A. H. BOYD, prison officer Port Arthur penal establishment
Mary Ann LARKIN, bounty emigrant: marriage and children
The photograph of Charles Garforth by T. J. Nevin 1875
Recto image and numbers:
Prisoner Charles Garforth, the name also spelt as Garfitt and Garfoot per M S Elphinstone 2, 1848.
Photographed by government contractor Thomas J. Nevin at the Hobart Gaol before the trial while the prisoner was under remand, January 1875.
This carte-de-visite was acquired by the QVMAG in the 1930s from the estate of collector John Watt Beattie who salvaged 300 or so mugshots taken for police by T. J. Nevin, 1870s, from police records, criminal rap sheets and photo books.The number "174" was inscribed on the mount below the image when listed as part of Beattie's collection at the QVMAG in the 1970s-1980s. It was not one of the 50 or so mugshots removed from Beattie's collection in 1983 which were exhibited at the Port Arthur Heritage Site and returned to the TMAG in Hobart instead of being returned to Beattie's 1900's original collection in Launceston.
Verso inscriptions:
Top left: QVM: 1985: P: 0111 (black and white copy reproduced from sepia cdv at the QVMAG in 1985)
Sideways on right: 18..? : 78: 22 (very faint date archived at QVMAG )
Sideways on right: QVM FILE NO. 147 | 283 over 7 (in stamp box listed in 1970s for exhibition)
In centre, and below: inscription dates from 1900s by Beattie et al for sale and display:
"283 / Charles Garfitt/Garfoot/Garforth per M. S. Elphinstone 2 (1848)
Taken at Port Arthur 1874"
Source: Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Launceston, Tasmania
Link: https://collection.qvmag.tas.gov.au/fmi/webd/QVMAGweb
Charles Garforth's history with A. H. Boyd
The Hobart Town Advertiser on Saturday 28 June 1862, page 2 reported that the Municipal Council had received a letter from Mr. Boyd announcing that John Garforth had been appointed a constable. But just two months later, in August 1862, Adolarious Humphrey Boyd was advising the Mayor's Court to fine Charles Garforth for being drunk on duty, and recommended his discharge from the constabulary.
1862: Boyd v. Garforth
Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), Friday 8 August 1862, page 8
TRANSCRIPT
MAYOR'S COURT.Source: Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), Friday 8 August 1862, page 8
THURSDAY, AUGUST 7TH. BEFORE the Right Worshipful the Mayor and Mr. Alderman Risby.
BOYD V. GARFORTH.
This was an information against Charles John Garforth, a constable of the City Police, charging him with misconduct in being drunk on his beat, on the 3rd instant.
The defendant, a respectable looking young man, pleaded guilty, when Acting-Serjeant Vaughan explained the particulars of the case.
The Mayor said that he regretted to see so respectable a young man in his present position. He had only been recently received into the force, and ought to have behaved better. However, His Worship had only one duty to perform, as the regulations were strict and peremptory.
The defendant was fined 10s., with a recommendation to be dismissed from the force.
Link: https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8809470
1870: clerk at Port Arthur penal establishment
Despite A. H. Boyd's call for Garforth's dismissal from the constabulary in 1862, he must have acquitted himself well in Boyd's estimation to have gained employed as a clerk in the Port Arthur penal administration by 1870. Garforth's musical ability on the piano ensured his attendance at important functions presided over by A. H. Boyd, suggesting a relationship at a personal level had developed which would account for Garforth's bitter reaction to Boyd's loss of trust in him at trial in 1875 when he accused Garforth of embezzlement.
Page119: Colonial Penal Establishment, Port Arthur
Clerk, C. J. Garforth,, Walch's Tasmanian Almanac
Created/Published Hobart, Tas. : J. Walch & Sons, 1870-[1971]
National Library of Australia, (1870).
Link: https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2898240000
1871: Charles Garforth plays the piano at official event
TRANSCRIPT
PRESENTATION at PORT ARTHUR-The officers of the penal establishment Port Arthur, assembled on Tuesday evening last, the 12th instant, at the public reading room, for the purpose of presenting an address and testimonial to Mr James Lawson, head keeper of the Insane Depot, previous to his retirement from office. The pleasing ceremony was preceded by some music, Mr Garforth presiding at the piano. The Civil Commandant, A. H. Boyd, Esq., lead the address, which he prefaced by expressing the gratification he felt in being able to bear public testimony to the excellence of Mr Lawson's character, and further stated that he really believed he had never met with a more upright and conscientious officer in the whole course of his experience - an eulogium which all present felt to be as well merited as it was graceful and appropriate. The address and reply will be found in another column. The testimonial consisted of a handsome tea service, which will remind Mr. Lawson, when far away, of the many years he has spent in the care of the unfortunate, and of the esteem and friendship of those he leaves behind. Music and singing were continued till about 10 o'clock, the Rev. W. Fitzgerald, Mr. J. L. Hill, and others taking part, and a most agreeable and pleasant evening was spent. Mr. Boyd proposed the health of the guest of the evening, which was responded to most heartily, and briefly, but feelingly, acknowledged.
Source: THE MERCURY. (1871, December 16). p. 2.
Link: https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8868654
1875: Garforth threatens Boyd in court
Employed as a clerk at the Cascades prison for females, Charles Garforth was charged in the City Police Court with the theft of £10, a charge he claimed his employer, prison superintendent Adolarious Humphrey Boyd, had confected, for which Garforth swore he would make Boyd pay dearly.
TRANSCRIPT
CITY POLICE COURT.Source: CITY POLICE COURT. (1875, January 15). The Mercury, Hobart p. 2.
Thursday, January 14th, 1875. Before the Police Magistrate. ...
STEALING MONEY.- Charles John Garforth was charged with stealing £10, monies belonging to the Queen.
D. C. M'Guire stated that the prisoner had been under remand for embezzlement, but that charge had been withdrawn, and one of petty larceny substituted.
The prisoner pleaded not guilty,
Adolarius Humphrey Boyd deposed that he was superintendent at the gaol for females at the Cascades. The prisoner was engaged at that establishment as under-gaoler and clerk. On the last day of last month, witness gave him £l to complete certain moneys which had to be paid into the Treasury. The prisoner had moneys in hand before that. Witness gave him distinct instructions to pay the money into the Treasury on that or the following day. The sum that prisoner had been entrusted with was in all about £10. On Monday, the 4th instant, the prisoner quitted the establishment without leave, and did not return until the following Saturday evening. In consequence of information received, witness broke open the private drawer in prisoner's room, in presence of the matron and Mr. Seagar; there was no money there, only the two empty money bags. On the morning following the prisoner's return he was given into custody. Witness did not see him. The cheque which witness gave prisoner was one that had been received from Dr. Turnley, and was for £1. It was the business of the prisoner to have paid the money at once into the Treasury, as he received it for no other purpose; he had no authority from witness to convert the money to his own use.
In reply to the prisoner, Mr. Boyd stated that he had heard the reason why the prisoner left the establishment, which he mentioned, but as it was only hearsay, it could not be received as evidence. Mr. Boyd said the prisoner had served under him at Port Arthur ; he never had cause to doubt his honesty; there, nor was he ever absent from duty. Never had cause to doubt prisoner at the Cascades prior to this.
George William Fletcher deposed he was clerk in the Treasury, and it was his duty to receive moneys paid in there for the revenue. Did not know the prisoner ; he did not at the end of last month pay any money to witness on account of the Cascades Establishment. The last money paid in on account of the Cascades was on the 30th December, when Mr. Service paid in £24 8s. 10d. If the prisoner had stated that he had paid money into the Treasury about that time, he had stated that which was not true.
Mr. Boyd was recalled, and said that the money paid in by Mr. Service had nothing whatever to do with the prisoner ; it was for the washing account. Mr. Service was the collector of that money, and paid it in monthly.
Elizabeth Turner deposed that she was the wife of John Turner,and resided with him at the Dennison Hotel, Macquarie-street. Knew the prisoner, and remembered him coming to their house on the 30th December. That was the first time he had been there. He asked witness to lend him some money, and witness let him have £8 10s. Prisoner did not say what he wanted the money for ; he promised to repay the amount by seven o'clock that same evening, and he came about eight and repaid the money. It was in notes, gold, silver, and a cheque for £1. Did not have any conversation with prisoner about the cheque ; prisoner told witness it was Dr. Turnley's, but witness did not look at the signature. Witness afterwards paid the cheque to Mr. Biggins, collector for Mr. Walker, the brewer.
To the prisoner : The prisoner told witness he wanted the money because his wife was near her confinement, and be wanted to get some necessary articles. He told her that he could get the money. elsewhere, but he had not time to go to the wharf. The prisoner repaid witness four sovereigns, three £1 notes, a cheque for £1, and 10s. in silver, and said that he brought back the money untouched, except as to 20s. in silver, for which he had substituted a cheque for £1.
District Constable Bellany deposed that he apprehended the prisoner at the Cascade Factory on Sunday morning last. Told him that he was charged with embezzling money belonging to the Queen. The prisoner in reply, said it was quite a mistake ; he had paid the money into the treasury, and Mr. Midwood took it there. He further said that he would make Mr. Boyd pay dearly for this.
This was the case for the prosecution.
The prisoner, in defence, said that on the Monday he left his house from private motives, He could not say he left the establishment ; but from a domestic disagreement he had with his wife, in consequence of a letter sent to him by one of the female warders, he went away and returned on the Saturday evening. With respect to the cheque which Mrs. Turner spoke about, if he did wrong in paying it to her, he did it innocently. It was not his duty personally to pay money into the treasury ; it was usually sent down by a messenger. On the 30th ult., on the day the late Sheriff paid his last visit, he (the prisoner) was very busy, and put the money into an open box for the messenger to take, should he (the prisoner) be absent ; but he had so much to do that day that he never thought of looking to see if the messenger had taken it or not. The prisoner, called the following witnesses :-
Walter Scott deposed he was the messenger at the Cascades. Remembered the morning of the 30th ult., when the late Sheriff was there. Went to town about 1 o'clock, after getting some letters from prisoner, who took them out of the box. Returned about three o'clock, and went again to town between then and four o'clock, but did not find any letters in prisoner's box at that time. In the morning, prisoner gave witness all the letters that were in the box.
Thomas Todd deposed he was gatekeeper at the Cascades. Knew that every one had access to the office at the Cascades whether the clerk was there or not. Witness used to be in the office about six hours a day. There were two women employed about the offices to clean them out, and no one remained about the offices but those women while they were being cleaned out.
To the Bench: There was a desk in the office, which was kept by the prisoner under lock and key ; it was found locked after he left.
The Police Magistrate : In 1865 you were charged with a similar offence and committed for trial, receiving a sentence of four years' penal servitude, is that so ?
The prisoner : It is, your Worship, but since that time I have endeavoured by all means in my power to regain my character.
The Police Magistrate said the magistrates could have no doubt whatever as to their duty in this case. The evidence against the prisoner was so clear that any jury in the world would convict him upon it. The prisoner was entrusted with money for the special purpose of paying into the Treasury; but that money had not been paid into the Treasury, and had never been accounted for, and it was quite evident that the prisoner had converted the £1 cheque to his own use. It seemed impossible for the magistrates to do otherwise than convict the prisoner of the charge made against him. He was one of those clever men who seemed to be devoid of all principle, and when placed in positions of trust could not resist the temptation to convert money entrusted to him by fears for this was the second time he had done it. If the magistrates had chosen to commit the prisoner to the Supreme Court he would have received a heavier sentence than it was in their power to impose. As it was, the prisoner would be sentenced to two years' imprisonment with hard labour.
Link: https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8934680
Garforth's Court and Prison Records 1865-1878
Name:Garford, Charles
Record Type:Convicts
Also known as:Pollock, John
Ship:Antipodes
Remarks: Free to colony. Tried Hobart Oct 1865
Index number:80430
Record ID:NAME_INDEXES:1394413
Archives Office of Tasmania
Link: https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON37-1-10$init=CON37-1-10p273
Link: https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON94-1-1
ALIAS 1865 John Pollock
Link: https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON37-1-10$init=CON37-1-10P273
Link: https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON94-1-1$init=CON94-1-1P338
Link: https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON94-1-1$init=CON94-1-1P339
Recorded as John Pollock, alias Charles Garforth
Source: Archives Office of Tasmania
Link:https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON37-1-10$init=CON37-1-10p273
Source: Archives Office of Tasmania
Link: https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON94-1-1 Image 338, p. 157
Charles Garforth, the name used as his real name by police in later convictions,is listed as his alias here, and John Pollock is the name under which he was sentenced to 4 years for larceny on 24 October 1865, per ship Antipodes, and sent to Port Arthur, arriving there on 10 November 1865. This is an error corrected in red ink: although John Pollock is still listed as his name, and Charles Garforth as his alias, the note in red states he was free to to the colony. The note also states he was discharged to the private service of Mr. Will Todd.
1873: 8 years for housebreaking
Court Records
Archives Office of Tasmania
Link: https://stors.tas.gov.au/SC32-1-9$init=SC32-1-9P184
Link: https://stors.tas.gov.au/AB693-1-1$init=AB693-1-1_103
Link: https://stors.tas.gov.au/SC32-1-9$init=SC32-1-9P185
Imprisoned for 8 years
Garfoot, Charles
Record Type: Court
Status: Free by servitude
Trial date: 18 Feb 1873
Place of trial: Hobart
Offense: Housebreaking and larceny
Verdict: Guilty
Prosecutions Project ID: 113654
Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:1521254
Resource: AB693-1-1 1873
SC32-1-9 Image 163
SC32-1-9 Image 164
The Prosecutions Project
Police gazette, 28th January to 3rd February 1873: Charles Garfoot, free in service, was sentenced to 8 years imprisonment for housebreaking.
1875: Garforth alias Pollock
REPORTS OF CRIME
8 January 1875
WARRANTS ISSUED, AND NOW IN THIS OFFICE.Source: POL 709/1, Archives Office of Tasmania
HOBART TOWN.—On the 8th instant, by William Tarleton, Esquire, J.P., for the arrest of Charles J. Garforth, alias Pollock, charged with having, on or about the 4th instant at Hobart Town, fraudulently embezzled the sum of twelve pounds fourteen shillings and four pence, the property of the Tasmanian Government.
Description. About 45 years of age, 5 feet 9 inches, high, dark eyes, dark hair, black grizzly whiskers, thin features, smart appearance, a clerk. Formerly employed as constable and clerk at Port Arthur, and lately as clerk at Cascades, a Yorkshireman.
So what happened next? Did Garforth carry out his threat to make Boyd pay dearly?
Charles Garforth/Garfitt was discharged from the Hobart Gaol on 28 August 1878. Two years later, on 14 December 1880, he was tried again at the Supreme Court Hobart for breaking and entering a dwelling. He was discharged from the Hobart Gaol on 12 December 1885. Presumably, his threat to make A. H. Boyd pay dearly for a betrayal of trust as he saw it, which sentenced him to two years' hard labour in 1875 on Boyd's testimony, did not eventuate, at least not in the public domain. Charles Garforth was certainly not the first to express hatred of A. H. Boyd, nor indeed the last. A. H. Boyd was despised by the public throughout his career - as administrator of the Orphan School where he was dismissed for misogyny (1864), as Commandant of the Port Arthur Penitentiary where he was forced to resign for embezzlement of Public Works funds (1873), and as a short-lived administrator of the Cascades Asylum for Paupers where he was again reviled by staff and feared by inmates (1875-1877) - evidence of which proliferates in Parliamentary Papers seeking his dismissal, and in newspaper articles of the day decrying his bullying of staff and misuse of public funds. He died while drunk in a fall from his horse at Franklin (1827-1891). But he lived on the hopes of his descendants who wished to bring him up from history smelling of roses in the 1980s with an "artist photographer" attribution of the so-called "convict portraits, Port Arthur" (NLA ). Those original mugshots were correctly recognized and authenticated, of course, as the work of government contractor Thomas J. Nevin until Boyd's apologists sought his redemption. No photographs by A. H. Boyd are known or extant: he did NOT photograph prisoners, nor indeed anyone or anything in any other genre (Kerr & Stilwell, 1995).
Marriage and children
1861: arrival of Mary Ann Larken (var. Larkens, Larking)
Mary Ann Larking arrived at Hobart, Tasmania on 26 October 1861 on board the bounty ship Antipodes with 102 other female immigrants. She married Charles Garforth in June 1862.
Arrival of 103 female immigrants on the Antipodes
Mercury Monday 21 October 1861, page 2
TRANSCRIPT
SHIPPING.
ARRIVED.
October 19.-Antipodes, barque, 593 tons, G. Croot, from London, the 11th July, with general cargo. Cabin passengers, - Mrs. Croot, Capt. Harries, Mr. Dinham, M.R.C.S., and 103 female immigrants in the intermediate and steerage. Agent, McNaughtan and Co.
Name: Larking, Mary Ann
Record Type: Arrivals
Arrival date: 26 Oct 1861
Ship: Antipodes
Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:1469883
Resource: CB7/12/1/10 p201-202
Archives Office of Tasmania
Link: https://stors.tas.gov.au/37508688-5c26-45f0-ab79-10426a040992
1862: Marriage to Mary Ann Larken (var. Larkens, Larking)
Charles Garforth was 32 years old, a bachelor and a policeman when he married 22 year old bounty immigrant Mary Ann Larken at New Town on 26 June 1862.
Garforth, Charles John
Record Type: Marriages
Gender: Male
Age: 32
Spouse: Larken, Mary Ann
Gender: Female
Age: 22
Date of marriage: 26 Jun 1862
Registered: Hobart
Registration year: 1862
Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:862131
Resource: RGD37/1/21 no 216
Archives Office Tasmania
Link: https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD37-1-21$init=RGD37-1-21P122
1862: birth of daughter Mira
Charles Garforth's occupation was listed as seaman when the birth of this child, Mira Catherine, was registered by a friend in September 1862.
.Name: Garforth, Mira Catherine
Record Type: Births
Gender: Female
Father: Garforth, Charles
Mother: Larkins, Mary
Date of birth: 10 Sep 1862
Registered: Hobart
Registration year: 1862
Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:966964
Resource: RGD33/1/8 no 5444
Archives Office Tasmania
Link: https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD33-1-8$init=RGD33-1-8-P270J2K
1864: birth of son John
Charles Garforth was listed as a mariner of Warwick St Hobart when his son John Garforth was born on 9 October 1864.
Garforth, John Edward
Record Type: Births
Gender: Male
Father: Garforth, Charles John
Mother: Mary, Ann
Date of birth: 09 Oct 1864
Registered: Hobart
Registration year: 1864
Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:1064763
Resource: RGD32/1/4 no 5878
Source: Archives Office of Tasmania
Link: https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD32-1-4$init=RGD32-1-4P44
1866: son and daughter admitted to Orphan School
A daughter Catherine Garforth (b. 10 Dec. 1863), and a son John Garforth (b. 9 October 1864), were admitted to the Queens Orphan Schoool on 1 st June 1866, application made by their mother Mary Ann Garforth, address Goodwin Court, Molle St. Hobart.
Garforth, Catherine
Garforth, John
Record Type: Health & Welfare
Description: Application for admission 1 June 1866; father Charles Garforth or Pollock, mother Mary Ann Larkins
Property: Queen's Orphan School
Record ID:NAME_INDEXES:1473490
Resource:SWD26/1/9 Image 291 (5 pages)
Source: Archives Office of Tasmania
Link: https://stors.tas.gov.au/SWD26-1-9$init=SWD26-1-9P292
1871: unnamed female birth
An unnamed female child was born to the couple and registered on 24 March 1871. Charles Garforth's occupation was listed as constable, Port Arthur. The birth was registered by an aunt of the child, Isabella Downes.
Garforth, Given Name Not Recorded
Record Type: Births
Gender: Female
Father: Garforth, Charles
Mother: Larkin, Mary Ann
Date of birth: 15 Feb 1871
Registered: Tasman
Registration year: 1871
Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:931332
Resource: RGD33/1/49 no 1668
Source: Archives Office of Tasmania
Link: https://stors.tas.gov.au/83ba670a-ee45-42df-9cfb-1d5455204a8e
1873: unnamed male birth
An unnamed male child was born to the couple while still working at Port Arthur as a clerk.
Garforth, Given Name Not Recorded
Record Type: Births
Gender: Male
Father: Garforth, Charles John
Mother: Larkin, Mary Ann
Date of birth: 20 May 1873
Registered: Tasman
Registration year: 1873 Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:942719
Resource: RGD33/1/51 no 1729
Source: Archives Office of Tasmania
Link: https://stors.tas.gov.au/a85d62fc-191e-472c-9a09-20319cd8e076
1875: son John admitted to Boy's Home
A son, John Edward Garforth, was born to Charles Garforth and Mary Ann Larken [sic] on 9 October 1864. In 1875, the ten year old child was admitted to the Kennerly Boys Home because his father, 44 years old, was serving a two year prison term for larceny. The child was discharged to his mother on 1st September 1876.
Archives Office Tasmania
Garforth, John Edward
Record Type: Health & Welfare
Age: 10 years, 4 months
Father: Garforth, Charles John Mother: Garforth, Mary Ann
Father occupation: Steward
Property: Kennerley Boys Home
Admission dates: 05 Feb 1875
File number: 50
Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:1777095
Resource: NS6493-1-1_052
Source: Archives Office of Tasmania
Link: https://stors.tas.gov.au/NS6493-1-1$init=NS6493-1-1_052
1875: birth of Lucy
Lucy was born in April, three months after her father was imprisoned in January 1875. His occupation was listed as clerk.
Name: Garforth, Lucy Henrietta
Record Type: Births
Gender: Female
Father: Garforth, Charles John
Mother: Mary, Ann
Date of birth: 12 Apr 1875
Registered: Hobart
Registration year: 1875 Record ID: NAME_INDEXES:976728
Resource: RGD33/1/11/ no 1132
Archives Office of Tasmania
Link: https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD33-1-11$init=RGD33-1-11-P611
1875: Mary Ann Garforth and Richard Kirby
With her husband Charles Garforth serving two years at the Hobart Gaol, sentenced in January 1875, his wife Mary Ann Garforth was residing at Elphinstone Street, Hobart by August 1875 in a house with garden, stores, sheds and stables owned and occupied by Richard Kirby. Charles Garforth was released with remission of his two year sentence on 13 November 1876. On 14 December 1880 he was tried again at the Supreme Court Hobart for breaking and entering a dwelling. He was discharged from the Hobart Gaol on 12 December 1885.
Source: TASMANIA. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
VALUATION OF PROPERTY. HOBART TOWN AND LAUNCESTON.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS.
Laid upon the Table by Mr. Chapman, and ordered by the Council to be printed, August 10, 1875.
Source: Parliament of Tasmania
Link: https://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0023/36149/lc1875pp43.pdf
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- Prisoner Charles GARFORTH/GARFITT and the QVMAG
- Posts filed under The Port Arthur Convicts Commission
- Poster of Thomas Nevin's convict photographs 1870s
- Julia Clark: A Question of Stupidity & the NLA
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