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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Sussex => Topic started by: BAC3 on Saturday 07 November 20 16:46 GMT (UK)
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Hello,
James COLEY, alongside his co-defendant John MARTIN, was sentenced at Lewes Quarter Sessions on 13/12/1839 to 10 years transportation for Housebreaking and Larceny. Sadly, I have been unable to uncover any further details of the crime/trial.....there was no report in the British Newspaper Archive.
Is anyone able to help please ???
Thank you,
BAC3
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Have you seen the Family Tree on Ancestry BAC3?
There is a James Coley b 1828 in Newick, Sussex - transported for 10 years for housebreaking.
The tree includes a photograph and his family details, including his grave in New Zealand -- however no newspaper report of the actual crime is included.
(I haven't checked Newspapers yet - I just wondered if you had seen the very detailed Family Tree).
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Sussex Quarter Sessions criminal convictions index on familysearch
Has a James Coley, age 13, of Newick
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-D1H7-ZC
Breaking shop window, stealing bread + cakes
Says date of QS was 31.12.39
Transported 10 years
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It's in the Brighton Gazette, 2 Jan 1840
Only have ocr text
John Martin, labourer, aged 16, and James Coley, chimney-sweep boy, 13, pleaded guilty...
Transcript has him as Jamrs Coley, I cannot tidy the text up I'm afraid, need to see original!
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Here they are in the Quarter Sessions Order Book
John Martin and James Coley
Full run down
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DRL3-DL3?i=51
and further on, Lewes House of Correction Calendar
Martin + Coley
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DRL3-8C9
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BAC3 -- I am attaching a copy of the newspaper report, cleverly found by JonW.
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Good Evening Everyone,
Thank you for all your help in providing an excellent, comprehensive answer to my problem......I am extremely grateful for you completing a "picture" for me.
I had uncovered the 131 Public Member Trees related to James COLEY and while most acknowledged the criminal history no-one provided full details of his crime.
For the moment, thank you again,
BAC3
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Good Morning,
Could I ask for your help once again, please!!
It seems the 10 year transportation sentence was a little harsh without prior convictions. However, and not mentioned at his trial, in December 1836 he was charged alongside his brother, William, with assaulting his parents and I wonder if that would represent the prior conviction........I can find no other instance. Can anyone confirm or otherwise that would be the case ::)
Thank you
BAC3
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There is an article in the Brighton Patriot of 13 Dec 1836, confirming that 2 brothers, William and James Coley did assault their parents.
Copy of article attached. I hope that is what you meant -- I am not sure if you are wondering whether this earlier offence did contribute to the hefty sentence received by James later. That is - are you asking a question re the technicalities of that sentence please?
(I hope that makes sense!)
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The 13/12/1836 may prove to have been the "previous conviction" but it has not been taken into account by the later trial in 1839. This led me to believe that possibly it was not relevant and there may have been a subsequent, more substantive conviction.
Nevertheless, he was still transported, if not as a convict but euphemistically as an "Apprentice", to circumvent NZ's anti-convict transportee regulations ::)
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BAC3 -- I am sorry if I misunderstood you - I thought you wanted details of James Coley's previous crime.
Is it that you are looking for something which may have occurred between Crime 1 and Crime 2?
I can't see anything at the moment.
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Thanks Pennines,
It was just a thought there may have been an "interim" crime, although the judge probably warranted the assault on the parents to be serious enough to classify it as THE "previous conviction" for transportation to be considered.
On the plus side transportation was the "saving" of him as he flourished in NZ, fathering 12 children as a start!!!!
Take care,
BAC3
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From the Newick Village Society
John Martin and James Coley - a severe punishment for theft in 1839
http://newick.org/Histories/Coley,%20Martin%201839.pdf
Excellent!
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Good Morning jonw65,
I could ask for nothing more.......thank you for the "magical" research........"....a severe punishment for theft in 1839" is the crowning glory, especially as the narrative provides an essential framework to complete a short biography.
For the moment, and again, thank you.
BAC3
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That was very interesting reading about the boys.
Trish :)
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JonW - you have done it again! How on earth do you manage to keep finding such absolute gems for people. I am in awe.
BAC3 - you must be over the moon with this information. I am so pleased for you -- and very well done JonW.
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I did think we could have done with finding it at the start, but perhaps it is better as some icing on the
cake :)
It was interesting, especially to be reminded of the poverty they lived in.
John
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Jon,
Can you provide me with copies of James Coley's 2 newspaper articles a) the Brighton Patriot, 13 Dec. 1836 which reports on the 'assault' by James and his brother William on their parents and b) the Brighton Gazette, 2 Jan 1840 which records the bread theft by James and his mate, John Martin?
I am from New Zealand and do not know how to access your historical newspapers. If anyone wants access to articles from Papers Past, NZ, I can help there. However, you can probably access Papers Past NZ just as easily as I can. They are completely free and digitised until about 1950.
Many thanks,
Fordy
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Hi Fordy and welcome to Rootschat.
Just bringing this query of yours up again so someone can help you :)
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Many thanks for helping me with the information on James Coley. After stumbling around I had managed to find all but the Brighton Patriot, 13 Dec. 1836 by myself. Now I have everything. Really appreciate your help - everyone. Kind regards, Wendy Clark