Archibald (The Elder) Little

36

Edward Holmes on 17th January 2026

Newcastle Journal 9th January 1836 THE HEXHAM GANG. ARCHIBALD LITTLE, the elder, was arraigned on four separate indictments:- 1st. For having received one white cotton rug, four blankets, and one white muslin gown, the property of Miss Catherine Bell, a boarding-school keeper at Hexham, well knowing the same to have been stolen. 2nd. For having feloniously received a pair of silver sugar- tongs, three silver tea-spoons, and other articles, the property of Mr. William Hall. 3rd. For having feloniously stolen a hat, the property of John Smith. 4th. For having feloniously stolen, on the 6th November last, two silver watches, and fifty-two sovereigns, &c., the property of John Smith. Upon the two first indictments the prisoner was tried, and in each instance convicted on the clearest evidence. Miss Bell's house was broken into, and a number of articles stolen therein, whilst she was absent during the Christmas holidays. The articles identified as Miss Bell's property were found concealed in the house of the prisoner, between the flooring of an upper, and the ceiling of an under room. No evidence was offered on the third and fourth indictments. Sentence deferred. ARCHIBALD LITTLE, the younger, (son of the last prisoner) was arraigned upon two indictments, first, for having, on the 23d December, in the parish of Hexham, stolen one shirt and a pair of stockings, belonging to Ann Newton, a washer-woman. And secondly, with having stolen a shirt, the property of John Heslop. A former conviction for felony was also put in and read. The prisoner was tried on the first indictment, and found guilty on the clearest evidence-the stolen property having been found upon his person. On the second indictment no evidence was offered. Sentence deferred. FRANCES LITTLE (the last prisoner's wife,) was indicted for feloniously receiving, on the 30th of December, a gold ring and a silver tea-spoon, the property of Miss Bell, of Hexham, well knowing the same to have been stolen. The property was h found upon the prisoner. Guilty. Sentence deferred. DIANA DONATHEW was convicted of receiving two knives and two forks, the property of the aforesaid Miss Bell, which were no doubt stolen on the occasion above mentioned. The goods were found in the prisoner's pocket.-Sentence deferred. ELIZABETH LITTLE was convicted of receiving a half black crape handkerchief, and a lace border, part of Miss Bell's property. They were found in the prisoner's pocket. She said the same lad brought them home that brought home the other things. Sentence deferred, MARY LITTLE (wife of the convict Archibald Little the elder,) was acquitted on a charge of having feloniously received a double-barrelled gun, the property of Joseph Nicholson, of Blaydon, well knowing the same to have been stolen. This finished the business of the sessions, the Chairman stating that he would pass sentences on the prisoners at ten o'clock the following morning. FRIDAY, JANUARY 8. SENTENCES ON THE HEXHAM GANG. Soon after ten o'clock, Charles Wm. Bigge, Esq., took his seat upon the bench :- ARCHIBALD LITTLE, Sen., having been called up to receive sentence, the CHAIRMAN addressed him as follows:-It is a very shocking thing to see you, the father of a family, brought to the bar of a court of justice, with your whole family attending you, and all tried for similar offences. You have all been notorious for your conduct for many years. At last justice has overtaken you; and by the sentence which I am instructed to pass upon you, you will be removed from this country, and prevented from again plundering the property of your neighbours. That sentence, I hope, will show to the world that when we fall in with a gang, who have practised a system of plunder so long, we are determined to put the laws into force, and make a proper example of the offenders. You, Archibald Little, the elder, have been tried upon two separate indictments, and found guilty of both the offences laid to your at charge; and the sentence of the court is, that for the first offence you be transported for seven years to such place as his Majesty shall direct; and that for the second offence you be transported for seven years also, the latter sentence to commence at the expiration of the former. ARCHIBALD LITTLE, the younger (said the CHAIRMAN), you have been before this court before, and were at that time convicted of felony. Under these circumstances, the court have thought proper to direct, that, for the offence of which you have been found guilty, and for your having been convicted of a former felony, you be transported for the space of 14 years. FRANCES LITTLE, DIANA DONATHEW, and ELIZABETH LITTLE, were then placed at the bar, and received judgment as follows:-You and each of you have been found guilty of of those practises which your family seem to have carried so long into effect-that of receiving goods plundered from your neighbours; and, you know best from whence you received them. The sentence of the Court is, that each of you be transported beyond the seas for the term of fourteen years.

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 17th March 2021

New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents. Indent No; 207. Read & write, Protestant, Married. 1 male and 7 female children. Ticket of Leave; 47/644

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 17th March 2021

DAUGHTERS; Francis Little. Elizabeth Little and Dianna Donathew and 3 grand children arrived per Ship; Elizabeth - 1836. Refer; New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indent Nos; 119, 120 & 121. SON; Archibald Little on Board