George Aitchison

341

Maureen Withey on 4th October 2025

Source: Old Scottish Genealogy and Family History. Records of Transported Convicts https://www.oldscottish.com/convict-records-15.html George AITCHISON, Description: Occupation Unstated Prisoner in Edinburgh, Tried: Edinburgh, 25 Mar 1818. Death - hanging by public executioner. Per Ship: Hibernia, 20 November 1818, Van Diemen's Land. --------------------------------------------------------------- Juvenile Depravity—High Court of Justiciary Yesterday came on the trial of Patrick Main, George Stewart, George Aitchison, and John McNicol. accused of theft and housebreaking, and of being habit and repute thieves, in so far as, on the 13th September 1817, they did wickedly and feloniously break into and enter the house Coates Crescent, in the parish of St Cuthbert's  county of Edinburgh, belonging to Philip Hay, Esq. of Balmakewan, but which was at the  time unoccupied, forcing asunder one of the stauncheons, or iron bars, of one of the lower back windows thereof, and violently breaking open the fastened shutters of the same; and they did all and each of them steal and theftuously carry away a vast quantity of ladies' and gentlemen's  wearing apparel, gold rings, napery, necklaces, bracelets, gold seals, and great variety of other articles. One of the pannels, Stewart, had hanged himself in prison since his indictment  was served upon him ; and John M'Nicol was outlawed for non-appearance, having made his escape from jail. Main and Aitchison, and the others named in the indictment, the eldest of whom is only years of age, are part of a numerous band of young depredators, who have long infested Edinburgh, and for whom the punishment in the bridewell which they had frequently experienced, seemed to have no terrors, and several of whom have been recently transported  for various offences. The fact of the robbery was distinctly proved against the prisoners, chiefly by the evidence of their their accomplices; from which it appeared that they had gone out and into the house for several weeks, carrying off articles of value ; and that they frequently spent nights in it, .. rousing, and afterwards deliberately put themselves down to sleep in the beds. The Jury returned a verdict unanimously finding both pannels guilty of the crimes libelled, but Aitchison Guilty of being habit and repute a thief. Thereafter the Chancellor of stated, that the Jury, a majority, almost amounting to unanimity, recommended Aitchison to mercy. Mr. Drummond craved the judgment of the Court. Lord Gillies stated  stated, that this was a most melancholy and distressing case, for it was a lamentable fact, that the greater part of   the crimes committed in this country by youthful depredators, of which the members who had lately appeared at the bar were most woeful examples. Lord Hermand proceeded to pass sentence of death upon the prisoners, when a scene of the utmost distress  presented itself. The prisoners cried most piteously and, when desired to stand up, they fell down. below the bar. After some minutes delay, they were supported by the Police-officers, And Lord Hermand after a suitable admonition, in delivering which he seemed to be extremely agitated, and was often interrupted by the cries and lamentations of the prisoners, sentenced them to be executed at Edinburgh, on Wednesday, the 29th of  of April next. The prisoners are both very young men, the one only 15 and the other 16 years. The Scots Magazine, 1 April 1818.

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 17th July 2025

New South Wales, Australia Convict Ship Muster Rolls and Related Records Sentence; 14 years to be enacted to the contract for 7 years ??