Patrick Connolly

342

Maureen Withey on 22nd June 2023

Police Office. Friday September 12. Mr. Patrick Connolly, a surgeon residing in Prince-street, was yesterday brought up before the Police bench charged under the following circumstances :—About three weeks ago, Daniel Fitzgerald, an assistant bailiff of the Court of Requests went to levy an execution on the premises of the prisoner, and having gained an entrance into the house, was seized by Mr. Connolly by the collar, and was upon the point of being overpowered, when he called for assistance from Thomas Cook, who had accompanied him, and was remaining outside within call, when the prisoner seized a knife from off a table, and slightly cut one of his fingers. He afterwards made several attempts to stab the bailiff in the belly, but did not succeed. Cook also received a slight wound in the scuffle which took place. Mr. Connolly wished to enter upon his defence against the charge, and to call witnesses in his behalf, but the bench being of opinion that it was a case in which they could not exercise any jurisdiction, committed him to take his trial for assaulting a bailiff, in order to prevent the lawful arrest of his person. The bench consented to take bail for his due appearance when called on, himself in the sum of £100, and two sureties in the sum of £50 each, and Mr. C. having complied with the required conditions, was suffered to depart. Sydney Gazette, 13 Sep 1834.

342

Maureen Withey on 22nd June 2023

THE Editor of the Monitor will be pleased to insert the following letter from " The Colonial-Times," together with the copy of the diploma. To the Editor of the Colonial Times. I felt much hurt in perusing in your last number a very severe satire on Patrick Connolly, Surgeon, at Sydney. It is true that that unfortunate Gentleman came to this Colony a Prisoner, and if the writer had added that he was an Irishman, and a very irritable one too, all this I could readily admit; but when he anonymously attacks his professional character, and states he is a " charlatan," or quack, and an "'impostor," I must beg to say, (in his absence) that these are base and malicious falsehoods, which his long standing commission in the Army and diplomas roundly contradict. I HAVE known him several years; he was operating Surgeon at the Sussex General Infirmary, nnder Sir Matthew Tierney, Bart.,. Physician to His Majesty; I have experienced his skill on my own Person, and been eye witness (being a Subscriber to the Institution) to him operating on others ; and, whatever may be his faults in private life, this is the first time I ever heard his talents as a Surgeon disputed, and feel it but justice to say so, I am,.Your's &c:. JOHN HILL BLANCHARD Epping Forest, Bathurst, Feb. 19,. 1827 No. 2,134, KNOW all men by these Presents, that we the Court of Examiners of, or for the Royal College of Surgeons in London, have deliberately examined Mr. PATRICK CONNELLY, and find him fit and capable to exercise the art and science of Surgery. We therefore admit him a Member of the College, and authorise him to practice the said art and science accordingly. In witness whereof we have caused our common seal to be set hereunto. Dated the sixth day. of March, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twelve. Master. DAVID DUNDAS; Governors.THOMPSON FORSTER, EVERARD HOME, Examiners. JAMES EARLE, CHARLES BLICKE, G. CHANCELLOR, . W. BLIZARD, J. KEATE, HENRY CLINE, Enrolled by EDWARD BELFOUR, Secretary. The Monitor, 30 Mar 1827.

342

Maureen Withey on 22nd June 2023

National Archives. Criminal Petitions. HO 17/51/78. Date. 1831 July 27.. Prisoner name: Patrick Connolly. Prisoner occupation: Formerly Surgeon of the Royal City of Dublin Militia. Court and date of trial: Hertford Lent Assizes 5 March 1824. Crime: Manslaughter - killing James Grainge. Initial sentence: Transportation for Life. Petitioner(s): The prisoner in a petition signed by James Dowling, a Judge in New South Wales. Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): The prisoner had been successfully sued for libel by Lieutenant Andrews of the Royal Navy by means the prisoner considered unjust and improper. The Attorney acting for Lieutenant Andrews offered a reward for the apprehension of the prisoner. This resulted in a man who had been appointed Sheriff's Officer solely for that purpose coming, accompanied by two others, and breaking into the house where the prisoner was residing with the intention of detaining the prisoner. The men left threatening to return armed, when they said they would shoot the prisoner. They returned after dark accompanied by fourteen or fifteen armed men. They refused to produce evidence that their action was lawful and again proceeded to break open the house door. Alarmed by this unlawful conduct, the prisoner discharged a gun loaded with small shot which resulted in the death of James Grainge. At the trial which followed, the Judge informed the Jury that the attempts twice to break open the house door in pursuit of a civil action were unlawful, violent and outrageous but as the parties involved were only trespassing, the killing of Grainge amounted in law to manslaughter. In the circumstances, the petitioner considers the sentence excessive. Other papers: Letters from Sir Matthew Tierney forwarding Connolly's petition and suggesting he granted a pardon on condition of 'not returning to His Majesty's European Dominions' and returning thanks for the news that a pardon is to be prepared on the suggested conditions. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Tasmanian Conduct Record. https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON31-1-6$init=CON31-1-6P217 No 634. Patrick Connolly. Per Phoenix 1824. Tried Herts, 4 Mar 1824, Life. No Gaol report received. Stated this offence: Highway robbery. Pros. Lived near Hatfield, took money, once imprisoned in Hertford for breaking windows one month, once brother in this Country transported with me for the same offence, one brother & sister at home, brought up in the Poor house at Northaw till I was 9 or 10 years old, put in at 2 years old, I lived at Hatfield. F. or M. not stated. Sept 9 1824. Attendant at Hospital; Repeated disrespect to Jas. Scott, Esq & Mr Crockett. Also appearing before the Court very undecorous. To be confined 10 days in Gaol & sent to P.W. --------------------------------------------------------------- https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON23-1-1$init=CON23-1-1-P079 634. Patrick Connolly, age 37, Surgeon, Tried at Herts, 4 Mar 1824. Life. Per Phoenix. Native place, Co. Cavan. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Hertford Assizes – Friday. returned a true bill against Patrick Connolly and Hugh Moran for manslaughter. At a quarter past eleven o'clock the five prisoners were brought to the bar in the following order;—Elizabeth Brown, Amelia Morgan, Patrick Connolly, Hugh- Moran, and Edward Travers. Mrs. Brown is a respectable looking woman, of a good person, but not very handsome; She wore a black bonnet; veil, 'rind feathers and a silk shawl, and approached the bar without the slightest appearance of alarm or trepidation. Amelia Morgan was a little affected. Connolly was dressed in black; his demeanour evinced a portion of anxiety, hut he was quite collected. In the appearance of the other prisoners (Hugh Moran and Edward Trayers) there was nothing remarkable. The prisoners were then arraigned under the verdict of the Coroner's Inquisition, for the wilful murder of James Grainge at Rabley-house, in the county of Hertford, on the 31st of December last; to which indictment the prisoners severally pleaded not guilty. Patrick Connolly and Hugh Moran were then indicted for manslaughter of the said James Grainge, at the time and place already mentioned. ... Fleming’s Weekly Express, 7 March 1824. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- The case was widely reported at the time, both in the Irish press and in the English newspapers. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Colonial Secretary Index. CONNOLLY, Patrick. Per "Phoenix", 1824 to Van Diemen's Land 1824 Oct 4 Petition for mitigation of sentence (Fiche 3245; 4/1873 p.40) 1825 May 14 Permitted to proceed from Van Diemen's Land to Port Jackson per "Lady East" (Reel 6019; 4/3522 p.141) 1825 May 21 Bowman felt that his medical training would be useful at Norfolk Island (Reel 6063; 4/1784 p.256) 1825 Jun 6 Re whereabouts of (Reel 6014; 4/3514 p.442) 1825 Nov 26 Ticket of leave approved (Reel 6027; 4/1717.2 p.273)

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 11th July 2021

Conduct Record;- No; 634 Name; Patrick Connelly Ship; Phoenix 2. 1824 Trial; Herts - 4 Mar 1824 - Life Native Place; Cavan Remarks;- Transported for Highway Robbery One brother in county transported with him for same office One brother and sister at home , brought up in the poor house 9 or 10 years old. Put in at 2 years old at Hatfield. 1824 - 9 Sept. Attendant at Hospital - Repeated disrespect to Jas Scott Esq & Mr Crockett - 10 days in goal 1825 - 21 May. Bowman felt that his medical training would be useful at Norfolk Island 1825 - 6 June. Copies of Letters Sent Within The Colony, 1814-1827 At Sydney in a state of ill health 1832 - 14 Sep. Conditional Pardon. No; 129.