Peter Tarney

343

Maureen Withey on 27th July 2021

Peter Turney, ship Sesostris, life, Government servant to Richard Norris, was brought before the Court by a warrant from the Police Office, Windsor, which set forth — "To be forwarded to the Bench at Windsor, there to have his case enquired into." Turney stated, that on the 1st of July he was brought before the Windsor Police, on the complaint of his master, and was punished; that, on his return, he was having his hair cut, and his mistress snatched the scissers away, and said he should not have it cut there; and further, that his said mistress said he should have no peace while he remained there; and still further, that his master had ordered him to go and dwell in a place without a cover, a door, a window, or fireplace; and added that a fellow-servant of his could prove his assertion. A summons was immediately issued for the prisoner's witness, who being sworn stated, that his mistress took away the scissers, saying it would spoil them; that no ill-natured language accompanied her conduct, and that the words used by the prisoner, before the Court, were false; that the complainant slept in the same place with deponent; and that he never observed any difference in the treatment towards deponent and complainant. The prisoner is a sail-maker, and would like very much to go to Sydney Dock yard. Sentenced 28 days to the tread-mill, and to be returned. Sydney Gazette, 26 July 1826.

343

Maureen Withey on 29th December 2020

Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 29 December 2020), May 1825, trial of PETER TARNEY (t18250519-90). PETER TARNEY, Theft > pocketpicking, 19th May 1825. 947. PETER TARNEY was indicted for stealing, on the 15th of April , a pelisse, value 12 s., the goods of William Briscoe , from the person of Frances, his wife . FRANCES BRISCOE . I am the wife of William Briscoe, a warehouseman - we live in Thames-street. On the 15th of April, between eight and nine o'clock in the evening, I was going down King-street, Old-street-road , with my pelisse in a bundle under my arm; the prisoner came up, and took hold of it with his right hand, but did not get it the first time; he pulled a second time, got it from me, and ran towards Hoxton-square; I cried as loud as I could, and pursued him; there was a good light - I saw his face when he took the bundle, and am certain he is the person - he was taken in five minutes. Cross-examined by MR. BARRY. Q. Was any body with him? A. I did not see any person but him. I was in a little confusion, but I am quite certain of his person. I was in the square when he was taken, with the property in his hand. JAMES SMITH . I heard the cry of Stop thief! as I was passing through Hoxton-square; I saw a number of persons going round one side of the square; I went round on the opposite side, and met the prisoner with a bundle before him, running; I collared him: he said, "Let me go, or I'll knife you;" he made very great resistance. I held him till another person came up, who picked up the bundle, which he had dropped. Cross-examined. Q. Did you see it in his hand? A. Yes; when I collared him he had it in his hand. JOHN GRAY . I was two or three yards from the spot - the prisoner passed me with the bundle, and ran into Hoxton square; he turned to the West side of the square - I knew there was no way out there, so I turned to the East side, and met him; I saw him in the possession of Smith. I picked the bundle up, and gave it to the officer. BENJAMIN ABEL . I am an officer. The pelisse was given to me by Gray. (Property produced and sworn to.) Prisoner's Defence. I heard the cry of Stop thief! I ran, and a man near me took me; I said it was not me, and begged him to let me go; he said he would not, it should be a lifer for me; I do not know what he meant. GUILTY . Aged 26. Transported for Life . ----------------------------------------------------- Police Reports, Windsor. Friday, Sept 22. Peter Tarney, Hugh Vaughan, and Henry Sutor, severally charged that they had absconded from Plumby's Iron gang, in the neighbourhood of Emu and Penrith; the prisoners confessed the offence adduced against them; ordered to be returned, via Penrith Court, to be dealt with. SATURDAY, SEPT. 23. Tarney, Vaughan, and Sutor, the three prisoners who had absconded from the iron gang, were proceeding homeward, when a sad misfortune happened to them.-"Oh, had it not been for the rain, they would have started one day sooner " They were met by one Patrick Lyon who had been robbed, and who was proceeding to the Court to make an affidavit of his loss; the robbers had constructed the business so wisely, and divided the spoil with such strict accuracy, that they all three, the prisoners before named, became, embraced within the penalty of the felony. Patrick Lynn identified a shirt on Vaughan's body, another on the person of Sutor, and a pair of trousers on the long extremities of Turney; he swore to the property and how he lost it. No doubt they little calculated when they absconded a few days ago, that they were commencing the journey of their sentence, each to a penal settlement for 3 years. Sydney Gazette, 30 Sept 1826. -------------------------------------------------- All three men were sent to Moreton Bay penal settlement. Peter's surname is recorded as Farney in the register. -------------------------------------------------- Moreton Bay Convict Record. Peter Farney, per Sesostris, tried at Middx G.D., 19 May 1825, Life, Trade: Sailor, Colonial sentence, Gen Sess. Windsor, 23 Aug 1826, Running from an Iron Gang & theft. Three years. To Sydney, 17 Dec 1829. Description: Peter Farney, native of Sligo, age 26, 5ft 4 ¾ in, Fresh comp, Brown hair, blue eyes,