James Turner

341

Maureen Withey on 15th July 2024

Tried at the Old Bailey, 9 Sept 1818. 1372. DANIEL PAGE and WILLIAM TURNER were indicted for stealing, on the 11th of July , 150lbs. of lead, value 18s., the goods of Eleanor Moultrie, widow, and fixed to her dwelling-house . SIMON WELLS . I am a watchman of Marylebone, my beat is in Norton-street. The prosecutrix's house is No. 67, Portland-street . On the 11th of July, a little after one o'clock at night, I saw the prisoners pass my box - They had nothing with them then. My box is at the corner of Clipstone-street, next to Portland-street. As soon as they had got round my box, two other boys passed - I immediately went round to watch them, as I knew Page before. I lost them all in a moment. I listened sometime, and then heard a talking in the prosecutrix's yard, which is only fenced off by an hedge. I remained there till half-past one o'clock, then went round part of my beat, and returned and listened sometime. I heard something come down heavily, as if somebody had jumped down into the garden - I heard nothing more for sometime. I went round my beat and called two o'clock; returned, and heard persons talking in the yard. Nobody came out. I waited there, and omitted to call the half-hour, as I thought they might have seen me. I called the hour of three up Carburton-street, and the middle of Norton-street, and returned without finishing my round. When I came to the corner of Carburton-street, I saw two persons come in a direction from the prosecutrix's premises; they were about twenty yards from the house. I drew back and concealed myself, that they might not see me. They came up and passed me; they were each loaded. I followed and asked them what they had? they said Nothing; I desired them to stop and let me see, and laid hold of Turner; he dropped a piece of lead at my feet, which was rolled up. He had another piece and ran away with it. I had taken Page and kept him. I sprung my rattle. Turner was stopped in about five minutes. I am certain he is the man. I found two pieces of lead on Page also, rolled up under his coat. I took them both to the watch-house. I went to the prosecutrix's house that day, and took one piece of lead. I found the balcony partly stripped of its lead. The lead fitted; it appeared fresh cut. I found a knife on Page, which appeared to have cut lead. Cross-examined by MR. ANDREWS. Q. The transaction began about one o'clock-Yes. I waited there till three o'clock. I am sure they are the men who passed my box. I stopped them in Cirencester-place, which is two hundred yards from the house. I saw the lead dropped. THOMAS FORBES KELSALL . I am Mrs. Elizabeth Moultrie's grandson. She keeps a house in the parish of Marylebone, and is a widow. The lead was safe the day before the prisoners were taken. The next morning I found it was stolen. JOHN MONTEITH . I am a patrol. The prosecutor's house is within my district. I herd the alarm, and took Turner. I saw Moody stop him in Cleveland-street. I found one piece of lead upon him, and another piece in the way he came. I saw him throw it away. JOHN MOODY . I am a watchman. I heard the rattle sprung at the corner of Cleveland-street, and saw Wells struggling with the prisoners. Turner got from him, and I took him. THOMAS LESTER . I am a labourer to the East India Company, and live in Charlton-street. I heard the rattle sprung, looked out of the window, and saw two men running, and the watchman pursuing them. I saw the watchman take one of the prisoners. Soon after I saw a third man come up the street, with his hands in his pockets, as if he had something heavy in them. I saw him go towards Mr. Morris's house. JOHN ANNIS . I am a plumber. I went to the prosecutrix's premises, and found a great deal of lead cut away, part of it was torn, and part cut. I saw a part of it compared with the balcony, it fitted. The four pieces weighed 130lbs. Cross-examined. Q. Can you swear the lead was cut from that place - A. Yes. I repaired it; It appeared fresh cut. The balcony joins the dwelling-house. THOMAS KNIGHT . I am a carpenter. I saw the balcony the morning it was stripped. About two feet and a quarter of lead was cut away. EDWARD CHAMBERLAIN. I was constable of the night. The prisoners and the lead were brought to the watchhouse, and two knives. I found a knife on Turner. (Property produced and sworn to.) PAGE'S Defence. The man never saw me before. PAGE - GUILTY . Aged 29. TURNER - GUILTY . Aged 29. Transported for Seven Years . Fourth Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Common Sergeant. --------------------------------------------------------------- Moreton Bay Convict Records. James Turner, per Prince Regent, tried Middlesex, 19 Sep 1818, 7 years, Seaman. Colonial conviction, Life. (no other details) Under heading of Returned to Sydney: To page 6. Notes: Run 12 Jan 1826. Page 6. James Turner, per Prince Regent 1, tried Middx G.D. 9 Sep 1818, 7 years, Tailor. Colonial Conviction: Crim Court, Hobart Town, 19 Jan 1821. These five men are Runaways from Moreton Bay where they are now to remain till the expiration of their original or Colonial sentences which of the two may happen to be for the longest period. Capital respite Life. Returned to Sydney. (No date filled in.) Run 18 Jan 1830, Retd 2 May 1830. -------------------------------------------------------------- Turner was shipped to VDL per Castle Forbes in 1820. Tasmanian Records: Conduct Record: https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON31-1-42/CON31-1-42/CON31-1-42P36 No 97. James Turner. Per P. Regent & Castle Forbes. Tried Sept 1818, 7 years. S.C. Nov 27 1820. Disorderly in Gaol, 25 lashes. Description Record: https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON23-1-3/CON23-1-3/CON23-1-3-P097 No 97. James Turner, age 22, seaman, tried Middx Sept 1818 7 years. (pencilled below) Tried Hobart Town, 20 Jan 1820, Life. To NSW per Prince Regent, 1820, To VDL per Castle Forbes, 1820. Native place, Bristol. Remarks: man, woman, J.T. right arm. Newcastle per Midas, 4 Feb 1821. Indent: https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON13-1-2/CON13-1-2/CON13-1-2P22 No 178. James Taylor. See record for details. --------------------------------------------------------------- Criminal Court, Saturday. (20th Jan) James Turner, a ferryman at Kangaroo Point, was charged with committing a rape upon the person of Catherine M'Ginnis, a single women, whose evidence was to the following effect. She was a servant to Mr. Wade at Pitt Water; and having been in town, she had occasion one day to cross the ferry from Hobart Town to Kangaroo Point in the prisoner's passage boat, in which it so happened that there was nobody at the time but themselves. When about 100 yards from the shore, the prisoner began to take very improper liberties, and, although she endeavoured to resist him throughout the assault, he completely overpowered her, and effected his purpose. The prisoner in his defence stated, that the prosecutrix had consented to his overtures, on the promise of a pair of gold ear-rings, but having neglected to give them, he considered she had in consequence brought forward the present charge. The Court retired for about 15 minutes, and returned a verdict of Guilty.— Remanded for sentence. Hobart Town Gazette, 27 Jan 1821.

341

Maureen Withey on 13th July 2024

Source: Letters Re Moreton Bay & Queensland: A2 series- Reel A2.9. Particulars of 15 Prisoners of the Crown who comprised the Two Boats Crews under the Command of Lieut Otter of H M 4th Regt who proceeded to the Northward in search of a Wreck supposed to be on Huon Monday’s Shore, Moreton Bay 12th July 1837 James Turner/ “Prince Regent”

341

Maureen Withey on 26th November 2020

Colonial Secretary Index. TURNER, James. Per "Prince Regent", 1820. 1821 Feb 21 - On list of prisoners transported to Newcastle per "Elizabeth Henrietta" (Reel 6007; 4/3503 p.141) 1823 Sep 25 - On list of convicts removed from Newcastle to Port Macquarie per "Elizabeth Henrietta" (Reel 6019; 4/3864 pp.428-9) 1824 Jul 9 - Runaway from Port Macquarie; sentenced to Macquarie Harbour, Van Diemen's Land. On return of fines and punishments in the Police Office (Reel 6023; 4/6671 p.81) 1824 Aug 28 - Prisoner in Sydney Gaol to be embarked on the "Amity" for Moreton Bay (Reel 6013; 4/3512 p.273) --------------------------------------------------

341

Maureen Withey on 26th November 2020

Letter from Commandant at Moreton Bay to Colonial Secretary, dated 24/2/1840, re forwarding mail to Sydney with overseers William White and James Turner – annexing statement of their services – requests they be set at liberty [No 40/12] & Notes in margin [Ref 40/03910] Particulars of “2” Overseers belonging to the Establishment at Moreton Bay whose Term of Servitude will Expire at the dates set against their names respectively 1 William White/ “General Stewart” 2 James Turner/ “Prince Regent” Letter, dated 14/4/1840, to Colonial Secretary from Superintendent of Convicts Office, re commutation of Colonial Sentences – suggests free pardons – annexing particulars so instruments can be prepared [No 40/117] In Margin: William White alias Long/ “General Stewart”, James Turner/ “Prince Regent” & Notes in margin Personal Description and other particulars within referred to William White (alias) Long/ “General Stuart” Granger Master 1818 [also spelt Stewart], James Turner/ “Prince Regent” 1 Anderson Master 1820