A Murdering Rogue in My Family Tree

August 5, 1895 in Buffalo, New York was a typically hot summer day. George Greenless, my 1st cousin 3 times removed, was estranged at this time from his wife, Ella 'Nellie' Misener. Hoping to find her at home with her parents, he entered their home and a shouting match ensued.

George then pulled a pistol and shot and killed his mother-in-law. Next he shot and wounded his sister-in-law's fiance Walter Flewell. Flewell later died of his injuries.

George's story is a convoluted one. He was sentenced to life in prison for second degree murder in 1898 and sent to Auburn Prison in New York.

During his trial he became friendly with the warden of the jail where he was held. Later George's Canadian relatives came to New York to testify, and more lurid stories of George's erratic behaviour and mistreatment of his wife came out. A family witness stated that there was a great deal of insanity in the Greenlees family.

In 1909 he was sent to Sing-Sing Prison but was released on parole and married Rachel Roach in 1918 in Buffalo. In 1924 the courts granted George a pardon. He and Rachel had six children before his death in 1928.

His widow Rachel married another Sing-Sing inmate in 1932. William Leonard, her new husband, was sent to prison in 1903, served a short term before release but was back in Sing-Sing in 1904. Another short term resulted but once again he returned to Sing-Sing in 1908 sentenced to 2 to 4 years. I cannot read his crime in the records as the writing is challenging.

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Canadian and Americans Banished to Australia in 1839

Did you know that after the Rebellion of 1837 (also referred to as The Patriot War) dozens of American and Canadian prisoners were banished to Australia? These men who had fought against the British Crown were put with other prisoners from England.

Taken to Tasmania and New South Wales, they were put to work as forced labour, for which they were paid a minimal wage. Most of the surviving prisoners  were eventually pardoned in 1848

For lists of men on  Ships transporting rebels who were banished, see the following 3 ships lists:

* Canadian Convicts to Australia 
* List of men on Marquis of Hastings 1839 Canada to Van Dieman's Land, Australia 
* The Canton 1839 Canada to Van Dieman's Land, Australia

To read about the Rebellion of 1837 see the historical overview.