James Reynolds

343

Maureen Withey on 6th November 2022

James Reynolds, for stealing a purse from Daniel Rogan. Prosecutor. On 26th August he lost a sovereign and 2s. in Saintfield fair; there was about ? in the purse; witness found prisoner’s hand in his pocket; catched him by the breast; saw his purse in prisoner’s hand; prisoner emptied the purse into his breast, and when witness recovered the purse, there remained nothing in it but a 2s. note; the money which he put in his breast fell down the ground, and ... Belfast Commercial Chronicle, 4 April 1829.

343

Maureen Withey on 6th November 2022

Irish Convict Database, by Peter Mayberry. James Reynolds, age on arrival, 16, per Guildford (8) 1829, Tried at Down Co., 7 years, for Picking pockets. DOB, 1813, native place, Kildare, single, trade, tailor, Remarks: Executed at Norfolk Island, 1833. ------------------------------------------------------ Convict Death Index. James Reynolds, per Guildford (8), Date 23/09/1833. Age 27; District, Norfolk Island. Executed. -------------------------------------------------- A dreadful murder was committed at Norfolk Island on the 17th of July, by two men named James Reynolds and Mathew Connor, on a man named Sullivan. Four men are in custody for the murder, and Connor has confessed the whole of the circumstances. Sydney Monitor, 24 Aug 1833. ------------------------------------------------- NORFOLK ISLAND. Full reports of the late trials under the Special Commission at Norfolk Island, would occupy so much of our space, that we have, reluctantly, been obliged to confine ourselves to the following brief statements, which have been politely handed to us by a gentleman who was present:— SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21. James Reynolds and Matthew Connor, were placed at the bar, charged with the wilful murder of Patrick Sullivan, at Norfolk Island, on the 17th July last. The Crown Solicitor stated the case, and called witnesses who proved that Sullivan was overseer of the gang that prisoners belonged to ; that as they were going to their work, Sullivan told Reynolds to walk in the ranks; that Reynolds made some sharp reply ; that when they got to the working ground, there was a noise, as if of sticks striking against each other, and Reynolds was seen with the hoe up in the act of striking Sullivan, who had his stick up as if endeavouring to ward off the blows ; that Sullivan was shortly after seen upon the ground, and Reynolds standing over him striking his head with the hoe ; at this time Connor passed across the road, and joined Reynolds, and struck several blows at Sullivan with a shovel he had in his hand, and afterwards held Sullivan by the shoulders while Reynolds continued chopping at him with the hoe; while Connor held Sullivan in this manner a blow made at Sullivan's head by Reynolds glanced off and took off the 3 last fingers of Sullivan's right hand. Besides this evidence both the prisoners had confessed, while being conveyed to the gaol, that they were guilty of the murder. They were both found guilty, and sentenced to suffer the extreme penalty of the law on the Monday following—This trial lasted till near 5 o'clock and the Court was then adjourned till Tuesday the 24th. EXECUTION. — On Monday morning, at the hour of nine, the whole of the prisoners on the island were placed in front of the scaffold, about two hundred yards from it; at right angles with them the soldiers were all drawn out; Connor looked very frightened, they knelt down, the priest between them, and sung a long hymn, and then prayed some time, till Riley came up, who immediately commenced dancing on the Scaffold; Reynolds addressed a few words to Mr. Webb (the acting Sheriff), but what they were we could not hear; Riley came in front and addressed the prisoners, and told them not to eat any more corn bread, they were fools if they did, and then commenced to talk incoherently as before. The drop fell, and after hanging the usual time the them, were cut down, and all the prisoners passed by bodies. Connor struggled a little, Riley a good deal, and Reynolds not at all. Sydney Gazette, Tuesday 29 Oct 1833.

116

Tony Beale on 23rd June 2021

New South Wales, Australia, Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930 for James Reynolds Sydney 1825-1832 7/12/1829 for refusing to work 12 lashes and returned to his master 27/1/1831 Born in Dublin, catholic and a shoemaker sent to the surveyor of roads Parramatta 4/2/1832 confined in cells for 3 days New South Wales, Australia, Convict Records, 1810-1891 for James Reynolds Phoenix Hulk: Transportation Entrance Books, 1831-1834 6/8/1832 Bond per ship Guildford arrived 1829 death recorded Norfolk Island The Sydney Herald (NSW : 1831 - 1842) Thu 9 Aug 1832 Page 1 LAW INTELLIGENCE. James Reynolds and Thomas Ryan wore jointly indicted for a highway robbery, putting in bodily fear, and stealing from the person of Thomas Oldham, various property, at the Dog Trap Farm, Liverpool Road, on the 2Cth of May. The prisoners were found guilty and judgment of death was recorded against them. New South Wales, Australia, Convict Death Register, 1826-1879 for James Reynolds per Guildford (5) possibly aged 27 (22) executed at Norfolk Island

116

Tony Beale on 23rd June 2021

Convicted at County down Ireland age 17 5' 21/2" blue eyes, fair hair and brown complexion