Built in the early 1830's, Penitentiary Chapel served as a chapel for the growing convict population in Hobart Town.
Below the chapels floors were 36 solitary confinement cells - the cries of the detained convicts within could be heard coming up from below, disrupting services.
Below the chapels floors were 36 solitary confinement cells - the cries of the detained convicts within could be heard coming up from below, disrupting services.
For Free People and Prisoners Alike
The chapel in 1834 Penitentiary Chapel was built on the corner of Brisbane and Campbell Streets in Hobart, Tasmania (Australia) in the 1830's. It was originally designed as a chapel to serve the growing convict population of Hobart. The construction time and finances went over budget but eventually the chapel was operational and soon held services. Although designed with convicts in mind the chapel also held service for free people in one of it's wings. As these free people would need easier access to the chapel a new entrance via a clock tower was built to accommodate and secure this new entrance.
Included under the space for worship were thirty six solitary confinement cells, known as the “dust bowls”. These cells had no light or ventilation and varied greatly in size as it supported the inclined floors of the chapel above. The cries of discomfort of the chained convicts in these cells could be heard in the chapel above disrupting services. On the 25th February 1845 public access to the chapel was stopped and it's use limited to the convicts and various gaol staff.
Included under the space for worship were thirty six solitary confinement cells, known as the “dust bowls”. These cells had no light or ventilation and varied greatly in size as it supported the inclined floors of the chapel above. The cries of discomfort of the chained convicts in these cells could be heard in the chapel above disrupting services. On the 25th February 1845 public access to the chapel was stopped and it's use limited to the convicts and various gaol staff.
Interior of the chapel space Twelve years later the chapel was formally proclaimed a house of corrections and major alterations were made to the building and it's surrounding facilities. Included with these alterations was the construction of a Execution yard and the first person to be hanged there was Alexander Cullen on the 18th of August 1857 for murder.
The executions at Penitentiary Chapel were not always carried out in singles or in pairs as on the 16th February 1859 saw five men all make 'the drop' at the same time. William Davis was found guilty of killing Andre' Cassavant as he drunkenly slept on the sofa in Davis' house. Daniel Stewart, William Ferns and Peter Haley were all trialled and found guilty of firing at a person with intent to kill during a string of robberies and hold-ups. John King was found guilty of shooting and killing Rebecca Hall, who he lived with, on Christmas Day 1858. When King was arrested he asked "Do you think I shall see Solomon Blay?" and indeed he and the other four who hanged with King did.
The executions at Penitentiary Chapel were not always carried out in singles or in pairs as on the 16th February 1859 saw five men all make 'the drop' at the same time. William Davis was found guilty of killing Andre' Cassavant as he drunkenly slept on the sofa in Davis' house. Daniel Stewart, William Ferns and Peter Haley were all trialled and found guilty of firing at a person with intent to kill during a string of robberies and hold-ups. John King was found guilty of shooting and killing Rebecca Hall, who he lived with, on Christmas Day 1858. When King was arrested he asked "Do you think I shall see Solomon Blay?" and indeed he and the other four who hanged with King did.
The Hangman
Silhouette memorial to Solomon Blay Solomon Blay lived in the small town of Oatlands and was the public executioner for the district. As executions took place in his town there was no real trouble for Solomon but when they were further abroad it was understandably a pain. Solomon Blays wages were so low (23 pounds 15s 4d) that he could not afford a horse. Although the compensation that he received entitled him to a coach ticket, he had the habit of cashing it in, as he was saving to return to England. This was an act that created the legend that he was never welcome to catch a coach to a hanging.
Just South of Oatlands is silhouette of Solomon Blay, swag on shoulder and stick in hand in mid step on the path towards Hobart.
Solomon was sent from Oxford to Tasmania in 1837. Ten years later in 1847 he was appointed the public executioner and ten years after that (1857) was given a free pardon.
Just South of Oatlands is silhouette of Solomon Blay, swag on shoulder and stick in hand in mid step on the path towards Hobart.
Solomon was sent from Oxford to Tasmania in 1837. Ten years later in 1847 he was appointed the public executioner and ten years after that (1857) was given a free pardon.
Execution ground Solomon was pronounced as dead in a bed at the General Hospital after being admitted for 'Dropsy' (Oedema) and he soon succumbed to the painful illness. It was the 18th of August 1897 and ten years since he was last called to enact an execution. Solomon Blay had executed 204 prisoners during his career as the colonies, and the Commonwealth's most notorious and feared hangman.
Executions continued up until 1946 when Frederick Henry Thompson was hanged for the murder of eight year old Evelyn Maughan. Frederick was the last person to be executed in Tasmania and the final of thirty two, including one woman, to be hanged in the yard at Penitentiary Chapel.
Executions continued up until 1946 when Frederick Henry Thompson was hanged for the murder of eight year old Evelyn Maughan. Frederick was the last person to be executed in Tasmania and the final of thirty two, including one woman, to be hanged in the yard at Penitentiary Chapel.
Ghosts and Hauntings
The dark of the underground If you visit Hobart you can tour the Penitentiary Chapel through its well known ghost tours. You can visit the solitary confinement cells beneath the floor as well as the still working gallows.
People have experienced many and varied paranormal happenings here including been pushed, poked, groped and prodded by unseen hands. The tower and it's clock are said to be haunted by a watchmaker, Richard Waters, who installed the clock. On occasion some of the volunteers have seen the clocks heavy pendulum stop dead mid swing.
Finally as you venture underground into the tunnel ,the feeling of dread overtakes you. This might just be psychological, brought on by the cramped and still conditions but when you venture into the punishment cells, and are lucky (or unfortunate) enough to smell the taint of stale blood, is it still your mind playing tricks on you?
Big thanks to Tony of Penitentiary Chapel Ghost Tour for providing some of the information above! Book onto one of his tours at www.facebook.com/PenitentiaryChapelGhostTour and http://www.hobartghosts.com/
People have experienced many and varied paranormal happenings here including been pushed, poked, groped and prodded by unseen hands. The tower and it's clock are said to be haunted by a watchmaker, Richard Waters, who installed the clock. On occasion some of the volunteers have seen the clocks heavy pendulum stop dead mid swing.
Finally as you venture underground into the tunnel ,the feeling of dread overtakes you. This might just be psychological, brought on by the cramped and still conditions but when you venture into the punishment cells, and are lucky (or unfortunate) enough to smell the taint of stale blood, is it still your mind playing tricks on you?
Big thanks to Tony of Penitentiary Chapel Ghost Tour for providing some of the information above! Book onto one of his tours at www.facebook.com/PenitentiaryChapelGhostTour and http://www.hobartghosts.com/
Ashley Hall 2013
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