Margaret Armstrong

342

Maureen Withey on 4th May 2026

Recorder’s Court- Yesterday.  Denis Connor was indicted for stealing property to a considerable extent out of the house of Pierce Marcus Baron, Esq. and Margaret Armstrong was indicted for receiving the said property knowing it to have been stolen. Mr. Pierce M. Baron enumerated several articles of plate and furniture which he missed on the 8th of April. having had them on the 7th. Whelan examined by Mr. Plunket- Knows a woman called Margaret  Armstrong; she lived with her at the time the goods were said to be stolen; the prisoner at the bar was also called Margaret  McCann ; she lived in No. 1, Moss street; witness lived with her on the 8th of April ; Denis Connor, and Pat Connor, were in the habit of visiting there. Denis Connor came there on Wednesday, and left it onThursday evening; I did not ask him where he was going; Margaret Armstrong told me not to ask him any questions; Pat Connor came about five o'clock the following morrning, he wore an olive coloured  frock, and had a large bundle; the bundle was tied up in a table cloth (witness identified the cloth) ; in about ten minutes after Pat Connor came to the house, Denis Connor followed him ; Margaret Armstrong told witness to leave the house she came back in about ten minutes after, and both the Connors were gone; Margaret Armstrong said she was made a present, and showed a musical box, and a snuffbox with Napoleon Bonaparte's  head on it; witness saw all the other articles deposed to by Mr. Baron. Cross-examined by Mr. Graydon- Did you not say that there was a hammering on Saturday ? No; but on Thursday, Had not you and Margaret Armstrong a quarrel? We had, she came home tipsey the Wednesday after, and we quarrelled, Was it then you thought of making up this pretty little story? No; I knew nothing of it. Then you admit you know nothing of it? I know we had a quarrel, Did you see a snuffbox with Napoleon on its back.? I did. Did you ever see  Napoleon before? I did; I often saw Buonaparte. Would you know him if you saw him now ? Perfectly. Did you ever leave this country to pay him a visit .No; but I often saw his picture. Do you know the difference between  B and a bull's foot ? I do well, I don't know how to read and write, but I know that to be the cloth that Pat Connor had in his hand ; it is the same cloth that was about the bundle.- - Was not Margaret Armstrong's what is called a bad house? I suppose it was. What did you tell Mrs. Fullong ? I told her that Connor and Margaret Armstrong had money,  which I did not know how they came by; Margaret Armstrong told me that Connor was her husband; I saw them live like man and wife; I don't know how they got the plate. The female prisoner had a considerable number of interrogatories to the witness, which not being answered to her satisfaction, she lustily cried out, My Lord, and Gentlemen of the  Jury, it is in vain for me to ask this woman any more questions, for you may perceive that she would swear that a black lamb is a white one, Several other witnesses were produced to substantiate the charges contained in the indictment- The Jury retired for about fifteen minutes, and returned a verdict of - Guilty against both the prisoners. Sentence of death was recorded against Denis Connor, and Margaret Armstrong was sentenced to seven years' transportation. On receiving sentence she, with perfect sangfroid, said, Thank you, my Lord. I'll never go younger, and, when I am coming back I'll bring a monkey for your daughter. Freeman’s Journal, 13 May 1830

218

Dianne Jones on 23rd June 2020

Crime: Receiving stolen goods (see NSW Convict Indents, 1788-1842, Annotated Printed Indentures 1831).

218

Dianne Jones on 23rd June 2020

Occupation: Sempstress (aka Seamstress).