Andrew Johnston

343

Maureen Withey on 9th November 2025

Swindling at Market Deeping. Andrew Johnston alias Macnallv, with two women, Mary Macnally and Margaret Highland, were convicted on the evidences of their accomplices, and others, having defrauded Mr. J. Lenton, constable of Market Deeping, of 4s. 4d  forged certificates. It appeared from the testimony of Daniel and Jane Maclean, who were  admitted King’s evidence, that Johnston and the other prisoners had been concerned for some time in most extensive and systematic fraud on the public. As an humane enactment of the Legislature, soldiers’ wives were allowed assistance by  by parish officers for their journey, on the production of proper certificates; these certificates Johnston had been in the habit of fabricating in large quantities, the women were sent with them to the constables of the different towns on the road, and the money thus gained was divided amongst the party; but some quarrels arising about dividing the booty, disclosures were made by Maclean, and they were all apprehended, a bag full of blank certificates to be filled up, was found upon Johnston, and it appeared that the party had travelled from Dover to Market Deeping in this manner; at the latter place they got allowed for 12 women whom they represented having each several children, for each whom an additional allowance was made. The Deputy-Mayor’s Clerk from Dover declared the signature of the Deputy- Mayor to be a forgery, and also that none of the passes were filled in that office as pretended.— Guilty. Stamford Mercury, 14 Mar 1817. … and Andrew Johnston for obtaining money under false pretences at Deeping, seven years' transportation. Stamford Mercury, 14 Mar 1817. The following convicts under sentence of transportation, were delivered on board the Bellerophon hulk, from Lincoln Castle, on the ult. viz. … Andrew Johnston … for the term of seven years each; ... Stamford Mercury, 13 June 1817.