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MR. JACOB'S IRISH BRIGADE (Jacob's Mob) 1825 Jacob's Mob gang members included at least the following convicts (and possibly more) Patrick Riley - Arrived on the Castle Forbes in 1824; sentenced to transportation for Life in county Meath in 1823; considered to be the leader of the gang Patrick Clinch - Arrived on the Isabella in 1823 and was assigned to Vicars Jacob by March 1824; In 1825 a reward was offered for his capture and he was described as - Aged 28; native of Longford; 5'5"; hazel eyes; brown hair; pale, little freckled complexion Aaron Price - Arrived on the Guildford in 1824; received a sentence of transportation for Life in 1823; assigned to Vicars Jacob in 1824; blacksmith. His description in 1825 - Aged 21, native of Oxford; 5'6 1/2"; hazel eyes, brown hair, brown complexion;Lawrence Cleary - Arrived on the Mangles in 1824; sentenced to transportation for Life at the Old Bailey in 1823. Thomas Moss - Arrived on the Minerva in 1824
The map below shows some of the area the gang operated in. In July 1825 they raided Rosebrook, the farm of James Reid (shown as 'Read' on the map below) followed by a raid on Standish Harris' property at Phoenix Park; David Maziere's property, seen as 'Cobb' on the map below (Anambah); they crossed the river to raid Lieutenant William Hicks' farm and later the farm of James McClymont (McClymens on the map below). They were captured by Robert Scott and others in August but managed to escape They carried out further robberies over the next few months and were finally confronted at Sparke's property near Hexham in October when Patrick Riley was shot dead by Private John Coffee. Aaron Price surrendered and Cleary and Clinch escaped although they were soon captured. A sentence of death was passed, although they were reprieved at the last moment. Aaron Price was About to ascend scaffold when his reprieve came through and it was reported in the Australian that he fell to his knees and remained speechless for some time.
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