Samuel Lyons

343

Maureen Withey on 10th September 2022

DIED.—On Thursday, the 19th instant, Mary, the wife of Mr. Samuel Lyons, of George-street, aged 25 years, leaving 3 children. Sydney Herald, 23 Apr 1832. DIED. On Sunday, the 3rd instant, at his residence, George-street, in the 60th year of his age, after a short but severe illness, Mr. Samuel Lyons, for many years auctioneer in this city. THE Funeral procession of the late Mr. Samuel Lyons will leave his residence, George-street, To-morrow Morning, 5th instant, at 9 o'clock. Sydney Morning Herald, 4 Aug 1851. -------------------------------------------------- Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 10 September 2022), February 1814, trial of SAMUEL LYONS CHARLES MATTHEWS JOHN NIGHTINGALE (t18140216-65). SAMUEL LYONS, CHARLES MATTHEWS, JOHN NIGHTINGALE, Theft > pocketpicking, 16th February 1814. 251. SAMUEL LYONS , CHARLES MATTHEWS , and JOHN NIGHTINGALE , were indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 21st of January , a handkerchief, value 5 s. the property of Robert Hurley Goodhall , from his person . ROBERT HURLEY GOODHALL . I am a broker ; I live in St. Swithin's-lane. I lost a handkerchief on the 21st of January on London-bridge . Q. Had you been to Cheapside - A. I had; I was returning towards London-bridge; at the time my handkerchief was taken away I felt something shuffle behind me; I turned round, and felt in my pocket; I found my handkerchief gone. I turned round before I got out of the crowd; I observed the prisoner Lyons by me. That is all I know of this business except speaking to the handkerchief. BENJAMIN JOHNSON . I am a city constable. Q. Do you know the persons of the three prisoners - A. I do; I know them well. On the 21st I assisted in apprehending them. On the 21st I saw them first in Cheapside about an hour before this matter happened. There is a picture shop at the corner of Honey-lane-market; I saw the three prisoners there. I followed them from there to London-bridge; on London-bridge they came near Mr. Goodhall; he was looking through the ballustrades. I kept out of their sight as much as I could. I saw Matthews and Lyons go close up to the prosecutor. Nightingale stood and leaned on the shoulders of Matthews and Lyons. Q. In the situation he stood he covered the other prisoners - A. Yes, so as we should not see their hands; it is what we call cloaking them. I saw Matthews and Lyons draw from the gentleman's pocket a handkerchief, which appeared to me to be a yellow one. I then requested Mr. Hawkins and Matthews to come over with me; I told them they had got it. We immediately went over. I saw the gentleman feel in his pocket after I said they had got it. Matthews took hold of one, Hawkins took hold of another, and I took the third. We seized one each of us. Q. Did you find the handkerchief - A. We did; the prisoner Lyons dropped it. I saw the handkerchief in Lyons's hand, and Hawkins seized it when he dropped it. Upon our seizing them I told them I had been watching them some time, and they must come with us. Q. Did you take them before magistrate - A. We did; it was just before two o'clock in the day time; we took them before the Lord Mayor. I called to the prosecutor; he went with us to the Mansion House. Hawkins has kept the handkerchief ever since. JOHN LACEY HAWKINS . Q. On the 21st of January what did you observe - A. I first saw the three prisoners on London-bridge. Q. Did you know the prisoners before - A. Not at that time, only two of them. Q. When did you see Mr. Goodhall first - A. Not till he extricated himself out of the crowd. I saw Nightingale between the other two prisoners as Johnson has described, leaning upon their shoulders, covering them. Lyons was in the act of going away. Lyons singled himself from the persons that were there. Lyons got out of the crowd the moment Mr. Goodhall put his hand to his pocket. I saw Lyons confused; I catched hold of him from that circumstance. I looked round on my right side; I saw Lyons throw the handkerchief from his right side. I saw him move his arm from his pocket, and I saw him throw the handkerchief on the ground; I picked it up. Q. Did he ever escape from you - A. No. I am as clear as possibly I can be that the handkerchief fell from Lyons. He singled himself out from the other people that were there. They were taken to the Mansion House, and committed. I have kept the handkerchief ever since. This is the handkerchief. Mr. Adolphus. Which of the men did you know - A. Matthews and Nightingale. CHARLES MATTHEWS . I am a City officer. I saw two of the prisoners first in Gracechurch-street; I cannot say I saw the third until Hawkins laid hold of him. The third passed me on Fish-street-hill. I saw Mr. Goodhall after the handkerchief had been taken from him. I apprehended Nightingale. I saw Hawkins pick up the handkerchief. He picked up the handkerchief close to the right side of the man whom he had seized. Q. to Prosecutor. Is that the handkerchief that was taken from your pocket on the 21st - A. It is. I have had it a twelvemonth. Lyons' Defence. I am innocent of it. I was going over the bridge. Nightingale's Defence. I was not near the other prisoners at the time. Matthews's Defence. I never knew of the transaction until I saw the handkerchief produced by one of the constables. Lyons called four witnesses, who gave him a good character. Lyons, GUILTY , aged 24. MATTHEWS, GUILTY , aged 50. NIGHTINGALE, GUILTY , aged 30. Transported for Life . London jury, before Mr. Common Serjeant.

343

Maureen Withey on 10th September 2022

Permission to Marry by Catholic rites requested. Sydney, 10 May 1822. Samuel Lyons, Convict per Marquis Wellington, and Mary Murphy, free. Requested by Jno. Jos. Therry. ----------------------------------------------------- NSW 1828 Census Index. Samuel Lyons, age 39, A.P. Mqs. Wellington, 1815, Life, protestant, Auctioneer, George Street, Sydney. Mary Lyons, age 22, B.C. protestant. George Lyons, age 6, B.C. protestant. Hannah Lyons, age 6, B.C. protestant. Saml. Jun. Lyons, age 3, B.C. protestant.

343

Maureen Withey on 10th September 2022

Colonial Secretary Index. LYONS, Samuel. Per "Marquis of Wellington", 1815; tailor. 1816 Feb 16 On list of convicts to be forwarded to Windsor for distribution (Reel 6004; 4/3494 p.374) 1816 Feb 24 Government servant to H Douglass (Reel 6046; 4/1736 pp.58-9) 1816 Dec 16 On list of convicts to be sent to the Derwent per "Kangaroo" (Reel 6005; 4/3495 p.382) 1817 Jul 23 On list of prisoners to be sent to the Derwent per "Governor Macquarie" (Reel 6005; 4/3496 p.257) 1819 Sep 3 On list of prisoners sentenced to Newcastle who arrived from Van Diemen's Land per "Prince Leopold" (Reel 6006; 4/3500 p.242) 1819 Sep 13 On list of prisoners to be sent to Newcastle per "Elizabeth Henrietta" (Reel 6006; 4/3500 p.259) 1822 May 10,11 Re permission to marry in the Catholic Church at Sydney (Reel 6009; 4/3505 p.263) 1822 May 13, Dec Servant to Joel Joseph of Pitt Street. Petition for ticket of leave (Fiche 3221; 4/1866 pp.58-59e) 1823 Apr 16 Petition for mitigation of sentence (Fiche 3234; 4/1870 p.14) 1824 Mar 13 Re payment for services to the police (Reel 6012; 4/3510 p.495) 1825 Feb Petition for mitigation of sentence (Fiche 3249; 4/1874 p.138) 1825 Oct 10 Order on the Colonial Treasurer for sundries for Government (Reel 6070; 4/6037 p.57) 1825 Oct 17 Re Treasury Order drawn in favour of (Reel 6063; 4/1784 p.184a) 1825 Oct 17 Requesting a licence to act as a Vendue Master, Sydney (Reel 6064; 4/1788 p.46) 1825 Dec 12 Re auctioneer's licence granted (Reel 6016; 4/3516 p.152) ------------------------------------------------- 1823 Apr 16 Petition for mitigation of sentence. Petition for Mitigation of sentence, Date 16/4/1823. Tailor. The Humble petition of Samuel Lyons. Most respectfully sheweth that Petitioner arrived in this Colony on the ship Marquis Wellington, having been previously convicted at the Old Bailey, London in February 1814, and under sentence of Transportation for Life. Petitioner since his arrival has conducted himself in an honest, sober and industrious manner, having received from his former good conduct, a ticket of leave. Petitioner has rendered great services to the Police officers, and by indefatigible exertions has been instrumental in the discovery of various offenders, who have been apprehended and convicted in the crimes herein after mentioned, viz: Benjamin Lee, and Henry Phillip for stowing away James Scott and John Bell, for a robbery in the dwelling house of Mr Philips Cavannah- James Wheatly for a burglary in the dwelling house of Mr Street, in George Street – Edward Stone for a burglary in the dwelling house of Mr Robt. Jenkins – John Atkinson for a burglary and robbery in the dwelling house of Mr G. Whitfield, ...