James Cleary

Level 347

Maureen Withey on 1st March 2024

CLONMEL ASSIZES. Extensive Robbery. James Cleary, rather, an ill-looking-, low-sized young man, was arraigned, charged, in several counts, with the robbery of Bank Post Bills, amounting to £393, and sovereigns and guineas to a considerable amount, the property of George Roe, Esq., of Loaram Park, in this county, on the 22d March. The prisoner was a cow-boy, runner, to Mr. Roe, sen., gentleman of nearly 80 years of age, who had been collecting money in March for the purpose of purchasing fifty cows. He generally resided at his nephew’s since September last; the prisoner, Cleary, slept sometimes on a pallet in the same room with Mr. Roe, who kept his money locked up in a tea-chest, covering which was a large trunk, also locked. In March last, Mr. John Martin, who managed Mr. Roe’s affairs, assisted Mr. R. in reckoning a parcel of notes, which amounted to £l,000, Martin kept the key of the tea-chest, and Mr. Roe that the trunk, one intending to act as a check on the other; and on the 19tb of that month Mr. Martin proceeded to the Assizes of Clonmel, and returned in two days after, when he learned that the prisoner had gone away. In a few days after, there being occasion for 4 or £5, the trunk was unlocked when it was ascertained that the tea-chest had been broken open, and all the money purloined out of it. A pursuit was instantly commenced, and the prisoner was traced to Rose..., thence to Dublin and London, where he was arrested in the house of Mr. T. Nesbitt, who keeps a chop and coffee-house in St. Martin’s in the Strand. Here, it appeared, the prisoner had arrived on the 26th March, and Mr. Nesbitt (who, it should be observed acted the part of an honest man on the occasion, and gave his testimony in a clear and satisfactory manner) observing him possessed of a large sum of money, suggested to the prisoner the propriety of depositing it the hands of some careful person; acting on the hint, the prisoner requested Mr. Nesbitt to take charge it, when he lodged in his hands £48,145. all in  English coin; the next day he inquired of Mr. N, if be knew any person in London who would exchange Irish money? when he (Mr. N.) went to the Bank England to make the necessary inquiry, and on his return learned that the prisoner himself had discovered, in the person of Mr. Donovan, a linen-draper in Bloomsbury-square, the desired accommodation; Mr N. accompanied him to Mr. Donovan, when be reckoned out eleven notes of £l, 10s. each; one of £5., and fourteen £l. notes; and got a check on the Bank of England on the 4th day the prisoner handed Mr. N. a £100 and a £50 note to be exchanged into English money, when they proceeded to Mr. Donovan second time, and procured the necessary accommodation. Soon after the prisoner having informed Mr, Nesbit that he had a number of Post Bills, he (Mr. N.) became little alarmed, and questioned about the manner by which he became possessed of them, when the prisoner stated that he had a brother in the 9th Lancers, (daily expected in England,) and that £700 were left to each of them.—Mr. Nesbitt accompanied the prisoner to Mr. Donovan with the Post Bills, the amount which was £393 but that gentleman, not wishing to cash them until he ascertained their genuineness, stated that be would send them to Ireland for that purpose, with which arrangement the prisoner expressed himself satisfied. He was arrested in a few days after. Mr. Donovan fully corroborated Mr. Nesbitt’s testimony with regaid to the money transactions ; and the Post Bills for £100 and £50 notes, together with several others, which he received from the prisoner, were identified by Mr. Martin, (Mr. Roe’s manager), who swore that he previously indorsed them, and that the notes put by him into Mr. Roe’s trunk. He (Martin) never heard that prisoner had a brother in the Lancers, nor did he believe that be had a brother at all. It should be observed, that prisoner gave his name as Tracey to Mr. Nesbitt. Mr. Robert Roe, Attorney for the prosecution, swore that he pursued him to London ; and assisted in his apprehension; that he saw him in Newgate, where he admitted, without threat or menace, that he ,got at night, took the key out of Mr. Roe’s pocket unlocked the trunk, broke the tea-chest, took the money, and placed the key where he found it. Mr. Wm. Carr, London gentleman, who accompanied Mr. Roe Newgate, corroborated his testimony. His Lordship, in charging the Jury, stated that the chain of evidence brought forward in support the prosecution was irresistible. A verdict of guilty was recorded by the Jury. The prisoner was sentenced 7 years’ transportation. We understand that upwards of £600 of the property stolen have been recovered. Belfast Commercial Chronicle, 13 Aug 1825.

Level 347

Maureen Withey on 13th March 2020

Irish Convict Database by Peter Mayberry. ames Cleary, age 20, single, Occupation - Groom, catholic. per Mangles (4) 1826. Tried at Clonmel, Tipperary Co, 1825, for stealing money, 7 years. Native of Tipperary. --------------------------------------------------- NSW 1828 Census Parramatta, Darling Mills. Census taken 30 Oct 1828. Jas. Cleary, 22, G.S. per Mangles (3), 1825, 7 years, Fireman, Catholic. -------------------------------------------------- Darling Mills were built at Paramata by John Raine and completed and open in June/ July 1826. MR JOHN RAINE attracts the admiration of all visitants to the Darling Mills by his great labours and great success. The steam engine grinds night and day, and two pair of stones are about to be added. (The Monitor, (Sydney) 16 Jun 1826.) DARLING MILLS. Parramatta. Julv 14. 1826. The Public are informed that these Mills being completed, Mr. John Raine, the Proprietor, has ... (The Australian (Sydney) 22 Jul 1826.) Presumably, James Cleary worked as fireman for the steam engine at the Mill.