Alexander Reid

44

John McGowan on 27th February 2023

In November 1832 Alexander Reid and Myles Malloy appeared at Edinburgh High Court of Justiciary charged with on the night of 10 August 1832 (during Jubilee celebrations) attack and assault 'with the effusion of blood' Charles McKenzie in a stair in East Adam Street with intent to rob him. The accused struck the victim about the head with a 'holly stick' and beat him with their fists. They searched his pockets, but he had no money. They were arrested by Police within 10 minutes - the victim identified the accused Malloy and other witnesses identified the two accused together. The accused were found guilty and each sentenced to 14 years transportation - see Scotsman newspaper 10 November 1832 p 3 on 'High Court of Justiciary' (for reported trial).

218

Dianne Jones on 21st June 2021

--00-- 1844, 24 April: Alexander Reid was hanged at Oatlands. The following [edited] report of his execution was published in the Hobart Courier, 26 April 1844, p3: "EXECUTION AT OATLANDS. On Wednesday last, the two unfortunate criminals, Alexander Reid and Thomas Marshall, who were left for execution at the late Assize, and not subsequently respited with the other prisoners, suffered the last penalty of the law at Oatlands; Reid (an absconder from Port Arthur) for feloniously shooting at and wounding Constable Murray, who led the capturing party by whom his gang were taken; Marshall for the wilful murder of Benjamin Smith. The scaffold was erected in front of the great gates of the prison, around which, at the hour appointed for the occasion, a knot of about fifty spectators assembled, chiefly with the view of hearing the expected confession of the prisoner Marshall. The utmost quiet and decorum prevailed throughout the painful scene. At a quarter before eight o'clock the bell tolled, and the prisoners were led forth pinioned to the foot of the steps ascending to the drop, in the presence of the Under-Sherrif, the officers of the gaol, and military guard appointed to be present. They were attended by the Rev. Mr. Gaud, who has been most earnest and assiduous in affording them spiritual advice and consolation in the gaol, and, with regard to one of them at least (Reid,) with every appearance of the most beneficial results. For many days past, and especially since the withdrawal of his hardened companions, Cope and Reuben, lately removed to Norfolk Island, this unfortunate being has exhibited the strongest manifestations of piety and contrition, declaring the justness of his sentence, his resignation to his fate, joined to his anxious hope of its proving a salutary warning to the convict population to abstain from absconding, and the career of rapine and violence to which it inevitably tends. He had been unremitting in the study of the Bible and other pious books furnished for his use in the gaol, and observed to the Rev. Mr. Gaud, who sat up with him on the night prior to his execution, that he could not, a month before, have conceived the possibility of his attaining such a state of mental composure. Nothing appeared to disturb this desirable frame of mind, but his disinclination to suffer on the same scaffold with his inhuman fellow-culprit, Marshall... Upon the preparations concerning Marshall being made, Reid, who was a man of fine countenance and figure, followed him with a firm step to the platform, and, on arriving there, addressed a few sentences to the spectators present, expressive of his resigned frame of mind and anxiety for the welfare of all present; at the close of which the noose was placed round his neck also, and in the midst of the renewed prayers of the clergyman for mercy for them at the Throne of Grace, the dread signal was given, and the platform fell... ... the bodies were cut down; Reid's for interment in the township burial ground..."

218

Dianne Jones on 21st June 2021

1833: On arrival in VDL, he was single. His Conduct Record says he had three previous convictions - two for theft and a third for fighting. 1834, 25 March: He was sentenced to 3 years with hard labour for a felony and absconding (see https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON31-1-37$init=CON31-1-37p144). 1841, 25 April: Alexander Reid received a Ticket of Leave. 1844, 30 January: Another charge of absconding and committing a felony for which he was sent to Port Arthur. 1844, 23 February: Committed for trial on a charge of absconding from Port Arthur and stealing from the home of John Stohill. 1844, 27 March: Alexander Reid was convicted and sentenced by the Supreme Court to be hanged (see https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON31-1-37$init=CON31-1-37p144).

218

Dianne Jones on 21st June 2021

1832: Precognition against Alexander Reid, Myles Malloy for the crime of assault with intent to rob. Accused: Alexander Reid, alias McCartney, son of John Reid, labourer, Age: 26, labourer, Address: Blackfriars Wynd, High Street, Edinburgh, with father, Origin: Born in Ross-shire. Accused: Myles Malloy, alias Miles Malloy, Age: 26, blacksmith, Address: Blackfriars Wynd, High Street, Edinburgh, Origin: Born in Lanarkshire (see National Records of Scotland; Reference AD14/32/411). --0-- 1832, 8 November: Trial papers relating to Myles Malloy, Alexander Reid for the crime of assault with intent to rob. Tried at High Court, Edinburgh. Accused Myles: Malloy, alias Miles Malloy, Verdict: Guilty, Sentence: Transportation - 14 years. Accused: Alexander Reid, alias McCartney, son of John Reid, labourer, Verdict: Guilty, Sentence: Transportation - 14 years (see National Records of Scotland; Reference JC26/1832/390). --00-- 1832, 18 December: Alexander Reid, 24, convicted for assault, was received aboard the Cumberland prison hulk, at Chatham. He was sent from there for transportation on 5 July 1833 (see UK, Prison Hulk Registers and Letter Books, 1802-1849). His accomplice, Myles Malloy, was also received aboard the hulk on the same day and, subsequently, sent for transportation on the Isabella.