY
Captain Starlight met Patrick Edward Pelly when they were both serving sentences in St Helena Gaol in Moreton Bay in 1887/1888. Starlight was under sentence as 'Frank Gordon' at the time. The men found they had much in common - in particular, an interest in literature - and they became firm friends. Pelly saw 'Gordon' as a brother and when his friend asked if he might take his name, Pelly agreed, little knowing that 'Gordon' was in earnest. Pelly also claimed that while in gaol the friends made wills, each naming the other as a beneficiary. When 'Gordon' was released from gaol first, Pelly asked him to take his album of family photographs to his brother, George Kirkaldy Pelly, who Patrick believed was living in Brisbane at the time. 'Gordon' agreed and took the album, though he never delivered it to George. Instead he kept and used it to forge a new identity for himself as 'Major Patrick Francis Pelly'.
Patrick Edward Pelly came from Portumna, in County Galway, Ireland. He was born in about 1858 to parents Michael and Honoria. Patrick came from a large and respectable Roman Catholic family. His father was a collector for the Poor Law; he had an aunt who was a nun and a brother who was a priest. He and his siblings were well educated and Patrick was articulate and intelligent. Patrick claimed to have been a journalist but he was rarely out of gaol for long enough to practise his profession. His letters show quite a flair for language, a strong affection for his family and an active - if troubled - conscience. Patrick claimed to have emigrated to Australia on the 'Eastcroft' in 1878. He was in trouble with the law from his very early days in Australia. Family history suggests that he may have been encouraged to emigrate by his family when his poaching activities at home started getting him into trouble.
Patrick's criminal record is astonishingly long and remarkably unsuccessful. He was a petty crook, engaging in opportunistic petty thefts and frauds, none of which were well planned or cleverly executed. He was neither a violent man nor a schemer and he seems to have been quite personable. Certainly he was gregarious. Patrick was well aware of - and troubled by - his faults; his letters are full of regret, shame and loneliness. Patrick's main problem seems to have been alcoholism; many of his crimes were committed while drunk. He never married, and he died alone in the Rookwood Benevolent asylum: a home for destitute old men.
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Captain Starlight met Patrick Edward Pelly when they were both serving sentences in St Helena Gaol in Moreton Bay in 1887/1888. Starlight was under sentence as 'Frank Gordon' at the time. The men found they had much in common - in particular, an interest in literature - and they became firm friends. Pelly saw 'Gordon' as a brother and when his friend asked if he might take his name, Pelly agreed, little knowing that 'Gordon' was in earnest. Pelly also claimed that while in gaol the friends made wills, each naming the other as a beneficiary. When 'Gordon' was released from gaol first, Pelly asked him to take his album of family photographs to his brother, George Kirkaldy Pelly, who Patrick believed was living in Brisbane at the time. 'Gordon' agreed and took the album, though he never delivered it to George. Instead he kept and used it to forge a new identity for himself as 'Major Patrick Francis Pelly'.
Patrick Edward Pelly came from Portumna, in County Galway, Ireland. He was born in about 1858 to parents Michael and Honoria. Patrick came from a large and respectable Roman Catholic family. His father was a collector for the Poor Law; he had an aunt who was a nun and a brother who was a priest. He and his siblings were well educated and Patrick was articulate and intelligent. Patrick claimed to have been a journalist but he was rarely out of gaol for long enough to practise his profession. His letters show quite a flair for language, a strong affection for his family and an active - if troubled - conscience. Patrick claimed to have emigrated to Australia on the 'Eastcroft' in 1878. He was in trouble with the law from his very early days in Australia. Family history suggests that he may have been encouraged to emigrate by his family when his poaching activities at home started getting him into trouble.
Patrick's criminal record is astonishingly long and remarkably unsuccessful. He was a petty crook, engaging in opportunistic petty thefts and frauds, none of which were well planned or cleverly executed. He was neither a violent man nor a schemer and he seems to have been quite personable. Certainly he was gregarious. Patrick was well aware of - and troubled by - his faults; his letters are full of regret, shame and loneliness. Patrick's main problem seems to have been alcoholism; many of his crimes were committed while drunk. He never married, and he died alone in the Rookwood Benevolent asylum: a home for destitute old men.
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Patrick Edward Pelly in 1896. Gaol photograph taken from his gaol entry record. Image courtesy of Public Records Office of Victoria. [VPRS 515, record no 27152]. Click on the image to go to the full gaol record.
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Patrick Edward Pelly in 1901 (left) and 1897 (right). Gaol photograph taken from his gaol entry record. Image courtesy of Public Records Office of Victoria. [VPRS 515, record no 27152]. Click on the image to go to the full gaol record.
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TIMELINE
c1858: Born in County Galway, Ireland
16 April 1879: Conviction for forgery and uttering: sentenced to 9 months.
25 Aug 1879: Absconded from Boro (?)Gaol (recaptured)
6 Sept 1879: Sentenced to 6 months hard labour, first 3 in irons for absconding from legal custody
12 June 1880: Released
12 March 1881: Deserted from NSW Artillery
March 1882: Charged with forgery and uttering
May 1882: Tried at Wilcannia, convicted of forgery and uttering, sentenced to 2 years hard labour, Deniliquin Gaol
May 1884: Released from Deniliquin Gaol
June 1884: Arrested for his crime of desertion from the military (see 12 March 1881)
15 Aug 1884: Escaped from the guard-room whilst awaiting sentencing
Sept 1884: Recaptured by the Currabubula Police and remanded to the Military Authorities
29 Sept 1884: Convicted for desertion and sentenced to 8 months, with 14 days hard labour
23 July 1889: Arrested in Sydney by Detectives Willmott and Cocking, charged on warrant issued by Brisbane Bench for
fraudulently obtaining money from J.F. Haike of Brisbane. Remanded to Brisbane. Gaoled at Toowoomba.
22 Jan 1886: Discharged from Toowoomba Gaol
15 March 1886: Conviction for larceny; sentenced to 3 months in Brisbane Gaol with hard labour
14 June 1886: Discharge from Brisbane Gaol
2 August 1886: Conviction for larceny, sentenced to 9 months hard labour in Brisbane Gaol (St Helena)
1 May 1887: Discharged from St Helena
2 May 1887: Arrested on suspicion of larceny; sentenced to 6 months at Brisbane Gaol (St Helena)
1 Nov 1887: Discharged
6 Nov 1887: Wanted for stealing from Thomas G. Hill
5 Jan 1888: Tried at Brisbane District Court for larceny (For stealing a suitcase belonging to Mary Riordan from Roma St train Station)
Read the story
20 Feb 1888: Sentenced for above crime: 3 years Brisbane Gaol with hard labour (St Helena)
10 April 1888: Arrived at St Helena
19 Nov 1890: Discharged
29 Sept 1891: Conviction: ‘Suspected person’ in Sydney, sentenced to 6 months
7 April 1892: Conviction: Stealing in a dwelling.
20 April 1892: Sentenced to 3 years hard labour in Sydney Gaol
Sept/Oct 1894: Warrant issued by West Maitland Bench for arrest of Edward O’Kelly alias Patrick Pelly, charged with sending a forged
telegram to Sarah Manusu of Mundooran, with intent to obtain money, on the 17th August.
26 Dec 1894: Arrested for receiving and/or drunk: sentenced to a fine or 48 hours imprisonment (Melbourne)
5 Feb 1895: Convicted of receiving (as William Blake). Sentenced to 3 months hard labour (Melbourne)
6 June 1895: Convicted of larceny (as Edward Wilson) at Prahran Petty Sessions, sentenced to 3 months hard labour (Prahran)
22 Aug 1895: Convicted of uttering valueless cheque on Harriet Smith, hotelkeeper, Lara, near Geelong;
sentenced at Geelong Supreme Court (as Edward Wilson) to 3 years with hard labour. Received at Geelong Gaol
3 Sept 1895: Transferred to Pentridge
30 Nov 1897: Discharged
14 Dec 1897: Convictions for riotous behaviour at Melbourne Petty sessions (sentenced to fine 20/- or 7 days imprisonment) AND
Resisting a Constable (sentenced to 60/ or 1 month imprisonment)
30 Dec 1890: Convicted of Larceny at Fitzroy Petty Sessions; sentenced to 3 months imprisonment
While in prison:
25 Jan 1902: Discharged
11 Sept 1902: Tried at Maitland Circuit Court for stealing a horse, buggy, and set of harness from Henry Hercules Skinner;
found guilty of illegally using the horse; sentenced to 12 months hard labour Maitland Gaol. [As Darcy OKelly]
Read the story: (1) ; (2) ; (3) ; (4)
Sept 1903: Discharged from Maitland Gaol
8 Dec 1903: Convicted of larceny (as Darcy Kelly)
11 March 1904: Convicted of stealing a waterproof cloak, jacket and skirt from Maie Nelson, of Majeroni Dramatic Company. Tried at Adelaide; sentenced to 6 months imprisonment. Read the story.
14 March 1904: Tried at the Police Court, Adelaide, for stealing a skirt and coat valued at £1,10 from Clare Donaldson. Sentenced to 6 months
18 Oct 1904: As Darcy Kelly: stole coat and vest from hotel in Port Pirie; sentenced to 3 months
20 Oct 1915: Enlisted in the Army at Liverpool, NSW, claiming to be a 49 year old journalist with no criminal past.
31 Dec 1915: Discharged from the Army at his own request. See his military record.
Nov 1916: In Orange, NSW: Arrested for not paying for a round of drinks and assaulting the publican. Charges dropped. Read the story.
Jan 1919: Convicted but not punished for drunkenness (at Blackall). Read the story.
1922: Died in Granville.
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c1858: Born in County Galway, Ireland
16 April 1879: Conviction for forgery and uttering: sentenced to 9 months.
25 Aug 1879: Absconded from Boro (?)Gaol (recaptured)
6 Sept 1879: Sentenced to 6 months hard labour, first 3 in irons for absconding from legal custody
12 June 1880: Released
12 March 1881: Deserted from NSW Artillery
March 1882: Charged with forgery and uttering
May 1882: Tried at Wilcannia, convicted of forgery and uttering, sentenced to 2 years hard labour, Deniliquin Gaol
May 1884: Released from Deniliquin Gaol
June 1884: Arrested for his crime of desertion from the military (see 12 March 1881)
15 Aug 1884: Escaped from the guard-room whilst awaiting sentencing
Sept 1884: Recaptured by the Currabubula Police and remanded to the Military Authorities
29 Sept 1884: Convicted for desertion and sentenced to 8 months, with 14 days hard labour
23 July 1889: Arrested in Sydney by Detectives Willmott and Cocking, charged on warrant issued by Brisbane Bench for
fraudulently obtaining money from J.F. Haike of Brisbane. Remanded to Brisbane. Gaoled at Toowoomba.
22 Jan 1886: Discharged from Toowoomba Gaol
15 March 1886: Conviction for larceny; sentenced to 3 months in Brisbane Gaol with hard labour
14 June 1886: Discharge from Brisbane Gaol
2 August 1886: Conviction for larceny, sentenced to 9 months hard labour in Brisbane Gaol (St Helena)
1 May 1887: Discharged from St Helena
2 May 1887: Arrested on suspicion of larceny; sentenced to 6 months at Brisbane Gaol (St Helena)
1 Nov 1887: Discharged
6 Nov 1887: Wanted for stealing from Thomas G. Hill
5 Jan 1888: Tried at Brisbane District Court for larceny (For stealing a suitcase belonging to Mary Riordan from Roma St train Station)
Read the story
20 Feb 1888: Sentenced for above crime: 3 years Brisbane Gaol with hard labour (St Helena)
10 April 1888: Arrived at St Helena
19 Nov 1890: Discharged
29 Sept 1891: Conviction: ‘Suspected person’ in Sydney, sentenced to 6 months
7 April 1892: Conviction: Stealing in a dwelling.
20 April 1892: Sentenced to 3 years hard labour in Sydney Gaol
Sept/Oct 1894: Warrant issued by West Maitland Bench for arrest of Edward O’Kelly alias Patrick Pelly, charged with sending a forged
telegram to Sarah Manusu of Mundooran, with intent to obtain money, on the 17th August.
26 Dec 1894: Arrested for receiving and/or drunk: sentenced to a fine or 48 hours imprisonment (Melbourne)
5 Feb 1895: Convicted of receiving (as William Blake). Sentenced to 3 months hard labour (Melbourne)
6 June 1895: Convicted of larceny (as Edward Wilson) at Prahran Petty Sessions, sentenced to 3 months hard labour (Prahran)
22 Aug 1895: Convicted of uttering valueless cheque on Harriet Smith, hotelkeeper, Lara, near Geelong;
sentenced at Geelong Supreme Court (as Edward Wilson) to 3 years with hard labour. Received at Geelong Gaol
3 Sept 1895: Transferred to Pentridge
30 Nov 1897: Discharged
14 Dec 1897: Convictions for riotous behaviour at Melbourne Petty sessions (sentenced to fine 20/- or 7 days imprisonment) AND
Resisting a Constable (sentenced to 60/ or 1 month imprisonment)
30 Dec 1890: Convicted of Larceny at Fitzroy Petty Sessions; sentenced to 3 months imprisonment
While in prison:
- 10 Feb 1898: Received at Pentridge
- 28 Feb 1898: Transferred to Geelong
- 15 Sep 1898: Back to Pentridge
- 29 Oct 1900: Groundless complaint about hominy; punished with 7 days solitary confinement
- 3 Dec 1900: Talking unnecessarily; punished with 1 day postponement of sentence
- 20 Dec 1900: Talking unnecessarily; punished with 1 day postponement of sentence
- 10 Jan 1901: Talking in ranks: punished with 1 day postponement of sentence
- 2 May 1901: Making false statements: punished with 1 day postponement of sentence
- 26 Sep 1901: Talking unnecessarily; punished with 1 day postponement of sentence
25 Jan 1902: Discharged
11 Sept 1902: Tried at Maitland Circuit Court for stealing a horse, buggy, and set of harness from Henry Hercules Skinner;
found guilty of illegally using the horse; sentenced to 12 months hard labour Maitland Gaol. [As Darcy OKelly]
Read the story: (1) ; (2) ; (3) ; (4)
Sept 1903: Discharged from Maitland Gaol
8 Dec 1903: Convicted of larceny (as Darcy Kelly)
11 March 1904: Convicted of stealing a waterproof cloak, jacket and skirt from Maie Nelson, of Majeroni Dramatic Company. Tried at Adelaide; sentenced to 6 months imprisonment. Read the story.
14 March 1904: Tried at the Police Court, Adelaide, for stealing a skirt and coat valued at £1,10 from Clare Donaldson. Sentenced to 6 months
18 Oct 1904: As Darcy Kelly: stole coat and vest from hotel in Port Pirie; sentenced to 3 months
20 Oct 1915: Enlisted in the Army at Liverpool, NSW, claiming to be a 49 year old journalist with no criminal past.
31 Dec 1915: Discharged from the Army at his own request. See his military record.
Nov 1916: In Orange, NSW: Arrested for not paying for a round of drinks and assaulting the publican. Charges dropped. Read the story.
Jan 1919: Convicted but not punished for drunkenness (at Blackall). Read the story.
1922: Died in Granville.
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SOURCES
NSW Police Gazettes
(1881, March 28). New South Wales Police Gazette, p. 105.
(1882, March 1). New South Wales Police Gazette, p. 83.
(1882, May 31). New South Wales Police Gazette, p. 210.
(1884, June 25). New South Wales Police Gazette, p. 270.
(1884, Aug 27). New South Wales Police Gazette, p. 358.
(1884, Sept 24). New South Wales Police Gazette, p. 398.
(1885, July 22). New South Wales Police Gazette, p. 220.
(1894, Oct 3). New South Wales Police Gazette, p. 332.
(1902, Oct 8). New South Wales Police Gazette, p. 396.
(1903, Sept 16). New South Wales Police Gazette, p. 357.
Victoria Police Gazettes
(1895, June 5). Victoria Police Gazette, p. 185.
(1897, Dec 4). Victoria Police Gazette, p. 3.
(1897, Dec 8). Victoria Police Gazette.
QLD Police Gazettes
(1886, Jan 16). Queensland Police Gazette, p. 49.
(1886, June 5). Queensland Police Gazette, p. 155.
(1887, April 2). Queensland Police Gazette, p. 141.
(1887, Nov 5). Queensland Police Gazette, p. 370.
(1887, Nov 12). Queensland Police Gazette, p. 373.
(1888, March 24). Queensland Police Gazette, p. 137.
(1890, Nov 15). Queensland Police Gazette, p. 369.
Newspapers
A commercial's stolen coat. (1904, Oct 21). The Register (Adelaide, SA), p. 2.
An impudent thief. (1904, Oct 19). Port Pirie Recorder and North Western Mail, p 2.
Famous bushranger was clerk in Perth. (1934, August 20). Barrier Miner, p. 2.Police court - Adelaide. (1904, March 15). The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA), p. 9.
Larceny. (1888, Jan 6). Brisbane Courier, p.7
Pleas of guilty. (1888, Feb 21). Brisbane Courier, p.3
Police Court - Adelaide. (1904, March 12). The Advertiser (Adelaide), p. 11
Police Court – Adelaide. (1904, March 15). The Advertiser (Adelaide), p. 9
Port Pirie. (1904, Oct 24). The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA), pp. 8,9.
Committed for trial. (1902, Sept 15). The Maitland Daily Mercury, p.2
The Week's Police News. (1902, Sept 13). The Maitland Weekly Mercury, p.8
The week’s police news. (1902, Sept 20). The Maitland Weekly Mercury, p.8
West Maitland. (1902, Sept 25). Sydney Morning Herald, p.11
NSW Archives
NRS 2138, Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930; 3/6054; Patrick Pelly. Roll 2375; p.128. Retrieved April 16, 2013 from www.Ancestry.com
NRS 2225 Roll: 1874. New South Wales, Australia, Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930. Edward O'Kelly [Patrick Pelly], 20 April 1892, no.175, p.211 Goulburn Entrance book. Retrieved April 16, 2013 from p. 218, www.Ancestry.com
NRS 2134, Roll: 277; New South Wales, Australia, Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930. Darlinghurst Gaol entrance book; Patrick Edward Pelly, Oct 2, 1884. Retrieved April 16, 2013 from Ancestry.com
Clerk of the Peace: Registers of Criminal Depositions received: Mar 1880-Nov 1895; Series Number: 849; Reel: 2761. Patrick Edward Pelly, 1882, p.195.
Roll: 2363. New South Wales, Australia, Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930. Edward OKeely [Patrick Pelly], 1892, no. 175. Retrieved April 16, 2013 from p. 218, www.Ancestry.com
Public Records Office of Victoria (PROV)
VPRS 515, Central Register of Male Prisoners, Sub-item Pelly, Patrick, No. 17267, Page 268.
VPRS 515, Central Register of Male Prisoners, Sub-item Pelley, Patrick; (Edwd Kelly); (Edward Wilson); (Wm Blake). No. 27152.
QLD Archives
Item ID 92274, Register – prisoners
Item ID897043, Register - criminal cases. Film 8276, Case no.4 Patrick Pelly, 5 Jan 1888
Item ID 92274, Register – prisoners. Register of prisoners with allocated gaol/cell numbers - H. M. Penal Establishment, St Helena. Film 2038; Patrick Pelly gaol no. 124
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NSW Police Gazettes
(1881, March 28). New South Wales Police Gazette, p. 105.
(1882, March 1). New South Wales Police Gazette, p. 83.
(1882, May 31). New South Wales Police Gazette, p. 210.
(1884, June 25). New South Wales Police Gazette, p. 270.
(1884, Aug 27). New South Wales Police Gazette, p. 358.
(1884, Sept 24). New South Wales Police Gazette, p. 398.
(1885, July 22). New South Wales Police Gazette, p. 220.
(1894, Oct 3). New South Wales Police Gazette, p. 332.
(1902, Oct 8). New South Wales Police Gazette, p. 396.
(1903, Sept 16). New South Wales Police Gazette, p. 357.
Victoria Police Gazettes
(1895, June 5). Victoria Police Gazette, p. 185.
(1897, Dec 4). Victoria Police Gazette, p. 3.
(1897, Dec 8). Victoria Police Gazette.
QLD Police Gazettes
(1886, Jan 16). Queensland Police Gazette, p. 49.
(1886, June 5). Queensland Police Gazette, p. 155.
(1887, April 2). Queensland Police Gazette, p. 141.
(1887, Nov 5). Queensland Police Gazette, p. 370.
(1887, Nov 12). Queensland Police Gazette, p. 373.
(1888, March 24). Queensland Police Gazette, p. 137.
(1890, Nov 15). Queensland Police Gazette, p. 369.
Newspapers
A commercial's stolen coat. (1904, Oct 21). The Register (Adelaide, SA), p. 2.
An impudent thief. (1904, Oct 19). Port Pirie Recorder and North Western Mail, p 2.
Famous bushranger was clerk in Perth. (1934, August 20). Barrier Miner, p. 2.Police court - Adelaide. (1904, March 15). The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA), p. 9.
Larceny. (1888, Jan 6). Brisbane Courier, p.7
Pleas of guilty. (1888, Feb 21). Brisbane Courier, p.3
Police Court - Adelaide. (1904, March 12). The Advertiser (Adelaide), p. 11
Police Court – Adelaide. (1904, March 15). The Advertiser (Adelaide), p. 9
Port Pirie. (1904, Oct 24). The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA), pp. 8,9.
Committed for trial. (1902, Sept 15). The Maitland Daily Mercury, p.2
The Week's Police News. (1902, Sept 13). The Maitland Weekly Mercury, p.8
The week’s police news. (1902, Sept 20). The Maitland Weekly Mercury, p.8
West Maitland. (1902, Sept 25). Sydney Morning Herald, p.11
NSW Archives
NRS 2138, Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930; 3/6054; Patrick Pelly. Roll 2375; p.128. Retrieved April 16, 2013 from www.Ancestry.com
NRS 2225 Roll: 1874. New South Wales, Australia, Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930. Edward O'Kelly [Patrick Pelly], 20 April 1892, no.175, p.211 Goulburn Entrance book. Retrieved April 16, 2013 from p. 218, www.Ancestry.com
NRS 2134, Roll: 277; New South Wales, Australia, Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930. Darlinghurst Gaol entrance book; Patrick Edward Pelly, Oct 2, 1884. Retrieved April 16, 2013 from Ancestry.com
Clerk of the Peace: Registers of Criminal Depositions received: Mar 1880-Nov 1895; Series Number: 849; Reel: 2761. Patrick Edward Pelly, 1882, p.195.
Roll: 2363. New South Wales, Australia, Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930. Edward OKeely [Patrick Pelly], 1892, no. 175. Retrieved April 16, 2013 from p. 218, www.Ancestry.com
Public Records Office of Victoria (PROV)
VPRS 515, Central Register of Male Prisoners, Sub-item Pelly, Patrick, No. 17267, Page 268.
VPRS 515, Central Register of Male Prisoners, Sub-item Pelley, Patrick; (Edwd Kelly); (Edward Wilson); (Wm Blake). No. 27152.
QLD Archives
Item ID 92274, Register – prisoners
Item ID897043, Register - criminal cases. Film 8276, Case no.4 Patrick Pelly, 5 Jan 1888
Item ID 92274, Register – prisoners. Register of prisoners with allocated gaol/cell numbers - H. M. Penal Establishment, St Helena. Film 2038; Patrick Pelly gaol no. 124
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Image courtesy of the NSW State Archives
Image courtesy of the NSW State Archives
