Elijah Swainson

343

Maureen Withey on 26th April 2026

Colonial Secretary Index. SWAINSON, Elijah. Per "Batavia", 1818 1820 Feb 2 On list of prisoners sent to Newcastle per "Princess Charlotte" (Reel 6007; 4/3501 p.225) 1821 Oct 16 On list of prisoners transported to Newcastle per "Elizabeth Henrietta" (Reel 6008; 4/3504 p.407) 1824 Of Sydney. Witnessed will of late Elizabeth Gibbs (Fiche 3294; 5/3821.7A p.48) 1824 Sep 11, Oct 22 On list of prisoners assigned (Fiche 3291; 4/4570D pp.117, 118)

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Maureen Withey on 26th April 2026

Tried at the Old Bailey, 2 July 1817. 982. WILLIAM DRUMMOND , ELIJAH SWAINSON , and THOMAS WAINWRIGHT , alias LEONARD , were indicted for feloniously assaulting Thomas Taylor on the King's highway, on the 19th of June , putting him in fear, and taking from his person and against his will, one watch, value 5l.; one ribbon, value 6d.; two seals, value 1l. 15s; and one key, value 5s. , his property. THOMAS TAYLOR . I am clerk to the Hon. Mr. Primrose , who lives in Paper-buildings, in the Temple - I have lived six years in his service. On the 18th of June, I spent the evening at Lord Roseberry's (who is my master's brother), in Portman-square. I left there about half-past one, or a little before two o'clock in the morning. I met a friend in South Audley-street, talked a few minutes with him, and then came direct home. When I got under Temple-bar , I was stopped by three men, within about two feet of the City side of the Bar. They came up to me-two of them collared me, and the third drew my watch out of my fob; I felt it go. I can swear that the prisoners, Swainson and Drummond, are two of them. I do not know who took the watch - They surrounded and pinioned me before they took it. Swainson got hold of my arm, which I had put round Drummond's neck at the time I was trying to secure my watch. I called out, "you have robbed me!" and"watch!" I saw them hand it from one to the other, and heard the seals jibgle. Drummond's hat fell off-he picked it up, and ran away round the Bar into the Strand. I followed Swainson, who went the same way - I never lost sight of him. I came up to him before he got through the Bar. He turned into the road - I secured him, and said, "you have stolen my watch!" - He said he had not. I said he was one of the party, and gave him in charge of Allden, the watchman, who came up at my cry; we took him to St. Dunstan's watch-house-nothing was found on him. I went out with the constable into Fleet-street, Wainwright was given in charge by some person, I do not know who. I only recollect the persons of two of them. I have not recovered my watch. Cross-examined by MR. ALLEY. I never saw them before. It was about five minutes after three o'clock, quite daylight. I was not the least intoxicated. THOMAS LEFEVRE. I am a collector of the City tolls. On the morning of the 19th of June, I was walking backward and forward, between Chancery-lane and Templebar, to collect the tolls; I knew all the prisoners by sight - I have known Swainson and Drummond particularly well for a fortnight. I had seen Wainwright one or two nights before. I suppose I saw him pass me, in the course of the night of the robbery, about twenty times, in company with Swainson, between Temple-bar and Chancery-lane-another person was with them, it was not Drummond. About one o'clock in the morning, I had occasion to look at a book, and went under the gas-light to look at it; the prisoners, Swainson and Wainwright, came, and stooped and looked down under my hat. Knowing them, I put the book into my pocket; they went away-this drew my attention to them. I saw them walk backward and forward several times after. About three o'clock I saw all the prisoners standing together at the end of Shire-lane, on the City side of the Bar-they were talking together, and walked backward and forward. I got very near to them at one time, and heard a voice say, "Come along over!" I do not know who spoke. They went into the road, under the archway, and on the pavement on the opposite side, on the Middlesex side of Temple-bar. I crossed over to observe them, and placed myself on the City side of the Bar, next door to Messrs. Child's banking-house. In a minute or two, I saw the prisoners, Drummond, come along directly after Mr. Taylor, who was coming towards the Bar-all the prisoners were on the Middlesex side. Drummond came under the Bar first, walking very slowly, Mr. Taylor came next, and the prisoners, Swainson and Wainwright, came behind him-Mr. Taylor was between the three. I saw Swainson and Wainwright seize him by the collar. Q. In what situation was he at that time - A. About a foot, or a foot and a half, within the City, the farthest side of the Bar is in the City. Directly as they seized him, Drummond turned round, his back was then towards me. I saw him, just at that moment, lift his arm up, as if he had made a snatch in a hurry-that moment Mr. Taylor put his arm round Drummond's neck, and said, you have robbed me, and called out watch! While he was calling out, the prisoners, Swainson and Wainwright, laid hold of his arm, lifted it up, and Drummond got away. As soon as he got his head from under Mr. Taylor's arm, I saw him stoop down and pick his hat up which fell off in the scuffle - He picked it up with his right hand. I looked down, and saw a watch in his left hand; he ran under Temple-bar, and turned into the carriage-road, into the City again, and started up Shire-lane - I saw no more of him. I kept my eye upon the others, and heard Mr. Taylor say, "you are one of them." He laid hold of Swainson. Swainson said,"I have not got your watch." Allden took him in charge. When I found the prosecutor had not given charge of Wainwright, I kept my eye upon him - He was never out of my sight. He stood, and appeared very much alarmed. When he found he was not noticed, he walked gently up towards the watch-house-by that time Swainston had gone up the court to the watch-house. I walked by the side of Wainwright, counting some halfpence. Just as I got to the end of the watch-house court, he said to me,"Do you know what they are going to do with that poor man?" - I made no answer. He said, "Do you know whether he has taken a pocket handkerchief?" I told him I did not know, as I had my business to mind. I staid by his side a few minutes, and the first watchman that I saw, I told that he was one of them - He was secured; a man named Turner took him. The next day I described Drummond to Gimber and Turner. Cross-examined. Wainwright did not attempt to get away. Drummond held my place formerly. I never said right or wrong he should not have it again. CHARLES GIMBER . I am constable of the night. On the 19th of June, about ten minutes after three o'clock, the prisoner, Swainson, was brought to the watch-house by Allden, and Taylor, the prosecutor. Nothing was found on him. He said he had not seen Taylor before. He said, that having been in trouble before, he saw the bustle, and endeavoured to avoid it, but Mr. Taylor came forward and gave him in charge. Wainwright was brought in soon after, and called himself Thomas Leonard-Mr. Taylor did not know him. Lefevre described Drummond to me, and told me his name was Drummond. I apprehended him at Waterloo. Fair on the same day. I took him into a public-house and searched him. He said,"What do you want with me? I know nothing about the matter; I know nothing about the watch - I have been in Shire-lane this morning at seven o'clock; and is it likely, that if I had got the watch that I should be without money?" This was before I searched him. Court. Q. When you first saw him, did you tell him what you took him for - A. Not a word of the kind - I never told him what I took him for. He said he knew nothing of the watch, without having any thing said to him about it. WILLIAM TURNER . I was with Gimber and took Drummond. Gimber has spoken correctly - He said nothing to him about the watch. He said he was there, but knew nothing about the watch. JOHN ALLDEN . On the 19th of June I was standing by Temple-bar, on the City side - I heard the alarm - I was opposite Chancery-lane at the time; I went up immediately-Mr. Taylor had got Swainson, and gave him into my charge. I took him to the watch-house. Court to THOMAS TAYLOR. Q. At the time the three prisoners assaulted you, did you perceive any other persons near - A. I did not. It was not in my power to see any but the three who assaulted me. DRUMMOND'S Defence. Lefevre saw me about the Bar. I go there to see what money he takes, as I was going to buy the toll. He said I was no better than a thief, and that he would do for me in some way or other. SWAINSON'S Defence. Unfortunately for me, Mr. Taylor has mistaken me for the right man. I was coming by, saw the scuffle, and tried to avoid it. Lefevre has sworn falsely - I was not about the Bar before. DRUMMOND - GUILTY . - DEATH . Aged 23. SWAINSON - GUILTY . - DEATH . Aged 40. WAINWRIGHT - GUILTY . - DEATH . Aged 18. London Jury, before Mr. Common Sergeant.

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Maureen Withey on 26th April 2026

Elijah Swainson left a Convict Love token before he left, and inscribed “Elijah Swainson. Cast for Death, 5th July 1817.” https://www.coinsandaustralia.com/tokens-medals-convict-love.php?title=1817-Elijah-Swainson&id=19

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 25th August 2021

1826 - 1 Nov. New South Wales, Australia, Gaol Description and Entrance Books, Entrance Book - Sydney Offence; Obtaining money under false pretenses. Sentence; To work in Irons for 8 Months - 18 November 1826 to Parramatta [Died 4 months later] 1827 - Sydney, Australia, Anglican Parish Registers, St John's Parramatta. Year 1827 No; 106 Name; Elijah Swainson Abode; Parramatta When Buried; 1827, 3 Mar Age; 49 years [1778] Ships Name; Batavia Quality or profession; Convict By whom the Ceremony was performed; Samuel Marsden