THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: From the News Letter of March 1846

Robbery suspects detained on board ship sailing for Liverpool
Hill Street in Newry, Co Down. NLI Ref: EAS_1453. Picture: National Library of IrelandHill Street in Newry, Co Down. NLI Ref: EAS_1453. Picture: National Library of Ireland
Hill Street in Newry, Co Down. NLI Ref: EAS_1453. Picture: National Library of Ireland

On Friday, March 7, 1846 the sum of £58 was stolen from a person called McKenzie at Newry, reported the News Letter.

It was suspected that the robbers had then proceeded “with their booty” to Belfast and they were followed hence by Constable Robert Armstrong of the RIC, who, through the assistance of Mr Lindsay, had succeeded, on Wednesday, March 11, 1846, in capturing the offenders on board the Sea-King, which was about to sail for Liverpool

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Constable Armstrong seized the parties, and “has them at present in custody”, reported the News Letter, along with “a considerable part of the money and a quantity of goods”.

In searching through Belfast for some of the money he recognised “two old offenders” from Newry, whom he also arrested.

Present state of Co Antrim Gaol

The News Letter reported during this week in 1846 that the following statistics for the Co Antrim Gaol as of March 11 had been issued by the authorities: Convicts under rule of transportation, 6; under rule of imprisonment, 17, “six of whom are lunatics”. For trial at assizes: stealing from post office, 1; embezzlement, 1; arson, 2; fraud, 1; deserting infant children, 2; dangerous lunatic, 1; assisting to commit rape, 1; larceny from the person, 4; larceny from shop, 2; larceny simple, 28; indecently exposing the person, 1; passing base coin, 4; concealing the birth of infant, 1; having stolen goods in possession, 2; assault, 1; shooting and wounding, 1; larceny, 1, total 54. For trial at Quarter Sessions, 7; debtors, 19, deserter, 1; committed by Magistrates from County of the town of Carrickfergus, 2. Total in gaol, 106.

Death of Mr James Weir, Esq

The death of Mr James Weir, Esq, at his brother’s house at Stewartstown, Co Tyrone, was reported by the News Letter this week in 1846. Mr Weir was aged 58.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The News Letter’s notice read: “Mr Weir was well known, for many years, as the warm supporter of evangelical religion in this town. He was one of the principal founders of Dr Edgar’s congregation. He was for long period treasurer of the Home Mission of the late Secession Synod, and the eloquent and influential advocate of his claims.”

Related topics: