William Coventry (c. 1776–1830)
William Coventry (c.1776-1830) was sentenced to 7 years transportation in March 1801 at Donegal, Ireland. He arrived at Sydney aboard the Hercules in June 1802 and was sent to Norfolk Island on the Castle of Good Hope in April 1803.
Coventry left Norfolk Island for Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) on the Lady Nelson in February 1808, settling on 52 acres at Melville, near Stephen Martin in 1813. From at least 1811 he lived with Martin's daughter Mary Ann; they had four children. In May 1819 the farm was advertised for sale to liquidate a debt.
Coventry was sentenced to 7 years transportation to Macquarie Harbour on 20 October 1829, for stealing there bullocks. With four other men he escaped on 3 September 1830. Once their provisions were exhausted, the men resorted to killing, and eating, each other. Only two — Edward Broughton and Matthew McAlboy — survived. They surrendered to authorities and were executed. Coventry was the second to be killed and cannibalised by the escaped convicts.
Additional Resources and Scholarship
- is committed for trial, along with two other men, on a charge of stealing cattle, Hobart Town Courier, 21 March 1829, p 3, column 2
- is found guilty of the crime, Hobart Town Courier, 30 May 1829, p 3
- is sentenced to seven years transportation, Colonial Times (Hobart), 30 October 1829, p 4
- account of the men's escape from Macquarie Harbour, the cannibalism of the three men, and the subsequent capture of the remaining two, Launceston Advertiser (Tas), 22 August 1831, p 259
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- Cox, Mary Ann (partner)
- Hutchinson, Richard (criminal associate)
- McAlboy, Matthew (criminal associate)
- Broughton, Edward (criminal associate)
- Feagan, Patrick (criminal associate)
Citation details
'Coventry, William (c. 1776–1830)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/coventry-william-31461/text38915, accessed 26 December 2024.
Life Summary [details]
Birth
Death
September,
1830
(aged ~ 54)
Tasmania,
Australia
Cause of Death
Cultural Heritage
Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.
Passenger Ship
Occupation or Descriptor
Key Places
Social Issues
Convict Record
Crime: unknown
Sentence: 7 years
Court: Donegal (Ireland)
Trial Date: March 1801
(1801)
Post-transportation
Children: Yes (4)