Murty Cairns

Level 105

Denis Pember on 17th April 2016

Matthew's brother John, arrived as a free immigrant in 1806 and was given a land grant. Then in 1809, Ann died. But worse was to come..... Sydney Gazette Sat 27 Mar 1813 p.2........ Text: TRIAL FOR THE MURDER OF JOSEPH SUTTON On Monday morning, between 9 and 10 o'clock the Court of Criminal Jurisdiction re-assembled and proceeded to the trial of Thomas Mahony and Pearce Conden, for the wilful murder of Joseph Sutton, on the night of the 5th of March instant; and Matthew Kearns, John Kearns the elder, and John Kearns the younger for inciting, moving, aiding, abetting, counselling, hiring, and commanding the said Thomas Mahoney and Pearce Conden to commit the said murder. ...At 10 o'clock the Judge Advocate and members of the Court withdrew to consider their verdict; and returning to their seats at two o'clock on Tuesday morning, all the prisoners were pronounced 'guilty' and received sentence of death immediately.

Level 105

Denis Pember on 17th April 2016

In the Colony, Matthew formed a de-facto relationship with Ann Farrelly (Convict, Sugar cane, 1793), soon after her arrival in the colony. Between 1794 and 1802 the couple had three children, John 1794, Catherine 1800 and William 1802.

Level 105

Denis Pember on 17th April 2016

Olod Bailey Transcripts: (t17870523-86) (www.oldbaileyonline.org) MURTY CAIRNS was indicted for stealing, on the 5th of February last, two earthen-ware sallad dishes, value 3 s. and six earthen-ware plates, value 3 s. the property of Charles Smith and Ryland Child : And the said JOSEPH LOMAS was again indicted for receiving the same, knowing them to be stolen . (The witnesses examined separate.) WILLIAM GIBBONS sworn. I am agent for these young gentlemen; I am not a partner. Mr. Garrow, prisoners counsel. They are minors, I believe? - Yes. In what way do they become interested in this trade? - I cannot say; the mother and father are living; they have no interest in the trade; he is a captain in the navy; the prisoner Cairns was a porter with me about five months; he was never trusted at all, without it was to look out a little order; there is the name of Child, on one of the plates. JOHN WEBB sworn. About a month before Christmas, my master, Mr. Lomas, told me to meet him, near Mr. Child's, at the pitching-block, and he put this basket on my head; there was nobody with him; he told me to take it home; I did not know what was in it; I went at different times of a night to meet him, and he put the things on my head as before; I did not see them unpacked; I have seen a pair of these green edged sallad dishes; I noticed them at my master's house; they came out of a basket full, which came out of Mr. Child's yard; the prisoner Cairns was taken up, and he came the same day after he was discharged, and told my mistress to send the goods to some other house, for fear Mr. Gibbons should have the house searched, and find those marked goods which came from their ware-house; I afterwards carried the things to Mrs. Wilson's. SARAH WILSON sworn. I live at the St. Luke's Head; I bought one parcel at one time of Mrs. Lomas, which Silk took away afterwards; I did not know she was his wife till the man told me. WILLIAM SUTTON sworn. That was Lomas's wife. (The blue and white plates, and green edged sallad dishes produced). Silk. I had these things from Mrs. Wilson. (Deposed to by Mr. Gibbons.) Mr. Garrow to Gibbons. You cannot say but these things might be matched - No, it is not a new pattern; I do not know that any of them have been sold since I came to the warehouse, which is one year; I cannot say what was sold before; I know nothing of Lomas, I never sold him any thing; young Mr. Child sells sometimes; Lomas was a porter to Mr. Child some time ago; his name is in the books, but never as a purchaser of goods. PRISONER CAIRN'S DEFENCE. I am innocent. PRISONER LOMAS'S DEFENCE. Them goods that you see marked Child when I lived servant there, were carried to my house from Mr. Ainsley's, who failed, with some other furniture; he is gone out of town, I thought Mr. Ainsley would have sent for the goods; he was a former agent of Captain Child's. The prisoner Cairns called six witnesses who all gave him a good character. MURTY CAIRNS, GUILTY . Transported for seven years . JOSEPH LOMAS , GUILTY . Transported for fourteen years . Tried by the London Jury before Mr. RECORDER.