We’ve all met people with the so called “gift of the gab”. No doubt Australia has a long history of these sorts of characters, but George Barrington must be one of our very earliest.
In 1755 George Barrington was born in Dublin, Ireland. Growing up he always had a creative edge so decided to pursue an acting career by becoming involved with a travelling theatre group. Barrington, along with another member of the group John Price, soon decided that they’d make a better team by picking pockets. Price was caught soon enough and transported to America. Not long after Barrington was also caught and, for reasons unknown, was acquitted of his crime.
Finding the habit hard to break Barrington was quickly caught again. This time he was sentenced to three years in the hulks at Woolwich. During his time aboard the hulks his charismatic ways saw him quickly win many friends. Some of these friends were obviously in high places as Barrington was released after having served only one year of his sentence!
Unable to give up crime (or perhaps confident he could escape the penalties that went with it) Barrington returned once again to pick pocketing. This time he was caught going about his business at the Enfield races in 1790. Barrington’s punishment on this occasion was to be transported aboard the third fleet in 1791 to New South Wales. The trip and his arrival in Sydney appear to have finally seen him change his ways. So much so that he even managed to win over the Governor’s favour to the point of being appointed Constable at Windsor.
The smooth talking, ever popular George Barrington was to die of natural causes in 1804. His death was met with a great deal of sadness and mourning.
National Library of Australia
Image No: nla.pic-an9454426
(Text ref: MacDougall, A. K. (1992), The Big Treasury of Australian Folk Lore , Currawong Press, p.45.)
The Fossicker 
Another interesting post! Thanks