Andrew Hickey

343

Maureen Withey on 8th April 2025

Dennis Kelliher, J Davis, Michael Kelliher, Andrew Hickey, and Daniel Donnellan for administering an unlawful oath to Mary at Meelick, and assaulting her, and also for at… the house of Joseph Arthur, Esq. on the same occasion, to be transported for seven years. Limerick Chronicle, 3 March 1832. Dennis Kelliher, Michael Kelliher, John Davis, and Daniel Donnellan were then put forward, charged with administering an unlawful oath to Mary Gerald on the 13th of December last, at Meelick and also for said Mary Fitzgerald. Mary Fitzgerald, sworn—Lives at Meelick remembers the 10th of last December ; was taking some cloths off a hedge near her mother's house the evening of that day ; saw a party of men approaching the house; saw one or two of them enter it, and heard them ask for her; none of the party could see her at this time, hut when she attempted to make her escape by running across the fields, they at once her and soon overtook her; John Davis, one of the prisoners, was one of the first who struck her on the head with a two-handled wattle, and one of the party cried out, would she ever tell tales on the “boys” again to Mr or Mrs. Arthur; they also beat her with guns, &c., and knocked her down several times; she recognised all the prisoners (here she identified them, ) as being of the party that night; Daniel Donnellan was dressed in woman's clothes ; when tired of beating her, they then swore her not to speak to Mr. or Mrs. Arthur or the next seven years (here witness produced the prayer book on which she was sworn) Cross-examined by Mr Cullinane— Believes her- self to bear the name of being a woman of good character ; did not tell the magistrates of this till last February was afraid to do soon account of the there was a disturbed state of the child found in a ditch some time ago convenient to her house, never heard that it was laid to her charge ; Mr, Arthur's house was attacked that night; the party that beat her came from the direction of Mr Arthur's house Joseph Arthur, Esq. sworn—Knows the last witness ; she came to him a few days after she was assaulted, and informed him of the names of those persons who beat him, among whom were the prisoners; he (witness) then wrote to Captain Dyer, the nearest magistrate, relating to him the circumstances, who would have instantly taken her informations, but that she (Prosecutrix) was afraid at the time. This witness was very ably cross-examined by Mr Cullinane, but nothing was elicited from him contradictory to his previous evidence. Limerick Evening Post, 2 Mar 1832. Secret Societies in County Clare. As common lands were enclosed and evictions increased, nightly attacks on cattle, land and property became common. Secret Society weapons consisted of farm implements and the occasional stolen firearm. The tactics used by the Whiteboys included the sending of threatening letters, digging up pasture land, mutilating livestock, burning estate property, intimidating landlords and assaulting stewards. Occasionally they resorted to murder. The 'Whiteboy Acts' legislated severely against nocturnal crimes. Convictions for the above offences often resulted in death by hanging, or transportation to Australia for terms of between seven years and life. By the 1830's, secret agrarian societies in the style of the Whiteboys again came into prominence. Increased bitterness towards tithes and rackrent, alongside poor harvests and a fall in the price of cereals, brought about their re-establishment. In County Clare two groups figured prominently; 'Lady Clare's Boys', who wore women's clothes for disguise, and the 'Terry Alts', reputedly named after a shoemaker from Corofin. Their main aims were the reduction of rents, undisturbed occupation of holdings by tenants and increased wages for labourers. Their tactics were similar to those of their Whiteboy predecessors, and they enjoyed the popular support of peasants and working people. Source: Clare County Library

71

Robin Sharkey on 26th August 2018

Andrew Hickey was transported for Life on "Eliza" no 6 arriving NSW in 1832. He was 25 years old and had been tried in Co Clare for "unlawful oaths" (per indent). He describe himself as a "labourer, reaps". The typed indent recorded that he was single, could not read or write, RC. He was freckled, with sandy hair, blue eyes, 5ft 8&1/2 in tall, and no marks or tattoos upon him. Another handwritten ship muster roll recorded him as being 5ft 10on, red hair, grey eyes and ruddy complexion and his crime was "Administering unlawful oaths". Hickey and three others of same or similar age (Dennis & Michael Kelliher and Daniel Donnellan) were transported from Co Clare for "unlawful oaths", all tried at the same sizes, 25 February 1832. Al given life, all with no former convictions. He died in the NSW Liverpool Asylum for the infirm & Destitute on 5th March 1885 aged about 78 yrs (recorded as aged 75), having been admitted 16 months earlier on 25 October 1883. Ticket of Leave when he worked for "Smith, Queanbeyan" 40/2467 dated 1840. Government Gazette no 1268, "The following prisoners .. have received Tickets of Leave: Queanbeyan, Hickey, Andrew "Eliza"" Conditional Pardon no 47/649 dated 11 July 1847 (See also "The Australian, 19 Oct 1847 p.4)