Changes
Import from source
{{Authority Side}}
== ==
.
== Importance of John Sherritt ==
John Sherritt was [[Aaron Sherritt|Aaron Sherritt]]'s brother who helped him as a police agent '''Links to the KellyGang''' , [[#2|Early Years]] , Fitzpatrick Incident , Mansfield Murders , Sebastopol Cavalcade , Euroa Robbery , [[#10/2/1879|Jerilderie Robbery]] , First Cave Party , [[#6/7/1879|Hare replaced by Nicolson]] ,[[#2/12/1879|Aaron Married]] , [[#6|Second Cave Party]] , [[#2/6/1880|Nicolson replaced by Hare]] , Death of Aaron Sherritt , [[#28/6/1880|Glenrowan Siege]] , [[#9|Inquest Aaron's death]] , Ned Kelly's Trial , [[#krb|Reward Board]] , Royal Commission , '''Early career''' , [[#10|Later career]] , Family , '''John's family'''
Father John, '''Mother''' [[Anne and John Sherritt Snr|Anne]] ''', Brothers and Sisters''' [[Aaron Sherritt|Aaron]] 1855, Elizabeth (Bessie) 1856, William George 1860, Anne Jane 1862, Julia Frances 1864, Esther 1867, Mary 1869, Maria 1872, Martha 1875, '''Family''' ??
== Links to the KellyGang ==
'''Early Years''' I was born in 1858 and grew up with the rest of my family at [[Woolshed|Woolshed]].
James [[James Wallace|Wallace]] thought that I as a [[Sympathizers|sympathizer]], at least, according to my statement. I could communicate at any time with the '''KellyGang''', perhaps not directly, but indirectly through their relatives. But he do not think that I was willingly a sympathizer. It was more through my friendship for Joe [[Joe Byrne|Byrne]], not through countenancing crime. ([[Royal Commission report day 42 page 2|RC14556]])
'''Sebastopol Cavalcade''' '''7/11/1878''' This was when Aaron met the senior police '''Jerilderie Robbery 10/2/1879''' After the robbery [[Aaron Sherritt|Aaron]] helped Sup [[Hare|Hare]] with a search party watching Mrs [[Mrs Margaret Byrne|Byrne]]'s place. After this Mrs Byrne suspected Aaron of being a police agent and she broke off the relationship between Aaron and her daughter [[Catherine Byrne, Kate Byrne|Catherine]]. Aaron retaliated by taking Catherine's horse back and that made Mrs Byrne even more upset. One day when my friend '''James Dawson''' and I were around at Aaron's selection she paid him a visit and gave her a piece of her mind. She even threatened that she would get the '''KellyGang''' to shoot him. Later she charged Aaron with stealing the horse but he was finally acquitted ([[Royal Commission report day 37 page 9|RC13165]])([[Ovens & Murray Advertiser (9)|OMA29/7/79]])
Some time after the robbery of the Jerilderie bank by that party the whole '''KellyGang''' came to Mrs Byrne's house. I then saw him personally on the matter in Beechworth, and asked him why he did not capture them.
In about fourteen days afterwards I received a letter [[Joe Byrne|Joe Byrne,]] requesting me to meet him at Sandy Creek, near Wangaratta. This letter I forwarded to Mr. Nicolson, who instructed me to keep the appointment with Byrne. I accordingly did so, and met Joe Byrne, and had a conversation with him. He wanted me to become a scout for the '''KellyGang'''.([[Royal Commission report day 44 page 1|RC15216]])
They thought of arresting me for stealing a sheep. I had a skin ([[The Complete Inner History of the KellyGang and their Pursuers (42)|JJK]])
I was at my parents home
'''Hare replaced by Nicolson 6/7/1879''' '''late August'''
James [[James Wallace|Wallace]] came to dinner with my [[Anne and John Sherritt Snr|mother]]. He reported; "The old lady was not at all communicative, but appeared nervous and frightened. Had a walk out with Jack for his father's horse (K. K.'s lost chesnut). He was rather reticent and distrustful at first. I asked him how the outlaws were so foolish as to go into the house while the children were there" - might have happened. That might have been the night after the trial of Aaron [[Aaron Sherritt|Sherritt]] for the theft of Mrs [[Mrs Margaret Byrne|Byrne's]] horse." ([[Royal Commission report day 42 page 5|RC14626]])
I got a letter to post from a man I had not seen before. I gave it to Det [[Ward|Ward]]. It may have come from [[Joe Byrne|Joe Byrne]] ([[Royal Commission report day 45 page 21|RC15671]])
'''About Setember 1879'''
I was a selector on Sheepstation Creek, near Beechworth, and occupied 100 acres of land, being also at the time engaged in a contract for fencing for Mr [[Crawford|Crawford]], coach proprietor, which I had taken jointly with my [[Aaron Sherritt|brother]], amounting to the sum of about £300. During the progress of the contract I received a message from Det [[Ward|Ward]] that Ass Com. [[Nicolson|Nicolson]] wished to see me. I had an interview with Mr Nicolson in [[Wangaratta|Wangaratta]] on [[events 1879-08/ 1879-10|12/9/1879]]. He asked me to undertake police duties to assist in the capture of the Kelly party of outlaws. I told him that the party of '''KellyGang''' constantly visited [[Mrs Margaret Byrne|Mrs Byrne]]'s house at Sebastopol, and that they might be easily captured. ([[Royal Commission report day 44 page 1|RC15216]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 44 page 2|RC15230]]).Was James [[James Wallace|Wallace]] with me? ([[Royal Commission report day 44 page 2|RC15220]])
Mr. Nicolson again sent for me, and I met him at [[Patrick Allen|Allen]]'s store in Beechworth. He then persuaded me to continue on doing duty for the police, and he gave me £5 in £1 notes, saying that when the '''KellyGang''' were captured I would get the biggest portion of the reward. After this [[Ned Kelly|Ned Kelly]] visited my place and [[Dan Kelly|Dan Kelly]] visited my brother [[William Sherritt|William]] and later my place. ([[Royal Commission report day 44 page 1 (2)|RC15216]])
The Royal Commission spent some time deciding whether I had been a faithfull police agent. They had the following to say about me and my meeting with Dan Kelly at [[Crawford|Crawford's paddock]]:
" This policy of procrastination was more especially noticeable on the occasion of Sherritt's interview, when he informed Mr. [[Nicolson|Nicolson]] of [[Dan Kelly|Dan Kelly]]'s visit to his place at Sebastopol on the [[events 1879-11/ 1879-12|13/11/1879]], leaving word that he would call again about eight o'clock. Both witnesses agree as to the facts, but there is a marked difference as to the precise hour at which the interview occurred, and upon this point the material value of Jack Sherritt's information hinges. According to his evidence, he left the [[Woolshed|Woolshed]] in time to interview Mr Nicolson about half-past seven o'clock, and as the outlaws called at his place at eight, it has been urged that there was ample time for a party of police to have proceeded there, if not to encounter the gang direct, to have at least obtained such a clue to their whereabouts as would probably lead in the end to their capture.
"As against the evidence of Jack Sherritt, however, there must be taken, not only the denial of its accuracy, as given by Mr. Nicolson, but several other circumstances which deserve consideration in weighing the value of the testimony given pro and con. ....
"Supposing then that Dan Kelly called at Sherritt's at seven o'clock, these intervals bring up the hour to 8.35 p.m. before Mr. Nicolson was in a position to order out a search party to go in pursuit. It would occupy say ten minutes getting a search party together, saddling the horses, and preparing to start, and, by going by the main road, the ground might be covered in about twenty-five minutes. It would, therefore, be after nine o'clock before the men by any possibility could have reached the spot. But the probabilities are against the entire gang having called according to promise. It was well known and can be easily understood that they never kept an appointment punctually. Again, as comparing oath with oath, there is on the one side a young man not particular as to dates, who, at the time, according to his own admission, was greatly agitated, thinking that the outlaw had called to carry him off, and disposed to make the most of his case, when before the Commission, as against the [[Nicolson|Assistant Commissioner]]. On the other, there is a [[Ward|trained official]], accustomed to accuracy in matters of detail, who wrote the circumstances of the interview at the time in his memorandum book, and who, some days afterwards, wrote a long letter to the Chief Commissioner, in which he elaborates the narrative, and distinctly declares that it was late when Sherritt called at the station. ...... " ([[Royal Commission second Report Part XII ( page 17)|RC2nd reportXII]]) See also ([[Royal Commission report day 44 page 3|RC15255]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 45 page 20|RC15622]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 45 page 24|RC15751]])
Soon after this Paddy [[Patrick Byrne|Byrne]] and I saw James [[James Wallace|Wallace]] during one of his visits to the Woolshed. ([[Royal Commission report day 42 page 7|RC14673]])
'''Early November 1879'''
In early November Joe [[Joe Byrne|Byrne]] and I arranged to meet at Thomson's at Sandy Creek near [[Peechelba at kellyGang|Peechelba]] and before that we had met on the road near '''Illewarra Run'''. ([[Royal Commission report day 44 page 2|RC15247]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 45 page 18|RC15598]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 45 page 19|RC15613]])
On [[events 1879-11/ 1879-12|23/11/1879]] Joe Byrne called at [[Mrs Margaret Byrne|his mother]]'s place and met [[Aaron Sherritt|Aaron Sherritt]] and me.
Det [[Ward|Ward]] said that I told him about this meeting on 27/11/1879 but I am sure that it was only 2 days after. ([[Royal Commission report day 45 page 20|RC15624]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 45 page 20|RC15643]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 45 page 1|RC15288]])
'''Aaron married''' I and my [[Aaron Sherritt|brother]] had a row about his getting married to this [[Ellen Sherritt|Barry]]. Quite a story ([[Cookson, 04_09_1911_3|BWC]])
The police used to sneer at me in the cave, and I was not going to do any more duty for [[Nicolson|Nicolson]], and I went to fencing; and Det [[Ward|Ward]] sent you to me, and gave me £5, and it was on this occasion I was to sleep in the garden. I said perhaps the outlaws might carry me off, and I might be shot along with them if they went to the bank. ([[Royal Commission report day 44 page 2|RC15231]])
I had a good day at the carnival at the [[Beechworth|Beechworth]] racecourse and won a foot race on the day of [[Ellen Sherritt|Belle]] and [[Aaron Sherritt|Aaron]]'s wedding
Aaron's [[Mrs Ellen Barry|mother in law]] thought that he had problems with other members of my family including me. ([[Royal Commission report day 37 page 23|RC13440]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 37 page 23|RC13447]])
I was accused by [[Aaron Sherritt|Aaron]] of stealing a side-saddle he had bought for his wife and a gold watch. They were taken from his [[Mrs Ellen Barry|mother in laws]] place one night, when he was on duty with the police; taken from outside at the back.([[Royal Commission report day 37 page 23|RC13440]]) see also ([[Royal Commission report 10/8/1881|RC15654]])
My collar and tie was apparently found in the house. ([[Royal Commission report day 45 page 21|RC15665]])
Ward gave me some clothes ([[Royal Commission report day 45 page 23|RC15736]])
The saddle was found in Mrs [[Mrs Margaret Byrne|Byrne]]'s house ([[Royal Commission report day 45 page 22|RC15696]])
I decided to sleep in the garden instead of in your house because I was frightened of the '''KellyGang'''. ([[Royal Commission report day 44 page 2|RC15224]]) (RC15231) This could have been much earlier- about April 1879.
'''Second Cave Party 12/1879-4/1880''' I took provisions from my [[Ellen Sherritt|mother]]'s place to the police in the cave some times ([[Royal Commission report day 18 page 1|RC5294]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 18 page 12|RC5565]])
At about the same time Joe [[Joe Byrne|Byrne]] arranged to have a meeting with me at Evans Gap near [[Sebastopol|Sebastopol]]. ([[Royal Commission report day 44 page 2|RC15244]])
My mother got up early on the morning of 26/5/1880 and went looking for my horses so I could do some ploughing. ([[Royal Commission report day 37 page 10|RC13184]])
[[Aaron Sherritt|Aaron]] told the police at his place that I was always carrying stories to Det [[Ward|Ward]] and SCont [[SConst P Mullane|Mullane]], to say he was drunk at the Chinese camp, and so on. ([[Royal Commission report day 32 page 4|RC12137]])
Ward said that I did not work for him for several months ([[Royal Commission report day 45 page 23|RC15731]])
There was hardly a week that I did not see Ass Com. [[Nicolson|Nicolson]] and give him particulars of the movements of the '''KellyGang''', and I believe he could have easily captured all or some of the party almost during the whole time he was up there. Subsequently Mr. Nicolson was withdrawn, and Mr. [[Hare|Hare]] took his place. I then wrote to Mr. Hare ([[Royal Commission report day 44 page 1|RC15216]])
During this time Nicolson turned against me. I was accused of writing the letter signed 'M. [[James Wallace|Connor]]'. ([[Royal Commission report day 48 page 1|RC16315]])
'''Nicolson replaced by Hare 2/6/1880''' After that I used to go and stay with [[Ellen Sherritt|Belle]] and [[Aaron Sherritt|Aaron]] for a couple of weeks at a time. I was splitting in the area and I used to sleep in the house while the police were out with Aaron. ([[Royal Commission report day 37 page 15|RC13303]])
I wrote this letter to Mr. Inspector [[Hare|Hare]] from my home at Sheepstation 20 June 1880, just a few days before my brother Aaron was shot dead by Joe Byrne.
<blockquote>'Dear Sir,-I would very much like to have seen you yesterday, as the outlaw [[Joe Byrne|Byrne]] does be frequently and sleeps in-'s haystack on Sebastopol. I cannot see how it is that he is not caught before now. His brother [[Patrick Byrne|Patrick]] does be out all night and sleeps all day.[[Mrs Margaret Byrne|Mrs. Byrne]] has their winter flannel and socks all ready to go to them, and she has provisions for six families stored by in her house. Sir, I don't want to dictate to a gentleman of your ability, but the plan I would suggest is this-for Patrick Byrne to be watched minutely day and night, as this is a particular time. As long as Aaron has the men down there, they will never do any good, as to my knowledge he lets too many of his mother-in-law's children to his house, and his mother-in-law herself will go there night after night, and will stop sometimes until two o'clock in the morning, and this will be the means of discovering the police, as the [[Mrs Ellen Barry|Barry]] children and the Byrne children go to the same school, and are on friendly terms. Dear sir, the reason I send you these few lines is this- anything I say up here, they will not listen to it; therefore I would like to explain matters to yourself. I am certain before long they are going to make another raid; I have not heard yet what it is. I am very busy now, but if you don't succeed; sir, I have a grand plan made up that I think will carry through. I remain your. Most respectfully, JOHN SHERRITT, junr.'
</blockquote>
(Why did I write this letter) (who prompted me to write) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 10/8/1881|Argus10/8/81]])
'''Death of Aaron Sherritt 26/6/1880''' I was not at Aaron's place the night he died '''Glenrowan Siege 28/6/1880'''
I was present at the Glenrowan [[Jones' Glenrowan Inn|siege]] with the police from Beechworth. I was a train driver and I was sent down by Det [[Ward|Ward]]. ([[Royal Commission report day 38 page 8|RC13862]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 44 page 1|RC15216]]) '''Inquest into death of Aaron Sherritt''' I gave evidence at the inquest. ([[The Melbourne Daily Telegragh (7)|DailyTelegraph29/6/80]])
'''Later'''
Although [[Hare|Hare]] had not met me or my brother [[William Sherritt|William]] before Aaron's death, he thought that unless the authorities showed some consideration for the families of those who had assisted the police, on any future occasion they would have the greatest difficulty in getting men to work for the police.
After the siege [[Chief Secretary|Ramsay]] said to Hare "We intend giving them a selection of land and allowing them to settle on it." Hare said to him, "Those men have no money, and it will be a great difficulty regarding them; would it not be better to let them join the force, if they behaved themselves. They can remain in the force, and if they do behave themselves they will make excellent constables."
Hare said he knew nothing about them himself, except what Aaron Sherritt used to tell him. Aaron said that they were not like him; that they had never committed any offence, and he asked Hare to be careful not to be seen by us, as we did not wish to mix ourselves up with the Kelly business at all, because he looked upon us just the same as the public, that we could not assist Hare or the outlaws in any way.
Mr. Ramsay said to Hare, "I think it is a very good idea; will you speak to Captain Standish on the subject? " That was on a Saturday night. On the Monday Hare saw Captain Standish, and Standish told Hare Mr. Ramsay had been speaking to him about the Sherritts, and he (Captain Standish) thought it was a very good idea, taking us on in the force. Standish then wrote, and told those us to report ourselves at the depot. We were then living at Oakleigh with my mother's relative, '''Mr Baker'''.([[Royal Commission report day 9 page 1|RC1598]]) See also ([[Royal Commission report day 45 page 6|RC15431]])
When I was trying to join the police [[William Zincke MP|William Zincke]] gave me a good reference ([[Royal Commission report day 48 page 18|RC16609]])
Det Ward told the Royal Commission that I did not lie ([[Royal Commission report day 45 page 23|RC15707]])
I never got paid very much for all my good work ([[Royal Commission report day 45 page 23|RC15728]])
Com [[Standish|Standish]] gave my brother [[William Sherritt|William]] and I orders to join the police. ([[Royal Commission report day 44 page 1|RC15216]])
Sup Hare supported us in our police careers but after a few weeks ([[1880-07---aftermath|19/10/1880]]) Ass Com [[Nicolson|Nicolson]] recommended that our employment with the police be terminated. The Government gave us a gratuity, because we had purchased our uniforms of about £50 and then just left us to fend for ourselves ([[Royal Commission report day 9 page 3|RC1601]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 44 page 1|RC15216]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 48 page 18|RC16608]]) ([[The Complete Inner History of the KellyGang and their Pursuers (42)|JJK]])
'''Kelly Reward Board'''
Following the meetings of the [[Reward|Reward Board]] in December 1880 I recieved a reward of about £42
'''Royal Commission''' I gave evidence before the Royal Commission on 3/8/1881 ([[Royal Commission report day 42 page 17|RC14842]]), 4/8/1881 ([[Royal Commission report day 43 page 5|RC15103]]), 9/8/1881 ([[Royal Commission report day 44 page 2|RC15220]]), and 10/8/1881([[Royal Commission report day 45 page 1|RC15288]])
How did the press report my evidence. ([[The Argus at KellyGang 4/8/1881|Argus4/8/81]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 5/8/1881|Argus5/8/81]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 10/8/1881|Argus10/8/81]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 22/2/1882 (4)|Argus22/2/82]])
I also handed to the Royal Commission a letter that stated that I did not write the letter signed '[[James Wallace|M. Connor]].
During the time I was giving evidence Mrs. Nicolson, the wife of Sup [[Nicolson|Nicolson]], was up in Beechworth, and asked magistates and others to sign paper and to give evidence unfavorable to my character. ([[Royal Commission report day 48 page 1|RC16315]])
The Royal Commission came to the following conclusion about me:
"Jack, the youngest brother, appears to have acted faithfully to the police while engaged by them; and there seems no doubt that from time to time he gave them important and reliable information respecting his frequent intercourse with [[Dan Kelly|Dan Kelly]] and [[Joe Byrne|Joe Byrne]]. " ([[Royal Commission second Report Part XII ( page 17)|RC2nd reportXII]])
'''Later Years''' I married Emily Norman in 1893 and we lived in Ballarat. We had 12 children.
I died in 1946
== Family ==
'''family''' '''.... home ..''' '''What happened to John Sherritt's family''' KellyGang
[[Category:People]] [[Category:People starting with S-T]] [[Category:John Sherritt Jnr]] [[Category:Police agent]] [[Category:history]]
MediaWiki:Sidebar
{{^|Original page location \people\peS_T\sherrittJohnJnr.html}}
