The 10th prisoner is a shadowy figure in the history of Moreton Bay. He arrived in 1825, sentenced to life by the Sydney Bench for an offence not recorded in the Chronological Register of Prisoners. His record goes on to state that he was 40-year-old cook, of average height and swarthy, born in Naples. HeContinue reading “The Last Moreton Bay Murderer”
Tag Archives: Murder at Moreton Bay
Murder at Moreton Bay – 18 September, 1849
On 18 September 1849, Owen Molloy went to the gallows in Sydney for the murder of James Leonard. He died penitent, admitting his guilt and warning the large crowd gathered for the gruesome spectacle, to avoid the demon drink. There was a sensational coda to Molloy’s story, but more of that later. James Leonard wasContinue reading “Murder at Moreton Bay – 18 September, 1849”
Murder at Moreton Bay – “But for one oppressed man to kill another oppressed man, is matchless in infamy.”
On a rainy morning in April 1830, two convicts from Moreton Bay were taken to the Gallows at Sydney gaol. The usual crowd of spectators gathered to watch the events of the morning. Some were morbidly curious to see the condemned men hanged, others to see if there would be any drama before the hangingContinue reading “Murder at Moreton Bay – “But for one oppressed man to kill another oppressed man, is matchless in infamy.””
Murder at Moreton Bay – I am tired of this life.
Patrick Maguire was 30, and he was tired of life. It was the 6th of January 1832, and he was working in the sun with a young Scot, Matthew Gallagher, getting gravel from the pit to repair the roads. It was humid, it was hot, the sun blazed overhead. The only relief might come inContinue reading “Murder at Moreton Bay – I am tired of this life.”
Murder at Moreton Bay – The Awful Entries in Spicer’s Diary.
Spicer’s Diary is the name given to the Book of Monthly Returns of Prisoners Maintained at Moreton Bay. Peter Spicer was Superintendent of Convicts from 23 August 1826 – 8 May 1839. The diary records the number of prisoners assigned to every form of work in the Colony, from clerical workers to bullock drivers. ThereContinue reading “Murder at Moreton Bay – The Awful Entries in Spicer’s Diary.”
Murder at Moreton Bay – Henry Muggleton
“Be Quick” Sometime between 3 and 4 in the morning of 19 February 1830, in the Prisoners’ Barracks at Moreton Bay, a voice whispered, “be quick”. It was a bright moonlit night, nearing dawn. Some of the prisoners were awake, others oblivious. The Barracks were quite full – almost 100 men – and prisoners bunkedContinue reading “Murder at Moreton Bay – Henry Muggleton”
Moreton Bay and More 