Francis Murphy

341

Maureen Withey on 26th June 2022

Irish Convict Database, by Peter Mayberry. Francis Murphy, age on arrival, 22, per Prince Regent II (1) 1821, Tried 1820 at Longford, Life, DOB 1799, native place, Longford, Servant Labourer. ---------------------------------------------------- MURPHY, Francis. Per "Prince Regent", 1821; two convicts of this name by this ship 1822 Feb 25-Mar 27 Sentenced to death. In reports of prisoners tried at Court of Criminal Jurisdiction (Reel 6023; X820 p.35b) 1822 Apr 6 Executed (Reel 6070; 4/1265 p.39) -------------------------------------------------- Sentenced to death. In reports of prisoners tried at Court of Criminal Jurisdiction. Dates: 25/2/1822 - 27/3/1822. Francis Murphy and James Cullen, charged with breaking and entering the dwelling house of Nichs. Divine near Sydney putting in fear & with stealing sundry articles. Guilty. Sentence, Death. -------------------------------------------------- Date of Warrant, 29 March 1822. Francis Murphy, Tried at Sydney, at Sessions commencing 25 Feb 1822, ending 28 March 1822. Crime, Felony. Date of Execution, 6 April 1822. -------------------------------------------------- Criminal Court. Wednesday.—Francis Murphy and James Cullen were indicted for feloniously entering the dwelling-house of Mr. Nicholas Devine, on the morning of the 29th of January last, and stealing therefrom a fowling-piece, a musket, 24s. in copper coin, 5 waistcoats, and other property. By the testimony of Wm. Scarf, an approver, it appeared that the robbery had been planned for a fortnight prior to its execution ; and the general tenor of his evidence, which went to establish the perpetration of the crime against himself as well as the prisoners, was well supported by facts; and circumstances that came out by corroborative witnesses. The prisoners, and the evidence for the Crown, were attached to gangs that belonged to the Sydney convict barrack, and it was proved that the whole of them were absent from their work on the identical morning of the robbery; that Cullen had time sufficient to have been a principal and participator in the transaction, notwithstanding it was apparent he returned to his gang before 8 o'clock, bring absent about 3 hours, and Mr. Devine's is only little more than two miles from town. The others, however (Murphy and the approver), did not return to their gangs, but came to the determination of remaining in the woods, which was fortunately promptly frustrated, as they were apprehended on the Liverpool road the second day after the robbery, in company. Most of the property too, was discovered, owing to the information of the approver. The prisoner Murphy had been, a few months prior, the assigned government servant of Mr. Devine ; but had been returned to the Crown as unserviceable, and too depraved ; and had informed the approver, and the prisoner Cullen, that £300 was the certain spoil would follow an attempt upon his late master's premises. These are the principal features, one dreadful circumstance excepted:—Mr. and Mrs. Devine are infirm and aged people, and they were totally defenceless and unprotected ; but these were not sufficient inducements to excite humanity in the breast of the merciless robber; the prisoner at the bar, Cullen, and the approver, Scarf, so cruelly and savagely treated the old people as to leave them for dead, and they were found shortly after apparently lifeless, weltering in their blood. It was with great difficulty that the evidence of Mr. and Mrs. Devine could be obtained, and the patience of the worthy Members of the Court was eminently conspicuous in their kind attention to them. The prisoners endeavoured to manifest feelings of unconcern at what was going forward, seeming to ground such behaviour upon a consciousness of innocence which was very far from being, in the most remote way, apparent or plausible.—They were found Guilty.—Remanded. Sydney Gazette, 8 Mar 1822. --------------------------------------------------

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 15th February 2021

1821 - 27 Oct. New South Wales, Australia, Gaol Description and Entrance Books, Name: Francis Murphy. ** two convicts by the same name on ship ** Ship; Prince Regent By whom committed; D W Esq, Remarks; Examination Sentence; 25 Lashes Gaol Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Entrance Book 1822 - 1 Feb. New South Wales, Australia, Gaol Description and Entrance Books, Name: Francis Murphy. Ship; Prince Regent By whom committed; D W Esq, Remarks; Examination 6 April - Executed Gaol Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Entrance Book Francis Murphy - 6 April 1822 - Hanged at Sydney for burglary from the house of Nicholas Devine (former Superintendent of Convicts) at what is now Erskineville. -------------------------------