Edmond Connors

71

Robin Sharkey on 1st October 2015

Edward Connors (NOT "Edmund" arrived on “Middlesex” in January 1840. Irish, native of Waterford. Transported for AGGRAVATED ASSAULT on Thomas Hahasey in early 1839. Trial date - 2 April 1839, Waterford Assizes (date from ship’s indent ) Details of trial - 6 April 1839 Waterford Mail "Edward Connors was indicted for an aggravated assault on Thomas Hahasy, at Mount Bolton, on the 21st July last [ 1838]. Thomas Hahasey fully identified the prisoner as one of two persons who assaulted him on the day laid in the indictment, while in charge of property distrained for rent, and that the prisoner struck him with a two handled wattle on the head. Hahasy’s father-in-law who was present, also fully identified the prioner. An alibi was attempted to be provide by one witness.. - Guilty. "On being asked had he any person who could give him a character, he called on Mr Coleman, one of the jurors, who said he knew nothing good of him. " Mr Ryan, the Governor of the [Waterford] county jail, said the prisoner was twice in his custody before, once charged with murder, and the second time with an aggravated assault. Sentenced to be transported for seven years." The background story to this criminal matter came out in a trial of a man named Terence Shanahan two years later. Edward Connors was hired by Terence Shanahan to assault Hahasy, because he was an employee of the land agent named John Hackett. Terence Shanahan was a tenant of Major Bolton at Waterford. This landlord Bolton’s agent was John Hackett who had evicted Shanahan and his father and family from this land in early 1838, for not paying rent. It was at Shanahan’s instigation that Edward Connors assaulted Thomas Hahasy - because he was the steward to Mr Hackett. Shanahan had remained bitter towards Hackett when he would not reinstate the family. Another tenant of the same landlord (named William Heneberry) intended taking up the old farm of the Shanahan family. Shanahan had a group of Waterford agricultural gangs reap his wheat by night, before the landlord could reap it. Waterford Mail - Wednesday 19 September 1838 “To the Editor of the Waterford Mail Mountbolton, Sept 11, 1838 …. On Friday last night, between 10 and 11 o’clock, about 40 mowers, with scythes, and greater number of repairs, commenced cutting the corn crop, on the lads of Mountbolton, the property of Major Bolton - fem which farmers names Shanahan were ejected and disposed in May last, for nonpayment of rent and arrears of rent, at the instance of John Hackett, Esq,Land Agent to major Bolton. Men and horses were, at least, to the number of 200, with binders sufficient to carry away the wheat and oat crop in a few hours. The party were in the greatest spirits - the night was beautiful and moonlight - and the party being chiefly of the memorable “Gow” party, who are still alive, and lately ruled the fighting parties of this county.” But the police were on to them and caught one of the reapers and several harvested stacks. Shanahan made threatening comments to Hackett, and about Hackett to others, so Hackett had him prosecuted at a Waterford quarter sessions. Thereafter Shanahan told different people that Hackett had some of his money and was robbing him, and he attempted on different occasions to find a person among the Irish farming community who would be prepared to shoot at Hackett and Henneberry. The evidence of this came out in a trial of Shanahan for conspiracy to murder Hackett. (Waterford Mail, - Wednesday 22 July 1840, p. 1) Shanahan had found a man named Tom Keane of Waterford who he’d been told might do the job, but Keane wasn’t having it, even though he went on to introduce Shanahan to others who might. It was Keane’s evidence at the Shanahan trial in Waterford July 1840 that revealed the fact that Shanahan had engaged Edward Connors to assault hacketts steward, Mr Hahasy. In April 1839 Tom Keane saw Terence Shanahan in a street in Dublin. Shanahan told Tom Keane that it was his fault that Edward Connors had been transported because Keane hadn’t done the job Shanahan had always wanted him to do (!!): FROM Dublin Morning Register - Saturday 01 August 1840, p.1: “ On asking what news, Shanahan told him it was bad, that NEDDY CONNORS was transported and only because of him, Tom Keane; Connors had been transported for striking Mr Hackett’s steward and that if Tom Keane had done what Shanahan had wanted him to (i.e. firing on Hackett) Connors wouldn't have been transported.” At the same Assizes as Ned Connors was tried, there was an action brought against Hackett and Henneberry, probably by Shanahan: Waterford Mail, 6 April 1839: Patrick Henneberry, William Henneberry and John Hacket were indicted for an assault and also for taking forcible possession. Counsellor Hayes said that the matter had been arranged and with the permission of the court there would be no prosecution, which was allowed. NED CONNORS’ LIFE IN NSW Departed Ireland on "Middlesex" in September 1839 and arrived in NSW In January 1840 From typed up “Middlesex” indents: Aged 25 years. Single, a tailor by trade. Catholic. 5ft 4” ,dark ruddy and freckled complexion, dark brown hair, grey eyes. “Neddy” Connors, as Shanahan had called him, proceeded to entrench his Irish bully-boy life into his new life in NSW: He lived around Newcastle /Raymond Terrace area, with a ticket of Leave for Raymond Terrace in 1845. From an 1846 trial where he accused a man of assault, it turned out he had remained violent and unprincipled, earning himself another seven years at Norfolk Island. 12 April 1840 Newcastle Gaol book Entered Gaol in 12 April and Discharged on 20 April 7 days in the Cells , discharged as sentence expired. Newcastle Gaol - Entrance Book 11 April 1844 Entry with with Patrick Hughes immediately above him, both per “Middlesex”. Both Committed by R. Windeyer at Raymond Terrace in April 1811 Connors’ crime: Absenting himself without leave. Sentence: One week solitary confinement, and then discharge to service Hughes’ Crime: Dishonest conduct. ToL recommended to be cancelled. Newcastle Gaol - Entrance Book undated (1841-1845) Edward Connors per “Middlesex” (B 1813) 5ft 51/2 “, stout, fresh complxn, black harm hazel eyes supposedly aged 28 (means B 1813) AND Patrick Hughes per Middlesex immediately above him - , 3 yrs older, 5’41/2’ Slight build, sallow, brown hair and blue eyes. 1844 - Newcastle Gaol Description Book - No 211 13 February 1845 -Ticket of Leave Allowed to remain in the District of Raymond Terrace, October 1844. FALSELY ACCUSING JOHN CROW OF ASSAULT Maitland Mercury Sat 19 Sept 1846, page 4 "Shooting with Intent" John Crow, of Raymond Terrace, was arraigned on a charge of shooting at one Edward Connors, with intent to do grievous bodily harm. "Thomas Reynolds : I know Connors, but do not know his Christian name ; I saw Connors at Crow's place, at Tenebla, near Port Stephens ; Crow is gardener to Mr. Caswell ; Connors, Gedlow, Wheeland, and myself were there, as there had been a christening, on the previous Sunday, of Crow's child ; we had been treated by Crow, and had some wine to drink ; Connors was picking a quarrel with Crow all the evening, and took several weapons to strike Crow; he had a smoothing-iron first, then a pair of hedge clippers, and afterwards a spade, with which he made a chop at Crow, and cut the door-post; witness took the different weapons from Connors; Crow went into his bed-room, and Connors, who was outside, took up two large stones, and said he would have Crow’s life ; just at this time I heard a shot from Crow’s window, and I saw Connors running away ; I stopped him, and turned him round, and I saw him all black on the side and shoulder ; he had no shirt on, but I saw no blood or wound ; I afterwards heard Crow tell Wheeland that if he did not leave the kitchen he would serve him the same as the other man ; Connors had previously demanded his fowling-piece from Crow, and had smashed it to pieces, and burnt the stock ; he had also destroyed some crockery and other things. "Cross-examined by the prisoner : You [prisoner Crow] left a gun with me when you went to get your child christened; it was then charged with powder only ; Connors threatened you with a knife, and said he had been sent to the country for murder, and would stand the same again for you ; when you went into your bed-room, Connors and Wheeland said that if you did not bring out more wine, they would break open Mr. Caswell’s store. " In a lengthy cross examination, the prisoner then showed that Connors and Wheeland had behaved in a most violent manner. " Edward Connors : I was at Crow's house on the 10th April ; a man named Reynolds and myself had a few words together, when Crow interfered and struck me ; Reynolds struck me too, and turned me out, and whilst I was staggering from the blow, Crow came to the kitchen door and fired at me with a gun ; I recollect no other provocation given than what I have stated ; after firing the gun, Wheeland took me by the hand to lead me into the kitchen, when prisoner called for his powder, and after driving us away, said that if we showed our heads he would shoot us ; I was not violent ; I took no weapons to Crow, nor did I break any bottles or crockery. " Cross-examined by the prisoner : I came out a prisoner, and was transported for beating a man about the head with a stick. The witness denied all the allegations proved against him by the previous witness. James John Caddell, M. D., deposed to having taken some portions of shot from prosecutor’s side ; they evidently appeared as if they had struck against a wall previously to wounding him ; they had barely penetrated the skin ; had a shot been fired direct at a distance of 10 yards the wound would have been more severe, and the shot would not have had the same appearance. " William Gedlow, an assistant gardener, deposed : I was present on the night of the riot ; I heard the row from the house, and when I came up I saw Connors in the kitchen, with an axe and piece of a scythe in his hands, shaking them at Crow ; Connors said he had come out for murder, and would murder the prisoner before he was done ; I saw Connors bring four large stones, and plant them under a window, and then go round to the back of the house ; I went into the kitchen, and Wheeland put me out ; I planted then, and saw prisoner go towards his bed-room ; they were then all quiet, and shortly afterwards I went down to the garden, when I beard a shot fired, and, on coming up, saw Connors wounded ; I saw that the plates, bottles, and crockery were broken. " Cross-examined by the prisoner : I really considered your life to be in danger. " George Wheeland deposed : I was at Crow’s place on the night of the row ; I was sober ; Crow sent for me to a christening. We had some drink, and I then went away for half an hour ; when I came back, Crow was making a noise, and asked if I thought him a coward. He then went up to Connors, and gave him a box, and Reynolds gave him another ; they then turned him out, and Crow went and got a gun and shot Connors. Before I went out Connors was making a noise shouting, and breaking some bottles. Crow was outside the kitchen door, about four yards out, when he fired the shot, between the kitchen and bed- room doors. Connors was then standing out in front of the porch. There were some mugs and crockery broken. When Connors was shot, I brought him into the kitchen. " By his Honor: Connors was about eight yards from the prisoner when the shot was fired. We were all outside the house. By the prisoner : There was quarrelling in the kitchen, but I cannot say what about. I told Gedlow to go home, but did not turn him out. Connors was running down the yard with his back to you when you fired. The morning after the row Connors and myself met Mr. Caswell ; Connors was driving a team of bullocks. " The prisoner then put in a written defence, which was read by the Prothonotary ; and called Mr. William Caswell, who deposed: Prisoner has been two years in my service. Reynolds told me that Connors had been shot. I went up to the station, and on the road I met Connors and Wheeland ; Connors was driving a dray, and expressed himself sorry that Reynolds had told me, and said that he was a blackguard, and deserved all he had got ; and wished me very much to turn back. In consequence of what I had heard I examined the wall of my house, and saw where the powder and shot had struck it. Prisoner is a sober, quiet man, and I had a good character with him. " Cornelious M'Crusky deposed that Connors had told him that Crow was a fool for not coming and settling the business, and told him to go and tell this to Crow. This closed the case for the defence, when his Honor summed up at great length, stating that in case the prisoner was acquitted, he should feel it his duty to have the prosecutor placed on his trial for perjury. "The jury retired for about twenty minutes, and then returned a verdict of not guilty. " His Honor then directed that the prosecutor should be taken into custody ; but allowed him bail, himself in £50 and two sureties in £25 each, to appear and take his trial on that day week. The Court then adjourned to the following day at ten o'clock. " ONE WEEK LATER CONNORS NOW ACCUSED OF PERJURY 23 Sept 1846 - Newcastle Gaol Book AS Edward “Connor”. Admitted 23 Sept at Maitland Forwarded to Darlinghust Gaol on 28 September. Orderly conduct Maitland Mercury Sat 26 Sept 1846, page 4 (The evidence and the direct contradictions by Connors and his mate Wheeland, was gone over). “ …. His Honor addressed the prisoner in the most impressive manner, and said that of all wicked men he had ever met, he had never met a worse one than the prisoner, for he had deliberately preferred a charge against his fellow servant-a man with a wife and young child which would have entailed upon him a punishment of fifteen years' transportation, when he knew that charge to be most malicious, wicked, and false ; and yet he had given way to that diabolical feeling of revenge ; because his fellow servant had struck, and afterwards wounded him, he had, whilst smarting under the pain, preferred this charge against him, which, if proved, would have torn him from his wife and child for a period of twice the length of that which he (prisoner) was now to suffer. “ This punishment Crow would have received, but for what might he called the special interposition of Providence, for, by the mark on the wall, it had been clearly shown that the shot could not have been fired from any other place than the bed-room window ; and however much witnesses might lie, circumstances could not, and no doubt had therefore been left on his (his Honor's) mind of Crow's innocence. None but a most wicked and depraved wretch could stand calmly, as prisoner had done, and consign another to a cruel and undeserved punishment. “ The sentence of the Court was, that he should be transported for seven years ; and he (his Honor) should recommend that prisoner should be sent to Norfolk Island for the whole of that term. His Honor then directed Wheeland to be taken into custody, to undergo his trial for perjury.” 28 Sept 1846- Sydney Gaol - description book (no extra detail, a tailor, RC) Sydney gaol Entry Description - 5ft 0” tall, Stout build and fresh complexion. black hair, grey eyes From here it’s presumed Edward Connors was sent to Norfolk Island for seven years. This penal settlement began to be wound down by the British government after 1847 and the last convicts were removed to Tasmania in May 1855. Unsure if Edward Connors finished his term on Norfolk in Sept 1853 and was then returned to NSW.

94

Dennis Nightingale on 25th June 2015

173618 Connors Edward - Middlesex 1840. 12 April 1844 Newcastle gaol State Archives NSW; Gaol Entrance Book, Item: 2/2020; Roll: 757. Admitted to Newcastle gaol from Raymond Terrace charged with absenting without leave. Sentenced to 1 week solitary confinement and return to service. 14647 Connors Edward (Edmond) - Middlesex 1840. 1845 22 February Raymond Terrace MM Obtained Ticket of Leave.

94

Dennis Nightingale on 25th June 2015

Born - Waterford Co. Ireland. Crime - Assault malicious. Single CF 46/593.