John Olson

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Robin Sharkey on 25th February 2016

John Olson was a 36 yr old seaman, native of Copenhagen, when found guilty at the Old Bailey of stealing notes and a black handkerchief from another sailor who he lodged with in Smithfield, London. Departed London 1817 on "Ocean" Ship's indent describing him as native of Copenhagen, Seaman, then aged 37 years 5ft 5 & 3/4 In, dark pock pitted skin, light brown hair and grey eyes. Arrived in NSW 10 January 1818. Old Bailey Record: "375. JOHN OLSOZ , was indicted for stealing, on the 7th of February [1817], in the dwelling-house of Ann Cuthell , one pocket-book, value 1s.; one handkerchief, value 2s.; four bank-tokens, value 12s.; one shilling, and eleven 1l. bank-notes, the goods, monies, and property of Edward M’Ginnis." Edward McGinnis gave evidence - he was a sailor - on the 7th February lodged with Ann Cuthell , in Star-court, East Smithfield and had eleven 1l. notes in his pocket-book, which he kept at the bottom of his chest, in his bed-room-it was locked. Olson lodged in the same room with Mcginnis. "He did not sleep in the same bed. He knew I had the money. He went down stairs before I went to my box in the morning. When I came home, I found the lid of my chest had been forced from the asp of the lock, it was still locked, but the lid broken from it." "I went out to look for the prisoner, but could not find him. I returned home, and found him there, and asked him if he knew any thing about it; he said, he did not. I had him taken to the watch-house, where he was kept all night. I went there at six o'clock in the morning, they told me he was gone. I found him at a coffee-stall. I was on the opposite side of the way, and saw him give the woman who kept the stall, a shilling. I kept on the other side of the way, she scrupled to take it, and gave it to her little girl to go over the way for change. As the girl came over the road, I asked her to let me look at it, which she did, and I knew it to be the same shilling that was taken out of my box, by a large T on one side, and a stroke on the other side, which I observed when I took it. It had been it refused because it was French." Maginnis had Olson taken up by Officers at the Star Public House in Well Street where he had gone. Others also gave evidence against him. NSW: Spent most time at Windsor except when sent to a penal settlement. 1822: Charity Farm Windsor 1825 - Hospital at Windsor. Also Governemtn Servant to Mr Fleming of Windsor 1823 - 2 years to a penal settlement Sydney Gazette, 2 August 1823 page 3 SATURDAY, JULY 22.—John Olsen, life, charged with having stolen a tether rope, and swivel thereto belonging; the tether rope was found in his possession, and he at first denied he had the swivel, and, for reasons best known to himself, he afterwards handed it over to the district constable, who had waited upon him on this occasion, in the execution of his duty, and who had told the prisoner to give it up, or he must search; expressions like these, when there is only one room to the dwelling, are rather harsh in the ears of the guilty ; the prisoner pleaded he had found it, but one Norris Mahony [i.e. Maurice Mahoney] swore he had not lost or mislaid it, but that it was stolen; [John Olsen] 2 years to a penal settlement. 1826 Gaol Entry book - from General Sessions Windsor - felony - penal settlement 2 years from 22nd July 1828 - not recorded in NSW Census