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| Site contents © Copyright Michael Crouch, 2009. This web site was launched on 7 June 1998 |
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Rose Maguire from Ireland to Tasmania Rose Maguire was sentenced 8/04/1850 at Co.Cavan Ireland to transportation for 7 years for stealing a turkey; “Rose MAGUIRE--larceny--seven years' transportation. His Worship, in passing sentence, said he took into consideration the number of times she was convicted ere this, and he was now called upon to satisfy the law, which had previously given her so many opportunities to redeem her character, but to no effect.” Anglo-Celt Published in Cavan, County Cavan April 5, 1850 Yet another girl, rose Maguire, stood at the same session. the editor thought her story so tiresome to the reading public, her fate so routine, that the official disposition of her life and future merited a mere four words of newsprint.; Rose MaguIre – larceny - seven years’transportation.” Irish American News, February 2008 review of Anglo-Celt Court reporting She had prior convictions; Cavan Quarter Sessions Rule of the Court Rose MAGUIRE, one month hard labour. Anglo-Celt Published in Cavan, County Cavan April 2 1847 Elizabeth Magovern, Bridget Magovern, and R. Maguire pleaded guilty to the larceny of six hens, on 28th April -Elizabeth and Bridget Magovern got a bad character, and were sentenced to seven years transportation, Maguuire to twelve months' imprisonment with hard labour. > Anglo-Celt Published in Cavan, County Cavan June 2, 1848 Rose DEVITT, Rose MAGUIRE, and Margaret BRACKEN pleaded guilty to stealing a quantity of turnips--Three days' imprisonment > Anglo-Celt Published in Cavan, County Cavan June 2, 1848 She was from Co Cavan Ireland, aged 20 years (born 1830 ca.), 5’2 ¼” with dark complexion and beech hair, Roman Catholic, employed as a house-maid and able to read. She was transported from Kingston Ireland on “Blackfriar” 24/01/1851 and arrived Hobart 29/05/1851 and then to New Town Farm Probation station. She was granted a conditional pardon 31/10/1854. Two children were recorded as born from the marriage of Joseph Britton and Rosa Maguire as unnamed males 31/01/1857 at Gordon and 16/01/1858 at Hobart. There is a record of marriage of Joseph Britton, bootmaker, aged 21 at Hobart on 9/12/1878 to Annie Hodgson aged 22 and children of the marriage, Thomas Ernest b. 15/2/1879 who m. 1910 and Clara Maud Annie b. 9/1/1880 who m.1900, both at Hobart. There is not any record of the birth of their daughter, Catherine Elizabeth Britton, who stated she was born 1857/58. One has to wonder of the care for the children whilst Rose was imprisoned numerous times between 1847 and 1875 as reported below. 27/06/1859 stealing fowls – one month hard labour. Stealing Fowls - Rose Brittain, a married woman, was charged with stealing on the 25th instant, two live fowls the property of John Pearse. The prisoner pleaded guilty, and said that what made her do it, to get bread for her children. Detective McGuire informed the Bench that the prisoner's husband was a shoemaker, and a good tradesman, but drink prevailed. She was sentenced to one month's imprisonment, with a caution not to appear before the Bench again. The Hobart Town Daily Mercury 28/6/1859 20/09/1859 stealing two ducks – six months hard labour POLICE COURT-SATURDAY. (Before Mr. Tarleton, P.M., and Alderman Murdoch.) STEALING fowls. Mary Bradley, alias Britton.was charged by D. C. Vickers with having stolen yesterday two ducks, tho property of Mr. William Thomas, Devonshire Arms Inn, Macquarie Street. Mr, Thomas stated that he was called upon yesterday by D. C. Vickers, who asked him if he had lost any ducks, when prosecutor missed the ducks produced. D. C. Vickers stated that he saw the prisoner yesterday in Collins Street, with something concealed uuder her dress, and on lifting up her shawl he found the ducks sworn to by Mr. Thomas, and also, wrapped up in a child's pinafore, three live fowls for which no owner had yet been found. - The prisoner in her defence said she bought the ducks. The Bench having found the prisoner guilty, D.C. Vickers prayed that she be remanded to prove a previous conviction, stating that prisoner was in the habit of carrying bread which she crumbled upon the ground to enable her to snatch up the too confiding animals. Remanded to Tuesday. The Hobart Town Daily Mercury 19/9/1859- No further report 09/08/1860 stealing a goose – twelve months hard labour 21/11/1861 stealing four fowls - No further report POLICE OFFICE LARCENY.-Rosanna Brittain was charged by Detective Morley, with having on 15th November stolen 4 live fowls, tho property of Patrick O'Keefe. The prisoner was remanded until tomorrow. The Mercury 22/11/1861 12/01/1862 stealing a fowl – twelve months hard labour. The Hobart Courier, 11/1/1862 reported:- STEALING A FOWL-Rosanna Britton was charged with stealing on 30th November last one live fowl, the property cf James Sadler of New Town. Prosecutor identified the live fowl produced as his property. “I missed it on 1st December, and did not see it again until last week”, when he saw it in the yard of tho May Pole Inn (Mr, Haines'). Saw prisoner at his house on the day he missed the fowl and purchased a pair of fowls from her. Mrs. Haines deposed that she purchased the fowl from a woman, but the prisoner was not the woman. Mr District Constable Jones said that he could not carry the case any further. The Bench directed the prisoner to be discharged, and she was discharged accordingly. 24/5/1865 larceny – acquitted LARCENY.-Rose Britton, a woman against whom a charge of larceny had been entered, was discharged, there being no evidence to offer. Courier Hobart 24/05/1865 31/05/1865 stealing two geese – four years imprisonment (released 1/09/1868) STEALING GEESE -Rosannah Brittain was brought up on remand charged with having stolen a couple of geese the property of James Miller. The prisoner elected to be tried by a jury. James Miller deposed that he was the possessor of several geese on Monday last. He missed two of them in the afternoon. The geese before the court were his property, and he identified them by certain marks. He had had one of them in his possession for twelve years. h next saw his geese on Wednesday last at Mr. Hammond's place on the New Town road, and at once identified them as his property. Sub inspector Dorsett took charge of them at his request. He knew nothing of prisoner. George Walker Hammond deposed that he bought the geese from prisoner on the 22rd inst., for 2s. 6d. each. Sub-inspector Dorset proved the arrest of the prisoner, who, after the usual forms had been complied with, was fully committed for trial. The Mercury 27/5/1865 Rosannah Brittain pleaded not guilty to an information charging her with having on the 22nd instant stolen a couple of tame geese, the property of James Miller. The particulars of this case have also been given in our Police Court report. The jury returned a verdict of guilty without leaving the box. The prisoner was then further charged on information with having been convicted of felony at the police office, Hobart Town, in Aug., 1860. Prisoner made an indirect answer to this charge, and the conviction was put in and proved. The conviction was under the hands of Messrs. Tarleton and Tonkin, and showed that prisoner had been convicted of stealing a live goose in I860, and sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment. The jury returned a verdict of guilty. In answer to the usual question, the prisoner said she had nothing to say. His Honor then proceeded to pass sentence. He reviewed the prisoner's past character, which exhibited a regular mania for fowl-stealing. She was originally transported from Ireland for stealing a turkey, in 1851. In 1853 she received a sentence of twelve months for stealing fowls. In 1859 a sentence of one month for stealing fowls. On 20th September of the same year a sentence of six months imprisonment for stealing two ducks. On the 9th August, 1860, a sentence of twelve months imprisonment for stealing a goose; on the 12th January, 1862, twelve months imprisonment for stealing a fowl, and now she was again charged with stealing two geese. For the offence of which prisoner was now charged, she was liable to be imprisoned for eight years, but he would not pass so severe a sentence. He must, however, pass a sentence which would make some impression, and he would order her to be imprisoned for four years. The Mercury 1/6/1865 13/9/1870 Disturbing the peace - fined Rosannah Brittain pleaded guilty to a charge of disturbing the peace on the New Wharf on the 12th inst. and was fined 5s. The Mercury 14/9/1870 28/9/1870 Larceny of a turkey Police Court.-The Stipendiary Magistrates at on the Bench yesterday morning, and disposed of the only case, one in which Rosannah Britton was charged with stealing a turkey the property of Mary Lynch, of the New Town Road, by remanding the accused till Tuesday next. The Mercury 24/9/1870 Rosannah Britton was placed the dock on a charge of larceny. On the application of the police, the case was remanded till the 28th (this day). The Mercury Hobart 27/9/1870. 3/12/1870 Disturbing the peace - fined Police Court, Thursday 3rd December, 1868 before the Stipendiary Magistrate. Peace Distruber - Rosannah Brittain, fined 5s. for disturbing the peace. The Mercury 4/12/1868 4/12/1871 Obtaining goods by a false pretence – 6 months imprisonment. Rosannah Brittain was charged on remand with having uttered a forged promissory note for £1 on the Bank of Van Diemien's Land. Mr. Morley withdrew the charge of uttering, and substituted for it a charge of obtaining, by means of a false pretence, from Wm. Battin a straw hat valued at 3s.6d. Mrs. Battin stated that on Friday night last the defendant came to her shop and asked to see some hats. She chose one at 3s. 6d., and put it on her head. She gave witness a note (produced) and told her to take the 3s. 6d. out and give her the change. She took the note inside, and from what her husband told her she at once took it to the police station. While there the defendant was brought into the watchhouse; she was then wearing the hat she bought from witness. She would not have given the hat into the defendant's possession had she not given her the note. Constable Samuel Birchall said the defendant was given into custody on Friday night last on a charge of passing a bad note. She said she knew the man who gave it to her, but whatever might be the consequences she would put up with them rather than tell the man's name. She said she had another of the same sort, which she had passed the same day on Mr. Waterhouse. In reply to the defendant, he said she was the worse for liquor at the time. The note was produced, and was a pen and ink copy of a £1 note on the Bank of Van Diemcn's Land, the words "Van Delusion Land," being inserted instead, and other verbal alterations made. The defendant called a young girl, named Jane Young, who said she lived at a Mr. Brown's in Argyle strcet. She did not see Brown give her a note or a piece of paper last Friday. The defendant said that Brown gave her the note, and when she passed it sho thought it was a good one. The Bench considered tho case proved, and sentenced the woman to six months' imprisonment. The Mercury 7/12/1871 20/7/1872 Larceny of fowls – 12 months imprisonment Police Court Before the Police Magistrate and A.Huybers,. Esq., J.P. Stealing a Fowl.-Rosanna Britton was brought up on remand from the previous day, charged with: having on the 17th inst. stolen a live fowl, the property of Edward Moore. Edward Moore deposed that he lived in "Smith Street, and kept some fowls about his place. The bird now produced was his property, and he last saw it alive on the 17th inst., missing it on the following day. Saw it in Warwick-street on the following morning in the possession of a young woman. From what she told him he went to the house of Mrs. Evans, in Campbell street, and in consequence of what she told him, handed over the fowl to the police, and reported to them. Eliza Jane Evans deposed to having purchased the fowl from a woman, whom she believed to be the prisoner, on the 17th instant. Ellen Wooldridge, living in Mrs. Evans's service, deposed to having seen her mistress purchase a fowl on the 17th instant, from a woman. The prisoner was the woman who sold the fowl. It was alive when Mrs. Evans bought it, and prisoner went round with it to the back of the house and killed it. Detective Morley deposed to having received the fowl produced from Mr. Moore on the 18th. When prisoner was apprehended, he showed her the fowl produced, and told her she was charged with stealing it. She asked who she sold it to, and on his replying Mrs. Evans, of Campell Street, prisoner said " she will have to prove it.". The prisoner was an old offender, several previous convictions for various offences being proved against her. She was now sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment. The Mercury 21/7/1872 17/05/1875 larceny – eighteen months hard labour. Larceny - Rose Brittain, was charged on remand by Detective Simpson, with having on or about the 7th inst, stolen one fern plant, value 3 shillings the property of Mr. Thomas Giblin. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Thomas Giblin deposed to the fact of the fern tree produced in court having been missed from his premises. John Latham said that about noon on the 7th the prisoner brought the plant produced to him and asked if he would purchase it. He did so, and placed it in the window of his shop. His attention was drawn to an advertisement in the papers in reference to a similar plant having been stolen. This fact led to the subsequent arrest of the prisoner. Detective Vickers deposed to the arrest of the prisoner, and also to her bad character. A Poultry Thief - At the Police Court yesterday a woman named Rosanna Brittain was sentenced to eighteen months imprisonment, with hard labour, for stealing a fern plant, the property of Mr. Thomas Giblin. The former career of the prisoner was one of a remarkable character, and tends to show what little effect punishment has in obliterating any peculiar bent of the human mind, especially if that tendency be an evil one. In the year 1859 Brittain was convicted of stealing two fowls, in 1860 one goose, in 1861 she got a sentence for purloining four fowls, in 1862 she was again convicted of stealing one fowl, in 1865 she received a sentence of four years penal servitude for stealing geese, in 1870 she was convicted of stealing a turkey, in 1871 found guilty of obtaining goods under false pretences, in 1872 another conviction is recorded against her for stealing fowls, and finally yesterday morning, she received eighteen months imprisonment for appropriating a fern plant, and afterwards disposing of it. Detective Vickers did not say too much when he told the Bench that Brittain was, he believed, the most determined thief in our island. The Mercury 20/5/1875 30/1/1877 Disturbing the Peace – fined. Rosannah Brittain was charged with having disturbed the peace yesterday morning in Murray Street. She pleaded not guilty, but the charge having been proved by Constable Brennan, she was also fined 10s., or ordered to gaol for 14 days. The Mercury 31/1/1877 6/5/1877 Drunk – fined. Drunk and Incapable.-Rosannah Brittain charged with having been drunk and incapable on Saturday, was fined 5 shillings or ordered to gaol for a week in default of payment. The Mercury 8/5/1877 24/12/1879 Larceny – acquitted. City Police Court.-Mr. Tarleton, P.M., and Mr. Perkins, J.P , sat at the City Police Court yesterday. Rosannah Brittain, Jane Kay, and William Grimsey, were brought up charged with stealing a silver watch and chain, and a £1 note, belonging to Fleetwood Shaw, The prosecutor said he had no evidence to offer. In reply to the Bench, Detective Simpson said Mr. Shaw had given the prisoners into custody, and had signed the charge sheet. Mr, Tarleton, in discharging the prisoners, said Mr, Shaw must take the responsibility of their imprisonment upon himself. The Mercury 25/12/1879 16/8/1880 – Another Hospital Enquiry Wanted. We take the following particulars from a report made by Sub inspector Connor, at the police station last night. A woman named Rosannah Britton, who stated she came from the country, went to the police station at 5 30 o’ clock on Sunday morning, complaining of being very ill, and stating that she had been out all night. She appeared to be in great pain , and as there was no charge against her, she was sent to the General Hospital with PC Sanderson. Dr Holden, who was called up, examined her, and said she was not a fit subject for the hospital, and further that she had been drinking and therefore he would not admit her. The woman, it appeared, had been taken to the hospital about twenty minutes previously by PC Burt, but was refused admission, which caused her to go to the police station. “ She appeared,” says the Sub inspector in his report "to have been drinking, but could not be charged with the offence as it could not be sustained. 1 directed her to lodgings " The Sub inspector further says that he directed her to two lodging houses. On enquiry, we learn that nothing is known of her at one of them. At the other the proprietor says that a woman knocked at tho door about 6 o'clock, but was ordered to go away. Where this poor sick creature wandered to nobody knows. The police did all they could, but were thwarted by Dr Holden who drove her away, sick, perhaps "unto death," by "not a fit subject" for the hospital. Every enquiry that is made by the Board shows the utter disregard of the sacredness of human life at the hospital.. How long is such a state of things to last? The Mercury 16/8/1880 4/11/1886 - Hospital Cases Constables Nunn and Inna conveyed Elizabeth Pearson, 67, and Rose Britton, aged 84, to tho Hospital yesterday, suffering from illness. They were both admitted to the institution by Dr. Parkinson. The Mercury 4/11/1886 She died a few weeks later 30th November, aged 56, at New Town Pauper Establishment Tasmania and was buried in an unmarked grave at Cornelian Bay Cemetery. |