1869 February 26 Ulster Gazette
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This is a most curious case, one I have never seen the like of. Once can only guess at the circumstances which precipitated it. |
John Oliver[1] was charged by Mr. Malcolmson[2] of Tullymore[3], with stealing a quantity of potatoes on the 14th inst.
Mr. Harris[4] was for the plaintiff, Mr. Cochrane[5] for the defendant.
Mr. HARRIS said the case was not brought for the purpose of punishing the defendant but in order to clear his character. If he was not guilty, Mr. Malcolmson would take him into his employment again.
Catherine O’Neill[6], one of the plaintiff’s servants was examined by Mr. Harris and stated that she saw the defendant take a bag of potatoes from the bin.
Another servant was examined and stated that she saw the defendant with a bag containing something like potatoes on his back, but could not say he had stolen them.
Mrs McGlone[7], a respectable looking woman, entirely exonerated the defendant from the charge. She stated that it was a quantity of potatoes he was bringing to Mr. Brice[8], the plaintiff’s uncle.
Mr. Malcolm said he had been requested by a number of the workers to bring the charge in order to have the defendant’s reputation cleared.
The court dismissed the case, with 5s costs.
[1] John OLIVER. My best guess about which of several John OLIVERs this might be is that he is the John OLIVER (1841-1909) and he lived at Ballycrummy, Co. Armagh. He would have been 28 years old at the time, the husband of Margaret ROCK, and the father of three children. According to the Valuation Revision Books, a John OLIVER, likely this John OLIVER, leased a little over 2 acres and buildings valued at 1.15.0 in 1869 from Robert MALCOMSON. According to records held at the Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich Memorial Library, this John OLIVER’s father was also named John OLIVER. The DNA of his descendants is a match with the DNA of the descendants of Benjamin OLIVER (1724-1770) of Killynure. There is a reference in a July 21, 1880 letter by Eliza OLIVER (1814-1903) who mentions that her son-in-law, Thompson BROWN (1837-1915), believed that a John OLIVER who should have received 1/3rd of the proceeds of the sale of Lisdrumard, Knockagraphy and Drumgar. This never happened. In the grave marker that Eliza OLIVER erected in her father Benjamin OLIVER’s memory, there is no mention of a John OLIVER, although it is likely that he was one of her uncles or great-uncles, and that this John was one of his sons or grandsons. He might not have been included because he was Catholic, and the grave marker was in a Protestant cemetery: To the memory of Benjamin Oliver of Killynure who departed this life July1st aged 66 years. This [?] of respect was erected by his eldest daughter AD 1883. Here also are the remains of his parents William and Elizabeth Oliver. Of his sons William Thomas and James. Of his sister-in-law Jane, wife of William. And of his sister Frances Oliver and Mrs. Elizabeth Vance. I believe this was in the Parish of Lisnadill, although I saw no record of it there when I visited.
[2] Mr. MALCOMSON of Tullymore.
[3] Tullymore, Parish of Armagh, Co. Armagh had been owned by Joseph OLIVER (1764-1837) until his death in 18
[4] Mr. HARRIS
[5] Mr. COCKRANE
[6] Catherine O’NEILL
[7] Mrs. McGLONE
[8] Mr. BRICE