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1808: Joseph Moreton Hanged in Sydney for Forging a Promissory Note

In early June 1808, Joseph Moreton purchased livestock worth 24 pounds, paying with a promissory note he endorsed on the spot without hesitation. The note later proved to be a forgery.

At trial before the Court of Criminal Jurisdiction in Sydney, multiple witnesses corroborated the transaction and the note was produced as evidence. Moreton claimed he had found it near a bridge in Sydney and held it for some days before passing it on. The court returned a verdict of guilty and a sentence of death. He was hanged on 28 August 1808.

Ancient letter with old blue pen on paper

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Australia Execution Forgery Fraud NSW Sydney Trial

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1808: Broughton and Cheeseman Hanged in Sydney for Cattle Theft at Hawkesbury

Stockmen, Richard Broughton and John Cheeseman, conspired to steal two head of cattle from their employer’s flock at Hawkesbury in April 1808.

Cheeseman paid off Broughton for the two heads of cattle, which were then driven through Parramatta and on to a farm near the Brickfields in Sydney. A king’s evidence witness revealed he had overheard the deal being struck and later spotted the cattle in a herd at the Nepean River.

Broughton and Cheeseman were tried, found guilty and hanged in Sydney. A third accused, Joseph Tilson, was found to have been an unwitting hired drover and escaped the same fate.

Two head of cattle.

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Australia Execution Hawkesbury NSW Parramatta Sydney Theft Trial

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1893: John Conder Hanged at Melbourne Gaol for the Murder of a Merchant

John Conder was hanged at Melbourne Gaol on 28 August 1893 for the murder of Kaiza Singh, a Hindu hawker, near Buchan in eastern Victoria. Several hundred people gathered outside the prison, and inside, around two dozen witnesses attended the execution.

Conder was led to the scaffold by the hangman and his assistant, both heavily bearded. A chaplain, recited prayers at the scaffold. When asked by the Sheriff if he wished to make a statement, Conder, who was hard of hearing, shook his head. The rope was placed around his neck and the cap drawn over his face.

Conder cried out “O God, have mercy on my soul” before the bolt was drawn.

John Conder Illustration 1893

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Australia Buchan Execution Melbourne Murder VIC

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1857: Frederick Turner Hanged at Melbourne Gaol for Armed Robbery and Attempted Murder

Frederick Turner, just 21 years old, was hanged at Melbourne Gaol on 28 August 1857 for robbery under arms on the Flemington Road. He and accomplices had robbed a labouring man near Flemington, and when the victim begged for the return of half a crown to feed his children, Turner drew a revolver and fired at his head. The ball glanced off, inflicting only a minor wound, but the intent was clear. Turner had arrived in Victoria as a free emigrant aboard the William Jardine in 1849, accompanied by his parents and brother.

Convicted at the Criminal Sessions of highway robbery and shooting with intent to murder, Turner went to the gallows clinging to hope of a reprieve that never came. He refused to reveal his real name, admitting only that idleness and dissolute company had been his ruin.

He maintained he had never intended to kill his victim, and this belief appeared to sustain a lingering, ill-founded hope that mercy would be shown to him in this world.

Bushranger Robbery Under Arms

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Australia Bushranger Execution Melbourne Murder Robbery VIC

1808: Joseph Moreton Hanged in Sydney for Forging a Promissory Note

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1808: Broughton and Cheeseman Hanged in Sydney for Cattle Theft at Hawkesbury

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1893: John Conder Hanged at Melbourne Gaol for the Murder of a Merchant

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1857: Frederick Turner Hanged at Melbourne Gaol for Armed Robbery and Attempted Murder

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