James Morrison

341

Maureen Withey on 28th May 2024

John Lennon and James Morrison were again brought forward, charged with stealing a quantity of tea and sugar, and thirty shillings in money, the property of Cornelius Brady. Ann Brady, widow of C. B. sworn—She stated that on the evening of the robbery the front and back doors were secured;  that in the morning, about six o'clock, both doors were found open, and she found that 30$. in money, some tea, sugar, a scoop, and other articles, were taken away; got back 12s. in money, two stone of sugar, a handkerchief, and a tin scoop identified the handkerchief and scoop her property. John Kelly, one of the Police——Was passing near the Linenhall on the morning of the robbery (about six o’clock); saw the prisoner there ; Lennon had a bundle over his shoulder in handkerchief (which turned out to two stone of sugar); Morrison had another bundle in his band, containing some  some loose sugar and in his hat a quantity of tea) apprehended them, when Morrison threw his bundle over the rails at the Linen-hall; the articles found were identified by Mr. and Mrs. Brady in the Police-office. This and the preceding witness were cross-examined by the prisoner Lennon with great acuteness and ingenuity, evidently with the intention of perplexing the witnesses, end misleading the Jury, They were both found Guilty; and received sentence of transportation for life On retiring, the prisoners gave the Court great deal of abuse and Morrison threw penny piece at the Judge, hit one of our reporters the forehead, but fortunately without materially injuring him. These two criminals are young men not more than 16 or 18 years of age, but we have seldom witnessed such degree of depravity manifested as they evinced. They have been long known by our police-officers, have been often apprehended for various offences. Belfast Commercial Chronicle, 11 Aug 1827. ---------------------------------------------------------- Mr. Erskine, the Governor of the County Antrim Gaol, through this town at six o’clock in the morning of the 17th inst. with the under-named convicts, their way for the hulk at Kingstown ; Michael McKenna, John McKenna, Edward Johnston, John Lennon, James Morrison, John McCusker, Charles Mullan, Rice Clements, Joseph Headley, Robert Hamilton, James Cullen, James Canning, John Keiran, Wm. McAuley, John Dogherty, Thomas Beatty. From the private manner they were removed from the gaol, are happy to state there was (no) crowd or confusion here, such as we often witness on those occasions. Belfast Commercial Chronicle, 22 Dec 1827.

341

Maureen Withey on 13th March 2020

Irish Convict Database by Peter Mayberry. James Morrison, age 20. per Mangles (5) 1828, Tried at Antrim, 1827, for Robbery house, Life. Single, trade - Corderoy weaver. Native of Belfast, Co Antrim. DOB. 1808. catholic. ---------------------------------------------------- Census Parramatta, Darling Mills. Census taken 30 Oct 1828. Jas. Morrison, 20, G.S. Mangles, (Ditto) 1828, Life, labourer, Catholic.