LITTLE TREASURES FROM TROVE

I have been trawling through the old newspapers on line going back to the 1830s for family history research. I am forever getting distracted and find myself reading some of the incredible historical stories that I find and I feel obliged to reproduce them so that others can enjoy them too. (https://trove.nla.gov.au/)

Robert Jillet - Day of Execution

James Hailey - 200 Lashes

The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser

Sun 17 Apr 1803

ᴡᴇᴅɴᴇꜱᴅᴀʏ, ᴀᴘʀɪʟ 13.

At ten o’clock this morning, the New South Wales Corps and Inhabitants attended at the place of execution, and Robert Jillet the Criminal under sentence of Death, and James Hailey left the Gaol; Jillet appeared at first little affected at his situation; but when the cart reached the Provision Store, for robbing of which he had been convicted, he burst into tears, as he also did at the upper end of Pitt’s Row, when passing by the avenue which led to his former habitation. Here the recollection of his family overwhelmed him with an anguish which, if possible, heightened as he approached the intended place of execution.

Hailey had read several passages of Scripture to him on the way, to which the Criminal paid much attention, but afterwards upbraided him in harsh terms, declaring that he had not assisted in concealing the cask found in the cooperage, (the circumstances of which are stated in the trial of the prisoner in our last week’s paper).

When arrived at the awful spot, the prisoner got out of the cart, and was received by the Rev. Mr. Marsden, who had attended him while under sentence, and who now emphatically performed the duties of his function. Jillet again ascended the cart, and, after he had been delivered over to the executioner, his Reprieve was received, and published by the Provost Marshal. Convulsed with unspeakable joy and gratitude, for so unexpected an extension of mercy, he fell motionless, and for some moments continued in a state of insensibility; when he recovered, he was taken back to his late confinement.

James Hailey, late cooper at His Majesty’s Stores, now heard his sentence read, in pursuance of which, he received 200 lashes under the gallows; an example, by which we earnestly treat others may be deterred from the commission of such offences.

The Store attendants at Sydney, Parramatta, Castle‐Hill, and Hawkesbury, were indiscriminately ordered to attend on the occasion, to be spectators of the punishment.

The World's News (Sydney, NSW) 
 Sat 22 May 1948 
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