Peter Cotton

341

Maureen Withey on 11th November 2024

Atrocious Assault. James Webb, a tinker, living in Fordam’s-alley, complained to the Magistrates at Arran-quay police-office yesterday, that on the 19th instant, he was at supper in his room, when four fellow-tradesmen rushed in, Michael and James Mahony, Peter Cotton, Thomas Rooney, and his wife. Each of the four men had a soldering iron in his hand. Cotton put out the candle, and struck him on the head with his iron. Rooney and the others also struck him, and gave him such a severe beating to leave him in an insensible state. One them called out,  there any life the old dog, kill him outright. The woman, Mary Rooney, took some fire out of the grate and put it on his shoulder and ear, which burned him severely; they all left the place then, and his daughter-in-law took the fire off him. He was merely able to appear and swear informations. The poor man is now despaired of. Thomas Webb, son to the man who was beaten, attempted to defend his father, and got an unmerciful threshing. He ran to conceal himself the chimney, and Mary Rooney put straw into the grate, and and set fire to it, with a view smother him. The four ruffians and their fair companion were committed to Newgate.   Dublin Evening Packet, 22 Oct 1829.  James Mahony, Peter Cotton, Thomas Rooney, and Mary Rooney, were indicted for feloniously assaulting James Webb, on the 19th of October, and wounding him with a sharp instrument called a soldering iron, the right side of the head, with intent to murder. In another count they were Charged with an intent to do bodily harm. They plead Not guilty. James Webb appeared on the table, his head all bound  up, and presented altogether a most ghastly appearance, he was sworn, and said lived in Fordam Alley, when this happened;  it was last Monday night fortnight; he is a tinman by trade ; knows all the prisoners at the bar; he knew them since they were children; he was at his own fire side, when the four men  came In; one of them was not taken; the first salute he got was a blow from Peter Cotton in ; the second blow in the front of the bead, with the soldering iron; Rooney was the man who struck him; it was with the iron if ; be was knocked powerless; they blew out the handle, and one of them said “shoot his daughter-in-law, she knows what burned his shoulder,“ Thomas Webb, son to the last witness, was next examined. He corroborated the facts the attack; Mary Rooney placed  the hot coals out of the fire up to his father’s shoulder; he Went up-the chimney conceal himself, and straw was put straw was put the grate to smother him. Dr. Brereton deposed, in the clearest and most satisfactory manner, to the severity of the wounds Webb received. Verdict—Guilty of the intent to do bodily harm to. Kerry Evening Post, 7 Nov 1829.

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 27th January 2022

1831 - NEPHEW; Richard Cotton arrived in the Colony per Ship; Jane - 1831. Refer Indent No; 123. Noted in his Remarks; UNCLE; Peter Cotton, per Hercules - 1830

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 27th January 2022

1831 - New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents. Ship; Hercules - 1830 Prisoners No; Indent No; 78 Name; Peter Cotton Age; 34 [1797] years, Roman Catholic, Married 4 children. 2 Males and 2 Females Native Place; Kings County Trade or calling; Tinker, Ploughman Offence; Assault with intent to kill Trial; City Dublin - 31 Oct 1829. Life - Previous Convictions; None Height; 5 ft.7 3/4 in Assigned; Arch Mossman. William's River 1836 - 31 Oct. Certificate of Freedom. 36/1104 Age: 40. [1796]. Native Place: Birr, Kings County, Ireland