James Campbell

341

Maureen Withey on 5th March 2025

Tyrone Assizes, Omagh, March 23. —James Campbell, and John M'Grew, stood indicted for stealing a horse, the property of James Campbell, on 25th November last. James Campbell examined—Lives near Randlestown, in the county Antrim; lost horse on the November last; he was taken out of his stable in Grogan ; he was bay horse,  three years old, with a star on the face; had him for four months previous; missed him about eight o’clock at night; had  put him in the stable in the evening, and went from home for some lime, and on his returning the horse was gone; saw him next at Aughnacloy, four or five days after, in the stable of John Brown, inn keeper; got him back. Knows James Campbell (the prisoner); identities him; does not know McGrew; James Campbell is his (witness’s) nephew, and lived 14 miles from  him; was the habit of coming to his (witness’s) house; had been there about a fortnight before ; the prisoner is a labourer and sometimes weaves; never disputed with him; owes him money. In answer to question from the Court— Went to Auchnacloy in consequence of a letter which bad been sent Captain Moore to his (witness’s) landlord. Robert Caldwell examined—ldentifies the prisoners as the persons who sold him a pony-horse at Carenteel fair, in November last; gave ? for him; had star on his face, and was three years old;  he was put into John Brown’s stable in Aughnacloy the police had taken him before Captain Moore, and afterwards lodged him there; James Campbell was the man who sold him the horse; soon after returned him his money, on condition that he (witness) would give him back the horse; a neighbour who was with him, suspecting the horse was stolen, took the prisoners into custody, and then Campbell gave back the money; the police were not then present, but were brought forward shortly after; they instantly secured the prisoners, and took the horse to Aughnacloy, where the owner got him. Cross-examined—James Campbell was the person who sold and delivered the horse, and gave back the money out of his pocket; the prisoner (Campbell) acknowleged, two days after, when in the block-hole that bad takes the horse from his uncle. M‘Grew lived at good distance Campbell did not know Campbell before; heard living in the town with M‘Grew; Campbell held the horse by a halter when the bargain was made; there were several neighbours present at the sale; took up M‘Grew because they had seen him with Campbell from the morning; it was in bought the horse. [By the Court M'Grew was ...  to make the bargain between them like neighbour.] Had some liquor at the time of payment—it is customary; the prosecutor has told him that the prisoner has a sister living in the town with M‘Grew, and that he was in the habit of going to see her there. [By the Court—Asked prisoner his name on the horse; said it was James Campbell; M'Grew also told his name.] James  Campbell (the prosecutor) recalled—ln answer to a question from the Court, he said, the last witness was present when he got  the horse in Aughnacloy. Jury retired for a few minutes, and returned verdict, finding James Campbell guilty, but acquitting John McGrew.   Londonderry Sentinel, 27 Mar 1830.

341

Maureen Withey on 5th March 2025

Irish Convict Database, by Peter Mayberry James Campbell, age on arrival, 18, per Edward (2), 1831, Tried Tyrone, 1830, Life, for Stealing horse. DOB 1813, native place, Tyrone. Single. Protestant. Trade, Labourer reaper. Cockatoo Island, Colonial sentences.