Luke Fullam

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4. From the Freeman’s Journal - Friday 19 July 1867, p4: “COUNTY OF LOUTH. (FROM OUR REPORTER.) DUNDALK, Thursday... Lawrence Fullam, Luke Fullam, Robert May, and Patrick Wall were sentenced to 5 years’ penal servitude each, and Christopher Byrne to two years’ imprisonment without hard labour. A man named Patrick Conner, charged with uttering seditious language, was discharged, the crown offering no evidence against him. This concluded the business of the commission." (https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000056/18670719/023/0004) Note: The Fullams, May and Wall were charged with being members of the Fenian Conspiracy, and having formed part of the body of 800 men who assembled at the Drogheda potato market on Shrove Tuesday night, when the constabulary were fired on. (Newry Examiner and Louth Advertiser, Saturday 20 July, 1867, p3) --0--

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3. From the Dublin Evening Mail - Thursday 18 July 1867, p4: COUNTY OF LOUTH. Dundalk, July 17.—Mr Justice George took his seat in the Crown Court at ten o’clock, when the trial of Luke Fulham and Laurence Fulham, charged with treason-felony, arising out of the Drogheda disturbances, was resumed. Messrs Joy, QC, Harrison, Q C, and R McDonnell appeared as counsel for the Crown; and Mr Monroe as counsel for the prisoners. Several witnesses having been examined as to the “Fenian risings” in different parts of Ireland on the night of the 5th March, concurrently with the rising in Drogheda, the case for the Crown closed. Mr Monroe then called upon the counsel for the Crown to address the jury, as he did not intend to into evidence on behalf of the prisoners. Mr Joy, Q C, on behalf of the Crown, said that this was not a case in which counsel for the Crown could forego their right to the general reply. Mr Monroe urged that no such right existed, except when the Attorney or Solicitor-General prosecuted in person. His Lordship said that his experience of the practice was otherwise, and he would not deprive the Crown counsel of the right of reply. Mr. Monroe then addressed the jury on behalf of the prisoners, and Mr. Harrison, Q.C., replied on behalf of the Crown. His Lordship charged the jury, who, after two hours’ deliberation, returned a verdict of guilty against both prisoners, stating that their finding was based on the eighth, ninth, and tenth overt acts charged in the indictment. The prisoners were ordered to stand aside...” (https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000433/18670718/031/0004) --0--

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2. From the Dublin Daily Express - Tuesday 16 July 1867, p3: DUNDALK ASSIZES— This Day. (From our own correspondent.) (Special telegram.) Dundalk, Tuesday. The grand jury of the county of Louth have found true bills for treason-felony against Christopher Byrne, Luke Fullam, Lawrence Fullam [sic], Patrick Bird, Patrick Wall, John Colligan, and Robert May. The prisoners pleaded “Not guilty”. Luke Fullam and Byrne were then put on trial. They are defended by Messrs. Ferguson, Q.C., and Monroe. Mr. Monroe stated that Byrne withdrew his plea “not guilty,” and pleaded “guilty.” Counsel asked the court, in awarding punishment, to consider the fact of Byrne having suffered from gunshot wounds calculated to injure him permanently, his long imprisonment, the disappearance of disloyalty, and the growing spirit of tranquility in the country. Counsel examined Dr. Brunker and a witness to character. The Judge approved of the course adopted by counsel, read the informations, and directed the case to stand over till tomorrow, LUKE and LAWRENCE FULLAM my emphasis] were then put on trial. (https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001384/18670716/099/0003) —0—

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NEWSPAPER REPORTS OF THE TRIAL: 1. From the Newry Telegraph - Tuesday 16 July 1867, p3: COUNTY OF LOUTH, FROM SPECIAL Dundalk, Saturday.—At eleven o’clock this morning the High-Sheriff, Charles Cobbe, Esq., entered the Crown Court, accompanied Barton Brabazon, Esq., Sub-Sheriff, and the grand panel having been called over, the following gentlemen answered to their names, and were sworn on the Grand Jury: 1. Lieut.-Col. Sir John S. Robinson, Bart., (Foreman). 2. Lieut.-Col. John C. W. Fortescue. 3. Blayney Townley Balfour, Esq., D.L. 4. Frederick John Foster, Esq. 5. Richard Macan, Esq. 6. William Ruxton, Esq., D.L. 7. John Murphy Esq. 8. Myles Taaffe, Esq. 9. Finlay A. Chester, Esq. 10. Laurence Waldron, Esq. 11. Michael Caraher, Esq. 12. William De Sails Filgate, Esq. 13. Robert Foster Dunlop, Esq. 14. Richard M. Bellew, Esq., D.L. 15. Major Myles W. O’Reilly, M.P. 16. William Woolsey. Esq. 17. H. St. George Smith, Esq. 18. T. M. Richardson, Esq. 19. Thomas William Filgate, Esq. 20. George Harpur, Esq. 21. John Obius Woodhouse, Esq. 22. J. E. Bigger. Esq. 23. George Boylan, Esq. The jury, after being briefly addressed by the High-Sheriff, adjourned to their room for the transaction of fiscal business. The presentment £1,100 for the construction of main sewer from the County Gaol through Park Street led to an animated discussion, Mr. Waldron strongly opposing the project, which was ultimately defeated on division by eleven to eight. None of the other presentments were of any special importance. The present Assizes would have been a maiden one were it not for the fact that the persons arrested in Drogheda, subsequent to the emeute there on the night the 5th of March have been transferred from Dublin to Dundalk for trial. There are at present fourteen prisoners in the County Gaol charged with being connected with Fenianism. Ten of these were sent to Dublin for trial at the Special Commission; but owing, it is said, to some technical objections, did not appear before that tribunal. The names of the ten Drogheda prisoners are as follow: —Christoper [sic] Byrne, printer; Francis Hanlon, tailor; Lake Fullam, shoemaker; Patk. Bird, tailor, Patrick Wall, labourer; Laurence Fullam, shoemaker; Thomas Corrigan, day labourer; Robert May, spinning master; John Collegan, shoemaker; Hugh Byrne, housepainter. Another prisoner to be tried is a man named Patrick Connor, who was arrested on board the steamer at Drogheda at the time of the movement, but was subsequently released from Dundalk Gaol, but on the evening of his release was again arrested on a charge uttering seditious language. In addition to the foregoing there are three prisoners, who, being arrested under the Lord Lieutenant’s warrant, will not be brought at these Assizes. The names of those three persons are:—John Lynch, cutler, Drogheda; Henry Byrne, veterinary surgeon, Drogheda; J. Fitzpatrick, labourer, Liverpool. The judges will not sit until Tuesday, at 10 a.m., and seldom has there been a degree of interest attached to an Assizes holden here than the present, not much from the fact that there is a considerable number of Fenian cases to be disposed of, but from belief that the principal Crown witnesses who gave evidence at previous Fenian trials—Messrs. Massey, Corydon, and others will be in attendance to give general proof of the conspiracy. The evidence of these parties will, it is stated, be amply supplemented by local —i.e., Drogheda witnesses. There was a belief that the prisoners might plead guilty, and the Crown would in that case, it is said, deal leniently with them but is now stated that the prisoners will stand the hazard of the die. In that case as the commission must open upon a fixed date in Monaghan, there will have to be an adjournment of the Loath court on Thursday next to be resumed again when the other business of the circuit is completed. —0—

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TRIAL: 1867, 16 July: LAURENCE FULLAM was found guilty of treason-felony [not the original charge of high treason which is the only option above, under “Crime”] and sentenced at the Louth Assizes, Dundalk, to 5 years’ penal servitude (Western Australia, Australia, Convict Records, 1846-1930; Convict Department, Registers; General Register for Nos 9599-10128 cont. (R16)). —0—

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1867, 20 June: The brothers Fullam were among nine prisoners facing charges of "high treason" who were sent from Kilmainham back to Dundalk Gaol to await their trials (Ireland, Prison Registers, 1790-1924 for Patrick Wall; Dublin; Kilmainham, 1850-1871). --0--

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THE COMMITTAL -- 1 APRIL, 1867: From the Drogheda Conservative - Saturday 30 March, 1867, p2: “THE DROGHEDA PRISONERS. Ten of the prisoners concerned in the Drogheda ‘rising’ were removed from the Dundalk gaol to Dublin on Wednesday. They were joined at the Drogheda railway station by Thomas Clarke, who, after his liberation by the magistrates, was re-arrested by order of the Government. The names of the prisoners are Christopher Byrne, Scarlet-street; Francis O'Hanlon, King-street; LUKE FULLAM, Old Hill; LAURENCE FULLAM, Old Hill; Patrick Bird, Trinity-street; Patrick Wall, Trinity-street; Thomas Corrigan, John-street; Robert May, Trinity-street; John Callaghan, Stockwell-lane; Hugh Byrne, Millmount; and Thomas Clarke, Mill-lane. At two o'clock on Thursday Dr. Carte, J.P., attended at Kilmainham prison to take informations against the prisoners. The case for the prosecution rested on the evidence of Sub-Inspector Gardiner and the following members of the Drogheda constabulary:—Head Constable Cochlan, Constable Collum, Sub Constables Kenny, Hogan, Murphy, Burke, Fearon, O'Hare, Cassidy, McCourt, Carroll, and Acting Constable Walsh. The final hearing of the case against the prisoners was postponed until yesterday. By some accident it was announced in Thursday's Freeman that the prisoners above-named had been released from custody, and, by a transposition of names, several persons who had really been discharged were stated to have been sent to Dublin. The mistake was the cause of great disappointment to the relatives of the Drogheda prisoners when it was discovered that, instead of being released, they had been removed to Dublin preparatory to being tried at the approaching Special Commission.” (https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) --0— 1867, 2 April: From the Limerick Reporter, p2: “Dr. Carte resumed the investigation yesterday morning at the prison, Kilmainham, and discharged on bail Thomas Brophy, who was in custody since the Tallaght rising. The following 11 prisoners, who were transmitted from Dundalk, were formally committed for high treason, for their alleged share in the Drogheda rising:—Christopher Byrne, Francis O’Hanlon, Luke Fullam, Patrick Bird, Patrick Wall, Laurence Fullam, Thomas Corrigan, Robert May, John Colligan, Hugh Byrne, and Michael Ward. The investigation will be resumed this morning.” (https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000828/18670402/046/0002) --0--

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JAILS – DUNDALK TO KILMAINHAM 1867, 27 March: The Fullam brothers were sent from Dundalk jail by train to Kilmainham prison, Dublin. Laurence's record from Kilmainham reads: NAME: Laurence Fullam ADMISSION AGE: 36 ROLE: Prisoner BIRTH DATE: 1831 BIRTH PLACE: Agher, County Meath, Meath, Ireland ADMISSION DATE: 27 Mar 1867 ADMISSION PLACE: Dundalk, Dublin, Ireland CHARGE: TREASON FELONY JAIL: KILMAINHAM IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 425 PARTIES INVOLVED: 1 He was described as 5'6¾" tall with black hair, grey eyes, and sallow complexion; literate; Roman Catholic; committed for trial by Dr William Carte, at Kilmainham, on 1 April; living at James Street, Drogheda; shoemaker (Ireland, Prison Registers, 1790-1924 for Laurence Fullam; Dublin; Kilmainham; 1850-1871). --0--

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NEWSPAPER REPORT: 1867, 8 March: From the Saunders's News-Letter, p3: “LATE FENIAN RISING IN DROGHEDA. (from our correspondent.) Drogheda, Thursday Night. Last night passed over in this town with the greatest tranquillity. The shops in the principal streets were all closed at ten o’clock, and not a soul was to be seen in the streets afterwards, nor up to five o’clock this morning, when the factory hands turned out to business, but the picket of the 89th Regiment of Foot, under Major Baker, and accompanied by Mr. Harpur, J.P., and a detachment of the constabulary, who also patrolled the town. The Drogheda magistrates and those belonging to the rural districts are most active in their duties. They meet daily, and have constant communication with the police authorities. It would not be doing justice to James Levins, Esq., the Mayor, and Patrick Ternan, Esq., J.P.,to omit stating that both gentlemen were present with Captain Gardiner and the police on Tuesday night when the engagement took place with the insurgents. Another meeting of magistrates (private) was held to-day, for the purpose of taking precautions to preserve the peace. The number of persons in the county prison on a charge of Fenianism is forty-six.## The man Christopher Byrne, who received two wounds on Tuesday night, and who was reported to be dead, has been this day pronounced by Dr. Pentland, medical officer of the gaol, as out of danger. The following [22 names] are the names, occupations, and residences of the men arrested on Tuesday night after the engagement, some of whom were found with firearms in their hands**: Christopher Byrne, printer, Scarlet-street; Francis O’Halloran, tailor, King-street; LUKE FULLAM [my emphasis], shoemaker, Oldhill; Patrick Bird, tailor, Trinity-street; Patrick Ward, labourer, Trinity-street; William Kelly, dealer, Dublin; LAURENCE FULLAM [my emphasis], shoemaker, Oldhill…” [Not all names are given here]. (https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001057/18670308/026/0003) ## The Evening Freeman of 8 March, p3, also published the same correspondent’s report, but it said: “At present there are in all forty-eight prisoners, connected with Fenianism, confined in our county jail here, including the twenty-five arrested after the firing, and three of whom were wounded.” ** The Evening Freeman said: “some of whom were found lying on their arms” (https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001312/18670308/021/0003) --0--

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1867, 5 March: The brothers Laurence and Luke Fullam were arrested, and jailed at Dundalk, Louth, for their alleged role in the “Fenian rising” at Drogheda. What were the “rising’s” antecedents? John Dorney explains in this post on the "The Irish Story" website: "'Today in Irish History –The Fenian Rebellion, March 5, 1867'. John Dorney on the abortive republican insurrection of 1867. Very early on the morning of March 5th 1867, many thousands of young men, some of them well armed, others not, set off from Dublin towards the hills overlooking the village of Tallaght. The police noted that a large number of (horse-drawn) cars left the Combe and Kevin Street area for the countryside. Others walked to Tallaght. The police sergeant at Crumlin reported that, “the Dublin road is crowded with young men, all taking the direction of Tallaght”. The young men, who may have numbered up to 8,000, were Fenians – members of the Irish Republican Brotherhood and this was the day of a long-planned-for insurrection aimed at toppling British rule and establishing an Irish Republic. Most of them were there by choice, having been ordered by the “centre” or commander or their IRB “circle”, or unit of 800 men, but those who were reluctant to go were given encouragement; “If you don’t go, by God you’ll be shot”, one was told. William Domville Handcock, a Tallaght landowner and Magistrate for County Dublin, recalled later, “At my uncle’s place at Kiltalown, the family were in a great fright. They saw numbers of Fenians walking about the lawn all night, and they expected to be attacked every moment”. Slightly further east in the Dublin hills, another band of some 200 Fenians attacked and took a string of Irish Constabulary barracks, at Dundrum, Stepaside and Glencullen. In Drogheda, as many as 1,000 Fenians assembled in the Market Square, armed with pikes and rifles and refused an order from 28 policemen to disperse. In Cork, about 4,000 insurgents gathered at Fair Hill and proceeded to Limerick train Junction, in the process attacking and burning several police barracks. The Fenians, led by James Stephens, a charismatic republican revolutionary, exiled in Paris, where he associated with like-minded radicals, issued a Proclamation of the Irish Republic: 'Our rights and liberties have been trampled on by an alien aristocracy, who, treating us as foes, usurped our lands and drew away from our unfortunate country all material riches We appeal to force as a last resort… unable to endure any longer the curse of a monarchical government, we aim at founding a Republic based on universal suffrage, which shall secure to all the intrinsic value of their labour. The soil of Ireland, at present in possession of an oligarchy, belongs to us, the Irish people and to us it must be restored. We declare also in favour of absolute liberty of conscience and the separation of Church and State. We intend no war against the people of England; our war is against the aristocratic locusts, whether English or Irish, who have eaten the verdure of our fields.' But by the following day, the Rising, what the unionist Irish Times described as, “this wretched conspiracy”, was over. The Fenians, over 10,000 strong, had been dispersed and were being hunted through the hills by the Irish Constabulary and the British Army..." (For the full article, go to https://www.theirishstory.com/2011/03/05/today-in-irish-history-–the-fenian-rebellion-march-5-1867/#.ZBaiN3YzaUk) --00--