Joseph Massey

4

Stuart Massey on 14th April 2022

Extracts from Shropshire newspapers concerning his trial: Shrewsbury Chronicle – Friday March 14, 1828 The commission for holding the Assizes for this County will be opened on Thursday next. There are 37 prisoners for trial, as follows: …. Joseph Massey, aged 18, and David Norton, aged 26, for breaking into the dwelling house of John Randle, Shifnal, and stealing a quantity of silver, etc. Eddowes Salopian Journal – Wednesday March 19, 1828 Shropshire Lent Assize Calendar David Norton and Joseph Massey, charged with breaking and entering the dwelling house of John Randle, in Shiffnal, in the night time, and stealing thereout a quantity of silver and copper coins, and a small tin box; also with breaking and entering the dwelling house of Sarah Sillitoe, of Wellington, in the night time, and stealing thereout a watch, sundry articles of wearing apparel, and other things. Shrewsbury Chronicle – Friday March 28, 1828 Criminal Court David Norton, aged 26, blacksmith, and Joseph Massey, aged 18, cabinet-maker, charged with breaking and entering the dwelling-house of John Randle, in Shiffnal, in the night of the 1st of November, and stealing silver and copper coins, etc. and a small tin box, and also of breaking and entering, on the night of 31st October last, the dwelling-house of Sarah Sillitoe, of Wellington, and stealing a watch, and sundry articles of apparel, etc. Both prisoners were seen by the prosecutor standing at his window on the day of the robbery. The prisoners were apprehended on the 18th November, at Upton Common: a small tin box and iron bar was found on them. – The box was identified by the prosecutor, and the bar, on being compared with the marks on the door, exactly corresponded. – A poor woman was called to speak to Massey’s character, who said “She knew him before he was born!” – A learned Gentlemen of the Sister Isle observed, “Talk of Irish Bulls after this!!” – GUILTY: Sentence of Death recorded. Eddowes Salopian Journal – Wednesday April 2, 1828 Shropshire Lent Assize Crown Bar DAVID NORTON and JOSEPH MASSEY, for breaking open the dwelling house of John Randle, in Shiffnal, and stealing copper coins and a tin box. – John Randle is a baker, residing at Shiffnal; on the 1st Nov. the prisoner Massey came into his shop, and had change for a shilling; saw Massey again at 9 o’clock in the evening of that day standing nearly opposite his shop; about an hour after he locked his house and went to bed; witness got up about 5 o’clock the next morning, and found both doors had been forced open by means of a crow-bar, and a piece was remaining in the kitchen-door which had been broken off the iron-bar; he then examined the shop, and the drawers of the counter and desk had been forced, and about £2 in silver and copper taken away, also a small tin box (marked with the name Ruspini, Pall Mall, and a coat of arms) which the prosecutor used to keep maggots and fishhooks in; Robert Williams, constable, Shiffnal, received information respecting the prisoners, and went in pursuit of them on the 18th Nov.; witness found them at Upton Common, and had them bought to Shiffnal; while at the White Horse in that place, they were both searched, when the tin box and a whole candle were found on Massey, and a steel crow-bar broken at the end (which end corresponded with the piece left in the door of the prosecutor) found on Norton. – The Jury shortly after found them guilty, and Judgement of Death was recorded against them. – There was another indictment, charging the prisoners with breaking open the dwelling house of Sarah Sillitoe, of Wellington, which was not entered into.

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 21st February 2022

Conduct Record. CON31/1/29 Indent No; 677 Offence; House breaking Father; Joseph Massey Status; Single 1830 - 17 March. Guilty of Felony. Stealing in a dwelling house. Sentence; Life.

343

Maureen Withey on 28th July 2019

Hobart Town Burial Record, https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD34-1-1$init=RGD34-1-1p124 Joseph Massey, from Hospital, Hobart Town, 30 August 1832, 24 years, Ship, Manlius, convict., Accidentally drowned. An inquest was held on Saturday before J. Moore, Esq. Coroner, on view of the body of Joseph Massey, a prisoner in the Penitentiary, who had met his death by accidentally falling down the draw well in the yard the previous morning. Hobart Town Courier, Fri 31 Aug 1832