John Madigan

341

Maureen Withey on 24th June 2023

Irish Convict Database, by Peter Mayberry. John Madigan, age 27, Per Java, 1833, Tried Kilkenny, 1833, Life, for Assaulting habitation. White Boy rebel. DOB, 1806, native place, Kilkenny. Married. Catholic. Trade: Servant Farm shepherd. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Madigan was arrested with three others, Edward Cody, William Lalor (Lawlor) and Michael Comerford, who were all sentenced to transportation for Life. Lalor and Comerford were also on Java. There are Criminal Petitions on behald of both Lalor and Edward Cody, and Edward Cody's gives more information about their crime. National Archives. Criminal Petitions. HO 17/47/135 Date. 1833 Mar 18 - 1838 June 15. Prisoner name(s): Edmond (Edward) Coady (Cody) of Ballyduan. Court and date of trial: Kilkenny [Ireland] Lent Assizes March 1833 (a 'Whiteboy'case). Crime: Whiteboyism: [house breaking armed with a scythe and powder horn] into the house of Mr Jones of Stranrahan in Ballyduan, Kilkenny on 5 March 1833. Initial sentence: Transportation for life. Gaoler's report: In New South Wales. Annotated (Outcome): 'Let the Law take its course'; nil. Petitioner(s): William Kinsella, Roman Catholic bishop; Two petitions from Ellenor Coady, mother of Ballyduan Kilkenny, one of which has ten character references and the other is undersigned by nine people. Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): Convict pleaded guilty; there was no trial; good character from childhood; was forced to take part by three others who were bad men and drunk; widowed mother depends on him for support; no previous offences; Lord Anglesey intended to discharge him but the Orange faction prevented him; the Judge in the case did not go into the evidence at all; the depositions are 'the whole truth'. Other papers: Copy information of John Coburn, Patrick Callinan and Alexander Baxter taken on 6 March 1833 by G Browne, Esquire; letter from Edmond O'Neill enclosing the above; letter from Robert Torrens, Judge; two depositions of Patrick Cody brother of Edmond that is not a 'Whitefoot' (22 March 1833); William Kinsella (Bishop) enclosing 2 copies of affidavits of Catherine Cody, sister, Eleanor Cody, mother of Edmond (25 March 1833); deposition of Ellenor Coady, Catherine Coady and Judith Coady stating that Edmond Coady was forced to join the Whitefeet (14 April 1835); letter from Peirce Butler forwarding the above affidavit and memorial and supporting the convict (17 November 1835); Lord Morpeth enclosing copies of recent documents (23 February 1836); letter from Lord Glenelg stating that the Home department is responsible for the outcome of the case (10 March 1836); note from Mr Drummond about the correspondence in the case (30 March 1836); letter from Lord Glenelg - Mr Finn should direct the memorial to the Home Department (17 August 1836); Pierce Butler asking Sir George Grey for the return of the papers relating to the case with a copy (28 March 1837); reply from Sir George Grey to the effect that Mr Fin 'may have overlooked them' or they may have been returned 'without his recollection of the circumstance'; Pierce Butler forwarding and supporting the memorial of the two young men; deposition of Ellenor Coady, mother, and Catherine White and Judith Coady her daughters (27 April 1837); Pierce Butler enquiring whether Lord John Russell has received any information from the Governor of New South Wales regarding the conduct of William Lawlor and Edmond Coady in the Colony (26 March 1838); John Street JP to whom Coady was assigned in New South Wales confirming Coady's good character and conduct while in the Colony (21 November 1837); letter from J McLean in the Principal Superintendent of Convicts Office enclosing the above; letter from R Snodgrass Government House, Sydney forwarding copies of the above 6 January 1838; letter from James Stephen forwarding the above; note from Mr Finn requesting an interview for himself and Colonel Poulter with Lord John Russell (undated); note from Mr Farley [mostly illegible]; two notes about the papers. Additional Information: Arrested with John Madigan, William Lalor (Lawlor) and Michael Comerford; was on the hulks at Cove.