Edward Sweeney

221

D Wong on 29th September 2016

Edward Sweeney was 25 years old on arrival and was transported for 'passing forged notes'. 16/9/1819: Transferred to VDL per 'Admiral Cockburn'. Edward was 5'3 1/2" tall, brown hair, dark grey eyes. Had a COF - no date found. 30/6/1829: Permission to marry Mary Scott (Lord Sidmouth 1822). 31/8/1829: Married - he was free she was a widow. 9/11/1829 Launceston Advertiser: CORNWALL EATING HOUSE. THE Undersigned begs to inform the Inhabitants of the Town of Launceston, and the Public in general, that he has opened an Eating House at the corner of Brisbane and George Streets, where a supply of the best wholesome food is always to be had. Breakfast from 8 to 10, Dinner from 1 to 4, Tea or Coffee from 6 to 8. The Undersigned hopes, that with good viands, good accommodations, and unremitting attention to the comfort of those who may favour him with their support, to receive a share of public patronage. EDWARD SWEENEY. November 7th, 1829. 28/12/1829: Charged before a Coroner's Jury with the murder of his wife, Mary. Committed to trial. 11/6/1830 Colonial Times, Hobart: JUNE 3-Edward Sweeney was tried for the murder of his wife, in December last, and his trial occupied the Court the whole day. A great number ol witnesses were examined, who all tended to confirm the fact, that he had beat and ill used the woman from 2 o'clock in the afternoon until late at night, sometimes with a piece of paling, at other times with a chair, and by jumping on the body of the unfortunate woman. It also appeared by the evidence, that after her death, the prisoner had washed the body himself, took off her dirty clothes and put clean clothes on her, then put her in a clean bed, and carefully drew a lock of hair over a deep wound on her temple. It was also proved that her body and thighs were a complete mass of bruises. Sweeney, during his trial, when a verdict was given against him, and also under the feeling address of His Honor the Chief Justice, while passing sentence, preserved the same imperturbable state of insensibility is he displayed when arraigned. 30/6/1830: Executed at Launceston for the murder of his wife, Mary. 9/7/1830 Colonial Times: Last Wednesday morning, a little before 9 o'clock, the two murderers, Edward Sweeney and John Thomas, were executed at the back of the County gaol,- they appeared very pale and wan, and from the very great alteration in their appearance since they were tried, they must have suffered greatly. Thomas, in particular, appeared to have fallen away greatly. They seemed very penitent by their behaviour, and were but a few moments on the scaffold before they were launched into eternity. The morning was very wet and unpleasant, yet there were many spectators. Launceston Advertiser, July 5.