Martin Benson

221

D Wong on 11th March 2019

Martin Benson was 23 years old on arrival. He was 5'4" tall, stout, grey eyes, brown hair. Colonial Secretary Papers: BENSON, Martin. Per "Southworth", 1822 1822 Mar 14: On list of convicts landed from the "Southworth" and forwarded to Liverpool for distribution (Reel 6009; 4/3505 p.13) 1825 Jan 12-May 28: Convicted of treason and murder; to be executed 24 Jan. On return of prisoners convicted and sentenced by the Supreme Court (Fiche 3298; X730 p.1) 1825 Jan 21: Sentenced to death; to be executed 24 Jan. On return of prisoners tried before the Supreme Court of New South Wales (Fiche 3298; X727 p.5) 2/12/1824 Sydney Gazette: The murder of Mr. Brackfield is thoroughly discovered. The Magistracy in the district of Liverpool, as well as the exertions of the Police in that quarter, are entitled to the warmest commendation of the Public. We understand all the property has been discovered, with the exception of a watch, which is still missing. A great portion of the spoil was interred in a sequestered spot about 5 miles from the sanguinary scene. Six men, and one woman, are fully committed for the offence. Their names are, Martin Benson, James Cogan, James Wright, Anthony Rodney, John Paule, Nicholas Kayne, and Eliza Campbell. It is thought, for the ends of justice, that one or two of these will be admitted as approvers. 13/1/1825 The Australian, Sydney: Martin Benson, J. Cogan, J. Wright, A. Rodney, J. Spaule, N. Kayne, and Eliza Campbell charged with wilfully and ferociously murdering their master, Mr. J. Brackfield. T. Chittendin, Eliza Chittendin, and Stephen Jones accessories after the fact of the murder of Mr. J. Brackfield, in receiving the property of the deceased, knowing it to have been stolen. 27/1/1825 Sydney Gazette: EXECUTION. On Monday last, pursuant to their sentence, Martin Benson, James Coogan, John Sprole, Anthony Rodney and Eliza Campbell, underwent the awful sentence of the law. The unhappy creatures gave every symptom of unfeigned penitence, and acknowledged the justice of that decree which necessarily severed them from Society by an ignominious death. Rodney (an Englishman) came to the Colony about 5 years ago. Sprole (a Scotsman), had been out 4 years. Benson and Coogan (Irishmen), only came here last July. Eliza Campbell had been a resident several years in the Colony, and was a woman of more than ordinary understanding---but her associates and prompters in crime, were almost quite ignorant. Eliza Campbell would not allow Rodney and Sprole to exonerate her from any knowledge of the murder ; she acknowledged she knew that they were going to murder her master. Sprole said, that he strangled poor Brackfield; whilst Benson hastened death by striking him on the head with the hammer. However clear the testimony may be against criminals, nevertheless it is consolatory to listen to the public confession of dying penitents. 24/1/1825: Executed in Sydney.