Jack Donahue facts for kids

John Donahue (born around 1806 – died September 1, 1830), also known as Jack Donahue or Bold Jack Donahue, was an Irish-born outlaw in Australia. He was active between 1825 and 1830. He became well-known as a member of a group called the "Wild Colonial Boys."

Who Was Jack Donahue?

John Donahue was a famous figure in early Australian history. He was known as a "bushranger," which was a term for outlaws who lived in the Australian bush. These individuals often stole from travelers and wealthy settlers. Donahue's story is a dramatic part of Australia's past.

Early Life and Journey to Australia

Donahue was born in Dublin, Ireland, around 1806. He grew up without parents. As a young person, he got into trouble with the law. In 1823, he was found guilty of a serious crime.

In September 1824, Donahue was held on a prison ship called HMS Surprise in Cork. Later, he was sent to Australia on the ship Ann and Amelia. He arrived in Sydney in January 1825 with many other prisoners. During his time in prison, he received harsh punishments.

Life as an Outlaw

Donahue soon escaped from a farm at Quakers Hill. He joined two other men, George Kilroy and William Smith. Together, they formed an outlaw group known as "The Strippers." This name came from their habit of robbing wealthy landowners of their money and belongings.

Sometimes, servants on the farms would help the gang. They gave them information, food, and places to hide. This made it easier for Donahue and his group to avoid being caught.

Escapes and Challenges

Even important people had close calls with Donahue. Robert Hoddle, a government surveyor, wrote in his diary about nearly meeting Donahue in the 1820s. Hoddle quickly rode away to escape.

A young man named Toby Ryan also recalled meeting Donahue when he was fifteen. Ryan described Donahue as "the most insignificant looking creature imaginable." He wore a velveteen coat, a special hat, moleskin trousers, and a blue shirt with a heart design.

In December 1827, Donahue and his gang were arrested. They had been stealing from wagons on the road between Sydney and Windsor. In March 1828, a judge sentenced them to a very severe punishment. However, Donahue managed to escape while being taken to prison. Kilroy and Smith faced severe consequences for their actions on March 24, 1828.

The Wild Colonial Boys

After his escape, Donahue continued his life as an outlaw. He joined other criminals to steal from isolated farms near Bathurst. The government sent more police and skilled trackers to catch them.

During a conflict, Donahue managed to get away, but one person died, and three others were caught. These prisoners were executed for their crimes in December 1828.

Donahue returned to areas he knew well, near Windsor. He teamed up with new partners. In March 1829, Donahue and John Walmsley were involved in a deadly incident with a settler named Mr. Clements. Donahue later became a key member of the "Wild Colonial Boys." This was a group of about twelve to fifteen men.

Donahue's cleverness quickly made him an important leader alongside Underwood and MacNamara. The gang worked in small groups of three or four. They would stop settlers and steal their belongings across a wide area, from Bathurst to Yass and from the Hunter region to the Illawarra.

Rewards and Public Opinion

By 1829, notices were put out offering a reward of £20 for Donahue's capture. He was described as being about 22 years old, 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) tall, with a brown, freckled face, light blonde hair, and blue eyes. He also had a scar under his left nostril. One year later, the reward increased significantly to £200.

The gang often waited for travelers on the roads or broke into houses to steal. They even attacked a toll house. Donahue's strategy of only targeting wealthy people made him popular with poorer settlers. These settlers sometimes gave police wrong information about him. They would even hide him in their homes when police were searching too closely.

To combat the outlaws, a new law was passed. It allowed police to search the homes of suspected settlers. A special announcement also offered rewards, including freedom or land, to anyone who helped catch Donahue or his partners.

The End of the Gang

Police eventually caught two members of the gang, MacNamara and Dalton. During a short gun battle, MacNamara was shot and died. Dalton was taken to Sydney, tried, and faced the ultimate penalty for robbery in June 1830.

It was rumored that Underwood, another leader, was writing about the gang's activities, which Donahue didn't like. Underwood died in an incident involving Donahue, which streamlined the gang's leadership.

Donahue's Final Moments

On September 1, 1830, Donahue was with William Webber and John Walmsley when police found them. During a gun battle, Donahue was shot and died. Webber and Walmsley escaped into the bush.

Walmsley was captured later, in January 1831. He was sentenced to a severe punishment but was pardoned after he shared information about others who had helped him. Webber was also caught in January 1831. He was sentenced to a severe punishment and executed in Sydney in July 1831.

Donahue died in the late afternoon of September 1, 1830. He was shot by John Muckleston during a conflict with soldiers at Bringelly, New South Wales. He was hit and died immediately. The local newspaper, the Sydney Gazette, reported that many citizens were relieved by Donahue's death. Some people even made and bought pipes shaped like Donahue's head, showing how famous he had become.

See also

• List of convicts transported to Australia