William King

343

Maureen Withey on 8th October 2025

Source: Old Scottish Genealogy and Family History. Records of Transported Convicts https://www.oldscottish.com/convict-records-15.html William KING Description & Occupation Labourer Prisoner in jail of Greenlaw, formerly Lessuden, Parish of South Boswell's, Roxburghshire Tried: Jedburgh 30 Sep 1822, Transportation - 14 years Per Ship: Henry, April 1823, New South Wales. -------------------------------------------------------------- The following persons have been indicted ... on trial at the Jedburgh Circuit Court:-  ... for theft William King and William Jordan, do. Caledonian Mercury, 12 Sep 1822. ----------------------------------------------------------- Circuit Intelligence. ... William King and William Jordan were put to the bar, accused of ?? pleaded Not Guilty. Alexander ?? servant to Mr Thomas Humble, cattle dealer at Broomhouse was at Coldstream, on his master's business, in May last, in the house of Mrs Logan. Had £52 with him, £.50 in notes, and the rest in silver ; six of the notes were of the Sunderland Bank, and four of the North  and South Shields Bank, all £.5 notes. The money was in a cloth purse. He had some other money loose in his pocket, 3s. 4d. Slept at Mrs Logan's. Prisoners slept in the same room. When he went to bed, the money was left in his right side breeches pocket, which he put under his pillow, along with his waistcoat. Had two discharged accounts in his waistcoat pocket, and a piece of bread and cheese in one of his coat pockets. When he awoke next morning, he found his breeches on the top of the bed clothes, near the foot of the bed. Examined his pockets and found his purse removed from the pocket, it was left in the night before, and put into the other pocket. Found three £.5 notes and 20s. in silver gone. .... The bread was partly gone, and all the cheese and a book that was in one coat pocket was changed to the other. There were eight halfcrowns in the purse, and four of  them were gone. Told Mrs Logan of his loss ;she and witness came up to the room where the prisoners were, and asked them about the money. They were just now out of bed. King had some clothes on, Jordans  was not dressed. They had been in bed when he left them. Mrs Logan locked the door and went away, on their denying the theft  and witness remained with them in in the room. Jordan got into bed, and said if he was to rernain there he would have a sleep he remained in bed three or four minutes ; he turned himself two or three times ever as if shuffling among the bed-clothes, and then came out. Witness observed some crumbs of bread near the bed, which he had not seen the night before. Constables came, who had been sent for by Mrs Logan ; they searched prisoners, and took 2£. 1d. from Jordan, and l7s. 0d. in silver, and 7d. in copper from King. Among that taken from King were four half crowns. Witness saw the bed searched, and three £ notes and two bills (accounts) were found . … … the case was closed ; and on the Jury being addressed by Lord Gillies, without retiring, found the pannels guilty. After an impressive address by the Judge they received a sentence of 14 years transportation Caledonian Mercury, 5 Oct 1822.