John Mcintosh

John McIntosh, born in 1789, was the first Chief Constable (1828- 1833) of the Moreton Bay police force consisting entirely of convicts. Originally from Glasgow, he was convicted in May 1813 and sentenced to transportation for life. After an unsuccessful term as Superintendent of Convicts in Liverpool, Sydney, he resettled to Moreton Bay as an overseer at the Agricultural department. He died in July 1842 as Chief Constable of the Goulburn Police.

John McIntosh, a lifer from Scotland, was the first Chief Constable (1828- 1833) of the Moreton Bay police force consisting entirely of convicts.
The first police force, small as it was, dates back to 1828 when the Colonial Secretary Correspondence lists John McIntosh as the first Chief Constable. McIntosh was transported for life to New South Wales in February 1814 on the General Hewitt and arrived at Moreton Bay in 1826.

Originally from Glasgow, born in 1789, McIntosh, a watch and clock maker by trade was convicted at Berwick, Northumberland in May 1813 and sentenced to transportation for life. Little is known of his life in the colonies until 1826 when, after an unsuccessful term as a Superintendent of Convicts at Liverpool (Sydney), McIntosh was investigated and found guilty of gross irregularities and lost his Ticket of Leave, a form of parole. (Sydney Gazette and NSW Advertiser, 16 Jan 1826, p. 1) Several months later, however, he volunteered to relocate to Moreton Bay as an overseer at the Agricultural Department. (Chronological Register of Convicts at Moreton Bay)
Two years after relocating to Moreton Bay McIntosh earned another Ticket of Leave and is listed as a Chief Constable of the local police force. Unlike the remainder of the small force and most of the settlement population, McIntosh was married when he arrived, having obtained permission to marry another convict, Christiana Ferris (a proper spelling of ‘Christana Harris’) in 1824. Chief Constable McIntosh remained in Brisbane until 1833, when he petitioned for replacement and leave to return to Sydney. He died in July 1842 as Chief Constable of the Goulburn Police (Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser, 12 July 1842, p. 3), just a few months after his wife Christiana was imprisoned for drunkenness at Newcastle Gaol. (New Castle Gaol Entrance Book)

Archival Resources

Queensland State Archives Series ID 5653, Chronological Register of Convicts at Moreton Bay

This series consists of a chronological and alphabetical record of convicts (Crown prisoners) at Moreton Bay penal settlement. The register includes convicts' personal details, details of their convictions, as well as their departure from Moreton Bay (return to Sydney or Norfolk Island), discharge, or death.

Newspapers

Government Notice: Conduct of Superintendent John McIntosh

The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser
16 Jan 1826

Death Notice

The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser
12 Jul 1842

Online Resources

New Castle Gaol Entrance Book