Below also see: John Clancy, 1872,
John Clancy, 1876,
John Clancy, 1880,
John Clancy, 1894

 

The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 17 Dec 1870 ¹

CENTRAL POLICE COURT.
FRIDAY.

BEFORE the Police Magistrate, with Messrs Pinhey, Levey, G Hill, and E Campbell.
…
    John O’Grady, or Clancy, was yesterday apprehended at Ashfield and charged with having stolen two pairs of trousers, one of which he was wearing at the time of apprehension and the other was found in his bedroom. Emily, the wife of Alexander Bryant, of Ashfield, hay and corn dealer, identified the two pairs of trousers as her husband’s property and worth about 10s; she saw prisoner on the premises yesterday afternoon, and about half an hour afterwards missed the trousers from a line in the yard. Mr Robinson, for prisoner, cross-examined the witnesses, and objected to be summarily tried. Committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Empire, Wed 21 Dec 1870 ²

QUARTER SESSIONS.—Tuesday.
————
(Before his Honor Mr Justice Simpson.)

    Mr WJ Foster Crown prosecutor.
…

LARCENY.

    John O’Grady, alias John Clancy, was charged with stealing a pair of trousers, valued at 2s, the property of George Richardson. Prisoner pleaded not guilty, and was defended by Mr RJ Robinson. The prosecutor is a blacksmith, carrying on business at Ashfield. About the 27th he missed a pair of trousers, which were traced to prisoner’s possession, and positively identified by Richardson. Prisoner’s statement was that he bought the trousers in Sydney. Mr Robinson addressed the bench, and his Honor summed up. The jury found a verdict of not guilty.

LARCENY.

    John O’Grady, alias John Clancy, was arraigned upon a charge of stealing from Alexander Bryant two pairs of trousers and a tin can. The prosecutor is a hay and corn dealer, at Ashfield. On 15th December last prisoner was in the store, and after he left the articles were missed. They were shortly afterwards found at prisoner’s lodging. Mr RJ Robinson made a touching appeal to the jury; but not withstanding that, they, without retiring from the box, returned a verdict of guilty. He had been twenty-six times in gaol. He was sentenced to twelve months’ hard labour in Darlinghurst.

 

---

 

John Clancy, 1872

 

The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 13 Sep 1872 ³

WATER POLICE COURT.
THURSDAY.

BEFORE Messrs Oatley and Charlton.
…
    John Clancy was charged with stealing a set of harness, the property of Alexander Adamson. Prisoner stole the harness from prosecutor’s coach house, and afterwards sold it to a man named Woolf for 10s, stating that he was going to the diggings. Woolf produced the harness, which was recognised by prosecutor as the set he lost. Prisoner pleaded guilty, and was committed to take his trial at the next Court of Quarter Sessions.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Empire, Wed 9 Oct 1872 ⁴

QUARTER SESSIONS.—TUESDAY.
————
(Before His Honor District Court Judge Dowling.)

    Mr Foster prosecuted on behalf of the Crown.

SENTENCES.

…
    John Clancy, who pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing a quantity of harness, was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment in Darlinghurst gaol. There were thirty-two previous convictions against this prisoner.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

John Clancy, Gaol photo sheet ⁵

---

Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 521
Gaol register No. 3545/72  

Portrait Taken: 8th October 1872

Name: John Clancy
(aka John O’Grady, John Glancey, John Cummins)

Native place: Ireland Year of birth: 1840 Arrived        Ship: Telegraph in Colony }   Year: 1853 Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Groom & Coachman Religion: R Catholic Education, degree of: Nil Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Hazel Height: 5' 2" Weight     On committal: 133 lbs in lbs     }  On discharge:

Special Marks: Scar on right thumb. Ring on the middle finger of right hand. Anchor and (J.C.) on right forearm. Scars on both shins. One front tooth out    General Description:

(No. of previous Portrait ... )  PRISON HISTORY
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Served (32) thirty two sentences in this Gaol see BB p. 30, 32 & 34 - See BB p. 75.
Sydney Q.S Water PC ditto Central PC ditto Sydney Q.S ditto   Sydney Q.S	7 16 26   4 18   3   3   2   6   1	10  2 10 2 5 2 4 4 4 12	1872 1874 1874 1875 1875 1876 1876 1878 1880 1881	Stealing Illegally on premises Stealing boots Stealing ditto Stealing a gold watch Burglary with intent to steal Sentence expired Steal from the person Sentence remitted	9 months Labor 6 months Labor 3 months C. 3 months C. 6 months L. Acquitted 2 years L.   2 years HL.

   

---

 

John Clancy, 1876 

 

The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 15 Feb 1876 ⁶

WATER POLICE COURT.
MONDAY.

BEFORE the Water Police Magistrate and Messrs Lester, Holborow, McMahon, Flood, and Gray.
…
    John Clancy was charged with having been illegally on the premises of Ewan Fergus McPherson, and with intent to commit a felony. The prosecutor, who lives in Victoria-street, Darlinghurst, stated that between 3 and 4 o’clock on last Sunday morning, he was aroused by hearing cries proceeding from a bedroom in which an elderly lady was sleeping; he immediately went there and found prisoner standing just outside the door, with his coat and boots off, he asked him what he was doing there, and prisoner replied that he was worse for drink, and had got into the house by mistake; prosecutor endeavoured to detain him in conversation until assistance came; they both went down into the kitchen, where prosecutor found the window and shutters belonging to it open, thought they were closed the night before. When prisoner saw the opening he said, “Ah, there’s where I got into the house;” his boots and coat were found in a verandah upon which the kitchen door opened, and at prosecutor’s bidding he put them on; they then went upstairs to go out by the front way; at the door, they met a Mr Chatterton, who accompanied them in the direction of the police-station; on their way thither, they were met by constable Sims, and he took charge of the prisoner, who was pretending to be very drunk; a number of matches, of a different kind to any used in the house, were found in the verandah, and on the stairs leading up to the bedroom where prisoner was found; the dinning-room window was partially open, as were also its shutters, the bolts having been drawn from the inside. Prisoner was committed to take his trial at the next Court of Quarter Sessions, which begins on the 3rd April next.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Evening News, Mon 3 Apr 1876 ⁷

QUARTER SESSIONS.

    At the Sydney Court of Quarter Sessions, which opened this morning before Mr District Court Judge Wilkinson,
…
    John Clancy was convicted of having entered the house of Ewen F Macpherson with intent to commit a felony. They were remanded for sentence.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Evening News, Fri 7 Apr 1876 ⁸

QUARTER SESSIONS.
————
THIS DAY.

SENTENCES

    His Honor passed the following sentences:
…
    John Clancy, convicted of burglary with intent to steal, two years’ imprisonment in Darlinghurst gaol, with hard labour.

 

---

 

John Clancy, 1880

 

The Sydney Morning Herald, Mon 5 Apr 1880 ⁹

QUARTER SESSIONS. 

    The following is the list of cases to come on for trial before Judge Josephson, at the Court of Quarter Sessions, commencing to-day:—

    Octavius Laroux, unlawfully wounding; Edmund Mathew, inflicting grievous bodily harm; Richard, Stewart, indecent assault; John Miers, housebreaking and larceny, and stealing in a dwelling; George Taylor, George Blake, and Joseph Redman, (1) garotting and robbery, and (2) robbery with violence; Foo Chong, (1) stealing in a dwelling house and (2) receiving; George Behrand, larceny and receiving, and forgery and uttering; Edward Wilson, larceny and receiving; Janet Hunter, feloniously wounding; Henry Thomas, forgery and uttering; Thomas Wright, stealing in a dwelling; Frederick Lea, larceny; Thomas Donohue, housebreaking and larceny; Maud Hudson, stealing in a dwelling; Berthold Bodenheimer, stealing in a dwelling; Berthold Bodenheimer, forging and uttering (3 charges); Berthold Bodenheimer, larceny as a servant; Thomas Farrell and John Ryan, stealing from the person; Timothy Ahearn, larceny (2 charges); John Joseph Kelliher, stealing from the person; Annie Miller, attempting suicide; Martino Borghese, inflicting grievous bodily harm, attempting to stab and assault; Patrick Seymour and Herbert Kinkade, assault and robbery; Susan McMab, bigamy; John Clancy, stealing from the person and receiving; James Murray, shooting with intent to murder; James Johnston, inflicting grievous bodily harm; Alice McGann, breach of the marriage law; Mary Hudson, inflicting grievous bodily harm; Robert Smith, stealing from the person and receiving; Samuel Woodward, false pretences (2 charges); Antoine Leopold Maitland, attempting suicide; John Burton Cox, larceny and receiving; Sarah Clifford, stealing from the person (2 charges); Ferdinand Joseph Liemasson, unlawfully wounding; Mary Williams, attempting suicide; Kate Sheehan and Dolly Cleary, stealing from the person and receiving; Arthur Patron, false pretences; Christopher McNab, horse-stealing and larceny; Joseph Benjamin Cohen, false pretences; Margaret Ah Foo, bigamy; William L Bone, feloniously wounding; Frederick Seale, stealing from the person; John Watson and George White, stealing in a dwelling-house (2 charges); and Cornelius Sullivan, stealing from the person.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 6 Apr 1880 ¹⁰

METROPOLITAN QUARTER SESSIONS.
MONDAY.
(Before his Honor Judge Josephson.)

    The present sittings of the Court of Quarter Sessions were commenced at the Court-house, Darlinghurst, this morning.
    Mr Pitcairn prosecuted for the Crown. 

JURORS FINED.

    The following persons were fined in the sum of 40s each for non-attendance as jurors:—Lewis Moore, Charles King (remitted), Joseph Hewitt, Charles Roberts, Edward Hunt.
…
    The court then adjourned until Tuesday morning, when the following list of cases will be entered upon:—Loo Chong, stealing in a dwelling; George Behrand, larceny and forgery; Henry Thomas, forgery, John Clancy, stealing in a dwelling; Sarah Clifford, stealing from the person (two cases); Thomas Wright, stealing in a dwelling; Frederick Seale, stealing from the person; Cornelius Sullivan, stealing from the person; William A Bone, feloniously wounding; John Miers, house breaking

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Daily Telegraph, Wed 7 Apr 1880 ¹¹

QUARTER SESSIONS.
———◦———

    The sittings of the Court of Quarter Sessions were continued yesterday at the Darlinghurst Court-house, before His Honor Mr District Court Judge Josephson. Mr Pitcairn conducted the prosecutions on behalf of the Crown.
…
    STEALING FROM A DWELLING.—John Clancy was charged with stealing a watch and chain, of the value of £5, from the dwelling-house of William O’Brien, on the 3rd January last. Prisoner pleaded not guilty, and was undefended. The evidence of the prosecutor showed that between 3 and 4 o’clock in the afternoon of the day in question prosecutor fell asleep on a sofa in the Shamrock Hotel, in Sussex-street, and when he awoke he found his watch and chain had been taken from him. Prisoner afterwards pawned it with Mr Johnson, pawnbroker, Castlereagh-street, for 5s. He was found guilty, and remanded for sentence.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 7 Apr 1880 ¹²

METROPOLITAN QUARTER SESSIONS.
TUESDAY.
(Before his Honor Mr District Court Judge Josephson.)

    The sittings of the Court of Quarter Sessions were resumed at the Court-house, Darlinghurst.
    Mr Pitcairn prosecuted on behalf of the Crown.
…

STEALING FROM A DWELLING.

    John Clancy pleaded not guilty to a charge of stealing a silver watch and brass chain, valued at £5, from a man named William O’Brien on the 3rd January last. From the evidence for the prosecution, it appears that the man O’Brien went to sleep on a sofa in Mrs Ryan’s Shamrock Hotel, Sussex-street, between 3 and 4 o’clock on the afternoon of the 3rd of January, and when he awoke he missed the articles indicated. The prisoner pawned the watch and chain with a broker named Johnson for the sum of 5s. Here the police found the articles after the prosecutor had reported his loss. Detective Tindall arrested the prisoner on the 10th of March. In his defence prisoner affirmed that he was not in Sydney at the time of the alleged robbery, and that his real name was Frances. The jury found him guilty, and his Honor remanded the prisoner for sentence.
…

SENTENCES.

    HIS HONOR passed the following sentences at the conclusion of the day’s proceedings, viz:—
…
    John Clancy, found guilty of stealing from the person, was ordered to be imprisoned for two years, with hard labour;

 

---

 

John Clancy, 1894 

 

Clerk of the Peace Registers ¹³

No.	Prisoner.	Offence.	Date of committal.
102	John Clancy	Attempt to commit sodomy	9th February 1894

Place of committal	Committed for trial at.	When received.	When sent.	To whom sent.
Quirindi	Murrurundi	12th February	22 Mar 1894 [sic]	DCP Murrurundi

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Maitland Daily Mercury, Thu 1 Mar 1894 ¹⁴

DISTRICT TELEGRAMS.
————
(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENTS.)
————

…

MURRURUNDI.

Thursday afternoon.

    At the Murrurundi Quarter Sessions, Judge Gibson presiding, Bolger and Shawn, two boys, were charged with stealing a mare and colt, two saddles and bridles, the property of Jeremiah Carey, and a silver watch, of Thos Wheelihan. They pleaded guilty to both charged; Shawn was sentenced to six month’s on each charge, and Bolger to four months’ on each charge. John Clancy, charged with sodomy, also indecent assault on a boy five years of age, was found guilty of indecent assault, and not guilty of sodomy; he was sentenced to twelve months’ in Maitland gaol, the first seven days of each quarter in solitary confinement. Thos Walter newton, charged with stealing £35 from the dwelling of Thos Selden, on Boxing Day, at Blandford races, was found guilty and sentenced to two years and three months’ in Maitland gaol.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Evening News, Mon 5 Mar 1894 ¹⁵

COUNTRY QUARTER SESSIONS.
————

    Murrurundi, Friday.—The district court and quarter sessions were concluded yesterday, before his Honor Judge Gibson. Mr Armstrong was the Crown Prosecutor. Joseph Shand and Sylvester Bolger, two apprentices from the Vernon and Sobraon respectively, were found guilty of stealing a colt and mare and a silver watch, and were sentenced, Shand six months in Maitland Gaol, and to find sureties for good behavior in the sum of £40, in default a further six months, and Bolger to four months in Maitland Gaol with hard labor, and at the expiration of that time to be sent to the Sobraon. John Clancy, found guilty of assault on a boy 5 years of age, was sentenced to 12 months’ hard labor, with five months’ solitary confinement, in Maitland Gaol. Walter T Newton, found guilty of stealing from the dwelling-house of Thomas Selden, was sentenced to two years and three months’ in Maitland Gaol.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

John Clancy, Gaol photo sheet ¹⁶

---

Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 521

Portrait Taken: [c. 1894]

Name: John Clancy 
(aka O’Grady)

Native place: Ireland Year of birth: 1840 Arrived        Ship: Telegraph in Colony }   Year: 1853 Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Groom & Coachman Religion: R Catholic Education, degree of: Nil Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Hazel Height: 5' 2" Weight     On committal: 133 lbs in lbs     }  On discharge:  Marks or Special Features: Scar on right thumb. Ring on the middle finger of right hand. Anchor and (J.C.) on right fore arm. Scars on both Shins.

Where and when tried: Murrurundi Q.S 28th February 1894 Offence: Indecent assault on [Charles Kelly , 5] a male child Sentence: 12 months H.L. Remarks: & Solitary confinement on certain given dates Discharged 29-2-1895

(No. of previous Portrait ... See page 291 )  PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Water PC ditto ditto Sydney Q.S ditto Sydney Q.S  Water PC ditto Central PC ditto Sydney Q.S  Central PC ditto Sydney Q.S	3   7 13 20 21   7 16 26   4 18  3 26 17   6	1 1 8 12 2 10  2 10 2 5 4 8 4 4	1868 1870 1870 1870 1872 1872 1874 1874 1875 1875 1876 1878 1879 1880	Vagrancy Wife Desertion Stealing Stealing Assault Stealing Illegally on premises Stealing ditto ditto Illegally on premises Drunk and obscene language ditto Steal from the person	1 month C 12 months C 1 month L 12 months L 1 month C 9 months L 6 months C 3 months C 3 months L 6 months L 2 years L 7 days and 2 months C  3 months C 2 years HL
About 41 other convictions from 24 hours to 3 months for Drunk, Assault, Vagrancy, Stealing, &c.

    

---

 

John Clancy, 1897

 

Evening News, Thu 7 Oct 1897 ¹⁷

TAMWORTH CIRCUIT COURT
————

    TAMWORTH, THURSDAY.—The Circuit Court opened yesterday before Mr Justice GB Simpson. A Sobraon apprentice named Fred Joseph Robinson, aged 15, pleaded guilty to stealing jewellery from his employer, Walter Scott Laidlaw, of Moonbi, in August, and was sentenced to twelve months’ hard labor in Maitland Gaol, the sentence to be suspended under the First Offenders’ Act. The employer became bondsman and took the lad back. John Clancy, an elderly man, pleaded guilty to assaulting a little girl under 10 years. Since 1868 seventy-seven convictions have been recorded against the prisoner, but mostly for petty offences. He was remanded for sentence.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Mon 11 Oct 1897 ¹⁸

CURRENT EVENTS.
———◦———

…
    At the Tamworth Assizes John Clancy, an elderly man, who gave his age as 67 years, pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting Ada Branson with intent. Gaoler Coonan produced the gaol record of the prisoner, which included convictions for a variety of offences, extending over a period of 29 years. There were16 convictions from 1868 to 1894, with sentences ranging from one month to two years, and besides these there were no fewer than 61 convictions for trivial offences. Mr Coonan said he was stationed at Darlinghurst from 1882 to 1892 and Clancy was brought there fully 40 times during that period. His Honor sentenced him to two years’ hard labour in Tamworth gaol.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

John Clancy, Gaol photo sheet ¹⁹

---

Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 1113
Maitland

Portrait Taken: 20-4-1899

Name: John Clancy 

Native place: Ireland Year of birth: 1840 Arrived        Ship: Telegraph in Colony }   Year: 1853 Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Groom & Coachman Religion: Roman Catholic Education, degree of: Nil Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Hazel Height: 5' 2" Weight     On committal: 133 lbs in lbs     }  On discharge:

Marks or Special Features: Scar on right thumb, ring on middle finger right hand. Anchor and J.C. right forearm; Scars on both Shins.

(No. of previous Portrait ... 521 Sydney )  PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Water PC ditto ditto Sydney Q.S ditto Sydney Q.S  Water PC ditto Central PC ditto Sydney Q.S  Central PC ditto Sydney Q.S Murrunrundi    Tamworth CC	3   7 13 20 21   7 16 26   4 18  3 26 17   6 28      6	1   1   8 12   2 10   2 10   2 5 4 8 4 4 2 10	1868 1870 1870 1870 1872 1872 1874 1874 1875 1875 1876 1878 1879 1880 1894    1897	Vagrancy Wife Desertion Stealing Stealing Assault Stealing Illegally on premises Stealing ditto ditto Illegally on premises Drunk and obscene language ditto Steal from the person Indecent assault on a male child    Indecent assault on a female child	1 month Imp 7 months Imp 1 month HL 12 months HL 1 month Imp 9 months HL 6 months HL 3 months HL 3 months Imp 6 months HL 2 years HL 7 days and 2 months Imp Con 3 months Imp 2 years H.L. 12 months H.L. & Solitary Confinement on certain given dates 2 years H.L.
About 41 other convictions from 24 hours to 3 months for Drunk, Assault, Vagrancy, Stealing, &c.

     

---

¹   The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 17 Dec 1870, p. 8.

²   Empire, Wed 21 Dec 1870, p. 3.

³   The Sydney Morning Herald, Fri 13 Sep 1872, p. 2.

⁴   Empire, Wed 9 Oct 1872, p. 3.

⁵   SRNSW: NRS2138, [3/14030], Darlinghurst Gaol photographic description book, 1866-1873, No. 521, pp. 236a-236b, R5097.

⁶   The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 15 Feb 1876, p. 3.

⁷   Evening News, (Sydney, NSW), Mon 3 Apr 1876, p. 2.

⁸   Evening News, (Sydney, NSW), Fri 7 Apr 1876, p. 3.

⁹   The Sydney Morning Herald, Mon 5 Apr 1880, p. 6. Emphasis added.

¹⁰  The Sydney Morning Herald, Tue 6 Apr 1880, p. 3. Emphasis added.

¹¹  The Daily Telegraph, Wed 7 Apr 1880, p. 4.

¹²  The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed 7 Apr 1880, p. 6.

¹³  SRNSW: NRS849, [5/3083], Clerk of the peace registers of criminal depositions received, Nov 1889-Nov 1895, p. 180, R2761.

¹⁴  The Maitland Daily Mercury, Thu 1 Mar 1894, p. 3. Emphasis added.

¹⁵  Evening News, (Sydney, NSW), Mon 5 Mar 1894, p. 7. Emphasis added.

¹⁶  SRNSW: NRS2326, [3/14127], Maitland Gaol Photograph description sheets, 1873-1922, No. 521, p. 105, R5128. Emphasis added.

¹⁷  Evening News, (Sydney, NSW), Thu 7 Oct 1897, p. 7. Emphasis added.

¹⁸  Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Mon 11 Oct 1897, p. 4.

¹⁹  SRNSW: NRS2327, [3/5987], Maitland Gaol photographic description book, 1875-1930, No. 1113, p. 170, R5130.

---