Trove Tuesday - The Murder of Christopher Rhall (1793-1832)

My Trove Tuesday article for this week involves my 5th Great Grandfather Christopher Rhall.  A member of the Royal New South Wales Veteran's Regiment, he immigrated to Australia with his family on board the ship Hooghly in 1828.  When the regiment was disbanded he elected to stay in Australia and was granted land near Bong Bong, New South Wales. He died on the 12th May 1832 as a result of being attacked with an iron brand on the 6th May of that year, his attacker remains unknown.

Source: Supreme Court. (1832, September 1). The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), p. 2. Retrieved June 25, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2208341

Source: Domestic Intelligence. (1832, September 5). The Sydney Monitor (NSW : 1828 - 1838), p. 2 Edition: AFTERNOON. Retrieved June 25, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article32142026

Christopher Rhall was from Longford, Ireland and prior to enlisting in the British Army he had been a weaver by trade.  Around 1810 he married Mary Cassidy at Newton Forbes near Longford, Ireland.  They had a number of children together including two daughters names unknown left behind in Ireland, Catherine Casey/Glithero/Worldon nee Rhall (c.1820-?), Jane Smith nee Rhall (c.1824-1902),  Mary Ann Beaver nee Rhall (1828-1872), Margaret Sullivan nee Rhall (1829-1915), and Peter John (1831-1914). 

I was extremely lucky that a distant relative who is also researching the family provided me with transcibed information from the NSW State Records regarding Christopher Rhalls Land Grant that provided more information on the family.

Report of Commissioners of Claims.
Case no 459
Thursday 28th September 1839
Mary Rhall of Bong Bong being sworn saith – I am the widow of Christopher Rhall – I have not my marriage lines with me they were lost aboard ship.  I was married in Ireland at Newton Forbes near Longford by Father O’Farrell – this was about 30 years ago.  I have only one son, by my husband alive – the other children are daughters.  I left two daughters in Ireland.  The sons name is Peter John Rhall he is now 7 years old – my husband did not leave any will.
Mary Rhall
her mark

The following transcription was also sent to me by distant relative who is also researching the Rhall family some years ago.

PRO WO 97/416 HIS MAJESTY’S Royal North                                                                                                    British Fusiliers Whereof General JAMES LORD FORBES is Colonel  THESE ARE TO CERTIFY THAT Private Christopher Rhall born in the Parish of Clongush in or near the Town of Longford in the County of Longford was enlisted for the aforesaid Regiment at Athlone in the County of Roscommon on the 13^th Day of November 1810 at the Age of Nineteen Years for Unlimited Service. THAT he has served in the Army for the space of Ten Years and 303 Days, after the Age of Eighteen, according to the subjoined 

IN WHAT CORPS	Period of Service		Private.		Total Service.		In E. or W. Indies, included in the aforesaid Total
	From	To	Yrs.	Ds.	Yrs.	Ds.	Yrs.	Ds.
Royal N B Fusiliers	1810 13th November	1821 11 September	10	303	10	303	2
		Total…	10	303	10	303	2

Actual table has other ranks but all empty. 

THAT in consequence of Disease of the Abdominal discord and general disability occasioned by a severe attack of fever

HE IS HEREBY DISCHARGED                                                     Thos. Carey Surgeon 

THAT he is not, to my knowledge, incapacitated by the Sentence of a General Court Martial, from receiving Pension. 

THAT his general Conduct as a Soldier has been Indifferent. THAT he has received all just demands of Pay, Clothing, &c. from his entry into the service to the Date of his Discharge, as appears by his Receipt. underneath. 

I Chrsitopher Rhall Private do hereby acknowledge that I have received all my Clothing, Pay, Arrears of Pay, and all just Demands whatsoever, from the time of my entry into the Service to the date of this Discharge. 

Witnessed                                                            Signature                 Christopher Rhall 

By                                                                        of the Soldier

To prevent any improper use being made of this Discharge, by its falling into other hands, the following is a description of the said Private Christopher Rhall.  He is about Twenty Nine Years of Age, is 5 Feet 5 inches in Height, Brown Hair, Grey Eyes, Fresh Complexion; and by Trade or Occupation a Weaver. Given under my Hand, and the seal of the Regiment, at Barbados this 17^th Day of March 1821                                                                                 Signature of the                                                                      Commanding Officer Horse Guards, 11 Sept 1821, Confirmed by

UK, Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioner Registers of Soldiers Who Served in Canada, 1743-1882 about Christr Rhall

Name: Christr Rhall

Birth Place: Clongish, Longford

Regiment: 21st Regiment of Foot

Residence Date: 12 Sep 1821

Document Type: Regimental Registers of Pensioners

Source: Ancestry.com. UK, Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioner Registers of Soldiers Who Served in Canada, 1743-1882 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013.